But the rising euro and a wave of crimes a few recent isolated crimes have made our arrival to St Barts less pleasant than usual.

Here is a quick view from where I am sitting, while writing this blog entry from our St Barts villa. Not bad 

St. Barts island villa services get even better with Chef Bernard Javelle at your disposal.  One of the finest French chefs on the island, he acquired his skills by working in restaurants all around the world. 

For the last 15 years, Bernard has graced us with his creations in the restaurant setting; now, he’s bringing it to a more personal level, right in to your villa.  He’s well connected and knows all the local vendors from produce to seafood. 

Whether you want a casual dinner buffet party or a more formal affair, Chef Bernard can get it done.  Here’s a sampling of what he offers up for your feasting pleasure.  Homemade lobster ravioli, sweetbread medallions served with a fresh tarragon sauce, or grilled local spiny lobster. 

In the mood for something a little sweeter?  Try the bananas pancake dressed in hot chocolate sauce or a fruit combination sprinkled with an old dark rum sabayon.

Whatever you choose to have served to your family and friends, everyone will thank you for such a wonderful choice.  I don’t know about you, but my mouth is watering!!

CMI - Claudine Mora Immobilier – is another of our fine St Barts villa rental agencies.  Claudine is a wonderful woman that can lead you to a fabulous villa, whether you’re looking for a small and quiet villa for two, or a larger villa for the whole family.

Her featured property this month is for sale and is a beautiful hillside property in Saint Jean.  With a panoramic view of the bay, it is large with 3-bedrooms and 3-bathrooms, and a gym.  It also sits on a large piece of land that would accomodate an extension.

Her website also includes helpful links to other websites with island information, as well as a visitors guide.  If you’d like to use CMI when booking your travel, give Claudine a call at 590.590.27.80.88 or via email at claudine.mora@wanadoo.fr

Here on St Barts Island, we have a number of different Villa Rental Agencies.  One is Caraibes Welcome Center.  Although I do not know much about them, they seem to have both car rentals and villa rentals.  It seems their approach is to take your request, and then match you up with a villa.  They have a few villas listed on their website, but they also hint about having others to choose from, although they don’t specify what those are.  Positioned as an "information and reservation center," their website says:

Tell us when you want to come, your budget, and what sort of accommodations you prefer, and we’ll reply promptly with suggestions tailored to your needs. 

Not 100% sure what they’re all about, but I’m working on finding out, and when I have more details, I’ll let you all know!! 

Here on St Barts island, we have nex taxes to look forward to in 2008; Happy New Year to us!

The island’s territorial council met on November 13th and voted 19-1 in favor of a new financial code, amidst 100 or so people that came to hear the discussion.  So, what happened? Well, new indirect taxes were approved for starters, some surprising, others not so much.

A new tourist tax was put in place, which was expected and probably the least surprising event of the evening. If you’re coming to stay for a visit, expect to pay 5% per night in tourist tax.  Even though the hotel owners have suggested the tax for several years now, the St Barts Tourism Office is complaining that they have to collect the tax from their guests or face a fine for not doing so.  You can read an article (in French) about it here.

Import taxes were raised from 4% to 5% – the first increase in 25 years. Another new tax that will affect business owners is the annual fixed tax.  Set at 300 euros for small businesses and increased by 100 euros per employee, capped at 5000 euros.  I’m not sure what qualifies as a "small business" though.

A capital gains tax on real estate was set at 25% of the profit realized and donations of property between family members will not be taxed, on the condition that they hold on to the property for 10 years or more.  If they don’t keep it for 10 years, they will pay the 25% tax on the value of the gift.  Donations outside of the family carry a hefty tax of 40%.

What I found to be the most interesting part of the evening though was the established definition of "fiscal residence."  It is now much easier to obtain as you must only live on the island for 5 years, not 5 continuous years.  This is good for those who commute to St Barts on a regular basis.

Really, it boils down to the fact that someone has to come up with the money to pay for the island’s budget.  Being "tax-free" is really just an illusion; for every item you purchase tax-free, there is a service on the island that is being taxed instead.

St Barts villas are an amazing piece of real estate to own; just ask anyone that has one.  Once, one of the most destitute islands in the Carribean, a building boom by the Rockafellers jump-started both its growth and popularity.  It has now become the "St. Tropez of the Carribean." Before you go out and drop a few million on a villa though, there are a few things you should know.

As of February 2007, St Barts became an "Overseas Collectivity" or collectivité d’outre-mer, meaning that it is part of the French Republic. As such, it is primarily French law that applies, although each "collectivity" (similar to a US municipality) will have it’s own specific laws in place; this also means that euros are the currency, and with the recent lag in the US dollar, it makes everything a bit more expensive for Americans.

There are no restrictions on who may buy property in St Barts, if you can afford it; however, if you are a non-French buyer, the bank will only loan you 50% of the value of the property.  If you need to finance the entire thing, you will need to speak to a major financial institution.  Oh, and there are no private sales going on in St Barts;  realtors are the only professionals allowed to sell property on the island, per French law.

Expect to wait a bit too; property on the island is in high demand.  Not only can you not find a 2 bedroom villa with a view for under $1.5 million, you can’t find property to build on either.  This is one of the ways we keep the island small and comfortable; if we make too much property available, we’d have people building all over the place – it would destroy what makes the island so great.

So, if you’re serious about buying on St Barts, check out St Barth Realty.  They have a variety of villas to choose from, and they’re organized really well, by price.  Even if you’re not yet in the market for a villa here on the island, have a little fun "window shopping."

As you all know, I own a villa on St Barts; and I have to be honest, I love it when Americans rent it.  In fact, 90% of our visitors are Americans, while 5% are from Canada, and the rest are French.  Overall, Americans just show so much more respect for our house, much more than our French guests.  They’re also really good about leaving us very detailed feedback about what they would like to see different in our house. All this feedback has led to some changes around here.

Because of the large number of American guests that we host, we have given a lot of thought as to what we can do to make the house more comfortable for our guests.  We decided, first and foremost, that we’d need to put a Starbucks in every room…….no, I’m just kidding.  But we know how you Americans love your Starbucks, so we did put  a Nespresso machine in the kitchen, so you may enjoy espresso, à la European.

St Barts Villas :: Villa Domingue ~ Fitness Room      

We’ve also installed air conditioning in every single room, heat in the pool and wi-fi on the top floor for those of you who can’t vacation without your computer…..we’ll be putting in a seperate wireless connection in the Summer of ’08.  A gym with a television and DirecTV, straight from the East Coast.

But with all the renovations, we also removed the jacuzzi, for aesthetic reasons.  Although, according to the guest book, no one really seems to be missing it.

When it comes to St Barts villas, there is one in particular that always stands out in my mind; Villa Iku.  Resembling what I believe to be a traditional Japanese-style house, it is intriguing in its looks with its black roof and brown walls.  Low in profile, this 3000 square foot villa is tucked in to the exclusive Mont Jean neighborhood; when looking at it from the hill near Guanahani, you can barely see it.

This one bedroom villa is one that we’ve sighted as great for honeymooners and is well landscaped with a luxurious Koi pond.  Originally built by a New York doctor as his dream bachelor pad, its distinguished by a minimalist design that makes it far different than your typical beach-side rental. It offers pretty views of the Marigot Bay and the Grand Cul de Sac lagoon, and of the Guanahani hotels and its palm trees.  Rentable thru Wimco, the rates are very reasonable in terms of a St Barts villa.  For the two weeks between December 15th and January 4th, this villa can be yours for just $5500 for the week; on St Barts, that’s a steal! Wait until the "low-season" and you’ll spend just $2950.

Now, I don’t know for sure that this is what a traditional Japanese house looks like, but I call it the Japanese Villa because the shape of the roof reminds me of what I think one looks like.  And I remember well from my Japanese 101 class that "Iku" means, "I go."

Overall, Villa Iku is truly one-of-a-kind. 

Keep in mind that many of these villas are perched way up high.  The steep roads swirl up around the Mornes and lead the way to these stunning vacation spots.  Sometimes, as you’re driving, you may feel that your car will not make it all the way up the hill, which is one reason that you should avoid renting the tiny, cutesy "Smart Cars" if you have chosen one of these villas for your well-deserved vacation.

St Barts Villas :: Beau Bijou Villa :: Vitet          

Villa #1 :: Beau Bijou :: Perched high in Vitet, Beau Bijou is described as "private and sensational" and is a villa you won’t soon forget.  From your secluded perch you will get an eyeful of the islands of Tortue, Toc Vert, Fregate and Anguilla, as well as the Bay of Marigot, Petit and Grand Cul de Sac lagoon.

In addition, the Beau Bijou has been designed to take full advantage of the spectacular views.  The layout makes sure that you are able to appreciate your surroundings, no matter what room you’re in.   All the bedrooms are decorated similarly and have king size beds with neutral linens. With a superb mix of indoor and outdoor living space, the villa is ideal for entertaining and relaxing; the seclusion of its location offers remarkable privacy.  And in keeping with the idea of tranquil living, this villa does not allow children.  Instead, make it an "adults only" vacation and dine with your closest friends in the open-air dining room, complete with a solid maple table and a beautiful view.

Rates for this villa vary depending on the week your choose, but mid-December thru January 4, 2008 is renting at $16,500/wk.  Take it from January 5th thru mid-April and pay only $9,300/week. 

 Villa #2 :: Villa Kuban :: Tucked in to the hillside of Colombier, Villa Kuban offers stunning views of Flamands Bay and the outlying islands, as well as a visually stunning interior.  Decorated in rich reds and golds, this villa has a distinctly Oriental flair to it – as is evident by the Sumo wrestler art under the staircase.                   St Barts Villas :: Villa Kuban :: Colombier

I can say for sure that the pictures of this villa do not do it justice.  It is difficult to accurately portray the exotic zebra and cumaru woods that have been used, and how they contrast with the completely modern furnishings.  Offering three bedrooms and four bathrooms, this Villa Kuban is family friendly; not only that, with it’s state of the art kitchen and it’s large dining area, it makes it easy to feed a crowd.  After you’re done eating, head out poolside to enjoy the nightfall with shirley temples for the kids and champagne for you. 

For the upcoming holiday between mid-December and Jan 4th, this villa is renting for $26,200/wk; after that, the price lowers to just $11,600.

Villa #3 :: Villa Enfin :: Setting majestically upon one of the highest points in St Barts, Petite Saline, Villa Enfin offers you 100% privacy.  Sweeping views in multiple directions, the large terrace and infinity edged pool face northwest, the jacuzzi to the southwest. Dine overlooking the Grand Fond for a romantic evening or an enchanting dinner party.

Villa #4 :: Villa Byzance :: OK, I know I said only 3 villas, but this is one I couldn’t pass up commenting on.  The interior is one that you either love or you hate; there seems to be no middle ground.  It is very ornate in it’s decor, which is definitely not my taste.  The master bathroom has a nude statue near the shower tub and a sauna and all the bedrooms have king size beds built on platforms. 

That said, it also has wonderful views of Colombier in the front and views of the island and Saba in the distance in the back.  With rates starting at $8690 after the New Year, this is a villa that you should at least consider when looking for a vacation home. 

These St Barts villas all offer great views and total seclusion.  Check them all out and book one today!