Villa Boussole

Some St Barts houses are all glass and white decks. Villa Boussole is not one of them. It's a low traditional villa on a cliff in Pointe Milou. Timber shutters and a shingle roof set the tone, and the tropical garden has been allowed to grow wild. If an older island feel appeals to you, this villa in Pointe Milou, St Barts is a good match.

You come in to white walls and dark exposed beams. Floors are terracotta in some rooms and stone tile in others. The doors are arched French doors, and a round porthole window sits among the arched windows. Antique dark wood furniture gives the place its age. Lighter touches come from white sofas and wicker armchairs. The kitchen is tiled in beige and cream with a gas hob and a large fridge. At 861 square feet, the house is compact.

Out the French doors is a stone paved terrace. Part of it is covered, and that's where you'll eat. From there, stone paths drop through the garden, which is dense with tropical plants and rock. A gazebo with a shingle roof stands among the plants. The pool sits at the bottom of the plot, on another stone terrace at the cliff edge. Its railing is wood and cable, and the sea is right below. You'll find loungers along the pool and cushioned sofas in an outdoor lounge. There's a BBQ as well.

The view from the pool goes north over open water. A big island sits on the horizon. Islets are scattered offshore, and waves hit the rocks at the foot of the cliff. Look to the side and you'll see a bay with a beach and green hills.

Two bedrooms and two bathrooms give room for 4. Each bedroom has a king bed and air conditioning, and one has a canopy with white netting. One of the bathrooms has a double vanity with tiled walls. Access is step free. There's also a safe, plus satellite TV.

Pointe Milou sits on the north coast. It's a headland where villas look out over the ocean, known for wide sea views and evening sunsets. A practical next stop is Villa Astrolabe, offering 2 bedrooms for up to 4 guests plus an adirondack chairs on a deck above the waves.

Couples and small families of up to 4 who want quiet will feel at home. Bring a book for the gazebo at this villa in Pointe Milou, St Barts.