THE FACTS ABOUT BOO VILLA

St Barts St Jean Beach

The long, curving white-sand beach of St Jean (little more than a strip of shops, hotels and restaurants) is divided in two by a quartzite hill. Protected by an offshore reef, the calm water is superb for paddling, swimming, snorkelling and windsurfing. There is direct access to the beach from Boo Villa, down marble-pebble paths that weave through the lush tropical gardens, past a screen of tall palms and foliage. Four large bedrooms (all with wooden floors, ceiling fans, air conditioning) are housed in tent-shaped cottages dispersed around the grounds, three with queen-size doubles (including two with four-posters) and one with twin beds, all with open-air bathrooms. From the bedrooms, large double doors open onto a broad terrace equipped with pale-pink loungers and hammocks, and the pool. The whitewashed main living area is airy, with white sofas; the dining room is furnished with director's chairs around a large wooden table. Take advantage of the fine weather in early summer (May and June) when prices are lower and there are fewer people around. SLEEPS Eight COST US$7,380-US$9,210 per week CONTACT The West Indies Management Company (0800 898318; www.wimco.com)