Tamarind House Villa

Spacious, staffed villa and cottage on a hill near Soufriere, with glorious Piton views, a private pool and a tennis court (sleeps 4-9)

Tamarind House Villa is a lovingly-built haven of space, perched like an eyrie in the wooded hills west of Soufriere. A shady courtyard with a portcullis door makes you think of Tuscany, but inside the design is pure Caribbean: stone arches, double-height ceilings, flower-filled terraces and louvered shutters.

Nothing is second-best in this beautiful villa. Enormous doors lead to 3 bedrooms with antique beds, gauzy nets and fine linens. Huge modern artwork on the lime-washed walls echoes the harlequin colours of the bougainvillea and orchid trees outside. A separate (and self-contained) white pavilion connected via a terrace sleeps another 2 guests. And it’s all utterly private thanks to the tumbling gardens and gated terraces. Families and groups of friends will love it and, if you’re a large party, you can rent it together with La Bagatelle next door, which sleeps a further 4-5.

The atmosphere is relaxed, with no sense of urgency. Drink in the panorama, drive down to Anse Chastanet (one of the loveliest beaches on the island), explore rainforests and visit the famous 'drive in' volcano. In the evening, sip a rum punch while watching out for the fabled green flash that lights up the St Lucian sky at sunset, before sitting down to a Creole feast on your terrace. We're there in our heads already.

Highs

• The spacious living room spills out onto a shady terrace
• The views are magnificent: on a clear day you can see for 60 miles over to St Vincent
• It’s a peaceful, picturesque setting amid colourful bougainvillea
• There’s a warm, inviting and totally secluded pool
• The rooms have antique four-posters swathed in mosquito nets and Egyptian linen
• You’ll find a collection of DVDs, CDs and games in case the weather turns
• You can choose between self catering, being cooked for, or half and half

Lows

• The house is on a steep hillside and there are lots of steps - it’s unsuitable for guests with limited mobility
• There’s no air conditioning, but each room has a fan and you can sleep with the doors open to the breeze
• It's a 20-minute uphill walk from the nearest beach: better to hire yourself a 4WD to get out and about
• Though WiFi is sometimes available, it’s unreliable
• If you’re looking for nightlife, the tranquil location above sleepy Soufriere isn’t for you