Firefly

Imagine yourself sinking gratefully into a tranquil blue sea. Your senses surrender, your cares dissolve, and the important things in life—nature, friends, family—come clearly into focus. That’s the feeling you get in the newly built Villa Firefly (FLY). Blue is the defining feature of many of the wondrous vistas that you take in while staying in this high-end luxury rental property. It’s the color of the cushions on the plush couches in one of the living areas, of the billowing curtains stirred by the gentle Caribbean breeze in the bedrooms, in the water of the long, languid swimming pool, and, of course, in the endless island sky and lapping waves that lie beyond the edge of the expansive deck and just outside the villa’s clear walls. Because the designer was generous in their use of glass, you can see the ocean from almost anywhere in the house.

Villa Firefly was designed according to a very high-end standard, and the feeling is all the best parts of staying in a hotel (minus the downside of having other guests around—here it’s just you). The materials are subtly luxurious, soft linens and pleasingly weathered wood along with all the lucid glass. And the architecture is spacious, laid out in a hotel-like way with separate pavilions that allow for various groups of guests to be entertained in different ways at one time—say, the children playing in the pool, some adults sharing drinks around the bar and watching the chef cook (The concierge can supply one, if you don’t want to handle the kitchen duties yourself), another group playing board games in a separate, quiet living area, and teenagers watching TV in the great room.

Aside from the views over Anse des Cayes, the stunner of a pool is the focal point of the villa. An open bar area connects indoors with out, merging the pool area, gourmet kitchen and primary living space with dining area. A separate great room has three glass walls that can be opened wide to or closed off from the elements, and feels like a continuation of the outdoor space. It has an elegant wood dining table and can also serve as a second dining area or TV room, with U.S. satellite and Apple TV.

The bedrooms are spread out among separate buildings. The master is in its own pavilion behind the main living areas, with a king bed, outdoor shower, and small private terrace with sun chairs. The other bedrooms are in the main building but private, reached by following a small staircase down from the main living room. On the middle level are two more bedrooms that are master-bedroom-caliber in size and amenities (king beds, lavish ensuite bathrooms). Down on the level yet below, are four smaller bedrooms, each with twin beds that can be made up as a king and a small private bathroom.

Please note that during the Bucket Regatta the villa rents in 7 Bedrooms.