Star Garden

An island of sunshine and tropical flora surrounded by views of white sand, turquoise blue waters, and ocean vistas framed by distant islands - this is Star Garden, which holds court atop Sydney's Fancy, the highest point on exclusive Peterborg Peninsula on the north coast of St. Thomas. The views from this superb luxury estate are stunning - some of the best in the Caribbean. To the west, you look down into beautiful Magens Bay, your view unobstructed from this famous beach to the Atlantic Ocean. Turning north, you overlook the length of Peterborg to the ocean horizon and to nearby Hans Lollik Island. To the east lies the breathtaking down-island panorama of the British Virgins, St. John, and neighboring cays.

Star Garden's main pavilion faces directly east toward the narrows between Tortola and St. John. It includes a plush Great Room with a large TV, a gourmet kitchen with cooking island and a bar island. A superb 12-speaker stereo system with an iPod connection pipes your music through indoor and outdoor speakers. The dining room is surrounded on three sides by screened doors and windows, bringing the alfresco dining experience indoors. A deep verandah overlooking down-island views to the east offers shade and cool tradewinds from morning until the stars and lights of Tortola come out - a true living porch for conversation, reading or simply daydreaming. To the west, a back porch offers rocking chairs overlooking Magens Bay, and a gas grill. There is also a lawn (the "star garden") with Adirondack chairs facing down-island, for private conversation or late night stargazing. The main pavilion faces a stone-bordered courtyard and is surrounded by a terrace walkway leading to the two separate bedroom pavilions.

The two-story Chateau, adorned with arched passageways and porches, includes two bedrooms upstairs with baths en suite, and a master suite on the main level, each offering air conditioning, cable TV with DVD player and VCR, clock radio, DSL internet access, mini-fridge and coffee service. The master suite has an adjoining den with kitchenette, work area and love seat. Each bedroom has a private porch with stunning views - enjoy morning coffee or late-night libations there. The Chateau's main level also includes the laundry room and an exercise room.

A terrace leads behind the main pavilion, past a soothing fountain, to the two-bedroom air-conditioned Cottage and its birds-eye view of Magens Bay 400 feet below. The Cottage bedrooms include baths en suite and dramatic porches, and are comparable in size and appointments to the Chateau's bedrooms. A few steps down from the terrace and centered behind the main pavilion is the 40-foot pool, its curved infinity edge blending into the turquoise waters of Magens Bay. As the pool wraps around to meet a large boulder, it surrounds the large hot tub, creating the ideal spot for watching sunsets over the Bay. The pool includes a shallow shelf with chaises for sunbathing, while a trellised cabana offers shaded seating and a handy beverage cooler.

The excellent design and layout of Star Garden maximizes its spectacular 300-degree views; its pavilions and trellises create a private world for you. The property's terrain falls away on three sides, giving the sensation that you're on your own secluded island. In addition to the electronic security gate into the neighborhood enclave of Sydney's Fancy, Star Garden's cul-de-sac private road (shared only with one next-door neighbor), is also electronically gated. Five stars for this spectacular, luxurious and well-equipped villa.