Villa Mauresque St Barts

Mauresque: Moroccan Sanctuary in Corossol

The first impression is one of transportive calm. Crisp white arches frame an endless expanse of sea and sky, while the soft curve of plaster walls and the intricate pattern of a dark wood screen suggest a world apart. This is Villa Mauresque, a Moroccan-inspired sanctuary on the heights of Corossol where the theatrical beauty of the architecture is matched only by the daily spectacle of the sunset.

Designed by François Pécard, the villa unfolds across four levels, a collection of independent pavilions connected by garden staircases and united by a singular, panoramic vista over the harbor entrance and the Caribbean beyond. This design ensures both privacy and sweeping views, drawing you into a story told through carved wood, vibrant textiles, and lantern light, all mingling with the salt-tinged breeze. Step through an archway into the main living pavilion, where the distinction between inside and out dissolves. The careful curation extends to decorative arched niches built into the walls, each displaying an artifact or lamp, ensuring every glance lands on a detail of craftsmanship.

The air-conditioned living area, with its comfortable sofas and octagonal wood-and-glass tables, opens directly through large sliding doors to a covered terrace. Elegant white arches perfectly frame the panoramic vista from this space. Rich textures define the space: patterned rugs underfoot, royal blue and purple poufs scattered for casual seating, and ornate gold-trimmed lanterns waiting for evening. A Sonos sound system, Dish and Apple TV provide modern comforts within this ancient-feeling palace. Flowing curtains catch the breeze, and intricate metallic sconces cast a soft glow, completing a scene that feels both grand and intimately inviting. Adjacent, the fully-equipped kitchen continues the oriental theme, offering a delicate backdrop for meal preparation. You’ll find a fan, microwave, and a coffee machine alongside an espresso machine, toaster, blender, and dishwasher. It services a truly distinctive dining area, centered around a beautiful square wrought-iron table that seats eight. This is where indoor living gracefully merges with the terrace, allowing conversations and clinking glasses to spill out towards the horizon. Your stay is supported by a full suite of facilities, including a TV, DVD and CD players for movie nights, and US satellite programming. An iron and ironing board are also provided for your convenience.

The four bedrooms are thoughtfully dispersed in their own pavilions, ensuring quiet retreats for all. Each enjoys air conditioning, a safe, an en-suite bathroom with a shower, and that same sweeping ocean view. The journey to them is part of the experience, via exterior staircases that wind through the hillside gardens. Bedroom 1, the master suite located in the main building, offers a queen-size bed and the convenience of a fan in addition to its air conditioning. Its position provides direct access to the main living pavilion and its covered terrace. Bedroom 2 is housed in a separated bungalow situated down the villa from the main level, featuring a queen bed and its own private outlook. Bedroom 3 and Bedroom 4 are both located in a separated bungalow upper the main villa. Bedroom 3 provides flexible sleeping arrangements with twin beds that can be configured as a queen, and includes a fan. Bedroom 4 completes the quartet with another queen bed and fan, ensuring every guest has a personal sanctuary adorned with the villa’s signature details like smooth curved walls and dark carved wood furnishings.

The central focus of Mauresque is outdoors, on the large sunny terrace that wraps around its most captivating feature. The 13.1 by 23 foot heated infinity pool appears to hang between sky and sea, a liquid mirror for the changing colors of the day. It features a unique underwater alcove, a surprising niche for private conversation or a moment of cool solitude while immersed in the panorama. Loungers are tastefully arranged on the deck, positioned for optimal boat-watching as yachts glide in and out of Gustavia harbor. As afternoon deepens, the terrace transforms. The refined lighting along the steps and within black wrought-iron lanterns begins to glow, creating an elegant and mysterious atmosphere that faces west. Then, the main event begins: the glorious sunset paints the sky in glowing colors, an outstanding daily spectacle that makes this vantage point one of the most coveted in St. Barts. It’s a natural gathering spot for families or friends, with the villa’s Wi-Fi keeping you connected and a sound system ready to provide a soundtrack.

You’re just a 10 to 20 minute drive from the airport and the vibrant boutiques and restaurants of Gustavia, yet Mauresque feels blissfully remote. The picturesque fishing village of Corossol is at your doorstep. While the villa’s many exterior stairs lend it character and privacy, they also mean it is best suited for families with children over 12. Villa Mauresque is more than just a place to stay; it’s an atmospheric experience curated over twenty years by Premium Island Vacations. This four-bedroom villa in Corossol stands apart among St. Barts luxury villas for its unwavering commitment to a theme, executed with authenticity and flair. It offers not just accommodation, but a story—a hillside escape where every arch frames a postcard, every lantern lights a path, and every evening ends with the sky on fire over the sea.