Dunes

Dunes is one of those Caribbean homes that instantly make you feel special.

This six-bedroom estate is one of the most private and stunning St Barts villas on the island, tucked away in the well-preserved Les Salines neighborhood and just a short stroll from the powder-soft sands of Saline Beach. When the gate closes behind you, the three acres of tropical gardens that encircle the property with flowering shrubs, coconut palms, and bougainvillea make it feel like your own little piece of St. Barths.

Dunes, which is nestled into the hillside, faces east over a stretch of verdant hills and south toward the ocean. With white sand and turquoise water just below, thick vegetation all around, and no nearby rooftops in sight, it is renowned for being the only villa this close to Saline Beach, creating an atmosphere that is both wild and incredibly serene.

The architecture is resolutely modern, with large volumes and clean lines, but it is softened by natural materials and a design that encourages living primarily outside. The estate consists of a main house and two separate guest bungalows, which are perfect for staff members traveling with the group or friends who appreciate additional privacy.

The living room in the main villa is not so much a traditional sitting area as it is a gallery of light. Large white couches face expansive views, and a color scheme of delicate whites and neutrals maintains a serene and elegant ambiance. The area is set up for leisurely, long afternoons spent reading, conversing, and taking in the changing sky over the ocean. Just behind is a professional-grade kitchen that is ideal for cooking basic island dishes or hiring a private chef for fully catered evenings.

The main house’s dining room is impressive, with a long table that can accommodate up to twenty people, high ceilings, and views of the sea and verdant hills. A second dining table outside beneath the covered terrace allows you to eat outside in the trade winds while candlelight blends with the sound of the waves below.

When you step outside, the house’s real focal point is revealed: a large terrace with layers of tropical vegetation and two heated swimming pools that reflect the sky. The water is surrounded by sun decks with daybeds and loungers where you can spend the day between naps and swims.

Instead of just background music, spa treatments are accompanied by the sound of rustling palms and the aroma of frangipani thanks to a special massage pavilion that is tucked away in the garden. The entire property feels more like a private wellness retreat than a family villa thanks to outdoor showers and peaceful garden nooks.

Dunes’ six bedrooms are arranged to strike a balance between privacy and connection. Each of the four suites in the main building has a king-size bed, a sophisticated bathroom, and simple, mineral-colored furnishings. The suites face the ocean across the gardens. Two additional suites, ideal for staff or couples who prefer to come and go at their own pace, are nestled into separate guest houses within the garden. You can walk right into the Caribbean light in the morning and, if you’d like, sleep with the breeze blowing through the room at night because all six are open to the outdoors.

Dunes offers a sizable, fully furnished fitness center, office space for those who need to check in with the outside world, and areas set aside for massage and relaxation for visitors who prefer to mix leisurely days with movement. With a workout at dawn, a swim in one of the pools, coffee on the terrace, and the remainder of the day developing at its own pace, the layout invites you to discover your own rhythm.

The villa is situated in a very useful location on the island, despite feeling wonderfully remote. The well-known sandy path leads to Saline Beach, which is easily accessible by foot. In a matter of minutes, you can be on the sand facing one of St. Barths’ most recognizable, undeveloped bays.

While St-Jean, with its boutiques, beach clubs, and the island’s small airport, can be reached in roughly ten minutes by car, Gustavia’s shops, bakeries, and harborfront restaurants are typically ten to fifteen minutes away, depending on traffic and time of day. On a map, Dunes is located just inland from Saline on the road that circles between St-Jean and Grand Fond, southeast of St. Barths. It is advised to have a comfortable automatic car or hired driver, especially at night or for first-time visitors, as the roads are paved but narrow and winding on the last approach.

The only ultra-luxury estate with three acres of tropical gardens, two heated pools, six king-bed suites, a complete gym and spa pavilion, and no neighbors in sight makes Dunes one of the most remarkable St Barts villas.

A stay here is especially well-suited for three experiences. A day might start with a long, peaceful afternoon by the pools, a late breakfast on the terrace, and a barefoot stroll down to Saline Beach at sunrise, when the sand is cool and nearly deserted.

Another could focus on a Gustavia and St-Jean loop, which would include morning shopping and pastries in town, lunch at Shell Beach, a swim and a drink at sunset in St-Jean, and then a return to the peace of Les Salines. A third day could be your “nature day,” consisting of a stroll along the untamed Grand Fond coastline, which is frequently accessible from the villa in less than ten minutes by car, a massage in the garden pavilion, and dinner outside under the stars with just the sounds of the hillside for company.

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