Whether you’re planning your first vacation on Saint Barths or returning a second or third time to this idyllic Caribbean island, the eclectic, boutique family-owned Les Ilets de la Plage is the perfect hideaway for families, couples, friends and solo travelers.
The new “Le Studio” opened to guests in early December and is the most recent addition to the resort’s villa collection.
Le Studio is a 592 square-foot open-plan, bright and airy studio with its own balcony and gorgeous sea views. The one-bedroom, one-bathroom beautifully designed studio features a fully equipped kitchen, chic teak armchairs with footrests in the living area, teak table and chairs in the dining area, large flat screen smart TV, spectacular ocean view terrace with comfortable seating perfect for sunrise viewings, king size bed (or twins on request), fully air conditioned throughout and more. Based in Saint Barths, Xavier David handled the project with the following team members: Beatrice David (Interior Designer), Antoine Morisetti (Architect) and Julius Gaume (Project Manager).
Les Ilets de la Plage offers 12 private villas with direct access to the white sand beach and azure sea. Secluded yet central, Les Ilets has been a well-kept secret for years, combining the privacy and serenity of a villa with a hotel concierge service at an affordable price.
Guests staying in Le Studio have access to all of the facilities and services including private beach, pool, concierge services, maid service, bakery delivery, grocery shopping service and more. Rates start from €215- €550 per night, depending on the season.
Guests can fill their days with daily yoga, aqua Pilates and /or island spa treatments. Hike the beautiful surrounding hills, power walk along the beach at dawn, swim in the ocean or do laps in the resort pool. Enjoy healthy, delicious lunches or dinners using the freshest Caribbean ingredients supplied by Mayas-to-Go.
The remote Caribbean island of Saint Barths has all the glamour of St. Tropez without all the pretentiousness that accompanies typical celebrity hotspots. Saint Barths is an utterly laid-back, hidden gem of an island, perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It has fabulous beaches, nearly perfect weather and a steady parade of yachts and sailboats to entertain travelers.
There are plenty of posh hotels on the island, but for travelers seeking to escape to a bit of privacy and seclusion, a private villa offers the ultimate haven. Les Ilets has beach side and garden villas that offer the utmost in privacy with luxe accommodations and all the amenities found at a hotel.
Photos courtesy of Gerald Tessier.
Real estate experts attribute Cayman Islands’ growth in tourism to an active hurricane season in North America.
Experts in the Cayman Islands real estate industry noticed an increase in flights from key North American destinations in 2017. The tri-island Caribbean nation also recorded its best stay-over visitation figures and hit a real estate sales record of $696 million, increasing by a record-breaking 9 percent in 2017 versus the prior year, according to the most recent property report by Cayman Islands-based independent property consultants, Charterland. Experts say they believe that the increased amount of tourism is driving real estate sales.
Cayman Islands Realtors have also noticed that the increase in air travel and tourism can be partially attributed to an active 2017 hurricane season in North America that left Grand Cayman untouched.
“Last year’s storms brought an influx of people who were previously unfamiliar with Grand Cayman, but this has led to more sales as they have fallen in love with the island and are keen to make here their second home,” said Ruth Gustafsson, an associate broker for Provenance Properties Cayman Islands, the Cayman Islands Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate and the sole real estate brokerage for Dart Real Estate.
The increase in visitation to the Cayman Islands can also be attributed to the Kimpton hotel’s clientele, who are attracted to the island by their loyalty to the brand. The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa and the adjacent condos for sale at The Residences at Seafire are popular among tourists who wish to settle down in the Cayman Islands.
The Residences at Seafire is a waterfront 10-story architectural gem. Developed by Dart Real Estate, it houses a collection of 62 distinct residences which marry contemporary Caribbean style with high design. The Residences are exclusively represented by Provenance Properties Cayman Islands, and are offering one- to five-bedroom condos starting at $1.5 million.
The Residences are also located along Seven Mile Beach, a popular tourist destination in Grand Cayman. Seven Mile Beach is the area of choice for real estate sales due to the number of Grand Cayman luxury properties for sale, according to the Charterland report. Data showed 130 beachfront condominiums sold on Seven Mile Beach last year, a 20-percent jump from 2016 purchases.
Photos courtesy of Provenance Properties Cayman Islands