Such a provocative question!!!
For my two cents (in part from the point of view of a villa owner who works with many agencies):
1. WIMCO is exceptional . . . truly marvelous! When it proposes guests to us, they have been well vetted, & WIMCO provides exceptional “touch” support to its clients . . . interfacing with us, as villa owners, as needed — but rarely needing to do so. Most villa guest inquiries are not villa specific, but are directed to the SBH experience, & WIMCO is immediately responsive.
2. Sibarth . . . Wendy & I have had a relationship with this iconic agency since 1978 when we first visited the island. Its founders no longer are engaged in the company, but eldest son Ashley & his wife have stepped into the role of agency hosts to SBH visitors, first-time & repeat, Much like WIMCO, with which there formerly was a relationship, there’s high “touch” contact with clients. I would say, however, without disrespect, that WIMCO offers a broader price-range of offerings.
3. St. Barth Properties . . . less likely than WIMCO to offer lower-price rental villas. The reputation, I believe, is clearly one of great customer service & allure in accommodations. I think that the agency’s long time owners may have recently sold the company . . . perhaps only taking in a partner? Nonetheless, the company’s sterling reputation for client satisfaction likely will be watched in the new season.
4. My Villa In St-Barth . . . my relationship here only has developed in the last 12 - 18 months (after 18 years!), & it’s a really positive one — for the same aforementioned reasons that folks have liked with respect to other agencies. The “My Villa” agency, in my experience, offers a broad range of villa rental options . . . and clients at CEC who have rented though My Villa In St-Barth seem to have been “happy campers” . . . and were guests that we would be happy to see on future visits.
5. Happy Villa . . . only a few rentals here for CEC. Not exactly sure why — likely because of the enormous range of options, & “HV” may focus on a different rental profile. Nonetheless, I mention the agency because I have a lot of respect for its owner / manager & staff. Like the other agencies for which I have admiration, these folks do a very credible job of client service.
6. Finally . . . commentary on Eden Rock Villas. I have great admiration here. Its client profile is, I believe, one that attracts visitors outside of an inventory of smaller, traditional-style villas, such as CEC. But, knowing some of its clients & folks that are part of the organization, I understand that high service & villa style go with premium pricing.
Others — notably WIMCO —have comparable offerings, but Eden Rock Villas seems to enjoy success in capturing, for a very premium price, a sybaritic audience.
That’s a brief download of opinion. If you’re interested in more, let’s meet for sunset cocktails some evening at Santa Fe, I’ll be there in the next two weeks. I’ll even “buy,”
