A Villa and a View Beyond Extraordinary
Located on a 600-acre estate in the southwestern comer of this lush island, Anse Chastanet is way beyond romantic, with octagonal hillside gazebos hidden amid verdant foliage and bursts of color, harmonizing beautifully with the natural surroundings: Some of the handsome suites are built around trees, others are minus a wall to let the magnificent outdoors in. The secluded palm-fringed beach 125 steps below has its own excellent five-star scuba center and school, and some of the Caribbean’s best snorkeling and diving is just a few feet offshore.
Joining the inn’s many unrivaled attributes (the kitchen is known across the island) is the amazing view of Gros Piton and Petit Piton, twin 2,619- and 2,461-foot pointed volcanic peaks that rise from the surf just to the south, looking like the jagged mountains of Bali Ha’i, adding something of a South Pacific touch to the island. It’s a vista that silences with its power and mystique, visible from your wonderfully secluded porch, which is perfect for reading and snoozing once you break away from the view. There are nearby rain forest treks, a drive-in volcano to visit, and Diamond Falls, which tumbles in six stages through sulfur springs that color the waters like a rainbow – but make sure you’re back in time for sunset.
