By Alix O’Neill
This story originally appeared in the January/February 2017 issue of Elite Traveler.
Luxurious island living should encompass thoughtful design, the finest luxurious comforts and unparalleled ocean views. Our pick of villas showcases some of the best experiences the region has to offer.
Guana Island, British Virgin Islands
The ultimate Caribbean retreat, Guana is a fully private paradise that can cater for up to 32 guests. Directly adjacent to BVI’s Tortola, the 800-acre island offers an abundance of white sandy beaches and hiking trails. As well as 15 cottages and one villa, there’s a Great House, where three delicious meals a day are served by a personal chef. Most of the accommodations include a plunge pool and private terrace. For those keen to socialize, beach barbecues and movie nights can be arranged, but with seven beaches to choose from, guests can also enjoy uninterrupted downtime.
Related
Special amenities Catamarans, kayaks, pedal boats, sailboats, fishing, tennis court, snorkeling, croquet and table tennis.
Size from 350 sq ft upwards
Number of bedrooms 16
Weekly rate From $183,000
Contact Lisa Abbott, villa specialist, lisa@isleblue.co, isleblue.co
Ynys Marn, The Abaco Club on Winding Bay, The Bahamas
Content from our partners
Take a helicopter flight over Ynys Marn (Welsh for island view) and it’s all green and blue as far as the eye can see. Verdant tropical vegetation surrounds this 7,000 sq ft estate, which looks out onto white sands and turquoise waters. Accommodating up to 10 people and complete with a large, fully equipped kitchen, the property is well suited to families or groups. Indoor and outdoor areas merge seamlessly throughout – each of the top-floor bedrooms open onto a covered veranda with magnificent views of Winding Bay. Guests can use the resort’s luxury spa and fitness center, as well as join in the sunrise workouts on the beach.
Special amenities A pool, hot tub and steam room. Guests also have access to The Abaco Club’s amenities, including water sports, golf, fishing, boating and tennis.
Size 7,000 sq ft
Number of bedrooms Six
Weekly rate $70,000 per week
Contact Portia Jonsson, revenue manager, +1 242 577 4166, pjonsson@theabacoclub.com, theabacoclub.com
Miramar at St Croix, US Virgin Islands
Every inch of this palatial residence is a visual treat. Grand columns supporting high-vaulted ceilings run down to Italian marble flooring clad in lavish Oriental rugs. Equipped with a generous supply of books, the library/office is handsomely bedecked in rich wood paneling and French antiques – the perfect spot for quiet contemplation. There are five bedrooms and five bathrooms and with its high ceilings, marble columns, granite countertops, custom cabinetry and professional-grade appliances, the gourmet kitchen is a real showstopper. French windows opening onto the terrace offer dreamy views of the Caribbean Sea. The roomy master suite features superlative vistas of Buck Island, while the ensuite comes with separate his and hers vanities, enclosed toilets, dressing areas and
walk-in closets.
Special amenities An air-conditioned gym equipped with satellite TV, heated swimming pool, large coral-stone outdoor dining table and electric piano. In the kitchen, there’s an 18-ft granite-topped wet bar with an icemaker and beverage fridges.
Size 9,500 sq ft
Number of bedrooms Five
Weekly rate From $9,324
Contact David Anthony, reservations manager, david@caribbeanvillasmanagement.com, +1 813 388 8995, vacationvi.com
Pearl West, Turks & Caicos
The predominantly pristine-white interior of this uber-luxurious Long Bay Beach property allows the views to do the talking. Splashes of turquoise blue abound, complementing the color of the crystal-clear ocean beyond. Spanning 12,000 sq ft, the villa includes eight sumptuously decorated bedrooms and bathrooms spread out across multiple levels. Outside, you’ll find 150ft of beach front and private beach deck area. For those keen not to miss their usual workout, Pearl West shares a fully-equipped 1,000 sq ft gym with neighboring villas Pearl East and Lidija House. Other first-class amenities include an ASBA-certified championship tennis court and a Turkish steam bath, sauna and alfresco massage pavilion with adjacent powder room and shower. It’s all about the service here – as well as daily housekeeping and a personal chef, a luxury concierge will attend to your every need.
Special amenities Two private pools, hot tub, swim-up pool bar, a beach lounge deck, smart music system throughout the villa.
Size 12,500 sq ft
Number of bedrooms Eight
Weekly rate From $52,500
Contact Delphine Hartshorn, director, delphine@hummingbirdluxury.com, +1 649 432 3566, hummingbirdluxury.com
Greensleeves, Barbados
Family vacation villas don’t get much better than this. Set on 11 acres of prime beach front, with direct access to two bays along the Platinum Coast, the nine-bedroom property is a haven for children and adults alike. Canopied beds, teak walkways and bamboo-framed Mongolian temple doors give a distinctly Asian feel to the design. The Japanese water garden, brimming with colorful koi carp and attracting hummingbirds and whistling frogs, is a tranquil spot for some relaxation. Meanwhile, in a spacious separate wing, a jungle gym for the kids and accommodation for a nanny allow the grown-ups some respite. A fun touch is the pool, featuring a mini island with palm trees and a swim-up bar.
Special amenities A home theater, private chef, in-house spa treatments, gym, iPad minis in each bedroom.
Size 25,170 sq ft
Number of bedrooms Nine
Weekly rate From $52,500
Contact Kathy-Dawn Burke, +1 246 622 3237, kd.burke@blueskyluxury.com, greensleeves.blueskyluxury.com
Ty Molineux, Antigua
Part of luxury hotel chain Rosewood’s Jumby Bay resort, the sprawling, colonial-style Ty Molineux is situated in eight acres of tropical garden. There are four suites in the main house and two private cottages on the grounds, each containing two suites. Rooms are vast and tastefully decorated with rich woods, antique and reproduction pieces and characterful artworks. An
excellent kitchen with breakfast patio, two dining areas in the primary residence and a dining gazebo adjacent to the beach make the villa an ideal spot for entertaining and group vacations.
Special amenities A 65ft-long infinity pool, private chef, housekeeper and butler, spa-treatment suite, outdoor games area – including chess, checkers
and croquet, golf carts, floodlit tennis court and fully-equipped gym.
Size 25,000 sq ft
Number of bedrooms Eight
Weekly rate $101,500
Contact jumbybay@rosewoodhotels.com, +1 268 462 6000, rosewoodhotels.com
Calivigny Island, Grenada
Your own private Caribbean getaway awaits at the exclusive Calivigny Island – just a five-minute boat ride from Grenada. Picture perfect white sandy beaches and acres of lush rain forest are yours to explore when you stay at one of three stunning residences; including the French-colonial-crossed-with-Balinese designed Beach House. If you get restless after being waited on hand and foot, there is windsurfing, sailing, water skiing, kayaking, jet skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving. For the landlubbers there is tennis, cycling, basketball, a fully equipped gym or billiards. But if all that sounds too much like hard work, there is always the spa.
Special amenities Boat trips, children’s activities, babysitting, home cinema, live music on request, maid service, laundry, chef and transfers to and from Grenada airport.
Size 107,640 sq ft
Number of bedrooms 10
Weekly rate $280,000
Contact enquiries@calivigny-island.com
Rio Chico on the Beach, Jamaica
It is no surprise the guest list of this vast oceanfront estate on Jamaica’s celebrated north coast includes celebrities and noted diplomats. Set amid 14 acres of tropical gardens complete with a series of waterfalls and rivers joining the Caribbean Sea, Rio Chico has two private beaches and two freshwater swimming pools. Each of the six bedrooms enjoys breathtaking ocean views, while a two-bedroom guest cottage overlooking the lush vegetation offers couples a more secluded piece of paradise. A full staff is at guests’ disposal and 24-hour security ensures absolute privacy at all times.
Helicopter transfers to Ocho Rios, plus the services of a masseuse and tennis pro can be arranged at an additional charge. There are a variety of water sports to choose from, including sailboating, kayaking, wind surfing, aqua cycling, snorkeling and paddle boating.
Special amenities Tennis court, a half basketball court, gym, darts, croquet, trampoline and a private office.
Size 8,000 sq ft
Number of bedrooms Eight
Weekly rate From $60,750
Contact Linda Smith, president Linda Smith Villas, +1 301 229 4300, lindasmith@jamaicavillas.com, jamaicavillas.com
Ambre, St Barths
More chic Parisian apartment than laid-back Caribbean retreat, this elegant and spacious four-bedroom villa exudes Gallic charm. A magnificent kitchen is equipped with everything gourmands need to cook up a feast, although coffee, French pastries and fresh fruit are delivered to the villa each morning. There’s a grand salon, furnished with Louis chairs, French antiques, giant urns filled with flowers and an opulent gold and crystal chandelier; and a petit salon for reading, watching TV or simply indulging in some private relaxation. Not that you’ll be spending much time indoors – a large heated pool overlooking the ocean and a huge terrace framed by palm trees are the real draw here.
Special amenities A fitness room with a treadmill, elliptical trainer, exercise bike, rowing machine and free weights.
Size 5,400 sq ft
Number of bedrooms Four
Weekly rate From $19,070
Contact Peg Walsh, founder and president St Barth Properties, pegwalsh@stbarth.com, stbarth.com
8 Mariner’s Call, St Kitts
Image © Christophe Harbour
This spacious property in Sandy Bank Bay, Christophe Harbour, is the place to stay for next-level entertaining. There are four bedrooms across two floors and a wealth of living space. Italian plasterwalls, coral stone floors and an exterior featuring rare reclaimed Nevis stone strike a natural balance that harmonizes with the stunning landscape all around. Upstairs, wide doors open onto generous verandas for a seamless integration of indoor
and outdoor spaces. There’s even a full outdoor kitchen and bar, complete with TV. But it’s the pool that really impresses; a plantation stone backdrop wall and copper water features create a secluded, spa-like feel.
Special amenities A pool, Sonos wireless sound, home theater system, outdoor grilling area on second floor porch, indoor/outdoor shower in master suite, custom kitchen cabinetry and professional-grade appliances.
Size 7,042 sq ft
Number of bedrooms Four
Weekly rate $10,500
Contact Kim De Costa, concierge@christopheharbour.com, +1 869 466 4557, christopheharbour.com
