mustique

Exploring the Caribbean's Most Exclusive Escapes

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Books

Seasoned travel journalist and luxury hotel expert Meg Nolan Van Reesema sussed out the Caribbean's most exotic and exclusive escapes for her entrancing new book Caribbean Hideaways: Discovering Enchanting Rooms and Private Villas from Rizzoli. The thirty gorgeous destinations from fifteen different islands featured in the book were chosen for their unique views, elegant decor – no examples here of the tacky tropical style we like to call "Caribbean Awful" – and unique ambience. Over 200 vibrant photographs by Jessica Antola bring the desirable destinations to life, while practical information about the best suites, what to expect during your stay, and the local surroundings is also included.

Standouts include the relaxed, chic bungalows of Hermitage Bay in Antigua with dark wood furnishings and freestanding tubs; the open-air guest rooms of Jade Mountain in St. Lucia with unparalleled views of the Piton peaks; the posh, private Oliver Messel-designed Fustic House estate in Barbados; the spectacular Balinese furnishings of Anguilla's Bird of Paradise Villa; St. Barth's super-stylish Isle de France hotel; the ultra-luxe Yemanja villa on Mustique (pictured on the book's cover above) complete with a private screening room; and the elegant British Colonial-style Colleton Suite at Barbados' Cobblers Cove. Check out the gallery for a preview.

Gallery: Caribbean Hideaways

Tags: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, books, Caribbean, Cobblers Cove, coffee table books, Hermitage Bay, hotels, island, luxury hotel, luxury hotels, Mustique, resorts, St. Barth, St. Lucia, villa

The Best of the British West Indies

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Books

From Antigua, Jamaica, Nevis, Barbados, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Mustique to the less-traveled islands of Bequia and Dominica, a beautiful new book by Michael Connors captures the best of British West Indies Style. Many of the English island great houses showcased in the volume are hidden to most visitors. Close to fifty private residences are featured in over 200 full-color photographs taken especially for the book, such as the entrancing view of an estate on Nevis (above). The English country house meets the southern plantation in design details such as mahogany writing tables, tropical wood settees, linens and terraced gardens, offering inspiration for the use of local materials, painting techniques, and elements of outdoor living. Connors also includes entertaining historical vignettes putting the beautiful residences in context.

Tags: Barbados, books, British West Indies, coffee table books, decor, estates, furniture, island, islands, Jamaica, mahogany, Mustique, Nevis, UK, West Indies

Jetsetter Betters the Odds on Upscale Travel

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

There's a gap in the upscale travel market right now. The companies that plan these limited-access excursions aren't selling as much as they used to, and once-upon-a-time buyers still have a thirst for the experiences not available to the general public – but not at the prices they paid before the recession. A new website, Jetsetter, is planning to help luxury travel planners and buyers meet in the middle.

Jetsetter, now in beta, bills itself as a "flash-sale website" for the up-market. This Gilt Groupe enterprise is invitation-only. So, the opportunities provided are not subject to the mass competition of the entire travel market. Nonetheless, inventory is likely to move quickly, and the window within which to act is not wide. "International trip curators" roam the world to conduct primary research – including on-site visits. These experts, including veteran travel writers and industry experts, then compile their findings on Jetsetter's site, with editorial accounts and photographs used to help would-be travelers make informed decisions.

Members of the online community will receive e-mail alerts every evening announcing the coming sales. Once that e-mail goes out – at 8 PM – the clock starts to tick.

Destinations available through Jetsetter include The Cotton House on Mustique, Negresco in Nice, the Paws Up resort in Montana (an amazing space) and Encantado in New Mexico.

Tags: encantado, france, gilt, gilt groupe, gilt.com, GiltGroupe, jetsetters, jetsetting, luxury travel, LuxuryTravel, montana, mustique, new mexico, NewMexico, nice, paws up, PawsUp, recession, resort, resorts, travel, travel writers, travel writing, TravelWriters, TravelWriting, upscale travel, UpscaleTravel

Continue reading “Jetsetter Betters the Odds on Upscale Travel”

New Mustique Villa is Perfect Hiding Place

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Looking for something new under the Caribbean sun? The Sheherezade is a new five-acre villa – one acre for every star, I guess – on Mustique. This is one of only a handful of properties on the island that offers access to the Mustique Moon Walk and is adjacent to a 100-acre reserve, tennis court and private gym. Located on the south side of the island, Sheherezade features views of where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet from one of the highest points on Mustique, turning the home into a paradise within a paradise.

Designed by Mexican architect Manolo Mestre, this seven-bedroom compound includes a main family residence and three private guest villas, connected by an expansive palapa with infinity pools along a carefully landscaped ridge. Bathrooms are spa-inspired, and 280-degree vistas are offered from the verandas. The primary residence, with four bedrooms, integrates exotic woods, a pebble mosaic and hand-chiseled floors, with organic materials included in the construction. The three private cottages feature one bedroom each and tranquil gardens. A lap pool and sun terrace are accessible from all four buildings. All four buildings are supported by a staff of six. In total, the Sheherezade has a capacity of 14 guests.

While you can disappear to the Sheherezade to chill, the active will not be bored. Wireless internet is up and running for those (like me) desperate to stay connected, and there's a tennis court on the property to feed those with the green ball addiction. The most important amenity, however, is privacy. When you step into this corner of Mustique, you will be lost to the world ... until you decide to return. Of course, at $40,000 a week, you'd expect nothing less.

Gallery: Sheherezade, Mustique

Tags: caribbean, mustique, privacy, private villa, private villas, PrivateVilla, PrivateVillas, resort, resorts, villa, villas

Mustique Blues Festival Getaway Package

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Here's a way to beat the post-holiday blues, a trip to the Caribbean and the annual Mustique Blues Festival which runs from January 21st through February 4th. The Caribbean bar and restaurant Basil's hosts a festival with artists including Ian Siegal, Ronnie Jones, Dana Gillespie and The Two Timers with Sarah James and Gordon Russell. The first festival was in 1995, and CD's have been produced each year.

The Cotton House Hotel is a West Indian-style plantation estate with 17 room, 11 of which have private plunge pools. They are offering couples the "Cotton & Blues" package. Valid January 20 through February 7, 2009, this package includes a beach picnic lunch, dinner for two at Basil's Restaurant and Bar, guaranteed VIP seating for all Blues Shows throughout your stay, photograph with the "Stars" of the Blues Festival and Blues Festival memorabilia including a CD, polo shirt, and cap. Rates start at $500 per night based on double occupancy.

Source

Tags: blues festival, BluesFestival, cotton house hotel, CottonHouseHotel, music, mustique

Mick Jagger Buys Pelican Beach

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Ah,the life of a rock star. Rolling Stone Mick Jagger has picked up a second home, Pelican Beach, on the Caribbean island of Mustique for $3.95 million. The two-bedroom villa is next to his existing Mustique property. The villa has previously rented from $570 to $885 per night and you can see pictures of the home here. It's charming but not overly posh, no pool of its own and in need of a bit of a design update.

Source

Tags: celebrity real estate, mick jagger, MickJagger, mustique, pelican beach