Nahma

Among the many appeals of Villa Nahma (NAH) is the sense of time travel that spending time there creates. One of the first estates to be built on St. Barth, the house has been restored by its new owners to its original glory. Exuding history and charm, the luxury rental property dates from the time when the island was more private and visited by only a few—a few who had good taste, sufficient resources, and an appreciation of the finer things in life. This is the best of vintage Caribbean.

When you step into the house, you feel as if you have been touched by magic. The warm wood paneling on the walls and ceilings were lovingly restored, and the furnishings, fabrics, and books lining the walls are vintage in the most delightful of ways. And then the location—up a hill in Vitet—and surrounding nature add enormously to that sensation. The house is built on a very large piece of land, and the garden, which contains numerous exotic plants, spreads all around. Inside, the villa becomes a cocoon, as the property feels very protected and private. The land above is in a green zone, so nothing will be built on it.