Known as Iles du Vent in French, Bovenwindse Eilanden in Dutch, and Islas de Barlovento in Spanish, English speakers know this archipelago as The Windward Islands. Barbados and St Lucia are perhaps the most popular islands within this group.
Adam Gobat was born and raised in St Lucia and has travelled extensively throughout the West Indies but he laughs when I ask him which of all the islands holds the most personal appeal.
“Obviously you can’t take my word for it but, for me, St Lucia is the best,”
he says. A former colony, St Lucia is much loved by British buyers and Mr Gobat believes that it compares more than favourably with its closest rival Barbados.
“St Lucia doesn’t have Barbados’s nightlife which tends to be quite young and I can’t even say that it has the best beaches but the people here are very friendly, the airlift is fantastic and people can relate to St Lucians very well.”
Director at Cap Maison, Mr Gobat is currently selling what he calls ‘the last chance to buy freehold beachfront property’ in St Lucia at final phase of The Landings in Rodney Bay. Built in traditional Caribbean style, with oversized terraces and plunge pools, the homes overlook both the historic landmark of Pigeon Island and 800 feet of white sand beach towards Rodney Bay. In the northern tip of the island, often tagged ‘best beach on the island’ thanks to its calm waters and west facing location guaranteeing stunning sunsets, this spot is popular with overseas investors.
“You can buy in the rain forest but you’d be isolated,”
he explains.
“Most of our buyers here are members of the tennis club and the golf club and have their favourite shops and restaurants, it really is a strong community.”
A superyacht marina also adds to the appeal at Rodney Bay. Buyers at The Landings can enter their property into the rented pool, operated by the five-star Cap Maison hotel.
“It’s not how it used to be, overseas property tends not to give great returns anymore, but it’s a sound investment as prices here don’t drop,”
adds Mr Gobat who finds that rental income typically pays owners’ annual service charges and in some years has exceeded them. Built around a private yacht harbour in the north west of the island, The Landings is unusual as The Queen’s Chain Regulations state that all property within 20 metres from the shoreline is government owned and therefore lease only. The Landings is exempt as it is built upon reclaimed land.
Striking a balance
Buyers so far have come mainly from the UK followed by Americans and Canadians, all keen to escape harsh winters. Mr Gobat hopes that – unlike some of the more commercial islands – St Lucia retains its charm. Castries is the capital but Rodney Bay has plenty of amenities nearby.
“I don’t want them to build anymore, every island has its own charm but I think we have the balance right here.”
On Barbados, Suzanne Davis, of Realtors Real Estate found that the winter season ‘opened with a bang’ with many perspective buyers keen to look at the wide variety of high-end luxury properties on the west coast and across the island.
“Barbados is known as the gem of the Caribbean and is very appealing because of its great infrastructure, diversity in restaurants and attractions and of course the sea and the sun,”
she adds.
The west coast is the most popular part of the island, thanks to upmarket developments and endless white sandy beaches. Glamorous Barbados has long attracted an international set and Alistair Brown of UNNA Luxury Resorts & Residences can’t see that changing.
“There are so many things that attract buyers not least of all climate, quality of service, relaxed lifestyle and range of activities for all ages including diving, snorkelling, fishing, water skiing and, on dry land, golf and polo.”
Sailing is popular in this part of the world and is one incentive for buying at Port Ferdinand Marina and Luxury Resort. The first phase consists of 32 homes and includes private yacht berths up to 60ft. The overall scheme will create a total of 82 designer homes, plus 120 berths for yachts up to 90 foot in length. Mr Brown finds that British buyers dominate on the west coast, followed by Canadians and Americans with many buyers spending months at a time on the island.
“Barbados is a safe-haven, family friendly, good for investment, and has improving infrastructure and political stability. Historically, Barbados tended to be a place for couples, but the demographic has certainly changed with families coming in increasing numbers, attracted to the vast range of water-sports and outdoor activities. They appreciate that the island offers a safe, secure holiday home.”
Knight Frank’s Edward de Mallet Morgan says that Christmas proved to be a busy period bringing an ‘encouraging air to the island’.
“For a savvy buyer, guided by a trustworthy agent, it feels as if the stars have aligned to create a deal making environment.”
In previous years new investment and some of the larger development schemes have stalled, but Barbados now looks to have a promising future of investment, judging from large scale developments being built.
“If you also take into account government incentives for foreign investment, a strong Caribbean economy and perceived distance from unpleasant global events, it is no wonder that international investment continues to grow in the region,”
he adds.
And let’s not forget lesser known islands that have a charm all of their own. Robert Cooper of www.7thheavenproperties.com says that Anguilla has carved out a niche for itself at the top end of the market.
“It offers some of the Caribbean’s most luxurious villas, high quality restaurants, spas and world-class beaches. Villas can command very high rental income, making them a business venture in their own right.”
The Dominican Republic has been voted one of the world’s top retirement destinations adds Mr Cooper.
“It offers direct beachfront property at a substantially lower price than many other Caribbean locations,”
he says.
“The country benefits from low cost direct flights from North America and Europe and the strongest tourism market in the Caribbean, attracting over five million visitors per year which, for property buyers, means a high rental income generating potential.”
The Landings, St Lucia
This collection of 14, two and three-bedroom beachfront villas and three-bedroom Grande Villa penthouses sits directly on the golden tropical beach of Pigeon Island. Combining the best of indoor-outdoor living, every detail, fixture and fitting has been carefully chosen to maintain the five-star rating of the resort. With exquisite attention to detail and breathtaking views of the bay and the Caribbean Sea beyond, each beachfront villa is very private.
From £856,000 / €1.223m / $1.325m
The Landings +44 (0)207 183 4597
Bulkeley Great House, St George, Barbados
The previous home of Sir William Bulkeley, a member of Parliament in the 1600s, this property has housed a number of prominent Barbadian families. It has seen many changes over the centuries, but still maintains its old world charm.
The traditional covered patio, which surrounds the main house, has been recently extended to overlook a free-form swimming pool. This pool has been constructed to give the appearance of a natural pond, with gently cascading waterfalls and a sand-finished bottom extending beyond the water-level to form a shore. The property also includes an outbuilding converted into a one-bedroom cottage and approximately 6,000 square feet of office space attached to the main house.
£5.6m / €7.4m / $8m
Realtors Real Estate Sales +1 246 432 6930
Sugar Cane Mews, Royal Westmoreland, St James, Barbados
An exclusive development of eight, semi-detached properties right next to the golf clubhouse, the first tee and practice area. The south-facing four-bedroom villas will have unobstructed views of the sea and 18-hole championship golf course. They are also within a short stroll to a large communal pool, gym and tennis courts.
Featuring an open plan lounge/dining room and kitchen on the first floor to maximise the view, they also have south-facing terraces overlooking the private pool with fairway and sea views. On the ground floor, a master suite includes a large sitting area opening directly to the garden, pool and patio. Two guest rooms link to a large family bathroom, while a fourth en suite guest bedroom is on the mezzanine floor.
£1.15m / €1.615m / $1.75m
Royal Westmoreland +44 (0)1524 782649
rwsales@royal-westmoreland.com
Palazzate, Port Ferdinand Marina and Luxury Resort, Barbados
Beachfront on the ‘Barbados Riviera’ and on the favoured north end of the island’s west coast, this majestic building provides 75,000 square feet of living space split into four homes with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a cinema room and roof terrace pool.
A cobblestone entryway with a fountain leads to an atrium featuring a grand chandelier and a secret garden. Total privacy is ensured with underground parking for 18 cars and private access direct to each of the four homes via private residence and separate service elevators. The residences range from 12,000 to 15,000 square feet of living space, each with views of landscaped gardens, beach and the Caribbean Sea plus exclusive owner access to berths and yachting facilities in Port Ferdinand Marina.£87.7m / €115.4m / $125m
Alistair Brown +1 (246) 262 8112
Sandy Lane, Barbados
Completed in 2006, this home was designed by Michael Gomes and built to exacting specifications. The main reception room opens to a covered veranda which overlooks the infinity pool and is connected to the dining room by a bridge over a koi pond.
There are two guest bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and a TV room on this level. The custom-designed kitchen is fully equipped and provides an informal dining area with views out to the gardens. A fourth bedroom in the pool house also provides an additional dining option. The property includes staff quarters as well as a large storage room that could be converted to a gym or media room. An adjoining residential lot of approximately 1.33 acres may also be available by negotiation. Residents enjoy Sandy Lane’s fabulous facilities including three prestigious golf courses, tennis courts and a spa.
£8.4m / €11.1m / $12m
Knight Frank +44 20 7861 1553
