There is a private island where 15th century pirates tucked away treasures during year round 75-85 F (24-29 C) temperatures. Centuries later this island was purchased by a baron who gifted some of it to a princess. The baron was Colin Tennant, 3rd Baron Glenconner, the princess was HRH The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon in celebration of her wedding in 1960.
In 1989, this rare island was sold into a private limited company, The Mustique Company, of which some shareholders are celebrities (Mick Jagger, Shania Twain, Tommy Hilfiger) and all shareholders are the only owners of the private villas occupying this 2 square mile island. This is the island of Mustique West Indies and part of the country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
It is such a ‘well kept’ treasure, but if you tipped your globe and looked between North and South America, halfway between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer and situated in the Caribbean Sea to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, you would find Mustique West Indies is far enough south in the chain of the Grenadines to avoid most hurricanes. It is a tropical shelter which appeals to pirates, barons, princesses, celebrities and anyone longing for the ultimate island experience with a fairy tale ending.
There are things you do and things you don’t do when visiting Mustique. This oasis venue is exclusive with limited accommodation. There is the Cotton House, owned by The Mustique Company, which has 17 rooms priced from $500-$1,750, or there is a 4 bed hotel called Firefly where rooms are $500-$1,250. After that, the options are nothing but spectacular.
Most of the privately owned villas of Mustique West Indies are rented by the week and juxtapose perfect nature with architecturally masterful designs by names such as Oliver Messel, Arne Hasselqvist, Paolo Piva and Manolo Mestre in Plantation, Moorish, Oriental, African, Italian, Moroccan and Caribbean styles. The villa originally owned by HRH The Princess Margaret, Les Jolies Eaux (Beautiful Waters), was designed by Oliver Messel and rents for $18,000-$28,000 per week. You may peruse some of these villas in more detail in issues of Architectural Digest.
If perchance you are in love when you go there, or fall in love while there, it takes only 24 hours of residency to qualify for a marriage certificate. This is a place for beginning and ending the most romantic tales or just a place to be safe and completely satisfied in, there has only once been a murder and the island has no unemployment.
And yet, most travel is by mule with speeds kept to 20mph by hand-painted signs for the few cars allowed. This island is jealously guarded by The Mustique Company who protects its owners and guests from the vagaries of the world at large. There are no beggars, street vendors or night clubs, however, the world famous Basil’s bar hosts a Blues Festival (next is Jan 25-Feb 8 2012) and is the only establishment for a night life which closes at 10pm.
This is private party territory or Tuesday night cocktails with the elite. No nudity on the beach and picnics in allocated areas only. But, you will not have to worry about paparazzi or sounds that do not come from nature while you walk on one of the seven deserted white sand beaches, enjoy non-motorized water activities or simply ‘be’ in one of the last ideal places on earth.
If all this perfection becomes too much and you somehow contract ‘perfect’ island fever, there are other islands to hop to by boat for more diversity, but when you return to Mustique West Indies you will be privileged to be on one of the most unique localities in the world, whose history reads like a fairy tale and whose present day activities are still very much a part of one.