nytraveler

I had asked about something similar a couple of years ago, but our plans changed due to work schedules and I never saved the responses. The new search function has not cooperated in bringing up that info, plus, there may well be new options by now.

What we're looking for is a resort with full services that includes small villas with private pool. It's just for the two of us so we're not interested in a large separate villa and we definitely want the full services you get in a resort - on site restaurants, bar/lounge etc. I've tried googling - but keep getting villa rental companies rather than self-contained resorts.

This trip would really be just for relaxing. If there's something historic/interesting nearby to visit that's a plus - but we really just want some alone time to do not much - so we don't have any specific island in mind.

We're interested in a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas and the budget is open.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Callaloo

How big a pool are you looking for? I stayed at the Horned Dorset Primavera in Rincon, Puerto Rico this past February. Although it's a full-service resort, all of the "rooms" are actually large two-level suites. We stayed in a garden view unit (which also had a view of the sea), which was approximately 1400 square feet. There was a small kitchen, but you couldn't do much cooking since there was no stove -- just a sink, small fridge and (if I recall correctly) a microwave -- good for a simple breakfast or cocktail munchies. Each room has a private terrace with a plunge pool. The beachfront suites are larger, and correspondingly more expensive.

The resort is beautifully landscaped, very private, has several pools, a beach, two excellent on-site restaurants, spa, etc. There are fewer than 40 units. The neighboring town of Rincon is the surfing capital of Puerto Rico, if not the Caribbean, and has that laid-back surfer vibe and many low-key casual restaurants and bars from which to choose. For more history, start or end your stay in San Juan, which is chock-full of interesting sites.

I have a trip report on my webpage here: http://islandtime.homestead.com/Rincon.html

nytraveler

That sounds beautiful.

But we were hoping for an actual pool we could swim in - with the villa in private grounds - private enough for skinnydipping if we want.

doug_stallings

You should clarify your budget, however. There are some excellent full-service resorts with villa-like or actual villa accommodations. You could go to Jade Mountain or Jumby Bay, for example. But these are $1000-plus per night. That's pretty expensive, but I'd say that villas like this can be as little as $300 per night.

There are a few little villas in Guavaberry Spring Bay in Virgin Gorda with pools (look for deluxe villas) for as little as $2,600 for the week. Though not all of these are actually at Spring Bay. Some are off-site.

There are many different kinds of villas at Round Hill in Jamaica, many with private pools, though they can be pricey. But some are breathtaking. There are also villas at Half Moon Resort, some with private pools. I suspect these are more in the $400 to $500 a night range.

If you are willing to consider a bit more independent experience, you could rent Ballyhoo or Callaloo Cottage in Turtle Cove, Providenciales. Although these small villas are not in a resort complex, there are restaurants nearby within 1 five-minute walk. They rent for about $3,600 a week each.

These are just a few that come to mind. I'm not sure if you want to spend in the $500 per night range. There are certainly cheaper places on many different islands. And you certainly will have more choices if you are willing to stay outside of a resort; many of the small villas are on busy beaches with nearby restaurants, though driving is sometimes required.

nytraveler

Price isn't an issue - since it's only for a week - and we haven't had a major vacation this year. We definitely want to stay in a resort and if that means $1000+ per night to get exactly what we want it's certainly doable.

Will definitely check out the ones listed this evening.

And any other suggestions are welcome.

STARSHINE8

Hey NY Traveler~ I have been doing ALOT of research for a villa with a pool too and found the WIMCO website and staff full of suggestions and inventory. You can also search by country, size with or without a pool, beach front, etc. I also found that you can search by your budget. You can definetly get a bargain right now and they will work with you. See also Caribbean Travel and Life, July edition. They feature an article on villa specials and tips to save and get the best price! Also if you narrow down the island that you would like, you can go to that particular island website and they will also feature villas that way too. Refer to FODOR's 2009 Caribbean Book and see the references there. Let us know where you decide! I saw St Barts and the Virgin Islands all offer villas with private pools and amazing views....

nytraveler

Sorry Starshine 8 - we don't want a free standing villa. I had looked already and found listings for a bunch of those. Mostly they're way too large - and also are just free-standing houses not part of a resort.

We're only looking for one that's part of an upscale resort property - so we have the benefits of privacy but also complete hotel services: restaurant, bar/lounges, spas, room service, concierge etc.

Jade Mountain looks exquisite - but there's something about a room completely open on one side that I find really creepy. Perhaps it's my big city upbringing - but I definitely want 4 walls and a door that I can lock. Jumby Bay - while perhaps not as extravagantly designed - seems to make me a little more comfortable - although only the one suite seems like what we want.

Round Hill seems to have a couple of villas that might be appropriate - although the size of the pools isn't clear.

I guess we need to look into these in more detail to figure out exactly what is offered by each - amenities versus our desire for privacy.

blamona

I've got the perfect place for you!

A beachfront villa at Parrot Cay. Pirate House (I have stayed at this villa) has a private pool (made for skinny dipping) yet you still have all the services of Parrot Cay (which are terrific) similar to a Ritz or Four Seasons type service. You still have a shared resort pool, and 2 excellent restaurants. The beach never gets crowded, and the spa is one of the best in the world. Some of the beachfront villas also have small private pools, maybe not big enough to swim laps, but big enough to dip in. They just recently opened a couple of new gorgeous villas on the beach with their own pool too. And if Bruce Willis is not on island, you can even rent his house with regular pool-the privacy of being alone, with the services of a 5 star resort.

Amanyara on Providenciales (the main island on T&C) also has private villas with their own pools, yet the full services of the resort, with bar and restaurants and main pool.

Anguilla has Cap Jaluca, similar to above, private yet own pool and full service. You can also try Cove Castle on Anguilla, and there is another place in Anguilla, gorgeous, own pools, but the name escapes me.

One of my favorites is Pink Sands Resort on Harbour Island Bahamas. Individual villas scattered privately (some with beach views) some have their own pool, there is also a resort pool, bar, and 2 restaurants, service is terrific there. You go around golf carts on the island, very chic, excellent restaurants, and one of the prettiest beaches in the world.

Some of the Sandals resorts have small individual villas with their own small pools-plus you get All Inclusives and use of all restaurants services and activities. Sandals have this in Antigua and Jamaica.

If more come to mind, I will further post.

blamona

Sorry-Pink Sands Resort has a jacuzzi, not a pool.

I have stayed at Carl Gustof in St. Barth, very chic, gorgeous, and each with it's own private pool. It is a resort, so it's full service and upscale. On a hill, so views are amazing, you can walk down to numerous excellent restaurants and shopping. It's walking distance to shell beach, which is a terrific place to find all kinds of gorgeous shells to bring back. You can rent a Mini-Mote, similar to an open air golf cart to get around to the numerous beaches.

Esmeralda Resort in St. Martin on Orient Beach also has private pools. You can walk to numerous restaurants up and down the beach, and can even skinny dip on the beach if you'd like! (nudity is allowed) It's not a nudist colony, you will see the occassional naked person, but most are clothed (some are topless)

nytraveler

Thanks to everyone for all the recos. Will look at all in depth this weekend.

John_T_Cuttino

If money is no issue then: Hotel Le Toiney, St Barts.

Patty

Some of the residences at the Horned Dorset have larger pools. #16 was one of these and I have a few photos uploaded http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLan...localeid=en_US However, I'm not sure if it's private enough for skinny dipping. We really enjoyed the Horned Dorset.

Another possibility is the White Suite at the Jamaica Inn.

Not in the Caribbean but El Tamarindo's garden casitas have pools that are surrounded by foliage. It does take a bit more effort to get to from NY though.

ejcrowe

There used to be a private pool villa as part of the Calabash Hotel on Grenada. And I believe that at least one room at Spice Island Beach Resort has close to a full sized swimming pool in their pool suites--this excellent resort is also on Grenada.

Cap Juluca on Anguilla was already mentioned, and I'll second that recommendation. There's also a place called Sheriva on Anguilla that is something between a villa enclave and a resort. Very luxe and some of them have full sized pools.

There's also a place called Windjammer on the northern coast of St. Lucia. It's a resort that also has some villas, and I believe the villas to have pools, but I'm not sure if the pools there are private enough to provide what you're looking for.

nytraveler

We're devoting tomorrow afternoon to checking out all the sites of the the places mentioned and make a reservation. (All we need now is for our jobs to cooperate.)

Thanks again for all the responses.

katiekate

nytraveler-Love your original question... it's one I have often asked. Just wondering where you went? Please share your experience. Our last stay at Cap, we stayed in their one bedroom villa with pool.... talk about private!!!!! We are looking to return to Jumby Bay. They have just completed a huge renovation and added suites with private pools although I don't think they are totally private... yet, due to the young plantings not tall enough for privacy.