“What is the first word that people utter when they step inside this villa?” we asked our host William Matthews at Aquamare in Virgin Gorda. We were standing in the Great Room of what was to be our home for the next three days, and all we could think of was “WOW.” “They don’t utter any words at all,” he replied, “but their mouths are wide open in silent awe,” (ours were open in noisy awe).
The Great Room in one of the three villas at Aquamare is enormous, with handsome furniture from around the world. Quiet but elegant, one wall is totally open from floor-to-vaulted-mahogany ceiling onto a stone patio, which overlooks a private infinity pool. The pool also offers views out onto the resort’s private-beach, the warm waters of the Sir Francis Drake Channel and the “dog” islands: Great, George and West Dog. These were named when sailors first encountered them and mistook the barking of seals for rabid dogs, forbidding anyone from landing there.
The 8,000-square-foot, five-bedroom, 5.5-bath villas are located in a lush garden protected from the road by even more foliage. Guests feel as if they are on their own island on this 8.5-square-mile piece of land with a population of 3,900. Upon arrival, we wanted to soak up the environment of our paradise, which made it difficult to head into town for groceries during our stay. Visitors can opt for private chefs to prepare meals, but if you don’t choose this option you’re on your own. There are no restaurants around the villas. We had planned originally to try out the restaurants in nearby Spanish Town, just a five-minute drive away, but when we saw the villa and its spectacular setting, we decided upon stocking the kitchen instead for the stay.
Dinner each night started with cocktails in the infinity pool, followed by entrées on the balcony off our second-floor bedroom (in the lacy macramé hammock) or on the rolling bed on the beach. Each night, we slept not only with doors unlocked, but wide open all night—a testament to the resort’s privacy and security. Our only visitors were two birds who made their way into the kitchen and out again, evidently to check out what was for breakfast.
Aquamare is owned by four old friends from Puerto Rico who have worked with decorators to create the villas’ beautiful interiors. The soft, relaxing furniture is covered in waterproof Sunbrella fabric, and all three residences boast Frette linens, professional-grade kitchens, Bulgari bath amenities and Café Lareno coffee from Puerto Rico. The travertine floors are covered with soft, thick sisal area rugs. The shower off the master bedroom is a large indoor-outdoor room hidden by dense foliage from outside guests.
Everywhere you turn, you’ll find your villa is well-stocked with lounge chairs, a chest full of bottled ice water, snorkeling equipment, a kayak, fresh towels and reading lamps. The temptation is to stay right on the property until check-out. But if you want to explore a bit, you can schedule a half-day private yacht cruise in a 52-foot power catamaran to see other islands.
We did force ourselves off the property, though, to drive up the very hilly roads to Hog Heaven, a little restaurant and bar famous for its barbequed ribs and its patio views. From its deck, guests can overlook the Bitter End Yacht Club, and Mosquito and Necker islands, the latter of which is a private island owned by Sir Richard Branson. And if you decide to stay in your villa all week, we won’t blame you, it’s just that convenient. Aqumare’s villas are priced at $23,500 per week.
