Villa Ressac

Villa Ressac sits on a rocky headland right above the open ocean. Lawns and granite boulders surround it, with low coastal scrub at the edges. The Atlantic fills the view from the pool and the lounges, and from the bedrooms too. Below, the shoreline is all rock. It is a private, modern compound built for a big group. For a villa in Petit Cul-de-Sac, St Barts with space for twelve, it offers both room and seclusion.

Several white pavilions with gray hipped shingle roofs are grouped around a long central pool. Flat roofed white covered terraces link them, and a pergola shelters the outdoor dining area. Inside, the look is all white and modern. Vaulted white timber ceilings rise over pale stone look floors, while gray and stone clad feature walls add depth. Large glass sliders open to the outside. There are several separate living rooms, each with a big white sectional, so the group can split up for the evening. Bold pop art and tribal artworks hang throughout. The sleek dark gray kitchen has an island and a window facing the sea.

The long rectangular pool has a shallow sun shelf, and stepping stone pads cross the water. Teak decking surrounds it, with rows of black loungers and a round daybed. Covered outdoor lounges offer shade between swims. Under the pergola, a dining table for about 10 overlooks the sea, and wide lawns spread out around the pavilions. A private home gym keeps workouts on site.

All six bedrooms have king beds, so a group of 12 is covered. All share white vaulted ceilings, and several have sea views with sitting chairs by the window. The six bathrooms have stone clad walls and walk in showers, and one adds a freestanding tub.

Out at the eastern edge of the island, Petit Cul-de-Sac keeps a low profile. The bay is secluded, and its larger neighbor Grand Cul-de-Sac lies just next door. Need a backup plan nearby? Villa Émeraude has 7 bedrooms for up to 14 guests and a timber pergola lounge floating at the pool edge.

Large families or groups of up to 12 will appreciate the privacy and the shared living space. At this villa in Petit Cul-de-Sac, St Barts, the ocean is close and the neighbors are far away.