Coco Rock

The newly built Villa Coco Rock (CCK) is the ultimate in let-your-hair-down St. Barths luxury. Designed by esteemed architect Olivier Dain, this luxury vacation home is relaxed but chic, beguiling and slightly insouciant, but also designed with comfort and convenience at the forefront. While there’s a strong character of Creole ease, there’s also a contemporary aesthetic at the heart of the home’s design, with polished concrete floors and a less-is-more approach to furnishings. But nature is the real star here, as is evident from the way in which Coco Rock is integrated into the hillside above Petit Cul de Sac, on the most secluded corner of the island, and the way warm, natural woods are integrated into the design throughout. Hand-hewn details like acacia-trunk tables and driftwood chairs lend the villa an organic hominess.

The privacy is sublime, which makes this exclusive new villa appealing for groups of friends traveling together. The natural feel, with its inviting wood furniture, makes for easy living and natural impulse to host impromptu groups of friends—the kitchen island seats 12 guests for aperitifs and hors d’oeuvres, and the table on the expansive, weathered-wood terrace seats 16. And after dinner, everyone can tumble onto the comfortable sectional in front of the TV, which receives US satellite channels. Or you can go for a swim in the heated infinity pool, and then drift off in one of the sunbeds that surround the pool.

Beyond the water, the graciousness of the villa unfolds over six levels. On the lowest is the parking area, as well as the master suite, which occupies its own private bungalow and has a terrace with ocean views. Its en suite bathroom has an outdoor shower. One more flight up is the heartbeat of this villa: is swimming pool, where life is meant to unfold.

On the lowest level, with parking and the master bedroom, one more unit houses a third bedroom, which has its own outdoor shower. Beyond that, there’s a large building with a terrace, which contains two more bedrooms, both of them with outdoor showers. A couple levels up, Villa Coco Rock has three more guest bedrooms, which share a terrace. Two of them have outdoor showers, while the last has one that’s more private.