Perched 500 feet on a hillside in the gated enclave of Upper Peter bay is an elegant sanctuary in a mesmerizing setting. Villa Carlota, offers five large air-conditioned bedroom/bath suites in three pavilions. Through an electronic gate and from the driveway courtyard, a native stone entryway welcomes you; a graceful coralstone staircase curves down to the expansive terrace where an Italian baroque lion's head fountain spouts a bubbling welcome. A second Italian marble fountain gurgles at the pool's edge, a large infinity-edge pool which blends into the magnificent 180-degree view of Peter Bay below and the Caribbean Sea beyond. All of the perfect National Park beaches, such as Trunk and Cinnamon Bays, are less than a 10-minute easy drive from Villa Carlota. The villa's main pavilion, centrally air-conditioned, features a spacious Great Room which incorporates a large gourmet kitchen done with a cypress ceiling, Brazilian granite, custom mahogany cabinetry, and bordered by a long countertop with stools. Adjacent is the dining area where an 18th-century Balinese teak monastery door serves as the dining table; a convenient powder room is right around the corner. On the other side of the Great Room is the living area, set with comfortable sofas, chairs and a media center.

 Perched 500 feet on a hillside in the gated enclave of Upper Peter bay is an elegant sanctuary in a mesmerizing setting. Villa Carlota, offers five large air-conditioned bedroom/bath suites in three pavilions. Through an electronic gate and from the driveway courtyard, a native stone entryway welcomes you; a graceful coralstone staircase curves down to the expansive terrace where an Italian baroque lion's head fountain spouts a bubbling welcome. A second Italian marble fountain gurgles at the pool's edge, a large infinity-edge pool which blends into the magnificent 180-degree view of Peter Bay below and the Caribbean Sea beyond. All of the perfect National Park beaches, such as Trunk and Cinnamon Bays, are less than a 10-minute easy drive from Villa Carlota. The villa's main pavilion, centrally air-conditioned, features a spacious Great Room which incorporates a large gourmet kitchen done with a cypress ceiling, Brazilian granite, custom mahogany cabinetry, and bordered by a long countertop with stools. Adjacent is the dining area where an 18th-century Balinese teak monastery door serves as the dining table; a convenient powder room is right around the corner. On the other side of the Great Room is the living area, set with comfortable sofas, chairs and a media center.

Louvered and screened mahogany doors open from the living area to the dramatic sweep of the verandah which overlooks the ocean views. A large table on this verandah and artful lighting invite alfresco dining with a view. From the Great Room, an elegant curved staircase leads to the oversized second-level master suite and home office. This grand king master suite features a cathedral ceiling with fans, and a Ralph Lauren four-poster bed. This luxury St. John villa's mahogany doors open to a pergola'ed verandah on the ocean side of the pavilion, furnished with chaise lounges and looking out over the sea. The ensuite marble bath provides separate his-and her sinks linked by a massive wall-to-wall mirror, a jacuzzi bathtub, and a separate glass-and-marble shower with native stone accents. Just outside the master bath is the roofed hot tub pavilion with a coralstone floor. Continuing up the winding staircase from the master suite level to Villa Carlota's third level, a second bedroom/bath suite, this one with a four-poster queen bed awaits; the views from this suite's windows are spectacular. Back at the terrace and pool just outside the main pavilion, a green 'bamboo' marble wet bar awaits with mini-fridge and icemaker ready for poolside libations and evening cocktails. Behind the wall with the lion's head fountain is a stainless steel professional gas rotisserie grill built into a stone grilling area, which easily connects to kitchen and dining area via a rear hallway.

Those looking to rent St. John villas will find the pool to be simply sublime. Villa Carlota's second pavilion is on the other side of the pool terrace, offering two centrally-air-conditioned king bedroom/bath suites on two levels for excellent privacy. Each suite features a romantic king four-poster bed with Vera Wang mattresses, a Chinese antique armoire, flat-screen satellite TV, and a private covered balcony just outside. Both suites' baths are done in Italian rojo alicante marble and hand-crafted cabinetry, each boasts a luxuriant overhead rain shower plus three body-massage jets in the wall. On the lower level of this pavilion is the laundry room with two washers and two dryers. A small exercise room adjoins the second pavilion, screened to let the tradewinds in. Across this courtyard is the charming Cottage Suite, nicely secluded from the rest of the property. The air-conditioned Cottage Suite is distinguished by cool travertine tile, a living area with a balcony overlooking the main villa, a full bath, a small kitchen with a covered patio for alfresco meals, and on its upper level, a king (or two-twin) bedroom with a full bath, a large verandah off to its side, a step-out balcony in front, and an ensuite bath. Overindulge yourself at this beautifully-rendered masterpiece, sitting above it all on its green hillside, surveying the expanse of cerulean sea and sky. Villa Carlota approaches holiday perfection: five stars.