Welcome to the September 2007 Edition of Island Hideaways' Caribbean Villa Newsletter!
We have more than 21 years of experience arranging luxury villas and private islands for rent in Barbados, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mustique, St. Croix, St. John, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda. It would be our pleasure to assist you with planning your next villa vacation.
This month, we feature the beautiful island of St. Thomas. Leading off is Beausoleil, our Villa of the Month …
Villa of the Month:
Beausoleil, Peterborg, St. Thomas
Perched atop a hill overlooking the world-famous Magens Bay beach, this private, five-bedroom villa offers luxurious yet casual living. One stay at this stunning private home and you'll know why we selected it as our Villa of the Month.
Showcasing a classic West Indian style, Beausoleil's exterior features a beautiful courtyard garden draped by palm trees and an inviting, oval swimming pool surrounded by three pavilions of luxurious living quarters. An elegant stone walkway weaves through manicured, tropical landscaping and connects each of the living areas.
Beausoleil's main pavilion provides a Great Room for entertaining, a formal dining area, a remodeled kitchen with granite countertops, and a large, shaded verandah with stunning ocean views. On the opposite side of the courtyard is a loggia, which overlooks the pool, a stone sun terrace, and a soothing fountain. Off of the pool is another pavilion that features an air-conditioned master bedroom with an elegantly carved, four-poster king bed, a dressing area, and a tiled bathroom, custom finished with mahogany cabinetry and double vanities.
With three air-conditioned suites and a smaller fourth bedroom, the villa's third pavilion, a two-story guesthouse, is perfect for large groups. While most guesthouses are just large enough, Beausoleil's version cuts no corners. A large, roofed verandah nearly encircling the second floor provides incredible views of Magens Bay as well as a relaxing hot tub situated just steps from two of the suites. Equally impressive, the main-level garden suite opens out to a handsome stone patio through sliding glass doors.
This AIA award-winning villa receives maid service once a week and offers many amenities to make guests feel at home in paradise. Six cable televisions, including a 56" behemoth in the master bedroom suite, an equal number of DVD/CD players, and a library of more than 200 movies provide plenty of indoor entertainment for quiet evenings and rainy days. For guests who need to take care of business while traveling, the villa is equipped with an all-in-one printer (with scanning and copying capabilities), a fax machine, and high-speed Internet access. Guests who want to experience the breathtaking white-sand beach of Magens Bay need only bring their bathing suits; beach chairs and a cooler are stored at the villa year round.
For more information, please go to the listing on our website by clicking here.
It would be our pleasure to personally describe this exquisite property to you; please call us toll-free at 800-832-2302 for more information or to make a reservation.
While the immediate area surrounding Beausoleil features the beach and the beautiful Magens Bay Arboretum, guests looking for adventure would be remiss not to explore other parts of St. Thomas and its neighboring islands. The highlights of St. Thomas include a famous shopping experience in Charlotte Amalie, world-class restaurants such as Havana Blue (see below), secluded Water Island-a largely undeveloped piece of tropical paradise-and Coral World, the largest natural reef aquarium on earth.
The other Virgin Islands also provide many unbeatable Caribbean activities-everything from swimming in calm bays outlined by a secluded beach to snorkeling amidst colorful coral reefs and marveling at schools of tropical fish. Although guests are welcome to tackle these adventures one-by-one on their own, a chartered boat trip is a much more efficient-and stylish-way to explore the islands.
Stormy Petrel & Pirate's Penny:
Island-Hopping Adventures
Stormy Petrel and Pirate's Penny yachts let passengers explore one breathtaking spot after another on a day-long whirlwind tour of St. Thomas' neighboring islands. These comfortable, fully-equipped, 42-foot motorized cruisers were specially designed to provide the ultimate Caribbean experience for small, intimate groups.
Sailing roundtrip from St. Thomas, the itinerary includes stops such as St. John, Peter Island, and Drake's Passage. (Private charters are also available for guests preferring more personalized itineraries.) Each destination is unique, with stunning natural beauty, a colorful and laid-back atmosphere, delicious food, and plenty of great local shops. Passengers can forget about having to arrange transportation and plan activities-they can just enjoy themselves.
Throughout the trip, the captain and crew offer insight into each island's history and interesting tidbits about local folklore and culture. Onboard, a fully-stocked open bar provides refreshments ranging from soft drinks to premium liquors and beers. A stop for lunch at an oceanfront restaurant on the private Cooper Island gives passengers a chance to enjoy local favorites like conch fritters, grilled mahi-mahi, and jerk chicken, not to mention an incredible view.
An immaculate private changing and shower area onboard is perfect for a refreshing mid-day rinse after experiencing some of the world's best snorkeling in the waters off The Baths of Virgin Gorda. Top-quality equipment and expert instruction are provided free of any extra charges. There are also guided tours through the rock formations and luminous grottos that characterize The Baths. Virgin Gorda also features a charming marina and some interesting shops in Spanish Town.
An island-hopping adventure is sure to be a highlight of any trip to St. Thomas. And such a fun-filled, action-packed day will certainly work up an appetite …
Restaurant of the Month:
Havana Blue, St. Thomas
This seaside restaurant in St. Thomas offers sophisticated cuisine in an atmosphere that is tropical, hip, and relaxing. Part of Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, Havana Blue has been one of the island's hottest restaurants since it opened in 2004. Location and setting are certainly part of the appeal; the open-air restaurant overlooks the sparkling white sands of one of St. Thomas' beautiful beaches. An entrance that features a mesmerizing waterfall wall and the hypnotic blue-green lights throughout the restaurant establish a warm and inviting atmosphere. But there's much more to the allure than just the sublime ambiance.
Self-described as "Latin America meets the Pacific Rim," Havana Blue offers upscale cuisine influenced by a variety of cultures, fresh fish and lobster brought in daily by local fisherman, and creative cocktails, including a lineup of eight distinctive mojitos. A "Sunset Cocktail Reception" encourages diners to kick off the evening spectacularly, by reserving an area of the restaurant to sip cocktails while watching cruise ships depart Charlotte Amalie at sunset.
The Bebidas (drink) menu includes interesting mixes, such as Mango Mojito, made with fresh mint and limes, and Sangria marinated with mangos, green apples and lemongrass. For wine lovers, Havana Blue's "Reserva" list includes several rare wines from A-list producers, like Domaine de la Romanee Conti and Harlan Estate.
The restaurant's extensive, diverse, and frequently changing dinner menu features experimental cuisine that combines authentic Latin and Cuban dishes with the exotic spices and sauces of the Pacific Rim. Some selections offered on a regular, rotating basis include Ahi Tuna Tiradito, Fresh Coconut Chipotle Ceviche, Peanut Soba Noodle Bowl, Duck Ropa Vieja Spring Rolls, Mojito Glazed Skirt Steak, and Ancho Chile & Espresso Rub Filet. Havana Blue's signature dish is the succulent Miso Sea Bass.
After dinner, guests may enjoy traditional Cuban desserts, such as Coconut Flan and Tres Leches Yuzu Cake, or something more innovative, like Blueberry Blanco, a warm blueberry and white chocolate cake served with sorbet. Hand-rolled cigars and premium rums are also available to consummate the meal in true Cuban style.
Please contact us toll-free at 800-832-2302 and we would happy to make a reservation for you during your next trip to St. Thomas.
Passport Reminder
With recently implemented exceptions for special cases*, all travelers must present a passport to enter the United States. This includes U.S. citizens returning from the Caribbean. U.S. citizens visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico do not need a passport because they are U.S. territories. Obtaining a passport can take a month or more, so plan ahead for holidays in the Caribbean.
* Announced by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security on June 8, 2007: Through September, 30, 2007, United States citizens flying back from the Caribbean who have applied for but not yet received passports because of huge backlogs can be readmitted with government-issued photo identification and online receipts of their passport application.
About Island Hideaways
Island Hideaways has specialized in Caribbean villa vacations since 1986. We represent hundreds of luxury vacation villa rentals throughout the Caribbean islands. Island Hideaways was named "A first-rate agency that specializes in Caribbean properties" by Business Week Magazine and our website received the prestigious "Best of the Web" award by Forbes magazine each summer from 2000 - 2005. Please call us toll-free at 800-832-2302 or e-mail us at villas@islandhideaways.com with any questions, suggestions or comments.
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