Wimco Opens Doors Of New And Newly Renovated Villas

NEWPORT, RI, Sept. 2004 – The frost is almost on the pumpkin, and villas on St. Barts are scrambling from the annual island-wide September hiatus to receive guests for the fall/winter season.

Many St. Barts villas that are exclusively represented by Wimco, the Newport, RI, and London-based luxury vacation villa and hotel reservations company, have been completely renovated; and there are several brand-new properties to tempt visitors away from the falling leaves and beyond.

For example, the recently completed Villa MIC (SIB MIC) basks in the sun all day, and the view from its Lurin hill becomes magical in the evening with the twinkling lights of Gustavia and the harbor below. This modern, spacious, 3-bedroom property provides its guests with every comfort. Hand-made beds and sliding glass screens are just some of the features of the bedrooms, and the spacious pool area has a BBQ and weatherproof billiard table for outside entertainment. Prices from $10,000 per week.

Another new property is the unusual 4-bedroom Villa Au Soleil. (SIB WAH)Just a few minutes from Gustavia and the beach, this one-level villa is semi-circular in design, giving all the rooms the advantage of a beautiful view. The front of the villa looks out over St Barts and an endless ocean; to the back, there is a lush, tropical garden with a gazebo overlooking a lily pond and waterfall. Each bedroom also has its own private terrace, en suite bathroom, and outside shower. From $20,000 per week.

One of the larger houses on St Barts, Villa Sky (SIB SKY)in Petite Saline, is blessed with some of the best sunset views on the island. Sky’s new owners have had all the rooms redecorated in luxurious style and vibrant Caribbean colors. The 4-bedroom villa has a 44-foot swimming pool (one of the largest pools on the island) that includes a shallow area for children. (A pool gate is provided for families with small children.) The pool also has its own underwater ledge enabling guests to enjoy cocktails while facing the stunning views. From $7,800 per week.

The 3-bedroom Villa L’Etoile du Berger (Northern Star) (SIB SDH) has recently been refurbished. Perched high up on the Colombier hillside with sweeping views over the bay des Flamands, this high-tech villa has three master suites, all equipped with Dish network TV, a DVD player and an incredible view. The central living area has a full-entertainment center, internet access, air conditioning and even remote controlled windows. The kitchen is fit for a gourmet chef, and there are both indoor and outdoor dining areas. From $11,000 per week.

The elegantly re-furbished, 3-bedroom Villa BJJ (SIB BJJ) offers guests amazing 180-degree views of the sea from its covered seating area. The new, sleek, custom-made, hardwood cabinets hide an entertainment system and zoned sound system with indoor/outdoor speakers. The entire house is now also wired for internet access. One of the three bedrooms is in a separate villa with a private terrace. A 15-meter infinity pool cascades over the front and side of the villa. Lush gardens surround the property. From $9,000 per week.

All prices include accommodation only and daily maid service. Wimco can tailor-make the villa holidays to suit each client’s needs for private chefs, yoga instructors, yacht charters or simply a restaurant reservation.

Wimco’s 2004-2005 villa inventory can be previewed online at www.wimco.com (US) and www.wimco.co.uk (UK and Europe), By phone, please call toll-free 1/800/932-3222 (US) or 44 0870 850 1144 UK).

Since 1983 Wimco has marketed and managed reservations for an expanding collection of select Caribbean and European villas and hotels. Wimco recently opened a London office, known as Wimco International, to serve the European market.