Villa Nureyev

A Ballet Star’s Graceful Caribbean Getaway

Local legend has it that lauded ballet star Rudolf Nureyev spent his happiest years at this isolated villa secluded on St. Barts’ wild coast. A private villa in Hotel Le Toiny’s portfolio, Nureyev’s former escape stands alone on this section of the coast, its privileged location only minutes from the hotel and its members-only Beach Club. The villa comes with a private butler and daily breakfast served on the terrace, plus access to all hotel amenities.

With swirling views across the shimmering waters that engulf it, the property offers a rare combination of discretion and deep seclusion paired with five-star service. Nureyev’s Russian roots are evident in the villa’s old-world dacha-meets-timbered Caribbean cottage look, favoring dark polished woods and refined antique furnishings. These are melded with breezy whites and twinkling lights, as well as generous sliding doors and a 6,000sqft deck.

AROUND

Considered one of the Caribbean’s most luxurious islands, the tiny, French-speaking Saint Barthélemy is a yachting destination of talcum powder beaches, a glittering capital city, Gustavia, abuzz with upscale restaurants and luxury brand boutiques. Hard to reach and sparsely populated, the hilly island’s waters are calm, its villas showstopping and its yachts numerous. The less than 10-square-mile island is considered to be one of the world’s best sailing spots due its serene waters. This gem of the French West Indies is rarefied and exclusive, with flawless white sand coves for sunbathing and swimming by day followed by dinners and night caps in highly regarded culinary temples by night. 

The island hosts two legendary nautical events each year—the St. Barts’ Bucket Regatta and Les Voiles de Saint Barth Richard Mille, in addition to a gathering of French and internationally starred chefs each fall at the Gourmet Festival. A volcanic island, the land is surrounded by shallow reefs and features 25 public beaches, the leeward sands best for swimming, the windward beaches popular with wind surfers. Shell beach is aptly named for its banks of bleached and glossy seashells, and at the north end of the island, there are two lagoons. The island’s capital city of Gustavia is a pretty, red-tile-roofed, duty free community built by colonial Swedes that fronts a harbor that’s a destination in its own right. A popular way enjoy the island’s vivid coves and lushly backed beaches is via catamaran, with outfitters and guided sails readily available.

LOCATION

Toiny, Saint Barthélemy, France. Nearest airport: St. Barts St. John’s local, hair-raising airstrip; St. Martin with ferry access; San Juan, Puerto Rico with TradeWind Aviation transfer

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round