A New Luxe Villa In St. Barth Embraces An Eco-Consciousness€¦ · gravitates to under-the-radar...

7/12/2018 A New Luxe Villa In St. Barth Embraces An Eco-Consciousness

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Apr 22, 2018, 12:55pm • 617 views • #Wanderlust

A New Luxe Villa In St. BarthEmbraces An Eco-Consciousness

Jeanine Barone Contributor i

Despite the fact that I’m a self-described tree hugger with a deep respect and love

for nature -- no surprise given that I’m a biologist by training -- and someone who

gravitates to under-the-radar destinations, the chic island of Saint Barthélemy

(known as St. Barth by the locals, and St. Bart or St. Barts by everyone else) was

always on my list of must visit destinations. Having traveled to just about every

Caribbean island, I fancied the idea of exploring this sophisticated isle (that’s

renowned as a haven for the celebrity set who often gravitate to glamorous night

spots) in the hopes of scoping out hidden treasures that are in keeping with my eco

sensibilities.

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But, first, I had to tackle how to get to St. Barth (from New York City) in a manner

that minimized any white-knuckle experiences. After all, I had heard that taking

the ferry from St. Maarten is turbulent and nausea-inducing. The “puddle jumper”

commuter flight from the same island where Princess Juliana International

Airport is still recovering from the destructive 2017 hurricane season is said to be

equally disconcerting. Plus, St. Barth’s Gustaf III Airport is not designed for the

faint of heart, given that the tarmac is short -- a mere 2,100 feet long -- and

sandwiched between a 150-foot hill and the sea.

Claustrophobia and motion sickness aside, I’ve never felt comfortable in small

planes. A friend had once said before I embarked on a small commuter domestic

flight, “No worries at all; you’ll feel like you’re in your living room.” I definitely

didn’t. This time I chose to fly with Tradewind Aviation from San Juan, Puerto

Rico to St. Barth. Their turbine-powered Pilatus PC-12 planes were built in

Switzerland and designed to handle all manner of extreme weather conditions. (I

figured I’d be in good hands.) Walking up to the plane on the tarmac, I

immediately calmed down. It was clear that the Swiss built a beauty. It looked like

a sleek private jet. After we took off in this eight seater, I still didn’t feel like I was

in my living room. I felt like I was in someone else’s cushy living room. I sipped

champagne and relished my wide, comfortable leather seat, and the lack of any

turbulence. As we approached the abbreviated strip of a runway at Gustaf III

Airport, my fears were kept at bay as the pilots deftly descended at a steep angle

and touched down in a landing so smooth it was cloud like. I decided that flying

Tradewind Aviation is the only way to travel to this stylish French island.

Villa Danse du Soleil Pool ST. BARTH PROPERTIES INC.

https://www.flytradewind.com/



Tradewind Aviation - Pilatus PC-12 JEANINE BARONE




MORE FROM FORBES

Mere eight-square-mile St. Barth with its rugged cliffs, hilly slopes coated in arid

shrubbery, tranquil teal-hued bays, and isolated curves of white sand easily melds

a chill Caribbean vibe with European urban flair. For almost a week, I enjoyed

fresh baguettes and croissants from any of a number of boulangeries in the

morning, and, in the afternoon, a crisp glass of white wine at an al fresco natural

wood table across from the harbor in the capital of Gustavia. In the evening, I

dined on ceviche and other creative fare at numerous elegant or informal

restaurants, some with awe-inspiring waterfront views.




Villa Danse du Soleil ST. BARTH PROPERTIES INC.




It’s while exploring Devé, one of the highest sections of St. Barth and a part of the

island that has a wilder feel, that I discovered Danse du Soleil, a new luxurious

five-bedroom villa that can’t help but delight a family or a group of friends that

wants a private enclave enwrapped with nature. This is a property that was

designed with love.

Villa Danse du Soleil Terrace View ST. BARTH PROPERTIES INC.

https://www.stbarth.com/villas/detail/danso/danse-du-soleil







The owners, a married couple originally from Guadeloupe, purchased this old

property, having fallen for the views to the East and South. (They had long been

enthralled by St. Barth, which they had often visited as children with their

parents.) Their idea was to do a complete renovation, constructing a dwelling that

takes its inspired from Guadeloupe where teak wood houses dot the landscape.

(They commissioned a St. Barth-based architectural firm, ODP, to drawn up the

blueprints.) Since his business was mostly in Asia (a part of the world he adored),

the owner had the opportunity to have this villa built in Bali -- he even selected the

native teak wood there and then returned again to inspect the fully built villa. It

was then methodically dismantled, shipped to St. Barth, and painstakingly re-

assembled piece by piece on site by a local carpenter and craftsmen.

Villa Danse du Soleil Kitchen ST. BARTH PROPERTIES INC.



As I strolled along natural stone walkways that meandered through the gardens, I

spotted a small goat that wandered the grounds where iguanas and turtles can also

be seen -- the benefits of being in a natural zone peppered with green spaces.

Though I’m usually quite Type A, the serenity put me in a Zen-like frame of mind.

I relaxed on the deck beside the salt water infinity pool with its panoramic

seascape views of Toiny Bay and Petit Cul de Sac. (It’s worth getting up early for

the stellar sunrises.) The large poolside gazebo is perfect for enjoying a barbecue

dinner or a leisurely lunch.

Villa Danse du Soleil Bathroom ST. BARTH PROPERTIES INC.



Villa Danse du Soleil Living Area ST. BARTH PROPERTIES INC.




The main villa with its lounge/dining/kitchen spaces is airy, with floor-to-ceiling

sliding glass doors bringing the outside in. (The exposed teak wood-beamed

ceiling is impressive.) Particularly enchanting is the back patio with a tiled water

wall and banguettes with throw pillows. (I found it hard to pull myself away from

this serene setting.) Separate teak wood bungalows housing the variety of

bedrooms -- two share their own plunge pool -- allow for abundant privacy.

Almost all the villa’s furnishings, fabrics, and contemporary art are sourced from

Bali, engendering an exotic vibe, as does the patterned bathroom tiles from Italy.





Villa Danse du Soleil Bedroom ST. BARTH PROPERTIES INC.



This thoughtfully-designed villa doesn’t miss a beat, especially with its concern for

the environment. Insulation in the roof is a mix of wood plus wool and, beneath

that is a high-tech film used by NASA that reflects the heat back. The hot water

from the air conditioning is recycled to heat the pool and the villa's water supply.

Rainwater collected in two cisterns (and purified with charcoal and ultraviolet

light) is used for watering the garden, flushing the toilet, and washing the dishes.

Villa Danse du Soleil Bedroom ST. BARTH PROPERTIES INC.







As I ambled around the property, I noticed a small stone house -- it’s the only

edifice from the original dwelling -- that’s now a massage pavilion. There's no need

to forgo your exercise routine here: a gym is complete with a treadmill, two bikes,

a weight machine and much more.

Sure, St. Barth has so much to offer, but once you settle into Villa Dance du Soleil,

you may not want to leave.

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A New Luxe Villa In St. Barth Embraces An Eco-Consciousness€¦ · gravitates to under-the-radar...

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