The Caribbean island of Mustique has been a popular getaway for the jet set since the late '50s, when British Baron Colin Tennant purchased the island and began to develop it into a luxury resort. As a wedding present, he gifted Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II's sister, 10 acres where she built a sprawling villa. She would later spend much of her controversial life on the island, the first of many royals, A-listers, and titans of industry who would find refuge on the lush tropical island. Once famously exclusive—guests would have to be vetted before touching down on the airstrip—the island has now developed into a slightly more egalitarian resort, provided the masses can afford the villas that have been coveted by the likes of Mick Jagger and Tommy Hilfiger. Unfortunately, just how unaffordable those villas are is hard to determine: there are rarely price tags attached.
Like a slice of French Polynesia in the West Indies, this seven-bedroom villa (top) boasts a thatch-roof, cavernous living spaces, and views of sparkling azure waters. Comprised of a main house and three separate guest cottages, the compound sits atop a bluff amid five private acres with amenities galore, including an infinity pool and lit tennis court.
? With hazy listing photos that express a certain nostalgia for the island's heyday, this pair of villas might look casual, but with seven bedrooms and a past as one of the island's two hotels, this property could mean business. Firefly is currently operated as a five-room inn with a famous bar scene, but could very easily be converted back into a single-family home. What those listing photos missed, however, are the stunning views from the hilltop site.
? Designed by local superstar architect Oliver Messel, this four-bedroom villa was one of the earliest constructed on the island following Tennant's purchase. The design is sedate, even pedestrian, compared to some of the more modern, elaborate villas, but for a rich vacationer seeking a casual getaway, this swimming pool-equipped hillside retreat could be just the ticket.
? Overlooking Britannia Bay, this three-bedroom spread doesn't enjoy as much elbow room as some previous examples—the lot is a mere 0.79 acres—but the views and well-executed stone cottage feel make up for the size disparity. Known as Greystone, the villa boasts a waterfall between its pair of swimming pools.
? Combining the whitewashed ceilings of the island's early colonial-style houses with some modern touches, this stone-sided villa strikes a satisfying balance, but that doesn't do much to excuse the sub-par furnishings, both indoors and out. Luckily the good bones, lush lot, and picture perfect swimming pool make up for the styling snafu.
· Five acre paradise [Knight Frank]
· Firefly/Dragonfly [Knight Frank]
· A hidden haven [Knight Frank]
· Hilltop hideaway [Knight Frank]
· Best kept secret [Knight Frank]
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