Villa Lao

Villa Lao is perched above Corossol like a private viewpoint, with the surrounding islands floating on the horizon and the ocean appearing to go on forever.

One of those St Barts villas where sunsets perform rather than just “happen.” With the trade winds keeping everything gentle and cozy, you can watch the light shift across the water in total peace as the day fades and the sky ignites in warm tones from the terrace.

Villa Lao, which was constructed in a modern style on three levels, was obviously intended to respect its location. With its wide glass doors and layout that maintains the view from nearly every angle, the architecture opens outward, bringing the panorama into everyday life. Soft neutrals, such as white, taupe, and sand tones, create a calm and airy atmosphere inside. It’s sophisticated without ever feeling stiff, modern without being chilly, and the type of house that makes you want to move in right away.

The main living area is designed for easy, carefree days. You can live with the ocean in front of you even when you’re inside thanks to the arrangement of cozy sofas with soft fabrics, armchairs, and layered cushions facing the terrace. After a long day at the beach or a late dinner in Gustavia, movie nights are made cozy and private with a dedicated TV corner.

A lovely table in the dining room can accommodate up to six people and is set up for lengthy meals that inevitably lead to conversation. With a breakfast bar that serves as the morning gathering place for coffee, fresh fruit, and plans for the day, the kitchen is well-equipped and thoughtfully designed. A water wall at the back of the house adds an unexpected note, bringing a soft, romantic sound that contrasts beautifully with the serene drama of the sea view while also slightly cooling the air.

Villa Lao becomes precisely what you came to St. Barths for when you’re outside. Along the front of the terrace is a heated infinity pool that appears to extend into the azure sky. You can spend hours here without ever leaving the deck thanks to sun loungers that are positioned for both full sun and easy shade.

Cushioned benches create a breezy lounge area beneath a shaded gazebo, where afternoons are spent reading a book or sipping a glass of rosé while watching the island unfold below and the trade winds blow through. With the sky above the water changing color and the lights of far-off boats starting to emerge, the terrace becomes the best place to sit on the island as night falls.

One of the villa’s most thoughtful features is its privacy. In order to allow couples, friends, or family members to share the house without feeling crowded, Villa Lao offers three air-conditioned bedrooms, each on a separate floor. Each of the three bedrooms has access to private terraces that maintain a constant connection to the outside world, ensuite bathrooms, and king-size beds covered in cozy, cozy fabrics. It feels easy and opulent to wake up here: open the door, go outside, and let the scenery set the mood for the day.

Villa Lao offers an air-conditioned fitness center and a jacuzzi for an additional layer of relaxation for visitors who prefer to combine beach time with wellness—perfect at night when the air cools and the stars come out. It’s the type of house that accommodates your preferred rhythm, whether it’s late mornings and leisurely evenings or early workouts and swims in the morning.

For tourists seeking convenience and authenticity, Corossol is also one of the most alluring areas of St. Barths. The village is renowned for its serene ambience, distinctive local character, and closeness to the island’s major centers. Depending on traffic and time of day, it usually takes five to seven minutes to drive from Villa Lao to Gustavia’s harbor, shops, eateries, pharmacies, and supermarkets. It typically takes ten to fifteen minutes by car to get to St-Jean, its beach clubs, and its shopping.

It usually takes 15 to 20 minutes to get to the island’s tiny airport in St. Jean. On the hills above Corossol, the roads are paved but narrow and winding, with a few steeper sections on the final one to two kilometers. If you would rather not drive, your concierge can arrange private transfers, or a small automatic rental car is ideal. Corossol is located on a map just west of Gustavia on the leeward side, facing out toward nearby islands, which is precisely why the sunsets here seem so dramatic.

Villa Lao is unique among St Barts villas because of its three-story layout with one bedroom per level privacy, a heated infinity pool overlooking the islands and sunset horizon, and a calm, contemporary design that feels both upscale and genuinely tranquil above the genuine charm of Corossol.

A stay at Villa Lao is a perfect combination of three experiences. Take a five-minute drive into Gustavia one evening to enjoy a meal by the harbor and a walk past the yachts. Return in time for a final swim in the heated pool as the sky turns a deep shade of indigo.

Another day, stay local: stroll around the village, spend the morning on Corossol’s beach, and return to the gazebo for a long, windy lunch before sipping cocktails on the terrace as the sun sets. A third choice is a traditional beach day in St. Barths; go swimming and have a leisurely lunch at Colombier or Shell Beach, then head back to Villa Lao for the jacuzzi and a peaceful movie night while the water wall murmurs softly in the background.

Read More 5 Amazing Beaches in St. Barts