Villa Elle

Villa Elle feels like a private gallery suspended on a cliff, situated high above the sea in Pointe Milou, where the coastline drops into deep blue and the breeze carries that distinctive St. Barths salt-and-sun scent.

Situated near the best restaurants and beaches on the island, but far enough away that you can hear the wind and waves more than the outside world, the neighborhood is quietly prestigious. This is one of those St Barts villas that doesn’t try to blend in, having just undergone renovation and a bold pop sensibility. Once inside, it’s self-assured, lively, and surprisingly calm.

The architecture establishes the mood as soon as you enter the property: distinct bungalows that allow each person to breathe, as well as bright red roofs set against clean whitewashed walls spread across several floors. Villa Elle is perfect for couples traveling together who value being able to retreat to their own quiet spaces or families who want privacy without feeling cut off. The house, which is built into the cliffside, opens to breathtaking, unbroken views of the ocean. At sunrise, when the light first reaches the hills, the green contours of Mont Jean frame the horizon like a painted backdrop.

The main living room is equipped with air conditioning and is meant to be used for actual relaxation rather than just taking pictures. Surrounded by colorful sculptures, modern art, and a slightly cartoonish charm that somehow still reads as luxurious, the room is anchored by three roomy sofas. With a book in hand, doors open to the sea air, and music playing softly in the background, it’s the kind of room where afternoons seem to vanish.

Conversation naturally flows from shade to sun to table because a second living area is situated beneath a gazebo, an outdoor salon that is ideally situated between the interior lounge and the dining area. The color scheme, which combines vibrant artistic bursts with white and red, keeps the atmosphere cheerful and light, just like a vacation should.

With an indoor dining table that’s ideal for breakfast before the beach or a late-night snack after a long dinner in Gustavia, the kitchen is fully furnished, air-conditioned, and located in its own separate bungalow beneath a white mansard-style ceiling. Even small moments—coffee, fruit, a warm croissant—come with a view thanks to the room’s large windows.

It’s outside that Villa Elle becomes truly memorable. The terrace is designed to make the most of the cliffside location, and the ocean appears to be practically at your fingertips. Perfect for long lunches or candlelit dinners while the sky turns pink over the water, this covered outdoor dining area can accommodate up to ten people around a large table.

The focal point of the terrace is the heated pool, and a heated jacuzzi at the far end invites leisurely evenings beneath the stars—one of those St. Barths customs you’ll want to repeat every night. Oversized cushions and hammocks create spaces for sunbathing, napping, or just taking in the coastal scenery of Pointe Milou.

Each of the four air-conditioned bedrooms at Villa Elle has a lovely view of the ocean, king-size beds, and private bathrooms. The extra luxury of both indoor and outdoor showers is available in two suites, making them ideal for rinsing off outside or after a day at the beach. Beyond the bedrooms, the villa offers amenities that transform a stay into a genuine retreat: a cinema projection room with red velvet armchairs that makes movie night feel like an event rather than an afterthought; a fully equipped fitness room for those who prefer to maintain their routine even while on vacation; and a dedicated massage room for in-villa treatments.

Travel times and distances: Villa Elle is located in Pointe Milou on the north coast of the island, close to Mont Jean and Lorient. Depending on your route, it usually takes 5 to 10 minutes by car to Lorient for groceries and daily necessities, while pharmacies and other services are typically within 10 to 15 minutes. Gustavia’s harbor, shops, and dining scene typically take 15 to 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic, whereas St. Jean’s beach, shopping, and airport typically take 10 to 20 minutes.

Navigating toward “Pointe Milou / Mont Jean” on the north-coast ridge roads is a clear map cue; the villa’s location on a cliffside above the shoreline explains the dramatic views and the area’s typical short, winding approach.

Arrival and logistics: Gustaf III Airport (SBH) in St. Jean is the most convenient place to arrive; under normal circumstances, it takes 15 to 25 minutes by car, with peak hours possibly adding a little more time. It will take about 20 to 30 minutes to get to Pointe Milou if you arrive in Gustavia by ferry. The roads in this area of St. Barths are usually paved, but a small SUV or 4×4-style vehicle is frequently the most comfortable choice for visibility, handling, and parking. The final 1-2 km to hillside villas is typically narrow, curving, and occasionally steep.

Unique value proposition: Villa Elle is a unique cliffside pop-art haven in Pointe Milou that combines expansive ocean views of Mont Jean with bungalow-style seclusion, along with a heated pool, heated jacuzzi, movie room, fitness center, and massage area.

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