Guest Report
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:13 am
Plastic Plants in Paradise
We arrived after dark, late because of a few missed connections. Excitement was mixed with exhaustion. The welcome meal set the tone for the coming week. Numerous hot and cold local dishes were presented by our host. As she described the ingredients we knew we were in for a treat. Full stomached, off to bed we went.
When the sun arose in the morning we were engulfed in the beauty of the streaming sunlight across the ocean. The morning revealed that Villa Soleil is a special place.
The villa itself has a certain mystique about it. A fantastic siting, rich color palette and superb views. The truly open-air main living area serves as the activity center of the villa. It's screenless design lets in the tropical ocean breezes (and the mosquitos).
Each of the thoughtfully placed bedrooms are truly private with en suite baths and their own sitting areas looking out to the sea. Individual a/c units provide perfect sleeping conditions (when functioning properly).
Inside, the decor was a mash-up of vintage West Indies and WallMart. Comfortable and numerous, the seating areas provided ample options for our group. Whomever put this space together missed the day in design school when they talked about "less is more". Plastic plants and tourist trap object d'art were everywhere trying to compete with the view. But everything was functional.
We used the dock for fishing, pool for swimming, sun for tanning, and the three refrigerators to chill wine, beer, and rum punch fixings. Mt Irvine fish market provided the freshest fish ever.
What an undertaking. To own a large property in such a remote area has got be difficult. When something goes wrong you have to rely on the locals to dig you out. And in this case they performed with a smile; again and again. We had constant a/c problems that were never fixed, broken pipes outside, a flood inside, a day without water and local plumbers in-and-out the whole week. And on top of that, we were able to pull-off a good time, enjoy the setting and relax.
In the end I would recommend the place to friends but think that a property this size would benefit from a full time staff. It is starting to show its age and needs a deep cleaning and power wash. But the setting and design are nearly perfect. Enjoy at your own risk, and try to keep one step in front of the insects!
We arrived after dark, late because of a few missed connections. Excitement was mixed with exhaustion. The welcome meal set the tone for the coming week. Numerous hot and cold local dishes were presented by our host. As she described the ingredients we knew we were in for a treat. Full stomached, off to bed we went.
When the sun arose in the morning we were engulfed in the beauty of the streaming sunlight across the ocean. The morning revealed that Villa Soleil is a special place.
The villa itself has a certain mystique about it. A fantastic siting, rich color palette and superb views. The truly open-air main living area serves as the activity center of the villa. It's screenless design lets in the tropical ocean breezes (and the mosquitos).
Each of the thoughtfully placed bedrooms are truly private with en suite baths and their own sitting areas looking out to the sea. Individual a/c units provide perfect sleeping conditions (when functioning properly).
Inside, the decor was a mash-up of vintage West Indies and WallMart. Comfortable and numerous, the seating areas provided ample options for our group. Whomever put this space together missed the day in design school when they talked about "less is more". Plastic plants and tourist trap object d'art were everywhere trying to compete with the view. But everything was functional.
We used the dock for fishing, pool for swimming, sun for tanning, and the three refrigerators to chill wine, beer, and rum punch fixings. Mt Irvine fish market provided the freshest fish ever.
What an undertaking. To own a large property in such a remote area has got be difficult. When something goes wrong you have to rely on the locals to dig you out. And in this case they performed with a smile; again and again. We had constant a/c problems that were never fixed, broken pipes outside, a flood inside, a day without water and local plumbers in-and-out the whole week. And on top of that, we were able to pull-off a good time, enjoy the setting and relax.
In the end I would recommend the place to friends but think that a property this size would benefit from a full time staff. It is starting to show its age and needs a deep cleaning and power wash. But the setting and design are nearly perfect. Enjoy at your own risk, and try to keep one step in front of the insects!