St. Barth's: Villa Castle Rock
St. Barth’s captivating picturesque beauty is one of the qualities that has deemed it a place that many never want to leave, especially the Villa Castle Rock. The breathtaking views, fantastic cuisine, and the elegant cultural aura are only the beginning of the vast and diverse offerings for the most discerning travelers, as well as those looking for the pure joy of getting away to the Caribbean. Visitors are known to return numerous times to bask in the countless means of indulgence including an impressive collection of 22 pristine beaches over 9.5 square miles, a myriad of docked luxury yachts, high-end designer shopping in the city center and more than 70 restaurants, of which many boast top ratings and gourmet menus curated by celebrity chefs. The island’s culture and cuisine are heavily influenced by French flair yet also encompasses an unfathomable assortment of international variations. The sophisticated yet playful palate of St. Barth’s can be defined by leisurely seaside lunches of fresh fish, formal candlelit gourmet dinners as well as local lounges pouring sparkling cocktails. With an unlimited combination of unique attributes to explore, the island is prided by having much to offer.
St. Barth’s also plays host to a globally renowned elite social scene, where it is very likely to spend an afternoon mingling with newfound friends in spontaneous gatherings or gazing at the passersby while enjoying a bottle of Rose. The island’s unparalleled luxury retail shopping, boutique ateliers and diverse cuisine, are also complemented by an invigorating nightlife scene, which is welcoming for all ages. It is filled with deluxe environments for optimal enjoyment whether your preference is an all-night affair of celebration or if you are in the mood for scenic relaxation. The electric vibe of the city can undoubtedly carry on into the nightlife where for some, dancing on the tables is a rite of passage and outbursts of enjoyment are encouraged. An undercurrent of excitement surges through trendy ambiance. Heralded as the “St. Tropez of the Caribbean,” with its reputation for extravagant entertainment, elegant loyalists, and well-known NYC and Parisian outposts among many other similarities, there is a deep-seeded energy here that you cannot find anywhere else in the world.
Amid the park-like hillsides await an immaculate immersion into St. Barth’s sublime natural surroundings. It is a truly divine experience from the moment you set sight upon the vibrant turquoise hues of the glistening waters, stunning ocean reefs, unspoiled coves, exotic flora and fauna of this magical island. You can also choose to hike to the peak of Columbier and encounter the historically designed details of the secluded beach below. Only select shores, of the dozens on the island, are suitable for activity as the others are untouched wild sanctuaries overflowing with tropical creatures and organic natural wonders like cacti, sea grapes, Flamboyant trees, dolphins, whales and leatherback sea turtles. The pristine public sandy havens including the world-famous Nikki Beach, are a vision of sheer beauty and lined with still crystal waters that are perfect for wading, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, boating and an endless amount of aquatic adventures.
After a seamless transfer and a short scenic flight from St. Martin, landing on St. Barth’s striking beachfront runway is a gleaming entrance to the heavenly island. You are warmly greeted by your personal concierge and ushered to your residence at Villa Castle Rock, only 5-10 minutes from the airport and city center, where an abundance of amenities await. From the moment your private gate is opened, you are transported into a utopian vision that is clearly a labor of love. Every intricate detail of the villa is so heartfelt that it’s apparent this place was not just built as someone’s house, but as the realization of a dream. A brief orientation by your concierge may acquaint you with many of the villa’s fascinating features, however the surreal picturesque setting, plush environment, as well as the over-the-top services and conveniences are meant to be intimately explored. The culmination of these deluxe aspects are undoubtedly comparable to that of a 5-star luxury hotel.
Villa Castle Rock’s beautifully-appointed 5-bedroom estate is designed with a wealth of very tasteful finishes including polished stone & marble flooring, sparkling chandeliers, decadent lighting, sweeping draperies, discrete mirrored TV screens, designer Italian furnishings, Moroccan inspired decor and so many other perfectly-suited personal touches. At the turn of every corner, you are presented with thoughtful statements of customized hospitality from a coveted line of beauty products arranged in your private lavatory to savvy technology such as color-changing LED rain showers. An internal staircase leads you down to the gorgeous spacious suites, which are lined with soft linens, original mounted art, casual seating vignettes, walk-in closets and/or dressing rooms, exotic greenery accents and partition walls that easily allow the indoor spaces to blend with the magnificent outdoors. The bedrooms are all stowed away into the cliff side - most with private patios suspended above the sounds of neighboring coastal life.
To admire the oceanfront in privacy, there are a variety of exterior terraces perched from the villa for an overwhelming number of locations to take in the profound Caribbean vista. These thoughtfully composed spaces are extremely accommodating for both entertaining or intimate respite to enjoy the profound sunrise, sunshine and sunset. In addition, the property features and cutting-edge fitness facility with floor to ceiling windows, two Jacuzzis and a massive hammam spa that is easily the size of a living room or two. The seamless sprawling spaces are all oriented to honor St. Barth’s breathtaking seascape, which can be viewed from any of the numerous open-air lounging areas inclusive of a calming infinity-edge pool that can provide serene respite during the day and at night is transformed into a softly illuminated paradise.
An uncommon and extremely coveted amenity is the fully-stocked professional kitchen and butler’s quarters where your on-call personal chef and staff are prepared to serve you in the convenience of your own villa. The unique attributes of this facility encompass nearly anything you could imagine, extending beyond the seemingly endless options for specially designed dining ware, a pantry filled with monogrammed plates, mugs and porcelain silverware, to an over-sized outdoor grill, open bar overlooking the pool, and an impressive private wine cellar with a prized menu for tasting. All are complimented by a dining area that can accommodate dozens of guests at a single massive table flanked by designer arm chairs. Your decadent gourmet meals are comprised of locally sourced seafood, fresh meats, produce and herbs. With such an abundance of personalized services and a charismatic staff, there is virtually no need to leave the villa – however, that is not what experiencing St. Barth’s is about.
It is a fact that you don’t ever have to encounter a monotonous moment when on St. Barth’s. Every day has the potential for vastly different excursions and it has thus become commonplace to spend two weeks or more on the island with an abundance of hidden treasures still left uncovered. For this reason, it is highly recommended to rent a car to ensure you swift access to every corner of the island – especially in the ever-popular Mini Cooper convertible. Being whisked through the town with the wind in your hair is a fun and exhilarating experience that cannot be matched. This destination is well-suited for families, large groups or individuals seeking a bespoke getaway, intimate seclusion, rejuvenating leisure and/or a vibrant social setting along with thrilling adventures. This grandiose property can be partially reserved per bedroom or as the entire villa for anywhere from 2 to 10 or more guests. Embodying the epitome of an elite hideaway, Villa Castle Rock is treasured as a multi-faceted gem among the best villas in St. Barth’s, offering a peerless holiday immersion in a picture-perfect paradise.
