The Rise of Caribbean Luxury Villas, From Turks and Caicos to St Barth
The pandemic may have bumped the appeal for a secluded luxury villa in the Caribbean, but luxury villa rentals were picking up steam way even bofre that.
Now, the luxury villa is one of the biggest asks in the Caribbean.
“I think it is the privacy, outdoor shower and plunge pool when you want to be somewhere romantic away from crowds,” said Linda Bucknam, a travel advisor for travlbud. “Plus, a butler, many clients are drawn to being catered too. Perfect for quality one-on-one time with the one you love and no distractions.”
Victoria Johne, general manager of Wimco St. Barth Properties: Nocturne Luxury Villas Collection, said clients are especially drawn to the idea of being separated from the “general traveling public.”
“The appeal comes from the high-end client and the nature that the villa rental business will eliminate the general traveling public,” said Johne. “St. Barth by reputation is very much of the quieter islands in the Caribbean, where you have a laid back vibe, but where people want to be seen. The value of a vacation like that is so high.”
One of Wimco’s hottest current listings for rent is Villa Caro, which runs about $5,000 a night. It has five bedrooms, six bathrooms and can occupy up to 10 people. Included in the price is private chef services for two meals a day, up to the first seven days, VIP Concierge for pre-arrival trip planning, a concierge during the trip, preferred seating (when available) and a 10 percent discount off food at Ocean Club restaurant.
“We have a very high repeat business with some people even staying in the same villa when they come back,” said Johne, noting that Wimco is the only villa rental company that is a member of Virtuoso, which helps its appeal amongst millennial travel advisors.
Another impressive Wimco villa available to rent now is villa Paulista. It has four bedrooms, four bathrooms and can occupy up to eight guests. It costs about $3,000 a night.
“Nocturne Luxury Villas is the only luxury villa company in multiple exclusive locations where we control the experience from a curated reservation process to a pre-arrival concierge and in-destination concierge expert,” said Scott Wiseman, CEO of Nocturne Luxury Villas. “We have the relationships with the homeowners and are not a middleman or aggregator.”
So, why do advisors love booking them so much?
“Advisors love that we have our ‘own team with boots on the ground’ in the destination,” said Wiseman.
Wiseman said these “extraordinary homes and experiences” start around $1,000 per night and go up to about $35,000 per night. Advisors earn a generous commission from 10-12 percent, said Wiseman.
“Private Villas can be a great option in the Caribbean,” said Michael McHugh, co-owner and president of Dream Makers Vacation Services. “They are private, a lot of space, and many have their own pool.
“In Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and a few other destinations, they are even fully staffed,” McHugh added. “Villas are about hanging out with your family and friends. Many of them do not have common areas, so you won’t have the social experience you have at a resort. Villas allow you to truly disconnect, if you want, and relax. It is more like a home away from home, but someone else is doing the cooking.”
