The definition of luxury must be being handed the keys to your own zen garden, koi pond, speedboat and $30m Caribbean beachfront mansion.
And private beach.
You can’t beat a bespoke Caribbean listing or a bit of ocean-edge Palladian grandeur. And some lush tropical shrubbery and lots of bougainvillea to protect your privacy as you enjoy a coral clifftop view over your own exclusive stretch of the Caribbean Sea.
Here are some of the best villas you’ll find in Barbados.
Cove Spring House
Between Holetown and Speightstown, this is just one of the ultra-luxury rentable villas being offered by Barbados property specialists.
Previous residents of the coral stone mansion in the new republic of Barbados include Prince Harry, Simon Cowell, Kylie Minogue and Sir Elton John.
Villa Tamarindo
At $5500 per night during the summer and $7500 in the winter, the five bedroom, five bathroom , two powder room , two storey, four and a half acre Villa Tamarindo at Beachlands was designed by local architect Larry Warren.
Of course , it has a gym and a yoga studio. And the restaurants and amenities of Holetown , Limegrove Lifestyle Centre and Chattel Village are just a short drive away. The Hawksbill turtles are on your doorstep.
Seaclusion
Need something a little bigger and fancy some Seaclusion? The six-bedroom US $6,500-8,500 per night beachfront villa is set in one acre of tropical gardens on a bluff overlooking the beach. It boasts all the modern West Indian luxury mod cons plus a media room, a grand piano and fitness room. All the rooms have a terrace or a balcony.
There is a further bedroom in a self-contained apartment cottage for those traveling with staff or teenage children. Or a snorer. The zen garden, fish pond and beach are the additional luxe treats.
Still after something even grander? Albeit without the seriously impressive spiral staircase?
The Great House
The Great House on Turtle Beach between Mullins Beach and Speightstown , sleeps thirty, has two chefs, four butlers, four gardeners, four guards and a boat captain. Plus 100 metres of prime Caribbean beachfront, spa room, home cinema, games room, two gazebos and a tennis court. And complimentary sarongs.
Accommodation is divided between the Great House overlooking an infinity pool , the Carriage House, two cottages, and Hillaby House.
Sanzar
Arguably the most luxurious private villa in Barbados, Sandy Lodge’s Sanzar even has an outdoor cinema, an open-flamed fire pit, lanai and patio.The 21,000 sq. ft property accommodates up to 24 guests in eleven en-suite bedrooms. You may have to queue for a bathroom as there are only twelve. The house manager, chef, waiting staff, housekeepers, laundress, groundskeepers and security have their own.. The residence has all the privacy of a home and the service of a world-class hotel. Summer price: US $11,000 per night; Winter price: US $16,000 per night.
Don’t want to go too far over the top but still maintain a feeling of absolute self-indulgence? The cheaper beachfront Mirador Villa on the west coast is a newly refurbished contemporary-style home with quality finishes throughout, enjoys a prime beachfront position and has two plunge pools, housekeepers and a chef.
Greenside & Fairway Front
Golfers are spoilt. As are cricket lovers. As well as villas at Sandy Lane, there’s the six bedroom Howzat! On Ocean Drive, Royal Westmoreland, St James on the 13th fairway/ Off the pool deck is a fully self-contained detached guest cottage.
Luxury properties are available around the island from Paynes Bay beach to Little Battalay , St Peter to St James.
Sandalo
The US $3,000-7,500 a night beachfront, five-bedroom Sandalo at Gibbs Bay has a 30-ft swimming pool and a butler on hand to serve you cocktails, iced drinks and ice cream as well as arrange personal trainers, massage therapists and yoga instructors and sort the awnings.
There is also Sea Breeze and Footprints at Mount Standfast and , on the Platinum Coast, La Lune at Gibbs, the plantation-style Hemingway at Mullinsm Nirvana at Fitts Village, the four bed five star penthouse Le Mirage at Old Trees, the seven-bedroom Bachelor Hall, the ten bedroom Oliver Messel designed Crystal Springs complete with two acre tropical garden, Italian Bisazza mosaic Infinity pool , a cordoned off sea swimming area, Sonos speakers in every public living area, three al fresco eating areas, cinema and film library. To show what sort of people the property appeals to, the amenities include “polo fields nearby”.
There is another Messel house in Mango Bay.