St. Barts Villas by

Situated in the quieter east of St Barts on Vitet’s picturesque hillside, Villa Carmen is particularly fabulous for keen foodies and families. Inside, its sparkling kitchen – equipped with numerous appliances – opens onto a breakfast bar and large living room, so that whoever’s cooking can interact with everyone else. Just off this hides a home theatre for group movie nights, while the three spacious bedrooms (two of them queen suites, one with twin beds and a toy car to drive!) offer privacy, garden views, TVs and their own bathtubs.

The decor is contemporary, seeing that classic Caribbean lookbook of whitewashed walls and high pitched ceilings stylishly spiced up with bold red and lime splashes, all of it happily uncluttered. That includes an indoor dining area which leads out to the blonde-wood deck, a freeform pool and fine sea views over mature palms and tropical plants. Partly covered, that vast deck includes a range of tempting spaces for lazing or socialising: giant sunbeds, a full-sized outdoor lounge, another dining table and a gas barbecue space for sizzling fresh lobster or some coconut chicken.

Villa Carmen’s endless serene spaces are also ideal for sunset cocktails and mocktails after fun-filled days out, too. Speaking of which, Lorient’s undeveloped, reef-protected beach – and bakeries, and grocery stores – are just a ten-minute drive, and many other of the island’s sublime shores are only slightly further.