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B E A C H S I D E C A R I B B E A N
Sunny upsides
Buyers from all over the world are attracted to the Caribbean climate
and relaxed way of life, but each island has something different to offer
It’s a mistake to look at the Caribbean as one homogeneous
group of palm tree-fringed islands blessed with long
white-sand beaches, believes James Burdess, head of
Caribbean at Savills. ‘Topographically, geographically and
culturally they vary widely, and the islands have different
temperaments,’ he says.
The market for homes on the islands is similarly mixed.
Generally, the northern Caribbean – the Bahamas, Turks
and Caicos, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin
Islands (BVIs) – is driven by buyers from North America,
for obvious geographical reasons. ‘However, while the
Turks and Caicos and the BVIs will be lifestyle choices for
those looking for picture-perfect beaches and houses with
wide-angle lens sea views, the Bahamas and Cayman
Islands are full-time options for families in search of
good schools and excellent healthcare,’ Burdess says.
The south invites more varied interest: there are the
French in St Barths, the English in Barbados and, due to
its sailing fraternity, a mix of nationalities in Antigua.
‘The new story is the Italians in Canouan,’ he adds. ‘Since
the Swiss-Italian businessman Antonio Saladino opened
the Raffles resort and a Tom Fazio-designed golf course,
PEARNS POINT,
THE PENINSULA, ANTIGUA
A development of 67 exclusive villas
in 137 acres of tropical paradise.
Price from US$3,000,000
Contact
VILLA BLUE CARIBE,
TURKS AND CAICOS
Hilltop villa with spectacular views.
Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3.5
Price US$1,750,000
Contact
OCEAN VIEW VILLA, BAHAMAS
A three-storey villa with rooftop
terrace close to Albany’s beach.
Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4
Price US$4,700,000
Contact
67 Global Property Portfolio
B E A C H S I D E C A R I B B E A N
it’s been on the radar of wealthy Italians bringing along a
touch of Portofino glamour with them.’
Barbados – and, in particular, the world-famous stretch
of coastline from Sandy Lane to Speightstown – is always
popular with British buyers. Here lies the greatest
concentration of fun and wealth on the island, and it’s
where all the finest restaurants and the best shopping
haunts are to be found. Houses on this stretch, such as the
four new villas at Beachlands, command the highest
prices on the island. ‘Not only can you walk up the beach
for supper, but you can head to Holders for the festival or
Apes Hill for the polo and return home to watch hawksbill
turtles nesting (in season) on the beach outside your
sitting room,’ says Burdess.
Finally, one to watch is Grenada. ‘There is a medical
university on the island and that helps to lend it a unique
atmosphere; there’s a young vibe and everyone looks like
they’re having fun,’ he says. ‘It’s less sophisticated than
Barbados, but for anyone who’s in the market for
something at once authentically Caribbean with all the
creature comforts of a spectacular resort on standby, this
is certainly an exciting prospect.’
SPORT ON
THE SEA
James Burdess
lived in the
Caribbean for
20 years. Here
he shares his
sea-faring tips
Bone fishing:
the best spot is
the Bahamas,
and in particular
the Blackfly
Lodge on the
edge of
Schooner Bay
in Abaco
Kitesurfing:
beginners and
enthusiasts
should head to
the BVIs, where
Richard Branson
can often be
spotted on
his board
Surfing: the
surf school at
Anegada, about
18 miles off
Necker, is a
particularly good
spot even for
beginners
to learn
Snorkelling:
some of the best
reef-gazing is in
Tobago Cays, in
the heart of the
Grenadines, an
archipelago of
five small islands
and extensive
coral reefs
RESIDENCES OF STONE ISLAND,
GRAND CAYMAN
A gated community of 44 residences.
Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3
Price from US$1,950,000
Contact
SILVERSANDS, GRENADA
The first major new hotel project on
Grand Anse Beach in more than 25 years.
Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4.5
Price POA
Contact
SANDY COVE 401, BARBADOS
A four-bedroom unit with a private
plunge pool and spectacular views.
Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4
Price US$6,000,000
Contact