Do I need to rent a car?
No, since Saba is so small, safe and friendly, walking, hitchhiking, or taxis are the most common modes of transportation for tourists. However, if you feel you need a rental car, we'll be happy to take care of that for you.
Are there any beaches?
Yes and no. There is one small "part-time" beach located in Wells Bay. "Part-time" means that it depends on the tide level.
Certain times of year, the tide is too high and the surf pounds directly into a sheer rock cliff. Other times of year, the tide is low enough to reveal a nice small beach.
Of course, we cannot guarantee when the beach will be there! If you want to go shore swimming or snorkeling, Cove Bay is always available.
Wells Bay is easily accessible via boat. Any dive operator will allow you to tag along if you are interested.
Is there air conditioning?
We're happy to say no, there is not. Instead, we offer open windows and cool breezes. We're high enough so that the temperature is 70 to 85°F (21 to 30°C) during the day, and 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°) at night.
Do you have a meal plan?
No, we do not have a structured meal plan. Some guests tell us that our menu, with eclectic selection of Caribbean and European dishes and its daily specials, offers a different experience at every meal. Naturally, we're happy to oblige!
However, other guests feel that to enjoy Saba fully one must explore some of the other restaurants on the island.
"Some of the others are good, but The Gate House is the best": that's what we enjoy hearing — and that's what we often do hear.
Is there a TV and a phone in the rooms?
We understand that our guests want to enjoy's Saba serenity. In order to assure your utmost privacy and serenity, there are no TVs or telephones in our rooms.
We're glad to place your local or international calls for you at the front desk.)
Do your rooms have ocean views?
Yes, our rooms have balconies and offer (we believe) the finest views
on the island.
How many islands can you see from the balcony?
Five: Sint Maarten/St-Martin, St Barths, St Eustatius (Statia), St Kitts, and Nevis.
What Money should I bring?
Well, you'll have to pay us!
Seriously, there's an ABM and two banks, RBTT
and First Caribbean International Bank, open 8.30 — 3.30 or so on
weekdays. They'll give you money from your card, and will exchange Traveller's
Checks. Nevertheless, bring some money just in case.
The local currency is NAf: Netherlands Guilders.
But you'll be able to use US Dollars everywhere you go. Euros are also
fairly commonly accepted on the island, but ask before buying goods or
services.
Of
course, we accept Euros at The Gate House. You'll receive your change
in Dollars, though.
How about Credit Cards?
The Gate House accepts them with no surcharge. As in the rest of the Caribbean, almost all other businesses catering to tourists take them too, although sometimes with a small surcharge and/or a minimum purchase.
What are the tipping conventions?
A service charge is added automatically in most places. Tip at your discretion for drivers, guides, and restaurant servers.
Will I need formal clothes?
No: Resort Casual, as elsewhere in the Caribbean. Bathing suits are not recommended in town. In our restaurant in the evening, you might choose to be a bit more formal. But men in jackets and ties: we hardly ever see them.
Will my hairdryer and shaver work?
Voltage here is 110V, as in the U.S. and Canada and all the other Caribbean islands except the French ones. The plugs are also American style, so no adaptor is needed.
Are there snakes and insects and other poisonous things?
There are no poisonous snakes. No mosquitoes, no sand flies, no no-see-ums.
On one of the trails there are Machineel trees, which you should not touch. The Trail Guides and Brochures will tell you all about them.
Apart from that: the iguanas can look ugly to some people. So can the land crabs (even at our altitude, we have them). But they'll all run off as soon as they know you're there.
What's the island's political system?
Saba is a Dutch dependency, part of the Netherlands Antilles — along with our neighboring islands of St Maarten & St Eustatius (aka Statia), and also (rather far to the South) Curaçao and Bonaire. It has its own Island Government, and you're quite likely to meet the Lt-Governor or one of the two Commissioners in town!
Well then, will I have to learn Dutch?
No! Many Sabans have been to Holland and speak Dutch, and the Government runs largely in Dutch. But the first language here is English. If you meet anyone who doesn't speak English, it's a tourist!
We've heard that Saba is the most gay-friendly
island in the Caribbean. Is this true?
We've heard the same thing, although comparisons aren't easy to make. Saba is certainly a place where a diversity of people live together in a non-judgemental way. And many well-known people here make no particular secret of their preferences. But in many ways, including this one, Caribbean people tend to be rather modest in public. You won't see many people walking around town in bathing suits either.
And everyone is welcome in our hotel.