Varuna

Sometimes style is a matter of subtraction, not addition. That is the case with Villa Varuna, a newly built luxury rental property overlooking the bay in St. Jean. The home’s designers took a minimalist approach to decorating—heavy on blond wood and white wicker and fabrics—yet imbued the house with tremendous warmth. This is a place that’s sun-splashed and inviting; a place where island living is easy.

Villa Varuna’s ideal location in St. Jean places it close to the town’s restaurants, boutiques and beaches. That convenience adds to the sense of ease. Of course, you may not want to go out, as the villa is extremely comfortable and outfitted with plenty of conveniences for cooking, entertaining, and relaxing with friends or family. The layout, with all the bedrooms comparable to one another in terms of size and views, makes it suitable for all types of groups.

You enter the villa by way of a small garden. The expansive living area has three sections, one with couches and a TV, one with a dining table for eight, and one with a gourmet kitchen, storage area, and breakfast bar with stools. The glass wall on the sea-view side opens fully to allow in the Caribbean breeze. With these windows opened up, the indoor living space merges into the large terrace that has sunny and shaded sitting areas. A heated infinity pool runs nearly the full length of this terrace.

On either side of this living area is a master bedroom with a king-size bed, an ensuite bathroom, satellite and Apple TV, and a dressing area. The other two bedrooms are downstairs. One is like the rooms above, while the other has a queen bed, living area, and small kitchen.