When weighing up the pros and cons of each island in the BVI and the lifestyle they afford, buyers must evaluate their priorities. Life on Virgin Gorda is well suited to those seeking quiet, luxurious anonymity. Tortola is for the sailors and social butterflies and Great Camanoe is for those seeking a relaxed refuge with serenity and seclusion.
We tour three luxury villa properties for sale in three very different locations, all presented by BVI Sotheby’s International Realty. Which one would be the right fit for you?
Villa Somoya – Virgin Gorda
Located at one of the highest points in the Valley, the three-bedroom Villa Somoya features breathtaking views that encompass the ocean and surrounding islands including the iconic Virgin Gorda boulders. From the property’s elevated setting, you can see up to 19 of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands across the Sir Francis Drake channel in a captivating panorama of cerulean water and rock formations.
The 4,500-square-foot villa was designed by the owner with the help of his architect, James O’Halloran in 2014. Renovated in 2019, it has a stylish Spanish feel with whitewashed walls, porticos and rich terracotta roof tiles. The bathrooms feature vibrant patterned floor tiles, circular showers and intricately inlaid cabinetry. Architectural characteristics, including turrets, columns and archways add interesting focal points around the property. The sophisticated use of exotic hardwoods and the installation of high-end fixtures and appliances give this property a luxurious feel. The villa’s tasteful furnishings perfectly blend classic design with Caribbean accents and bold pops of colour.
On entering the villa, you can’t help but notice the light and airy double-height ceiling and the dramatic staircase leading up from the living area to the first of the king-bedroom suites – before the generous 2000-square foot pool deck and the views beyond capture your attention. The property has a superbly equipped inside/outside kitchen featuring petrified stone wood countertops and a power-screened breakfast bar that opens onto a covered terrace where you find the villa’s outdoor kitchen with a built-in Napoleon gas grill and stainless mini-fridge. Finishing this outdoor space perfectly, the 12-person dining table makes it effortless for guests to enjoy alfresco dining.
A further double queen bedroom is downstairs and a second king-bedroom – the primary suite is separate from the main house and enjoys a private deck and a large secluded outdoor shower area.
Thoughtfully designed to blend with Virgin Gorda’s natural setting, Villa Somoya is nestled amongst the giant granite boulders the island is famous for. The property’s many indigenous trees and the natural rocks have been carefully preserved and further highlighted with aromatic landscaped gardens and elegant accent lighting, complementing the panoramic sunsets and vistas. Centrally located in a private residential area, Villa Somoya is just a five-minute drive from popular restaurants and some of the island’s best beaches, including Spring Bay and The Baths.
BVI Sotheby’s International Realty presents Villa Somoya for sale at $3,375,000.
SummerSalt – Tortola
Tucked away at the end of a private country lane, on approximately an acre of land, SummerSalt villa sits in Belmont Estate and overlooks the whole of Smuggler’s Cove with its own walking trail to the beach.
Belmont Estate is one of the most popular areas on Tortola for vacation rental properties and long-term residents alike due to the proximity to blissful beaches, the convenience of West End’s ferry dock and the restaurants and shops at Soper’s Hole. It is approximately a 30-minute drive to Road Town, so while it is quiet, it’s not too remote.
SummerSalt is a very structurally sound home, suffering almost no damage from the 2017 hurricanes. Recently renovated with new appliances, packed with modern convenience and Caribbean charm. It comprises two villas, one on each side of the sunny swimming pool terrace, providing occupants with space and privacy. The main house has a large great room with an impressive, vaulted ceiling; the interior is fresh with bright blue accents, bringing in the blues of the sea views below. It evokes classic West-Indian vibes throughout, including inside with its choice of materials and décor and outside thanks to its rich tropical landscaping. French doors lead onto the covered dining patio and the pool terrace with its distinctive hexagonal pool and native plants. The custom-designed gourmet kitchen is the focus of the great room and boasts a 12-foot-long mahogany bar and a generous pantry.
In the primary suite, wide French doors open onto the private veranda and the ensuite bathroom has an outdoor natural stone shower from which you can enjoy views of the beach below. The living areas are all on the ground floor, with two bedrooms and a shared bathroom on the main house’s lower level. The property is air-conditioned throughout.
The separate guest cottage is self-contained, complete with its own living area, kitchen, an intimate covered terrace and a very private king-bedroom suite. Both pavilions are ideally situated to catch the soft Caribbean breezes and glorious island sunsets.
There is generous parking for at least two vehicles. Yet, one-half of the land remains undeveloped, leaving potential for the construction of a second guest cottage, a larger swimming pool or even an outdoor kitchen.
BVI Sotheby’s International Realty presents SummerSalt for sale at $1,950,000.
Serendipity Hilltop Vista – Great Camanoe
Located on the western, free-hold side of the island, at Indigo Plantation Estate, Serendipity Hilltop Vista is a unique four-bedroom home with a captivating open-air great room. Sea breezes continually wind their way through each room, with no need for air-conditioning. The property consists of three large bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms in the main house and a fourth bedroom by the pool. The stunning semi-circular swimming pool is one of the only pools on Great Camanoe fed by its own natural spring water-well.
Set on 2.1 acres of natural meadows and gardens, this stunning property has views over Scrub Island, Moskito, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Beef Island and Guana Island from the open archways that capitalise on the indoor/outdoor style of living that is so popular in the Caribbean. The great room has a generous open-plan kitchen, dining room and living room, which is an inviting place to spend time with family and friends. The open floor plan blends the comfortably furnished great room with expansive sunrise-to-sunset views and starry night skies. The verandah and patios offer more than 300-degree views and are the common gathering place for end-of-day libations and delightful dinners.
The bedrooms are all equipped with built-in wardrobes and private balconies with the same beautiful views across the water. By day, you’ll see the charter yachts dotted about the horizon and at night, the twinkling lights of the cruise ships sail past.
The Gardens have great soil and natural stones with mature indigenous fruit trees and you can see St. Croix from the sundeck.
Every homeowner within the Indigo Plantation Estate owns a private dock in the well-protected marina below. Shared tennis courts, haul-out storage facilities, a restroom, a small library/meeting room, freshwater cisterns, davits to haul the boats, a boat ramp and three communal beaches are all part of the offer in this incredible outer island retreat. The property also has ample private storage with several garages and outhouses, ideal for storing boats and necessary maintenance equipment.
BVI Sotheby’s International Realty presents Serendipity Hilltop Vista for sale at $1,750,000.
