Villa Ocean

Seclusion with Hotel Amenities

With its turquoise infinity pool only steps from the identically blue waters of the Caribbean, Villa Ocean fits its name to a turquoise “T”. The contemporary villa elevated over the vivid azure surf enjoys serenity and seclusion, yet is only minutes from the Hotel Le Toiny and its exclusive beach club, should guests want to change the scene from the home’s spacious pool and covered entertainment patio and outdoor bar.

Offering a rare combination of privacy and full-service hotel amenities, Villa Ocean is part of the Le Toiny Hotel complex and enjoys access to its gleaming beach club and hotel service desk. Only minutes from the hotel and surrounded by tropical vegetation, the villa offers unobstructed views that live up to its name—an oceanfront oasis of calm with five-star service. Walls of windows and generous sliding glass doors enclose clean lined, built-in wood room dividers that are rich and warm against minimalist whitewashed walls and white pitched ceilings. The villa’s spa-quality bathrooms are ensuite, marble- and wood-filled and spacious, and private butler services complete the picture.

AROUND

Considered one of the Caribbean’s most luxurious islands, the tiny, French-speaking Saint Barthélemy is a yachting destination of talcum powder beaches and a glittering capital city, Gustavia, which is 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 one of the world’s best sailing spots due its serene waters. 

This gem of the French West Indies has 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, it 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 to 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

Photographs: Hugo Allard