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Caribbean rentals - it's villa heaven! You don't have to fork out a small fortune to own your own piece of the Caribbean. More and more people are opting to rent one of a galaxy of luxurious villas on some of the Caribbean’s most idyllic islands rather than buy outright. GILLIAN FIELDING is charmed by the islands in the sun.
Say the word “Caribbean” and most people automatically think of Barbados, St. Lucia or Jamaica.
Undoubtedly these are great destinations, but some of the smaller, less well-known islands offer stunning properties to rent and, once you have visited, you will be remembered by the locals and greeted as a long-lost friend should you decide to return.
There are direct flights from the UK to Barbados and Antigua and then it’s only a short hop on local airlines to the islands of Anguilla, Nevis, British Virgin Islands, Dominica and Bequia.
For those wishing to visit the glamorous Turks and Caicos Islands there is a direct flight from Heathrow and the southern Caribbean islands of Tobago and Grenada can also be reached without changing planes.
You may be surprised how different the islands are in what they have to offer.
For pure beach holidays I would recommend Anguilla, Turks and Caicos and the British Virgin Islands. For those interested in the history of the Caribbean you’ll be tempted by Nevis, Antigua and Puerto Rico. For nature lovers, and especially bird watchers, I would suggest Tobago, Grenada and Dominica . And, of course, there are wonderful opportunities for every kind of watersport and sailing under the sun in all of these places.
The types of property available vary tremendously but there is something to suit every budget - from a waterfront apartment for two on the sleepy, laid-back island of Bequia to a five-bedroom beachside mansion, complete with lift, a staff of ten and its very own fitness centre on the south west coast of Anguilla.
One of the best things about renting a private villa is the freedom it provides. Eat what you want, when you want it, without being tied to hotel dining times; wear what you like – no dress codes to follow; and for families it just can’t be beaten. Soft drinks umpteen times a day are much less expensive from a bottle in your fridge than from the hotel bar and fractious children can be put to bed in the afternoons while mum and dad sunbathe on their own pool deck without having to continuously go back to the room and check all is well.
Some villas, like the gorgeous Dos Sols on Virgin Gorda, offer bedroom accommodation in individual cottages, making the property ideal for, say, three couples wanting to holiday as a group but looking for extra privacy at night!
Like the idea of self-catering accommodation but not sure about cooking every day? Many larger villas offer the option of a cook who will discuss the day’s menu with you and then take you to the local market to buy freshly-produced ingredients. Just think - mangoes straight from the tree, newly-dug sweet potatoes, bright-eyed fish in rainbow colours and enormous lobsters, all adding to the fantastic Caribbean dining experience!
On the island of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands the lobsters are kept in wire cages in the shallow waters off the beach until they’re needed – you can’t get fresher than that!
In the Caribbean, the word ‘villa’ is also used to describe some of the more ‘upmarket’ apartments. The Bel Air Plantation on Grenada consists of eleven one- and two-bedroomed cottages and villas – the typical Caribbean pastel exteriors belie the sophisticated furnishings and décor within, and each has a beautifully fitted kitchen.
But if, after a hard day by the pool or on the nearby beach, you don’t feel like showing off your culinary skills, there is an excellent restaurant, just a few steps from your accommodation, with delightful views of the bay.
Parrot Cay is a little-known tiny island off the coast of Providenciales. Any the wiser? They’re two of the eight inhabited islands amongst forty which make up Turks and Caicos. Whilst Parrot Cay is renowned for its stunning spa resort, the Cay (or island) is also home to a number of celebrities who’ve had villas built on this secluded and peaceful haven. Some of these villas can be rented by lesser mortals who may be excited to find that they recognise their next door neighbour from the silver screen or the catwalk.
Personally, I have a soft spot for the island of Nevis – possibly because it’s the only Caribbean island with a native population of small, green, vervet monkeys who inhabit the slopes of Mount Nevis. Leave any food unattended on your balcony or terrace and you’ll soon catch a glimpse of a small furry being on the ‘grab and run’!
So has this helped you to make up your mind where you would like to go? If you are considering purchasing a property in the Caribbean perhpas the best way to discover whether a particular island suits you and your family is to try before you buy – and rent a villa for a couple of weeks and live like the locals. Visit the neighbourhood bars and restaurants, shop in the local stores and markets - and get to know the people of the island.
If, after that, you are not quite sure – just try another island! Think of the fun you could have working your way around the Caribbean.
For more information and a brochure on the Caribbean Islands Club’s programme call 020 8232 9781, or look at the website at www.carib-club.com
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