Villa Escale

Pink roofs and white shutters give Villa Escale its traditional island look. The cottage sits on a hillside above the salt pond in Saint-Jean, with red roofed homes gathered around the water and a turquoise bay to one side. As a villa in Saint-Jean, St Barts for a couple or a family of four, it keeps you central while feeling tucked away.

The single story cottage has cream walls under a pink metal hip roof. Bougainvillea and palms grow all around it. Inside, the style is classic island. Beige tile floors run under white timber vaulted ceilings, and wicker and rattan chairs sit beside a white slipcovered sofa. A dark wood dining table matches the kitchen island. Botanical and sailing prints hang on the walls.

Out on a large flagstone terrace, the infinity pool has a curved, free form edge that looks over the pond and the hills. Loungers with green cushions line the terrace. A pergola shelters a daybed lounge, while another pergola covers timber deck seating facing the view. There is an outdoor shower with a view of its own. On the covered porch, a hammock waits for the afternoon. At dusk the lights of town come on below.

Two bedrooms sleep up to 4 guests, with one king bed and two single beds, and there are two bathrooms. The main bedroom has a dark four poster bed dressed in blue and white linens, and it opens to the hammock porch. A carved mirror and an old chest furnish the room shown alongside it. One bathroom is tiled in blue diamonds, with a blue glass vessel sink.

Busy and handy, Saint-Jean sits in the middle of the north coast. Beach clubs and boutiques line its bay and beach, with restaurants close by. The small airport runway sits at one end. When you want more than one outdoor room, Villa Équinoxe centers on a pool terrace backed by a natural rock outcrop.

Couples or a family of 4 who want an easy, old style island cottage with a pool will feel right at home at Villa Escale. Life at this villa in Saint-Jean, St Barts moves at a pleasantly unhurried pace.