Villa Fontaine

Villa Fontaine rises on a steep hillside in the north west of the island, high above a white sand beach and a red roofed village. Green slopes dotted with villas fall away below, and rocky headlands lead out to islets offshore. For a large group looking at a villa in Colombier, St Barts, the sea view and the room to entertain are the big draws.

The contemporary house spreads over several levels. White rendered walls mix with dark gray horizontal board cladding under red metal hip roofs. Glass and steel railings line the terraces, and a timber framed wing cantilevers out over the slope. Stone retaining walls hold up teak decks. Inside, the style is clean and modern. White beamed vaulted ceilings with hidden lighting sit over large pale porcelain tiles. Gray linen sectionals with teal poufs face glass coffee tables. The white kitchen has an island with bar stools and opens to a dining table for 12. A small glass walled atrium holds a single palm.

A long infinity pool runs along the teak deck, lined with loungers. On a lower garden deck, a stone clad hot tub with a timber rim has loungers of its own. Outdoor dining for 12 sits under an adjustable louvered pergola. The outdoor lounge has white aluminum sofas, and terraced gardens step down the hill. There is a BBQ for cooking outside.

Six bedrooms sleep up to 12 guests, each with a king bed and its own bathroom. Most have floor to ceiling glass, so the sea is in view from bed. Colored upholstered beds and armchairs in orange or purple brighten the rooms, along with yellow benches and wood TV panels. The bathrooms have double vessel or trough sinks on floating counters under backlit mirrors, finished in stone tile. One bathroom looks onto the planted atrium.

Out at the north west tip, Colombier is a rugged and scenic headland, known for its sunsets. You can only get to Colombier beach on foot or by boat, so it stays wild. Keep comparing with Villa Sillage, which pairs 2 bedrooms for up to 4 guests and a hillside infinity pool over anchored yachts.

Villa Fontaine fits large families or groups of up to 12 who like to host. A dip in the hot tub at dusk, with the pool lit below, is a lovely way to close the day at this villa in Colombier, St Barts.