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Demand for Rental Villas on St. Barts Grows - Wimco Increases Its Inventory of Exclusive Homes
NEWPORT, RI, June 2007 – To meet a growing demand for villas on St. Barts, Wimco, the leading marketer of exclusive and sophisticated villa rentals in sun-splashed places, has added five villas to its available-only-through Wimco inventory.
“These new additions to our exclusive portfolio allow us to meet the growing demand for villa vacations on St Barts. The sophistication and amenities in these villas makes them very attractive to today’s discerning traveler,” says Stiles Bennet, Wimco’s Director of Marketing.
For the upcoming season, Wimco represents 265 St. Barts villas, most of them on an exclusive basis Wimco’s villas range from 1 bedroom retreats starting at $3,000/week in peak season to six bedroom compounds costing up to $40,000 a week in peak season.
Demand for St. Barts villa rentals is up 30% percent over this time last year. Wimco attributes this to the fact that this eight-square-mile island is increasingly popular because of its quaint French culture, family-friendly environment, uncrowded beaches, fine cuisine and world class shopping.
“This increased demand is especially true for the sought-after Holiday and Spring Break seasons,” says Bennet, who notes that there are still choice villas available for those two windows. “But they’re going fast.”
Wimco’s Five New Exclusive Villas on St Barts
Poised to become a new crown jewel is the brand new, highly private 4-bedroom Villa SIB CJB on a hill in the Colombier neighborhood with a view of Gustavia Harbor. This contemporary villa, designed by renowned local architect Olivier Dain, is embellished with an eclectic mix of oriental antiques, sculptures and modern art. Among its attributes are a gourmet kitchen, a media room and a large lap pool with two jacuzzis. The weekly rate is $40,000 except Dec.15- Jan. 4 when it’s $50,000. http://www.wimco.com/villas/villa.aspx?pid=901294&pnl=d
Also brand new and highly affordable is the 3-bedroom Villa SIB PAY in Vitet, with all rooms under the same roof making it the perfect family house. There are a spacious master suite and two smaller bedrooms off the living room. For maximum togetherness, the well-equipped kitchen shares space with the living room. Dining is on the terrace. Weekly seasonal rates range from $3,900 to $7,900. http://www.wimco.com/villas/villa.aspx?pid=901384&pnl=d
Another 4-bedroom gem is Hill House (SIB BOW) in Camaruche with views of St Jean and beyond to St Martin. Private terraces access three private guest cottages and a luxurious master suite near the vast infinity pool off of the main living area, open gourmet kitchen and lanai. The weekly rate is $25,000 April 15- Dec. 14 and $40,000 Jan. 5-April 14. http://www.wimco.com/villas/villa.aspx?pid=1678&pnl=d
A newly renovated 3-bedroom villa SIB VNS in Petite Saline overlooks Lorient Bay and surrounding islands. A fourth accommodation is available (at an extra charge) in an on-property cottage. The equally sized bedrooms all open to an ocean view as does the chef’s kitchen with al fresco dining area that seats six. A spacious deck surrounds an infinity pool. Weekly seasonal rates range from $25,000 to $45,000. http://www.wimco.com/villas/villa.aspx?pid=900945&pnl=d
Villa SIB AND in La Mamounia offers 3 bedrooms on a hillside overlooking the water at Flamands. The comfortable living room opens onto outdoor living and dining areas near the pool and sun deck. The king and queen bedrooms also overlook the water. Guests enjoy sharing the chopping in an open kitchen. This region has easy access to beach, bakery and shops. Weekly seasonal rates range from $3,940 to $8,400. http://www.wimco.com/villas/villa.aspx?pid=901445&pnl=d
Through Wimco’s partner SiBarth, villa guests alike can enjoy a wide range of concierge services: private chefs, provisioning the villas, babysitters, French lessons, massages and more. In addition to air and car reservation services, guests can also enjoy a new inter-island service that whisks them direct from San Juan Airport to St. Barts, bypassing time-consuming transfers.
About Wimco Villas
Wimco is the leading marketer of exclusive and sophisticated villa rentals in the Caribbean and Europe. For over 23 years, the Company has been sending clients to its portfolio of private villas and distinctive hotels in St. Barts, St. Martin, Barbados, Italy, France, Mykonos and many other desirable vacation destinations.
Fortune Magazine recently rated Wimco amongst the top 5 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).
Musical Festival Celebrates the First Day of Summer
The 26th annual Fête de la Musique kicks off all across France on June 21, the official start of summer. The festival began in 1982 thanks to Maurice Fleuret, who was the Director of Music and Dance, and the support of Jack Lang, Cultural Minister at the time. The goal was to bring people and their music out onto the streets. Sounds like a St Barth natural, right? This event has been celebrated in St Barth for the past few years and will take place at Caviar Island in Gustavia and at La Plage in St Jean. I’m sure you can expect other venues to be added as the day approaches!
Due to expectations of high passenger traffic this summer, American Airlines enforced an embargo on boxes and additional baggage on June 9 for those traveling to and from many Caribbean destinations. The baggage embargo applies to Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Port-au-Prince and Kingston as well as all American Eagle flights to and from San Juan. While St Maarten is not listed, it would be prudent to check with American before heading to the airport. In addition, American has imposed a year-round box embargo for flights originating from and passing through New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to all Caribbean and Latin America destinations.
Oversize, overweight and excess baggage will not be accepted for flights to the targeted destinations. Passengers may check two bags weighing a maximum of 50 pounds each at no charge. The maximum weight for cities on the embargo list is 70 pounds. Bags weighing between 51 and 70 pounds are subject to a $25 fee. One carry-on bag will be allowed with a maximum size of 45” and a maximum weight of 40 pounds. Sports equipment, such as golf bags, bikes and surfboards, will be accepted as part of the total checked bag allowance; additional charges may apply. Walkers, wheelchairs and any other assistive devices are welcomed for customers with disabilities.
You know summer has arrived in St Barth when the roadwork begins in earnest! Road repairs and improvements began in Gustavia on June 5 and are expected to last for about one month. The commune takes advantage of this lower tourist season to repair the roads, maintain the water pipes, bury the electric and telephone lines, improve sanitary conditions and lay fiber optic cable. So, be prepared for traffic jams and allow yourself a little more time than normal!
Due to the record-high demand for passports and the State Department’s backlog in passport issuance, US officials have announced a temporary passport reprieve for the summer months for travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and South and Central America. The reprieve will end on September 30, 2007. Until September 30, you can take advantage of this reprieve only if you have a receipt from the State Department showing that your passport application is being processed, along with a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license. You just might be able to make some of those great summer St Barth beach festivals!
Update: The reprieve for Americans waiting for their passports only applies for exit and reentry into the US or nations/islands that do not require passports. It has no effect whatsoever for the entry requirements into St Barts (for which a valid passport is required to enter). US citizens arriving on St Barts without a passport will be sent back to St. Maarten!!!
As reported by St Maarten’s newspaper The Daily Herald, Princess Juliana International Airport will introduce an Airport Improvement Fee (AIF) effective July 1. This fee is meant to help offset the cost of improving the infrastructure and services at the airport and is expected to be in effect until December 31, 2011. The AIF will be charged to all departing passengers and will be collected by the airport as part of the price of airline tickets. The termination date of December 31, 2011 assumes that passenger traffic will have increased enough by then to sustain the investment that has been made in the new airport. The projected increase in passengers is 3% per year. If passenger levels increase substantially more than 3% per year, the AIF will be withdrawn earlier. Just under 1.7 million passengers used the airport in 2006.
On July 1, 2007, St Barth will elect the first president and Territorial Council of the Overseas Collectivity of Saint Barthélémy, which is part of the French Republic. Bruno Magras, mayor of St Barth for the past 12 years, recently announced his candidacy for this position on Radio Saint Barth. The new president and the Territorial Council will govern St Barth for the next five years. The Mayor wrote a formal letter to the population, stating the following main points of his platform.
First, he summarized the current state of affairs:
· A population of 8,200, with more than 12,000 in high season
· A building boom with more than 250 permits requested and approximately 120 allowed (I assume this is per year…)
· Unrestrained speculation due to large influx of foreign investment
· Property priced beyond the means of young people
· A saturated industrial zone faced with growing needs
· Traffic congestion because of an increasing number of cars being brought onto the island
· Overloaded public equipment and services
The Mayor went on to present five fundamental actions necessary to maintain the reputation and quality of life of St Barth.
· Protect the environment
· Control development
· Guarantee safety for persons and property
· Provide professional training for young people
· Create stable employment with adequate salaries
On the subject of taxes, Mr. Magras somewhat joked that the primary role of the new government was not to invent all kinds of new taxes. While not specifically addressing the future of taxation, he did say, “The truth is that the fiscal pressure will also be in response to the quality of public services required by the population and the ability of the government to control unnecessary expenditures.”
St. Barth's Luxe Hotel Carl Gustaf Unveils "Summer Spectacular!"
Value-Added Package Offers 4th Night Free Plus Many Extras
ST. BARTHS, FRENCH WEST INDIES - In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the "Summer of Love," and the resort's recent multi-million dollar refurbishment, Hotel Carl Gustaf in St. Barths has announced its "Summer Spectacular!" package, replete with a four-night stay in luxury suite accommodations (including private plunge swimming pools), continental breakfast served daily in the privacy of guests' one- or two-bedroom suite or in the resort's Sunset Restaurant, three-day car rental on the first day following arrival (excluding gas and insurance), welcome cocktail and gift upon arrival, complimentary use of the resort's Fitness Center and sauna, and a bottle of chilled Champagne served ensuite.
Just steps from the sea on the dramatic Hill of Gustavia and amid the epicenter of St. Barth's uber upscale social. scene, Hotel Carl Gustaf offers the utmost in privacy hailed for its discreet staff, idyllic locale, breathtaking vistas and gourmet dining. Each of the resort's 14 harbor-facing suites are elegantly furnished with a rich blend of classic, yet modern appointments, mixing new with antique and contemporary with traditional. All offer private terraces and plunge pools, marble flooring, tiled bathrooms, rich mahogany furnishings, and convenient kitchenettes.
Valid for travel between June 10 and August 31, 2007 and October 13 to October 31, 2007, Hotel Carl Gustaf's "Summer Spectacular!" is attractively priced so that guests' enjoy their fourth night gratis. Rates are EUR 1,860 for a one-bedroom suite (two guests max) and EUR 2,445 for a two-bedroom suite (four persons max).
St. Barths is located in the French West Indies and, at just eight square miles, is one of the tiniest islands in the Caribbean. Guests can also choose to relax either poolside in the privacy of their suite or select from a wide range of exciting activities from sailing, deep sea fishing and SCUBA diving to romantic island tours aboard The Carl Gustaf III, the resort's 52' fully crewed exclusive yacht. Whatever the pleasure, Hotel Carl Gustaf creates tailor-made itineraries that make lifelong memories.
Visit www.hotelcarlgustaf.com to book directly, or find great summer savings on the Carl Gustaf and many other St. Barth's hotels from Wimco.
Ocean Must offers a wide range of water sports -- diving, deep-sea fishing, sailing trips, day cruises to neighboring islands, motor boat rental and bareboat rental -- plus a 2-hour tour of the island on ATVs. Located in Gustavia at La Pointe.
St Barth Adventure:
A 2-hour tour around the island on a large Zodiac-type boat. Leaves from Gustavia harbor and ends with a swim at Colombier. 10-person maximum. Cold drinks included. (80 €)
A 2-hour tour around the island on 200 cc ATVs - helmets and cold drinks provided and a stop at a beach for a swim. (80 €) Bareboat Rentals (fuel not included):
Contender 23’ (240 € - 1/2 day; 360 € - full day)
Contender 27’ (260 € - 1/2 day; 400 € - full day)
Contender 31’ (310 € - 1/2 day; 520 € - full day)
Skipper, if required (70 € - 1/2 day; 120 € - full day) Cruises (Captain, Fuel, Open Bar Included):
Contender 35’ St Barts (850 € - 1/2 day; 1100 € - full day)
St Maarten (1300 € - full day)
Saba, Anguilla (1500 € - full day)
Sunseeker 40’ – Superhawk (On Request)
Sunseeker 45’ – Apache (On Request)
Sunseeker 47’ – Camargue (On Request)
Sunseeker 50’ – Superhawk (On Request)
Cayman 52’ (On Request)
Princess 55’ (On Request) Fast and Fun (30’, cruising speed of 25 to 45 knots, maximum speed of 50 knots, maximum of 12 passengers):
Anguilla - full day (1400 €)
St Barts – St Maarten - full day (1200 €)
Pinel Island - full day (1000 €)
Pinel Island - 1/2 day (800 €)
Private Island Tour (500 €)
St Barts - 1/2 day (700 €)
Transfer from St Maarten to St Barts (650 €)
St Barts Tour (75 €) Airport Connection (St Maarten to St Barts):
Contender 35’ (850 €)
Sunseeker 40’ – Superhawk (950 €)
Sunseeker 45’ – Apache (980 €)
Sunseeker 47’ – Camargue (1100 €)
Sunseeker 50’ - Superhawk (1150 €)
Sunseeker 50’ – Camargue (1250 €)
Cayman 52’ (1400 €)
Princess 55’ (1500 €) Deep-Sea Fishing:
Contender 27’ - 1/2 day, captain, fuel, open bar, fishing gear (550 €)
Contender 31’ - 1/2 day, captain, fuel, open bar, fishing gear (700 €)
Ronin 42’ - full day, captain, mate, fuel, open bar, lunch, fishing gear (1550 €) Sailing:
Lagoon 47’ (On Request)
Tahiti 76’ (On Request) Nina of St Barth – 80’ Maxi Catamaran Cruise (Private trips on request):
1/2 day charter (open bar, snacks, snorkeling gear)
9:00 am – 1:00 pm Fourchue Island (sailing and best snorkeling)
l:00 pm – 5:00 pm Colombier Beach (sailing and beautiful beach)
(80 €)
Full day charter (open bar, lunch buffer, snorkeling gear)
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Tintamarre Island (deserted island, magnificent beach. 1 _-hour sailing time) (120 €)
Sunset Cruise (open bar and snacks)
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Along the west coast
(60 €) Diving:
First dive (70 €)
1 dive (55 €)
5 dives (260 €)
Plongee Caraibes, located in Gustavia, is PADI-certified and offers all levels of certification from Discover Scuba Diving to Dive Master certification. Their 46-foot catamaran, restricted to a maximum of 10 divers per trip, leaves from Gustavia harbor across the street from the pharmacy at 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 2:15 pm. Instructors speak French, English and German. The dive spots are 5 to 20 minutes from Gustavia and offer reefs, caves, canyons and four wrecks (three fishing boats and a yacht that were lost to the last major hurricane).
Dive Programs:
Single dive (55 €)
Beginner dive (60 €)
First try (70 €)
5-dive package (260 €)
10-dive package (480 €)
2 tanks dives - 2 dives in 2 different spots (100 €)
Night dive (70 €)
Private dives (Upon request) Dive School:
Discover scuba diving (80 €)
Scuba diver (300 €)
Scuba review - 1 dive (60 €)
Open water dive* (500 €)
Open water completion referral* (240 €)
Advanced open water diver* (350 €)
Adventure dive (75 €)
Emergency first response* (150 €)
Rescue diver* (400 €)
Dive master* (650 €)
Level 1 - 5 dives (400 €)
Levels 2 and 3 - 10 dives (600 €)
*Pedagogic Materials: 60 €
Marine Park tax: 1 € per dive
Telephone: 590 690 54 66 14 or 590 590 27 55 94 Email: plongeecaraibes@wanadoo.fr Web site:www.plongee-caraibes.com
"Launched in Miami in 1997 by entertainment entrepreneurs Jack & Lucia Penrod and Eric Omores, Nikki Beach is now an international beach club brand. Today, Nikki Beach can be found in international hot spots including Marbella, St. Tropez, The Algarve, St. Barths, Hollywood, Buzios and New York, among others."
In Gustavia, Splash offers PADI and CMAS (Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques – World Underwater Federation) courses in diver training at all levels. All the instructors speak French and English. Although their boat normally leaves daily at 9:00 am, 11:30 am, 2:00 pm and in the evening for a night dive, they will adjust their times to suit your preferences.
Dive and Snorkel Programs:
Boat rental with skipper, gas, open bar, scuba diving instructor or snorkeling, picnic on an island off of St Barts or a secluded bay (550 € to 915 €)
First dive (65 €) Dive Prices:
Single dive (50 €)
2-tank dive (90 €)
3-dive package (140 €)
5-dive package (230 €)
10-dive package (440 €)
Night dive (60 €) PADI Diving School:
Open water - 4 days (480 €)
Advanced open-water diver - 2 days (300 €)
Discover Scuba Diving - 2 dives (80 €)
Scuba diver - 5 dives (300 €)
Scuba review - 1 dive (60 €)
Specialty, MFA, Rescue diver, Dive Master Upon request
Teaching materials (60 €)
Level 1 (300 €)
Level 2 (600 €)
Levels 3 and 4 (Upon request)
You know summer has arrived in St Barth when the roadwork begins in earnest! Road repairs and improvements began in Gustavia on June 5 and are expected to last for about one month. The commune takes advantage of this lower tourist season to repair the roads, maintain the water pipes, bury the electric and telephone lines, improve sanitary conditions and lay fiber optic cable. So, be prepared for traffic jams and allow yourself a little more time than normal!
Value-Added Package Offers 4th Night Free Plus Many Extras
