Joie De Vivre 3 BD
Description
The silence at Joie De Vivre is the first thing you notice.
The villa’s four acres of tropical gardens catch the morning light as Baie Rouge slowly awakens, the sea pulsing softly against the pale sand. The estate, which is situated right on this calm West Coast beach, has the feeling of privacy that great homes do because it is surrounded by greenery and the horizon and is planned so that every path leads to the Caribbean. Remodeled from the outside out, it combines shuttered balconies and arcades with a new coastal color scheme, with all-white masonry tempered by teak, linen, and the color that slowly appears on the water.
Three of the king suites in the main house face the ocean, so mornings start with the sound of surf and the aroma of bougainvillea as it warms in the sunlight. Every bedroom has a walk-in closet, a spa-like bathtub, and a balcony for morning coffee, so the day never feels hurried. The great room overlooks the sea. A contemporary kitchen with a coffee maker and wine refrigerator leads to spacious salons and shady gazebos.
This type of indoor-outdoor layout makes a late breakfast into a long, joyful afternoon. Just beyond is a brand-new 500-square-foot cottage with its own small villa, living room, kitchen, and sun deck overlooking Simpson Bay. It’s perfect for a young family with different schedules, grandparents traveling with multiple generations, or a couple looking for a little more privacy. A private gate opens directly to the sand, allowing you to move between the sea and the lounger without worrying about keys, while a heated saltwater pool across the terraces reflects the sky and a hot tub captures the last of the day’s light.
The little customs that make up your week are how the estate gets its name. By late afternoon, the shaded lounge transforms pages into conversation, and conversation into cocktails. Snorkeling starts at your doorstep when the water is flat and clear, and lunch might consist of nothing more than grilled mahi and chilled rosé under the coral-stone portico. With long lawns, a horizon that does the majority of the decorating for you, and an elegant yet unpretentious setting, weddings and milestone celebrations feel right at home here. The beach determines the day’s conclusion as yachts stop in the bay and the light turns honey-gold.
Everything is made simple by the little things. On the French side of Baie Rouge, Joie De Vivre is located at roughly 18.069° N, -63.130° W. It will take about 12 to 18 minutes by car from Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side, and 20 to 25 minutes during rush hour. Grand Case–Espérance Airport (SFG) on the French side will take about 25 to 30 minutes. A standard sedan or midsize SUV is ideal for the final kilometer, which follows the coastal lane into Baie Rouge and has a few small hills and speed bumps.
The approach is completely paved. Depending on where you start, the walk up Pic Paradis for island-wide views takes 25 to 30 minutes, Maho and the runway-edge bars are 15 minutes away, Porto Cupecoy dining is 7 to 10 minutes away, and the Marigot market hub (Super U, bakeries, and wine shops) is 10 to 15 minutes away. Pharmacies are grouped around Marigot in the same window. For day trips to Anguilla, Marigot’s waterfront and ferry terminal are 10–12 minutes away; weather permitting, private helicopter or boat transfers to St. Barths can be scheduled in advance.
This area of St. Martin has a relaxed rhythm to its days. The terraces are set up so that sun worshippers, swimmers, and nappers each find their own bit of shade or sparkle; the kitchens are scaled for a chef but still casual enough for a midday meal; and the staff moves thoughtfully in the background. There is space to congregate and to disappear on the 178,527 square feet of land and 4,704 square feet of interior space—the hammock in a pocket of breeze, the reading chair beneath a sea almond, the bench on the dune path where the bay appears unnaturally blue.
Start close if you prefer a gentle prod to your plans: hire a private boat from Simpson Bay for a coastal swim-and-sail that circles the French and Dutch shores; aim for a late afternoon at Pic Paradis for a golden-hour island panorama before heading back to your heated pool as the first stars appear; snorkel the reefs edging Baie Rouge in the early calm and then stroll up to Marigot for pastries and a market stroll.
The unique combination of four acres of private gardens and true walk-out Baie Rouge frontage, encircling a recently renovated Mediterranean-meets-coastal estate with a self-contained new cottage, is what makes Joie De Vivre stand out. It offers resort-style outdoor living and total privacy by the sea on French St. Martin.
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| 1 $ 1,150 5 | 2 $ 1,150 5 | 3 $ 1,150 5 | 4 $ 1,150 5 | 5 $ 1,150 5 | 6 $ 1,150 5 | 7 $ 1,150 5 |
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