Villa Fabrizia | 8 BR

Villa Fabrizia, perched in the hills above Gustavia, is the kind of St. Barths residence that instantly gives the island a cinematic feel.

While the sky performs its nightly ritual in front of you—spectacular sunsets that spill gold across the water before fading into a velvet-blue evening—below you the harbor shimmers with anchored yachts and the gentle hum of town life. Fabrizia is particularly alluring because you can take in all of this from a secluded hillside location surrounded by gardens, but you can still stroll down to eateries, shops, and nightlife whenever you want to exchange peace for a little energy. It’s a rare combination of “close to everything” and “feels like your own world” among St Barts villas.

The villa is constructed as a collection of Creole-style pavilions connected by lush pathways, terraces, and steps, giving the impression of a private Caribbean village. With cozy couches, tropical accents, and an open floor plan that allows the breeze to circulate throughout the house, every area is airy, vibrant, and laid back in that carefree island-chic manner.

On the middle level, where the day naturally gathers, is the main pavilion. The kitchen and dining area invite you to stay, snack, and share meals without anyone being cut off from the conversation, while the living room opens wide to the view on one side. It’s simple to visualize the rhythm here: coffee in hand as the harbor awakens, a quick swim in the pool prior to lunch, and cocktails at sunset as Gustavia’s lights start to twinkle below.

Fabrizia has a wonderful surprise: a separate library pavilion, if your group enjoys socializing as much as finding a quiet place. It’s comfortable and serene, the kind of spot where kids can curl up with a story while dinner is being made or where you can retreat to with a book when the house is busy.

The kitchen itself is state-of-the-art and fully furnished, suitable for anything from casual breakfasts to festive dinners. Additionally, the flow between the kitchen, indoor dining, and outdoor dining makes entertaining feel organic rather than fussy, and it’s ideal for chef service and catered meals. When it’s time to eat, you can go to the dining gazebo outside, where dinner comes with a front-row seat to the evening sparkle of the harbor, or you can choose the indoor dining area next to the kitchen.

Villa Fabrizia is ideal for larger families, multigenerational groups, or friends traveling together because it has eight bedrooms. Everyone has a feeling of privacy because the bedrooms are dispersed throughout pavilions on the upper and lower levels, making it more like staying in a group of suites than a single home. Four bedrooms—two with king beds, one with a queen, and one with twin beds—are located on the upper level, which is accessible via two staircases with about twenty-four steps.

The outdoor showers in the bedrooms on this level are a particularly attractive feature that gives your routine a distinctly St. Barths feel. There are four additional bedrooms on the lower level, which is roughly 44 steps down. The fourth bedroom has three single beds, making it a convenient choice for kids, while the other two have king beds and a queen bed, each with furnished terraces overlooking the Caribbean. Because of its pavilion layout and hillside location, Fabrizia has a lot of steps throughout the property, which is part of its charm but something to consider if you have small children, strollers, or anyone with mobility issues.

Villa Fabrizia really shines when it comes to outdoor living. The main level infinity pool is surrounded by a wooden boardwalk, which invites you to move with the day by swimming, lounging in the sun, and then finding shade. Each of the steps leading down to the water has a sunbed, providing you with small “perches” to enjoy the view and soak up the warmth. A covered lounge area between the living room and kitchen, ideally situated for sunset viewing, becomes the preferred meeting place as afternoon gives way to evening.

Even far-off islands like Saba, St. Kitts, and St. Eustatius may be visible on clear nights as the sky darkens. Fast Wi-Fi, a gas grill, gated entry, beach towels, and French and American satellite TV are all thoughtfully included practical amenities. As is customary for high-season holiday weeks on the island, the villa rents at full occupancy during the December festive period, regardless of the number of bedrooms used. Housekeeping is available six days a week (apart from holidays). With the crucial disclaimer that supervision is necessary due to the stairs and level changes, the villa is appropriate for young children.

Travel times and distances: Villa Fabrizia is located in the hills directly above Gustavia, making it easy to walk to the town’s eateries, shops, and nightlife. Depending on your route and pace, Gustavia’s harborfront restaurants and shops can be reached on foot in 10 to 15 minutes, while Shell Beach is usually about a 5-minute walk. Gustavia is typically the most convenient hub for groceries, daily necessities, and pharmacy stops; most hillside locations above town can be reached by car in 5 to 10 minutes.

Depending on traffic, it usually takes 5 to 10 minutes to drive to Gouverneur Beach and 10 to 20 minutes to get to St. Jean (airport, beach clubs, and major shopping). The villa is situated on the hillside above the harbor-facing side of town, which is why the evening views are so striking. For easy map cues, point in the direction of “Gustavia harbor” and “Shell Beach.”

Arrival and logistics: Gustaf III Airport (SBH) in St. Jean is the nearest airport; under normal circumstances, it takes 15 to 25 minutes by car, though peak traffic may cause delays. Depending on the precise route, the drive up to the villa area is typically only 5 to 10 minutes if you arrive in Gustavia by ferry. The last 1-2 km are typical hillside driving in St. Barths, with winding, narrow, usually paved roads that can feel congested, especially at night.

For parking and maneuvering, a small car or compact SUV is typically the most comfortable option; what matters most is a confident driver. Because there are actual stairs on the property—roughly 24 steps up to the upper level and 44 steps down to the lower level—packing small bags and carefully allocating bedrooms will make your stay much simpler.

Villa Fabrizia is a rare eight-bedroom hillside estate in the style of a pavilion that offers you access to Shell Beach, walk-to-town Gustavia, and expansive harbor sunsets without compromising privacy or resort-level space.

Read More Where Is St Barts? Guide to the Island’s Location & Travel Tips