Baraka Point Breathes
By Owen Waters
The word Baraka stems from several Arabic terms, translating into ‘blessings’ in Urdu and Persian and “breath of life” to Sufis, which applied to my visit to the villa resort.One of the best parts of my job working for a property, boating and lifestyle magazine in one of the world’s ultimate destinations is getting to visit, review and stay in many of the BVI high-end properties, and as I stood on the sundeck of Baraka Point in Virgin Gorda, looking west towards the Dog Islands, it wasn’t the glint on the Caribbean Sea nor the fresh tradewinds, but a thought that it was a “breath of life” getaway luxury.
Baraka Point is within Nail Bay on Virgin Gorda, but it seems its own private world. I was completely saturated and transported by Baraka’s two acres of tropical gardens, tailored pavilion main house and luxurious suites. In this private world, guests may come to rest, adventure or wed in some of the most stunning settings available to visitors to the BVI accompanied by intricate detailing of cultural collections from all over the globe and a private, full-time staff of eight who are available to cater to every need or invisible, depending on the pace of each guest as they choose to take it.
Every aspect of Baraka Point has an area to relax, indulge and release whatever may have travelled along the way. Within the main house, Baraka Point’s manager Aaron Seddon recounted the expectations of guests with the many activities available from hiking or snorkeling to watersports, rides on their 25ft amphibious RIB, kid’s treasure hunts and themed dinners for up to 16 guests. “We would like to say that we all offer a little bit of everything for our guests, but actually it's Baraka Point itself,” Aaron said. “There is so much here in our surrounds, that weeks can be spent having lazy, pampered private days, but most guests interact with us, and we have a shared experience that makes us feel good, too. Something for everyone.” Most meals are served on the beautiful deck beside the pebble-clad infinity pool close, but this does not have to be the focal point of the guests’ dining experience. They could choose to have breakfast on one of the many wooden seating areas outside each suite or lunch on the daybed by the beach or even have a floor-seated dinner in the wooden massage hut. Certainly guests would want to sample the possibilities of the outdoor, woodburning pizza oven or sip some of the 150 wines on offer from Baraka’s private wine cellar. The highly skilled staff assured me that guests may indulge or experience all.
Each suite opens up to breathtaking sea views.
The staff at Baraka Point is trained in all aspects of what Baraka Point offers in terms of experience and quality to compliment its physical tranquility. Whilst Aaron Seddon and Kim Takeuchi are the hosts, they are also masters in the kitchen, at watersports and pilates, massage and yoga. There certainly is no time or effort wasted, and it is all available with full energy throughout the course of each visitor’s stay.
Architecturally and in design, Baraka Point is a cultural melting pot. Its copper pyramid roofs with tongue and groove cathedral ceilings and the circular interior finished with African Ikoro hardwood and a grass weave visitors can smell were influenced, the owners admit, by safari lodges in Africa, in particular Ngoro Ngoro Crater Lodge in Tanzania. Whilst that may have been the original influence, the vernacular construction of the detached dwellings’ colourful interiors are adorned with wooden doors, frames and trunks from Persia, Indonesia, Afghanistan, China and Mongolia.
Each dwelling has its own private entrance, balcony, entertainment system and air conditioning, if needed. All have separate individual styles defining them. Six buildings in total house five suites, two of which have children’s rooms, family being an integral part of the holiday. Each dwelling, with en suite bathrooms, is mesmerizing in its approach. With a carved centre four poster bed that patiently waits on light and rests in sunsets, the views at Baraka are 270 degrees with a 70 percent sunset into the ocean throughout the year. Each suite has influences from travels, two being provinces in India, named with pride the Kerala and Rajasthan suites, and the Chinese and Indonesian theme applies to the Mandarin, Indochine and Madura suites. To see and savour is the experience, and whilst visitors are taken to another dimension of another world’s influence, they are presented with the world of Virgin Gorda and the attentive trained staff to create unique experiences and new memories.
As I wandered along the 250ft stone path through the gardens of palms and urns from Indonesia, that were once tall coconut trees that have died, hollowed out and resold as sculptures, we passed the herb garden, Koi pond and turtle sanctuary, and I truly felt transported to another world, a vision that took three years to complete with absolute attention to detail and luxury along the way.
The newly built games room encourages playtime.
Independence is still a part of Baraka. Its owners travelled over the world and chose Baraka for its many attributes to be their offering of hospitality. In terms of travel, cars and 4WD golf carts and boats are available to guests, allowing them, if they desire, to explore more of the islands. The new games room, in addition to the traditional entertainment room, boasts a full bar, entertainment system and pool table, of course with stunning views.
Baraka Point evokes blessings as its name suggests, as well as style, culture and deserved relaxation. Whilst many getaways promise the opportunity of relaxation, at Baraka, the senses come alive, sparked by old world hand-carved pieces that are steeped in tradition amongst an exotic setting of a pristine land of green lawns, blue sea and granite boulders—the signature of the island of Virgin Gorda. Baraka offers a “breath of life” that I took with me long after I left the resort villa.
Baraka Point
USA/Canada Tel: 1(800)969-9713
UK/Europe Tel: +44 1376 322 826
www.barakapoint.com
[email protected]
