Turtleback Ridge - Blue Vista

Blue Vista is a seven-bedroom coral stone villa perched on the tree-lined Turtleback Ridge in St James, with panoramic country and ocean views over the West Coast of Barbados. It sits in a secluded cul-de-sac of private homes within a gated neighbourhood, close enough to Holetown yet private enough to offer a real sense of serenity.

Set in approximately one acre of manicured tropical gardens, the villa offers a spacious mix of indoor and outdoor living suited to entertaining, whether large parties, an intimate family gathering or a quiet evening at home. It is built over three floors, with an unusual atrium-style courtyard entrance on the middle level. The two-storey Great Room has upper windows and a minstrel's gallery on two sides, with louvre doors opening to the sea views. Elegant touches run throughout, including a grand curved stairway, tiled flooring and arched doorways, and the main living space has vaulted ceilings above a chandelier.

There are seven bedrooms in total: five in the main house and two in the private guest cottage. All five bedrooms in the main house are air-conditioned and en suite. The master suite has a walk-in closet, cable TV connections, an en-suite bathroom with separate tub and shower, and a private balcony with views of the coast. Of the other four, two are on the ground floor and two on the first floor, with scenic views of the Caribbean Sea.

Outside, a shaded veranda is one of the villa's sunset-watching spots, with a built-in wet bar to keep a cocktail chilling. The grounds hold an infinity pool, a Jacuzzi, a sun deck and a gazebo for alfresco dining, all within tropical landscaped gardens.

Holetown, known for its white sandy beaches, restaurants, shopping and nightlife, is 10 minutes away.