Villa L'OUSTAU (OST)

Lurin

Grand manor, as the name Villa L’Oustau (OST) suggests in Provençal French, is certainly an apt description for this stately villa. The luxury rental property is grand without being grandiose. Nothing is overblown or ostentatious. Rather, the abundant use of warm, honey-colored local wood and cool, sand-colored stone makes it feel welcoming and homey. It was, in fact, designed to be a private home and has only recently been made available as a rental villa, and it still includes some of the owner’s collection of original art and library of art books.

Envisioned by local architect François Pécard, one of the stars of St. Barth, the house reflects his ability to create environments that are integrated seamlessly into the natural island surroundings. Its structures work in harmony with the Caribbean climate and conditions.

The tremendous sea views, of course, needed no embellishment. The bedrooms, living area, terrace, and pool all have wide-angle vistas over the shimmering waters of St. Jean Bay. On the other sides, the vacation home is surrounded by a manicured garden with native flowers and trees, including many distinctive Gaiac trees and other plants that are unique to this ecosystem. Along with being beautiful, the rich vegetation provides a feeling of cocooned privacy.

Located in Lurin, Villa L’Oustau (OST) also benefits from its proximity to the beach and the restaurants and boutiques of St. Jean. The main stretch of the part of the island is just minutes away.

The generously sized living area can be closed up and air-conditioned or opened wide to the island breezes. There are plenty of seating areas from which to enjoy the view and the camaraderie. A formal indoor dining area separates this relaxing space from the workspace of the gourmet kitchen—and Sibarth’s concierge can make that workspace even better by pre-stocking the refrigerator with your favorite foods or arranging for the services of a private chef.

The large master bedroom is off the living room and connects to a TV room with U.S. and French satellite services and Apple TV. This bedroom has a king bed and an ensuite bathroom. The two other bedrooms are in a separate bungalow and connect to one another, which allows them to work well for parents traveling with young children. One of these rooms has a king bed, and the other has two twins. Each has an ensuite bathroom with a shower and a television with U.S. satellite and Apple TV.

But it is the pool that is the main social hub of Villa L’Oustau. It is heated for year-round swimming and has a cascade, a Jacuzzi and a current to swim against for exercise. The large deck has sunny and shaded sections and an outdoor dining area near the kitchen.