kathleen
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 8
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Hi everyone!
I am new to this board and have been reading all your wonderful posts, very informative! I have also been driving myself crazy on WIMCO's site looking for a perfect villa for my husband and I. I have been to St. Barths 2x,(both times in villas with 3 other couples) the last being over 8 years ago, and I had no hand in the planning so I really don't even remember where they were. I am planning to visit next spring and would like to find a villa and reserve it. After looking at most villas in WIMCO and researching all your recommendations I know what I want in a villa, but I need your recommendations. We need
-definately a pool (either a heated pool or sun all day) and a jacuzzi
-open living and dining
-not windy
-great views sunrise, sunset ot both
-king size bed
-privacy
This time it is just the 2 of us. I have been reading that you can rent a larger villa and pay for 1BR which would be perfect. I really liked the look of SIB BYZ but after doing a search, I found that the reviews were not that great. The villa itself has everything I am looking for but not sure about the wind! Thanks for any info you can give me, I really appreciate it.
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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I'm looking for the same thing, but I'm a first timer (I've got a lot of posts which helped me get to the decision to go the villa route on SBH).
I've been communicating with French Caribbean, who came really highly recommended. Are Wimco and St. Barth Properties as good? I'm down to a "short" list of about 20 choices, but only about a third of those are available from French Caribbean and a couple of the ones that look most promising are not (Atalante and Diaco), although the ones from French Caribbean do look very good (Sky Vista, Manon, Tiki, Vaio, Taniko, Kyody, Coeur de Vague, and La Mouina).
Any help is appreciated, although specific experience is what I'm mostly looking for. I'm looking for something under $5K for a week during Jan/Feb.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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jacque
Reged: 12/18/02
Posts: 105
Loc: Louisiana
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Kathleen,
For what it's worth, some friends of mine just got back from staying in BYZ and absolutely loved it. In fact, after looking at a few other villas while they were there, they decided to book BYZ again next year!
Jacque
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Kara Brooks
Reged: 09/30/02
Posts: 1399
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Kathleen -
I am not familiar with BYZ (I have only driven by it) but I do know the neighborhood (Bob and I have stayed in a neighboring villa a number of times which we love and would highly recommend but it doesn't have the open living area you are looking for). Pointe Colombier is a wonderful area - right above the lookout point on a private road. It is breezy most of the time which means no bugs (probably the most important thing to me). We have been on the islands when the tradewinds shift and things get HOT and you'll still have a gentle breeze out at Pointe Colombier. We have had a few wild windy days which were kind of fun. In my opinion, I would err on the side of having a breeze to no breeze and wouldn't write off BYZ because of concerns about the wind.
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Kara Brooks
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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Kara:
Breezy is good. Which villa(s) did you like in Pointe Colombier?
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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kathleen
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 8
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Thanks so much for your replies. We have been travelling to other caribbean islands and have not been back to St. Barths in a while, so it is almost like a new place again:). There are so many villas to choose from and they each have their own personality! I have sat for hours on WIMCO and here reading recommendations then flipping to wimco to take a look - I have villa names written everywhere on all pieces of paper that I am going in a big circle. But its fun, I love reading this forum - Thanks.
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Kara Brooks
Reged: 09/30/02
Posts: 1399
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Steve -
We stayed at Haute Maison this past winter a couple of times. It has gotten a new infinity edge pool since our last visit which we have only seen in pictures (and it looks amazing) but I can give you some other first hand details.
The views -- surreal. The villa is above the lookout point that everyone goes to for the view. There are views of St. Maarten, Anguilla, Chevreau Bonhomme, Colombier and the entire length of the island. The water out at that part of the island is about a thousand different shades of blue (the first morning you wake up and the sun hits the water it is unbelievable).
It was completely redone by the owners (walls, ceilings, floors - everything) and is fantastic. I personally think it is one of the most beautifully decorated villas on the island -- it has stone floors with inlaid mahogany (the floors are stunning -- I know it is strange to get worked up about a floor but these are the touches that make this place so amazing). Beautiful sofas, dining tables (inside and out), sat tv, great sound system, really well equipped kitchen - subzero fridge (with champagne when you arrive), chantel cookware, La Canche stove, lovely stemware, outdoor gas grill, outdoor shower, teak four poster beds with netting and unreal ocean views, beautiful linens, beautiful bathrooms etc.
There is a large ionized (i.e. no chemicals) warm Jacuzzi and, as I mentioned, they just installed an infinity edge pool and a mahogany sun terrace .
An added bonus (in my opinion) are the owners (Steve and Libby Troyer). I corresponded back and forth with Libby for a few years because Bob and I kept trying to rent their other villa (they also own Villa Kercliff - also beautiful and also in Pointe Colombier) but it was never available for the dates we wanted. When Haute Maison came on the market in November (we were the first tenants) we booked a few trips right away and actually got a chance to meet Steve and Libby this past November and we again overlapped in January - and they are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. We always rent directly through them although the property is also available through St. Barths Properties.
I will try to figure out where I posted the pictures of HM from our November trip but a couple of the pictures in the header on the page where the forums are listed (the terrace and the yellow wall with flowers) are from Haute. And no - I donít have a financial interest in this property (I wish!!) - In fact, after our first stay we were tempted to keep it a secret (but that wouldnít be great form for the people who advocate the sharing of all things related to SBH).
If you have any specific questions - feel free to send me an email or PM.
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Kara Brooks
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Kara Brooks
Reged: 09/30/02
Posts: 1399
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Found the pictures that we took in November (really do not do it justice) - Haute Maison Pictures
There are also some pictures/contact information on POK's site: HM Info and, like I mentioned, it is also available through St. Barths Properties.
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Kara Brooks
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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WOW!
Haute Maison looks perfect! Is it private with respect to Villa Kercliff, including the pool area?
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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Kara Brooks
Reged: 09/30/02
Posts: 1399
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Steve -
It is very private -- they have planted gardens which block any views of Kercliff (and visa versa). All this talk of Haute Maison has got me feeling desperate to get back to SBH again soon!
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Kara Brooks
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SteveL
Reged: 07/21/03
Posts: 400
Loc: Blacklick, OH (Columbus)
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In the picture captioned "View from Haute Maison" that shows a bay with a sailboat and part of a beach sticking out, what beach is that? Can you get to it?
I'm really hoping that my wife likes it and that it's available.
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Go Badgers! Go Bucks! Go Brewers!
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kathleen
Reged: 08/09/03
Posts: 8
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Kara
Just saw pictures of Haute maison, and read your trip report - so wonderful. I found it by doing a google search typing in the name of the villa. It looks beautiful, and I'm sure the pics do not do it justice.
Now you have really confused me! I am now thinking of Haute Maison and SIB NID. I am going by your recommendation of Columbier. The only thing I do not like about Haute Maison is the other villa right next door, as I was reading in the description that it can be rented for larger groups. I am thinking it is not as private as SIB NID. From all the research I am doing I am realizing the small details that are important, like a Sat TV if there is a TV there, it better be worth watching or it would drive my husband nuts - (all or nothing:) and a jacuzzi, and that a little wind can be a good thing!
The caribbean really amazes me. So many people say, "you're going to the caribbean again". Each island is so individual and so distinctive and alluring. When you visit an island as beautiful as St. Barths, it never leaves you. I have 3 favorite islands all different but equal - Anguilla, Virgin Gorda and St. Barths. I am hoping St. Barths has not changed very much in 8 years.
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