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Tropical Villas Limited has an unrivalled position in the St Lucia villa market, as the longest established and significantly the best villa management and rental company on the island. If you are looking for a decent rental property with well trained, ever-friendly and willing staff, you are unlikely to be disappointed. Favoured by all the best Caribbean villa specialist travel organisers, they have been operating since 1985 and they have an excellent spread of villas in all sizes and styles. Villas weddings can also be arranged by Tropical Villas, who have a number of properties villas suitable for stylish small scale entertaining.
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KEY FEATURES...
| A broad range of well-presented St Lucia villa rentals and townhouses with one to nine bedrooms at fair prices. Most of them are set in the hills of Cap Estate with magical sea views. Others are located in Rodney Bay, Bois D'Orange, on the Vigie peninsular and in Soufriere home of the Pitons. A few are within walking distance of a beach and all have a private swimming pool, or in the case of townhouses, a shared pool. Consistent good all-round service and property management. Villa weddings |
CLIENT PROFILE...
| Across the range but St. Lucia villas are popular with families and golfers and those looking to find 'St Lucia off the beaten path'. |
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Founded in 1985, Tropical Villas is the leading villa rental agency in St Lucia. They have always been the largest in the island, having been the first company to set up in the St Lucia villa rentals business, but they have almost all the most significant St Lucia villas for rent on their books. Tropical Villas’ core business is short term holiday lets, but they also manage most of the villas that they rent out and they have a St Lucia real estate arm. The number of rental properties varies as owners buy and sell their houses, or decide to live in them permanently, but currently Tropical Villas oversees and rents out around 45 villas and apartments.
The houses they rent are mainly in the north of St Lucia, and principally on the Cap Estate, a former sugar estate that occupies the very northern tip of the island. They also have a number of properties, mostly townhouses/ condominiums, to rent out in Rodney Bay, the key tourist area also not far from the northern tip. Beyond these areas there are not so many villas available, but the company has a few on the Vigie Peninsular just outside Castries and a couple more in the extraordinarily fertile and beautiful area around Soufrière, the ‘South’ of the island.
You pass Tropical Villas’ offices, which are set in a yellow building, each time you enter the Cap Estate. There are five staff based here, but the company oversees around 70 staff in all who work in the villas that they manage.
Tropical Villas has grown in parallel with the villa rental market in St Lucia. In fact they are so much a part of it that there is a case to say that they grew the St Lucia villa rentals business themselves. The company started off with just six villas in the mid Eighties and is now the largest and by far most significant agency on the island. Originally set up by Biddy MacNamara, who is from St Vincent but who has lived in St Lucia for the past thirty years, the company is now owned jointly owned by Karen Du Boulay Hunte, who has spent many years working in the hospitality industry in St Lucia. They deal directly with the villa owners and between them oversee the management of many of the villas.
Tropical Villas also has a St Lucia real estate arm. It has only existed since 2000, but was a logical step for a company so closely associated with the villa market. It is overseen by Melissa Faye Joseph, who has returned to St Lucia after working for many years as a licenced real estate agent in Florida. Please see here for further details on St Lucia Real Estate. |
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Staff
There are five members of staff in the office. The first you are likely to meet is Natasha Marcellin at the reception desk, who joined the company in early 2005. If you are on renting a villa on holiday you are likely to deal with Margueritte Martin, who manages the guest relations department.
The two principals at Tropical Villas are owners Biddy MacNamara and Karen Du Boulay Hunte, who oversee the villa management and the short term rentals. The company also oversees around 70 staff based in the villas.
Melissa Faye Bishop runs the real estate arm of the business and oversees long term rentals. |
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Services
St Lucia Villa Rentals
Tropical Villas provides services locally to the guests, such as airport transfers either in a private taxi of helicopter, delivery of a rental vehicle to the villa, pre-stocking the villa with food.
They will always send a staff member to visit you fairly soon after arrival to make sure that everything is ok and to give advice on restaurants, shopping, restaurants and other places of interest in the area including how to enjoy St Lucia off the beaten path.
Part of their services to property owners is the marketing of St Lucia villa rentals, which Tropical Villas does well through a large network of contacts in America, Canada, UK and Europe.
Villa Management
Managing their portfolio of rental villas means that they take care of everything in the owners’ absence, and it is vital to the success of rentals that the management is executed professionally and efficiently. Tropical Villas is good at this. For the owner their services include ensuring payment of utilities, rubbish collection, insurance, staff wages, pool maintenance, garden and general maintenance.
In addition to the short term rentals, Tropical Villas also manages around 20 villas and apartments, which are available for long term let of six months or longer, as well as properties that are not available for rental.
Reservations
About half of the St Lucia villas available for rental from Tropical Villas are featured in full reviews by DefinitiveCaribbean. The ones we have selected to feature represent the best in their portfolio. If you wish to make a reservation, please contact Tropical Villas by using the DIRECT ENQUIRIES facility above the first photograph at the top of the left had column of this page.
Booking Conditions
Tropical Villas require a 25% deposit of the total rent in order to confirm your reservation. This is not normally refundable. All payments made to Tropical Villas Limited should be by VISA, MasterCard, certified cheques, Bankers drafts, Traveller's cheques or cash. The balance is due 45 days prior to arrival. Overseas calls, breakages and any services provided locally, e.g. groceries, should be settled before you leave the property.
Travel Insurance
Since accidents can happen, we recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy that gives you full protection for damage to Third Party property. For further advice, please see here. |
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Grocery Supplies
Tropical Villas is happy to pre-stock your villa for your arrival. The service is recommended not least as the cook/housekeeper will then be able to prepare a welcome meal for you. During your holiday, your housekeeper is able to assist you with your shopping if you wish and it can be fun to explore the local markets with the benefit of an expert at your side. | 1 small box of teabags | 1 Nescafe 50g | 1 orange juice (small bottle) | | 1 lb Sugar | 1 lb flour | 1 small packet of salt | | 1 bottle of oil (not coconut oil) | 1 bottle of ketchup (small) | 1 bottle salad dressing | | 1 packet of black pepper | 1 bottle of jam or marmalade | 1 box of cereal | | 1 bottle of water per person | 1 beer per person | 1 loaf of bread | | milk | 1 packet of bacon | 1 pack of pork sausages | | 1/2 litre ice cream | 1 dozen eggs (2-3 persons - 6 eggs) | cheddar cheese | | 1 packet of crackers | 1 mayonnaise (250ml) | 1packet of meat or fish seasoning | | 1 bottle of large soda (usually coke or sprite) | butter | chicken legs or breast or fish | | salad, fruit, vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, carrots, local fruits if possible, rice, potatoes) | | | Approximate cost US$40 per person. | Subject to a 15% service and delivery charge. |
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Meet & Greet
If you are booking direct, Tropical Villas is happy to send a taxi to meet you at the airport. Usually it will be Desir who will wait just beyond Customs at the Arrival Hall at Hewanorra. Airport transfers are paid for locally.
If you are booking through a travel organiser, particularly if you are booking a flight inclusive holiday from the UK or Europe, it is likely that the travel company’s on-island representative will be at the airport to meet you. This service and your return airport transfers should be included in the cost of your holiday. Please check at the time of booking. |
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Check In/Check Out
Priority is always given to preparing the villa for incoming guests and unless you make specific alternative arrangements at the time of booking, the check out time is at noon. If villas are not booked back to back, however, there may be the chance of some flexibility. As most flights arrive in the afternoon, check-in time is generally 4pm. If your arrival on St Lucia is earlier, please make sure that you tell your travel organiser or Tropical Vilas so that suitable arrangements can be put in place. |
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Departures
If you have a hire car, you can choose to return it at the airport (making sure the luggage will fit, or order a taxi to help you out) or have it collected from the villa prior to your departure. If your travel organiser hasn’t already made the transport arrangements to take you back to the airport, you can book a taxi through Tropical Villas. |
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Weddings & Honeymoons
Many St Lucia villas through Tropical Villas make excellent choices for luxury Caribbean honeymoons, and several villas in St Lucia, one of the Caribbean’s best wedding destinations, are good for Caribbean weddings. A villa wedding is particularly special because everything can be organised precisely according to your wishes. They give you flexibility and privacy which is difficult to achieve at a hotel.
Tropical Villas are very successful at organising delightful St Lucia weddings for small parties at the villas. Some villas are particularly suited to aspirations for a magical Caribbean wedding – Cap Pavilion, La Paloma, Jonson Villa, Saman House, Zandoli and Smuggler’s Point are notable.
The maximum number of guests that can be accommodated at the ceremony on the day of the wedding is the resident villa guests plus six invited guests, unless Tropical Villas and the homeowner have given prior permission for larger numbers. There may be extra charges to accommodate a larger party.
If you also feel you need the services of specialist wedding co-ordinators, the company is happy to work with the island’s top wedding organisers, Awesome Caribbean Weddings, subject to a location fee (usually US$200) being paid for the villa in addition to the villa rental cost. It is important however that you discuss your plans with Tropical Villas in the first instance and allow them to liaise with Awesome Caribbean Weddings and vice versa.
Marriage Licences
Ordinary Marriage Licences (US$750) – for an ordinary marriage licence, the application has to be presented to the Attorney General no less than seven (7) working days before it is required.
Special Marriage Licenses (Cost US$850) – for a special marriage licence, the application needs to be made less than seven ( 7) working days before it is required.
Please see here for details of documentation, legal requirements and the formalities for your St Lucia wedding.
Flowers
St Lucia grows a wonderful selection of tropical flowers - orchids, ginger lilies, birds of paradise. Tropical villas will provide any colour of flowers required, although it is not possible to guarantee the type of flower provided on the day. Apart from the brides' bouquet, a flower girl basket, corsages and buttonholes are also available.
Music
It can be as simple as your favourite music played on a CD or cassette player in the villa, but the benefit of a villa wedding is the freedom of choice - you might like a steel band, trio, guitarist or saxophonist, even a choir. Tropical Villas are happy to source the right players and make the arrangements on your behalf.
Photographs
A photographer will take your wedding photographs at the villa, in the garden, on the beach. Again it is a matter of choice. You can also choose how many photographs you want to pay for (i.e. 36 or 24) but the photographer usually takes more to enable you to make a selection from the best variety of pictures. You will also be given the negatives of the chosen photographs.
Video
Both standard and extended video will be provided in European or American System as appropriate. Please do not pass video or negatives through airport x-ray machines.
Standard video includes: The actual ceremony, cutting of the cake and champagne toast. Extended video includes: Shots of the island, bride preparing in room, groom waiting in another room, bride walking to the wedding site, ceremony, signing of registrar book, presentation of marriage certificate, champagne toast, cutting of the cake, music and graphics.
St Lucia Wedding Costs with Tropical Villas
The standard wedding plan offered by Tropical Villas costs US$750 and includes: the legal fees, Registrar’s fees, general wedding co-ordination such as organising the services of a Registrar, arranging the ceremony and reception at the villa. Ordering the bouquet for the bride, the buttonhole for the groom and any extras requested by the couple. Also… a bouquet for the bride, the groom’s buttonhole, a wedding cake, two bottles of Californian champagne at wedding reception, basic decorated location.
A deposit of 25% is required and the balance is payable at least 30 days before arrival.
Please see here for a list of optional extras for your St Lucia wedding and associated costs. |
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Portfolio Listing of Villas
Tropical Villas Limited has a broad range of well-presented villas and townhouses with one to nine bedrooms at fair prices. Most of them are set in the hills of Cap Estate with magical sea views. Others are located in Rodney Bay, Bois D'Orange, on the Vigie peninsular and in Soufriere home of the Pitons. A few are within walking distance of a beach and all have a private swimming pool, or in the case of townhouses, a shared pool.
DefinitiveCaribbean features a representative selection of the villas in St Lucia that are available for rent through Tropical Villas, which you may book directly, or through tour operators/travel organisers that have an agreement with the company.
See here for a complete listing of St Lucia villas for rent that we feature, which are offered by Tropical Villas:
| Cap Pavilion, St Lucia
A very private 5-bedroom colonial plantation style house inspired by Oliver Messel’s love of coral stone and cool green painted woodwork. Excellent venue for weddings and elegant entertaining, film/fashion shoots. | | Kinnoull, St Lucia
Modern, simply furnished, 2 storey plantation style property with 3 bedrooms in the main house and a romantic 1 bedroom self-contained cottage. Lovely verandas and terraces for outdoor living, and stunning views of Pigeon Point and the Pitons. | | Zandoli, St Lucia
Swim in the moonlight, shower under the stars - an exotic house with a sensuous Balinese flavour. Superb views to the sea and Pigeon Point. | | Jonson Villa, St Lucia
A spacious, newly refurbished, 3 bedroom seafront St Lucia villa set in landscaped gardens running down to the sea. Within walking distance of Causeway Beach. Setting and views give an excellent backdrop for St Lucia weddings. | | Saline Reef, St Lucia
A comfortable, light and airy 3 bedroom, contemporary Caribbean home, split-level with cleverly positioned vantage points from which to sit and drink in the views to the sea and coast. | | Heaven, St Lucia
A very pleasant 2 bedroom villa with an unusual ’loft’ design and splendid, 360 degree views from a hilltop on Becune Point in the Cap Estate in the north of St Lucia. Set in two acres of private gardens, Heaven has a low key feel, with stylish white furniture, dark-stained wood on white-painted stone walls and plenty of good outdoor living space. Suitable for honeymooners. | | La Mer, St Lucia
A unique open-fronted, one bedroom cottage with garden shower, upper sitting/dining room, open air living room, plunge pool with sun terrace and lawns with uninterrupted sea views. Very private. | | La Paloma, St Lucia
A stylish St Lucia villa with a comfortable Mexican/Caribbean mix of furnishings and flavour. Picture perfect for weddings but also a good villa for families. Pretty gardens in a dramatic cliffside setting (fully enclosed) with excellent views. | | Admiral's Quay & Rodney Quay, St Lucia
Exceptionally pleasant waterfront and garden condominiums/townhouses in a quiet enclave of 24 units around a central pool by Rodney Bay Marina. Great for couples or families and anyone with a boat to park. | | Arc En Ciel, St Lucia
A very impressive and elegantly furnished five-bedroom house set in three acres of gardens in the South of St Lucia. Arc en Ciel has classic Caribbean architectural design and decoration, with bedrooms linked by covered walkways to a plantation-style great room. A villa of exceptional quality with truly magnificent views of the sea and the Petit Piton. | | Smugglers Nest, St Lucia
Set above Smugglers Cove, this is a beautifully appointed, two bedroom adobe style home with soul where the living areas meld with the mesmerizing garden. Good choice for weddings, honeymoons or for those just looking for a very special place to be. | | Wild Orchid, St Lucia
Very spacious, well equipped 3 bedroom villa with modern design, good interior and exterior living space, separate dining and living areas, very private master bedroom and far reaching views. | | St Remy, St Lucia
A restored 150-year old estate house, which has hosted royalty, set in a former cocoa plantation, now a veritable tropical garden of Eden. Keen gardeners and botanists will be transported by this property. | | Tamarind Villa, St Lucia
The wide covered veranda running the length of the house, gated from the pool, makes this 3-bedroom family home perfect for younger children whilst grown-ups enjoy a truly Caribbean villa experience – high ceilings, cooling breezes and genuine Madras cotton soft furnishings. Views to both the Atlantic and Caribbean. | | Cinnamon Beach Villa, St Lucia
An exotic 3 bedroom villa in earthy Latin and Caribbean style, set on a hillside in Trouya in the north west of St Lucia. Prolific use of local woods gives Cinnamon Beach Villa an ethnic feel, its mustard walls hint of Mexico and there is a stylishly rustic touch in the large veranda incorporating a gommier tree. Ideal St Lucia vacation accommodation for a romantic break or for older families. | | Hummingbird House, St Lucia
A seriously nice 3 bedroom home with innovative design features, lots of charm, wall to wall shutters opening to lovely wooden decks for outdoor living, great views and, from the Master bed in particular, a view to stay in bed for! | | La Fleur Des Pitons, St Lucia
A contemporary 2 bedroom house with plenty of creole style, perched 1000ft up on the Pitons High Ridge, with an awe-inspiring setting overlooking the landmark Saint Lucia Pitons. La Fleur des Pitons uses the best in Caribbean plantation style, with natural tropical wood and a very open aspect to provide very comfortable tropical living with truly magnificent views. A unique retreat for romantics. | | Bananaquit House, St Lucia
A charming 5 bedroom Caribbean holiday home with fabulous views of the St Lucia Pitons. Extremely light and open, Bananquit House centres on a huge living room of white wooden walls and floors, splashed with bright upholstery and decoration. It is a delightful, tropical villa with a country cottage feel, suitable for families with children or a group of friends. | |
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Portfolio Listing of Cottages
| La Petite Fleur, St Lucia
A rare find – a lovely one bedroom guest cottage – in a truly spectacular setting - on a ridge 1000ft up overlooking the Pitons on the south-western coast of St Lucia. The studio bedroom is modern with some Caribbean style in the natural wood, and there is a lovely dining and sunning deck with absolutely stunning views. La Petite Fleur is a unique hillside retreat for two facing the St. Lucia Pitons. | |
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Airport Transfers
Valid 15 Dec 2007–14 Dec 2008 Hewanorra/Cap/Hewanorra US$157.00 (1-2 Per) US$180.00 (3-4 Per) US$200.00 (5-6 Per) US$230.00 (7-8 Per) Hewanorra/R. Bay or Trouya/Hewanorra US$140.00 (1-2 Per) US$160.00 (3-4 Per) US$180.00 (5-6 Per) US$224.00 (7-8 Per) Hewanorra/ Banana or Bag/Hewanorra US$120.00(1-2 Per) US$140.00 (3-4 Per) US$150.00 (5-6 Per) US$190.00 (7-8 Per) Geo Charles/Banana or Bag/Geo Charles US$150.00 (1-2 Per) US$175.00 (3-4 Per) US$195.00 (5-6 Per) US$214.00 (7-8 Per) Geo Charles/Cap/Geo Charles US$55.00 (1-2 Per) US$63.00 (3-4 Per) US$78.00 (5-6 Per) US$89.00 (7-8 Per) Geo Charles/R. Bay or Trouya/Geo Charles US$ 50.00 (1-2 Per) US$ 55.00 (3-4 Per) US$ 68.00 (5-6 Per) US$ 78.00 (7-8 Per) G.Charles/St Remy (Soufriere)/G.Chalres US$205.00 (1-2 Per) US$236.00 (3-4 Per) US$257.00 (5-6 Per) Hew/St Remy (Soufriere)/Hewanorra US$120.00 (1-2 Per) US$145.00 (3-4 Per) US$162.00 (5-6 Per) Geo Charles/Vigie/Geo Charles US$32.00 (1-3 Per) US$36.00 (4-5 Per) US$42.00 (6 Per) US$50.00 (7-8 Per) Hewanorra/Vigie/Hewanorra US$140.00 (1-3 Per) US$160.00 (4-5 Per) US$175.00 (6 Per) US$200.00 (7-8 Per) OVER 8 PER – 1 EXTRA VEHICLE + EXCESS LUGGAGE - US$53.00 GEO CHARLES ROUND TRIP - US$136.00 HEWANORRA ROUND TRIP DIVIDE THE ABOVE RATES BY TWO FOR ONE WAY TRANSFER |
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