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Think St. Barts - Think VillSpa Stay Sequestered in a Wimco Villa on St. Barts With Spa Treatments at Your Fingertips
Comfort, privacy, seclusion, convenience - all attributes of staying in your own villa on St. Barts and having the spa come to you.
NEWPORT, RI (PRWEB) October 18, 2006 It may be time to coin a new phrase called “villspa,” an opportunity to remain luxuriously sequestered in a private villa while enjoying the most soul rejuvenating spa experiences.
Wimco, the Newport, RI, villa rental and hotel reservations company, offers five villas in its portfolio of 200+ villas in St Barts that have specially designated and equipped on-premise facilities for the ultimate in spa and massage services provided by St Barth Spa, the treatment division of Le Ligne St Barth. Treatment menus can be viewed on line at www.lignestbarth.com. Le Ligne St Barth is an island-based company whose creams and lotions can be purchased locally as well as at London’s Fortnum & Mason.
In most other St. Barts villas represented by Wimco, a St Barth Spa specialist will bring a massage table that can be set up for a poolside treatment or inside the villa.
The premiere example of the “villspa” spa style is the opulent Palladian-style six-bedroom villa Bon Temps (villa code SIB BTR). This stunning villa sits on a hillside on the west side of Pointe Milou with broad sunset views of Chevreaux, Fourchue, Toc Vers, St Martin and Anguilla. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the house is decorated in white, soft greens and blues with hand-painted tile lounge banquettes on the terrace, custom mosaic floors in the living area and limestone floors throughout the bedrooms and terraces. All six bedrooms have equal amenities including high ceilings, stone-tiled bathrooms and ocean views. Two have private terraces and outdoor showers. The in-villa spa is on the lower level within an air-conditioned fitness area.
The four other villas in St Barts that have a dedicated on-site spa area with spa equipment are SIB THI, SIB TAL, SIB MAC and SIB FGO.
In addition to booking villas, spa treatments and air tickets, Wimco’s reservations staff are happy to book rental cars, boat charters, provision the villa, arrange for babysitters and make dinner reservations. To book a villa with a spa on St. Barts, please call 1-800-932-3222.
About Wimco Villas
Wimco is the leading marketer of private villa rentals and distinctive hotels in the Caribbean and Europe. Now in its 24th year, the company has been sending clients to its exclusive portfolio of properties in St Barts, St Martin, Barbados, Italy, France, Mykonos and many other desirable vacation destinations.
Fortune Magazine recently rated Wimco amongst the top five villa specialists in the world as the result of its strict selection standards for high-quality properties, the largest exclusive portfolio of properties in the Caribbean and Europe and its award winning client service. Forbes Magazine recently rated Wimco’s online villa rental service “Best of the Web.”
View Wimco’s villa rental portfolio at www.wimco.com or call toll-free 1-800-932-3222 (US) or 44-0870-850-1144 (UK).
French law for the French West Indies requires that communes with at least 10,000 inhabitants conduct a census every five years. Before starting the 2007 headcount, St Barth is conducting an exhaustive count of the number of lodgings in each house or apartment complex. This task has been undertaken by two people working with the help of maps and photographs provided by the National Geographic Institute (l’Institut Géographique National). It is hoped that this phase will be completed by mid-October. The results of the 2007 census will not be made public until 2008, with some statistics not becoming available until January, 2009.
Here is a preliminary calendar of events for 2007:
January
1 New Year’s Day
8 Three Kings Day – “Galettes des Rois” Epiphany cake served at all fêtes
26 St Barth Music Festival – Jazz, Chamber, Classical Music and dance. Gustavia and Lorient churches. Continues through February 7th.
February
16 Carnival School Parade in the streets of Gustavia
20 Carnival – Beginning of Mardi Gras; costumed parade in the streets of Gustavia. Most businesses are closed.
21 Ash Wednesday – Burning of Vaval (King of Carnival) at Shell Beach
March
8 International Women’s Day – commemoration by the Lyceum Club at City Hall
29–31 St Barth Bucket – A three-day invitational mega-yacht race
April
8–9 Easter Weekend – Public and religious holiday
25–30 St Barth Film Festival – Caribbean Films and Filmmakers - AJOE/Lorient
May
1 Labor Day – Public holiday
1 Annual Archery Competition by les France Archers
8 Armistice Day – Public holiday
4–12 St Barth Theater Festival
17 Ascension – Public and religious holiday
27 Pentecost – Religious holiday
June
3 Mother’s Day – Family celebrations
17 Father’s Day – Family celebrations
July
7 Fête de l’Anse des Cayes et Anse des Lézards – Music, sport, games and dance
12–14 Fishing Contest organized by Ocean Must
14 Bastille Day – Public holiday
16–30 St Barth Volleyball Cup
28–29 Fête des Quartiers du Nord – Flamands –Contests, regatta, animations, music, dance and fireworks
August
9–20 Boubou’s Music Festival – Hotel Christopher
11–12 Fête des Quartiers du Vent – Lorient – Contests, regatta, music, dance and fireworks
14–15 Pitea Day – Religious and public holiday commemorating the special relationship between St. Barth and Pitea, Sweden
15 Assumption Day – Religious holiday
18–19 Fête de Gustavia – Regattas, music, dance and fireworks at Quai du General de Gaulle
24 Fête de St Barthélémy – Patron Saint Feast Day. Church and official ceremonies, regattas, music, dance and fireworks in Gustavia
25 Fête de St Louis – Corossol -- Fishing contests, regattas, food, music, dance and fireworks
27 Seniors Day – Special entertainment for older citizens
Everyone descended to Lorient on Friday, October 6, and Saturday, October 7, to view the blockbuster film Pirates of the Caribbean. The line started at the A.J.O.E. tennis courts and extended far past JoJo’s grocery store as people anticipated an evening of adventure and popcorn. Unfortunately, many were disappointed as probably at least 100 people were turned away – there just wasn’t anymore space! The good news was that they decided to show the film again on Saturday night. The line started forming 45 minutes before the 8:00 pm showing by those determined not to miss it a second time!
As reported in the June 30 issue of St Barth News Bytes, an organization called ”Friends of SBH” was formed to collect and distribute money to worthy causes on St. Barth. The St. Barth Fire and Rescue Service was designated to be the first recipient, and the goal was to raise $5000 to acquire needed equipment as identified by the Fire Chief. Less than three months later, this philanthropic group has exceeded their goal and donated close to $8000 worth of equipment to the selfless firemen of St Barth!! For the first time, there is now sufficient lifesaving equipment to fully equip their two ambulances.
Three digital blood pressure gauges
One mannequin for CPR training
Three saturomètres
Three resuscitators with oxygen supplies
One automatic external defibrillator
For an island that works very hard to ensure that tourists have a good experience, it’s heartwarming to see non-native residents give something back.
About two weeks ago, St Maarten lifted the ban on liquids and gels in carry-on luggage. But, there are restrictions. You can carry on up to 90 milliliters of liquid, but only if it was purchased in a secure area of the airport and is packed in a transparent, plastic bag (for example, a ZipLoc bag). It will be necessary to await the opening of the new terminal in order to purchase duty-free liquor or perfume in a designated secure area. Until then, the liquor and perfume shops in the current airport will remain closed.
Below is the schedule for the opening of the new airport according to a vendor who will have a business in the new terminal:
October 10: Provide plan to migrate on October 15
October 15: New terminal completed
October 16: Access control operational
October 18-19: Dry run for 2 days with a small airline
Wimco has a new edition of their villa guide out. It is a fancy, full color, 144 page "guide of the most desirable villas, villa rentals and hotels on the Caribbean island of St. Barts." You can order one here.
The François Plantation is offering several packages at their beautiful and exclusive hotel high in the hills of Colombier. All packages include car rental, private parking, access to the freshwater pool and airport transfers. You can contact the hotel at 590 590 29 80 22 for details on other packages.
Follow the link below for offer details.
Honeymoon Package
November 1, 2006 - December 19, 2006 2740 €
January 7, 2007 – April 17, 2007 3540 €
April 18, 2007 – August 31, 2007 2400 €
6-night stay in an ocean view cottage
Bottle of organic champagne
Welcome gift
Daily continental breakfast
One romantic dinner for two at François Plantation
One dinner for two at La Plage in St Jean
Half-day catamaran cruise or sunset cruise
Two complimentary massages
Internet access
Gourmet Package
November 1, 2006 – December 19, 2006
March 1, 2007 – May 15, 2007
2100 € for 3 nights
3900 € for 6 nights
Accommodations in an ocean view cottage
American breakfast served in the restaurant’s dining room
Bottle of organic champagne on arrival
Bottle of wine from the Château Maris vineyard
One dinner for two at François Plantation (7-course menu including wine selection by the glass)
Morning bio and biodynamic wine tasting
One lunch specially prepared to take away with your favorite choices
Relaxing Romantic Tropical Garden Hideaway
November 1, 2006 – December 19, 2006 2200 €
March 17, 2007 – April 17, 2007 3000 €
April 18, 2007 – August 31, 2007 1950 €
6-night stay in a garden view cottage
Daily continental breakfast on your private terrace
Bottle of wine from the Château Maris vineyard
One dinner for two at François Plantation
Complimentary massage for two
If you’re a Premium MasterCard® cardholder, you can stay at the beautiful Le Sereno Hotel in Grand Cul de Sac and enjoy a daily breakfast for two at their Restaurant des Pêcheurs. Guests who stay three nights or more will receive a complimentary bottle of champagne upon arrival. To redeem this offer, call the hotel at 590 590 29 83 00 and mention the code “SERENO-MASTERCARD”. Offer expires December 22, 2006.
On April 10, 2006, an agreement was signed by the electricity providers of St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barth and Anguilla to connect the four different electricity systems that exist on the three islands. After a feasibility study, they signed a Joint Development Agreement with plans to begin the work in 2007 and to put the program in service in June 2008.
On Thursday, September 21, the employees of EDF, the electric company in St. Barth, went on strike to denounce the execution of connecting these four systems without first renovating the St. Barth power plant. As stated by the workers, their objective is not to sabotage the project, but to ask the population to question the advisability of losing the island’s energy independence. In addition, the EDF employees of St. Barth denounced the project to join the electrical services without assurance of first renovating and extending the capacity of the current power plant. The newest equipment was purchased in 1997. The oldest engines date from 1988 and, approaching 100,000 hours of use, are at the end of their life. According to the workers, it’s becoming difficult, almost impossible, to keep the power supply 100% available. However, no renovation and no increase of available power is anticipated despite the fact that use of electricity increases 8% each year. The workers are waiting to hear from EDF that the plant will be renovated before the project continues. As well, they waiting to hear the opinions of the locally elected representatives of St. Barth - are they for or against this project? And, have they asked EDF to renovate the current power plant before proceeding?
Mark your calendars for a week of outstanding music! The St. Barth Music Festival is scheduled to take place January 24 – February 2, 2007. The schedule (below the fold) is preliminary and is subject to change, but you can be sure that top-quality musicians will be performing each night. The musicians will start to arrive on January 21.
January 24
7:00 pm 9:00 pm
Anglican Church, Gustavia
John Ellis Jazz Quartet from New Orleans featuring Jason Marsalis on drums
January 25
7:00 pm
Anglican Church, Gustavia
Piano and Flute Recital featuring Phillip Bush on piano and Mathieu Dufour on flute
January 26
8:00 pm
Anglican Church, Gustavia
Miro String Quartet
January 28
4:00 pm
Anglican Church, Gustavia
Les Eleves de l’Ecole Suzuki, St Barth Harmony
January 28
8:00 pm
Eddy’s Restaurant, Gustavia
Benefit Dinner for Stars of the Festival
January 31
8:00 pm
Catholic Church, Lorient
Orchestra Concert conducted by Alex Klein to include Stravinsky Pulcinella Suite, Strauss Horn Concerto with soloist Eric Ruske, Trombone soloist Nitzan Haroz and Prokofieff Classical Symphone
February 1
7:00 pm
Anglican Church, Gustavia
Melomanes Chamber Music and La Chorale de Bons Choeurs
February 2
8:00 pm
Catholic Church, Lorient
Opera Night: Pagliacci by Ruggiero Leoncavallo, conducted by Richard Buckley and starring Jane Thorngren, Walter MacNeil and David Small
For those of you don’t like to snorkel or dive but would love to see the abundant underwater life of St Barth, you can now schedule a one-hour trip on Plongée Caraïbes’ new Yellow Submarine. The trip leaves from Gustavia and will take you through the Marine Park and around Gros Ilets, toward Les Petits Saints where you will see schools of colorful fish, sea turtles, coral reefs and three wrecks, including one of the yacht Non Stop. The two crew members will provide information about the marine life as well as St Barth. The submarine remains on the surface while you view the underwater world of St Barth six feet below the surface through 24 large windows along the sides, plus one large window in the front and the back. The new submarine, built in Europe, can carry 47 passengers. Once a week it departs at night, using its special lighting equipment to show you the active underwater night life. Private trips can be arranged by contacting Plongée Caraïbes at 590 590 52 40 51.
This is pretty cool - it seems Google has updated their satellite images, and we have used the maps API to create a satellite map of St. Barts that you can view on our site. Check it out here.
If you’re a Premium MasterCard® cardholder, you can stay at the beautiful Le Sereno Hotel in Grand Cul de Sac and enjoy a daily breakfast for two at their Restaurant des Pêcheurs. Guests who stay three nights or more will receive a complimentary bottle of champagne upon arrival. To redeem this offer, call the hotel at 590 590 29 83 00 and mention the code “SERENO-MASTERCARD”. Offer expires December 22, 2006.
For those of you don’t like to snorkel or dive but would love to see the abundant underwater life of St Barth, you can now schedule a one-hour trip on Plongée Caraïbes’ new Yellow Submarine. The trip leaves from Gustavia and will take you through the Marine Park and around Gros Ilets, toward Les Petits Saints where you will see schools of colorful fish, sea turtles, coral reefs and three wrecks, including one of the yacht Non Stop. The two crew members will provide information about the marine life as well as St Barth. The submarine remains on the surface while you view the underwater world of St Barth six feet below the surface through 24 large windows along the sides, plus one large window in the front and the back. The new submarine, built in Europe, can carry 47 passengers. Once a week it departs at night, using its special lighting equipment to show you the active underwater night life. Private trips can be arranged by contacting Plongée Caraïbes at 590 590 52 40 51.
