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Style: A stylish, bohemian retreat in an exotic setting, eclectic with Caribbean, Oriental and African character. Perfect as a retreat for a special occasion, as family, friends or for a corporate event.
The Beach: Small secluded bay accessed by steps from the villa, sand with some boulders and reefs for good snorkelling. Good swimming at Mountain Trunk bay (5 mins walk), excellent at Savannah Bay (a short drive)
The Rooms: Five bedroom suites with en suite bathrooms - four of the suites have another 4 smaller children’s bedrooms attached
Key features: Outstanding Virgin Gorda villa in the British Virgin Islands, 9 bedrooms in octagonal pavilions, 11,500 sq ft of sea-facing living space, pool, gourmet kitchen, fabulous chef, fine food, wine cellar, cliff-top deck and swimming pool (30ft x 15ft). Wood-burning pizza oven. Built-in outdoor grill/barbecue. Games pavilion with pool table, honesty bar and home movie theatre. DVD, CD system, CDs, DVDs and books. A Mastercraft Ski Boat and 25ft Nautica Rib for selected watersports. Hobie Cat, sea kayaks, snorkelling gear and sea trampoline. A/c gym - personal training extra. Spa & Wellness Pavilion - spa treatments, yoga and pilates classes extra charge. Use a beach buggy/golf cart. Kid’s Club with activities and use of a Playstation II, beach toys and karaoke machine. Master suite with plunge pool. All suites with Sony Bravia flat screen TV with satellite service, DVD player, iPod station, WiFi access, hairdryer and mini-fridge. Use of nearby tennis court. Two 4x4 SUVs available for hire. Tailor-made weddings.
Children: Welcome, though due to the location young children require strict supervision
Staff: Chef, assistant chef, manager, butler/concierge/watersports, housekeeper, spa therapist/personal trainer and a gardener. Children’s nanny on request. Chef and staff live off site. |
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Description
The magic of Baraka Point Estate unfolds as you make your way down the switch-back paths through its beautiful landscaped gardens to its glorious setting on the seafront promontory on Virgin Gorda’s west-facing Caribbean shore. As you approach the point among the palms and profuse greenery, copper-roofed pavilions come into view, and then the main house, which sits close to the cliff-top.
Baraka Point is bohemian in style but comfortable, and is decorated in an eclectic mix of styles drawn from places as far removed as Morocco and Thailand. Massive urns, made from the bottle-shaped trunks of Aren trees from Indonesia, stand in the garden, their deep brown offset by bright green tropical grasses, and then, on the clifftop itself, there are the huge boulders for which Virgin Gorda is famous surrounded by cacti. The villa has been built to get the best of the excellent views. It faces west across Sir Francis Drake Passage to islands in the middle distance and then to the sunset on the sea horizon beyond.
Baraka Point can sleep 16, so it is deceptively large. All in all it is an excellent pace to get away in a group, with everything you might need to celebrate with some friends or your family. That said, the fact that the bedrooms are set in separate octagonal pavilions will enable you to have some privacy aswell. The villa has plenty of modern technology, and of course it has the facilities and the service, but the style and atmosphere is also easy-going, enabling you to relax into it.
The main house, which is set in three octagons standing next to one another, features a large open-plan, split level living and dining area. Like rest of the property it has been decorated in a mix of earthy and exotic style. Immediately on your left as you enter is the professional-standard kitchen, which overlooks the main dining area and then has steps down to the main living room. The kitchen is very much a part of life at Baraka Point. As is Aaron, the resident gourmet chef from New Zealand. You may wish to make your own scrambled eggs after midnight, but otherwise he is on hand to look after you, offering a full meal plan, or half board if you would prefer to eat out. The formal dining area can seat ten (or 14 with an adjacent table) and has a rustic, quite chic air. There is a large wooden table and chairs with white cotton slip covers and above it, suspended from the peaked timber roof, there is an unusual lantern-like lamp with multi-coloured glass.
Steps lead down from the dining area to the main sitting area, which has been furnished with antique Indonesian and Indian pieces including a coffee table made from an ox-cart, a carved day bed and large cabinet to hold the excellent music system, as well as a collection of CDs (there are 300 of them, so there is something to suit all tastes from classical to jazz and pop). A touch of the Caribbean is added by the pair of traditional West Indian planters’ chairs, but then there are also accessories from Morocco including lanterns and the metal light sconces. The walls here are decorated in a lime colour which goes well with the dark wood of the furniture.
Louvres and French doors, with glass inset into hefty South American Iroko hardwood, fold back and give out onto the terrace and then across the lawn to splendid views. This is the main terrace, a popular sunbathing area, with umbrellas for shade. To the right, in front of the third of the three octaagons that make up the main house, is the quarter moon, infinity edged pool. Ahead are lawns which lead down to the cliff-top deck, where a series of small hardwood platforms are built into the rocks and the cacti. This is the best place from which to catch the sunset and there is a wonderful view of the offshore islands, the Dogs.
Skirting the front of the house beyond the pool you come to another sun deck, slightly raised, with benches and another dining table. Shaded by an awning it is a great place to eat, daytime and evening. Beyond here are other sunbathing platforms that wrap around the second, smaller actogon. Inside they enclose the smaller media room, which has a comfy sofa, a smaller Indonesian style day bed, Thai massage cushions and a library and board games. It is a pleasant spot to chill out, and read, play a game or watch the wide screen TV (also a DVD with a selection of 100 movies). There is also a powder room that you can use by day.
The five bedroom suites, each decorated in their own individual style, are located in the gardens in three pavilions and each have excellent sea views. They are all air-conditioned, have teak beds with romantic draped mosquito nets, en suite bathrooms, a terrace or deck and TV with DVD, CD player, alarm clocks, hair dryers, Molton Brown toiletries and mini fridges. Four of them designed for family use and have adjoining children’s bedrooms.
The Mandarin Suite, set in an individual, one-storey unit, is closest to the main house. As you enter you turn left along the curved wall for the bedroom, stepping down into it. A queen bed faces through a series of folding glass doors and over a raised private deck to the coastline of Virgin Gorda. Turn the other way at the entrance and you come to the dressing area and the bathroom, which has a tub, an indoor shower and an outdoor patio like shower. This is an adults only suite.
In the next pavilion are two more suites, the upper level Madura Suite which has a king size bed. Again it is for adults only. It has a chill out area with comfy day bed, a small office and a balcony that faces the small bay below. It also has a separate dressing area, and the en suite bathroom has an indoor shower only. Beneath it, on the lower level is the Indochine Suite, which has a king size bed and both indoor and outdoor showers. This is one of the family rooms, so it has two small adjoining rooms for children. An air-conditioned gym, accessed from the other side of the villa, is located next to it.
On the opposite side the gardens, looking south from the point, are the master bedroom and another family suite, housed in a two storey pavilion, with the Kerala Suite (master) upstairs. This is a fabulous room dominated by a king size four poster bed, with two planter’s chairs looking out across the channel, and a private terrace and plunge pool to indulge yourself in. There is an en suite bathroom with large indoor shower, dressing area and seating area. Again this room is for adults only. Downstairs is the charming Rajasthan Suite, which has a king size bed made up of two day beds that can be separated. There is a patio and another two small adjoining bedrooms for children. The en suite bathroom has a large indoor shower. On this floor (but accessed by a separate door) there is also an office with broadband internet access, computer and fax machine. There is wireless connectivity to the main house for laptop access.
Baraka Point Estate’s two acres of gardens, brimming with palms, succulents and grasses, work well with the pagoda-like pavilions, which are built of stone and terracotta plaster, and topped with copper roofs, and also they work well around the natural setting of this part of Virgin Gorda, with its vast boulders, which you will see scattered around the clifftop. At night the romantic impression is heightened even further as copper torches are lit around the paths and gardens. You can enjoy a sundowner right there, and then linger to watch the lights of other islands glinting in the distance.
And it is here that the full magic of the place has revealed itself. The name Baraka Point was chosen by the owners after a Swahili expression taught to them on their honeymoon: Haraka Haraka haina Baraka translates as ‘Hurry Hurry is not a blessing’. Baraka Point is certainly an ideal place to forget the hurry of the world and to wind down and take life a little slower. |
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Sports & Recreation
There is an air-conditioned fitness room located below one of the bedroom pavilions. It features an elliptical machine, weights station and body bars, yoga mats and exercise balls for Pilates. There are also a couple of sit-on sea kayaks which can be used off the beach at Baraka Point.
Massages are available in Baraka Point's Spa & Wellness Pavilion, along with manicures, pedicures and facials. Yoga and pilates classes can also be arranged.
There is a pizza oven on the property where children (or you) can be given lessons. |
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Beach & Swimming
Steps lead down past the suites on the north side of the villa to a nice bay. It has light brown sand with some boulders, which form a natural rock pool. Baraka Point provides beach chairs and umbrellas. The beach has some good snorkelling, particularly on the other side of the point, for which equipment is provided.
There are two swimming beaches nearby. Mountain Trunk Bay is within walking distance and Long Bay can easily reached by bike, which the villa can also provide. The glorious stretch of powder white sand at Savannah Bay is within 10 minutes drive heading south, and offers very good, shallow swimming conditions and some snorkelling in the bay, on the coral heads. The beaches have safe swimming, but none of them have lifeguards. Also check with villa staff before heading out to any of the beaches for tips on what to look out for or avoid. The Baths and the other beaches lined with similar rocks are about twenty minutes away by car.
At Baraka Point itself, inset into the lawn just below the sun terrace and main veranda, there is a quarter moon-shaped infinity edge pool. It measures 30ft by 15ft and has entry steps at one end. It is between five feet deep and 2½ (a third of the pool is this depth and it is popular with children). Pool mattresses are provided, and this is a wonderful spot for cooling off with a cocktail and enjoying the views. |
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Dining
Baraka Point has a private chef, Aaron from New Zealand, and an assistant. The cuisine is of a high standard and global in its reach of styles. A number of meal plans are on offer. The full meal plan (FAP) includes breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or snack, sunset cocktails (4.30-6.30pm) and dinner, but you can also opt for half board (MAP) which is as before but without lunch. You can mix and match it with dinner if you like.
There are similar plans for children, with unlimited juices and soft drinks through out the day, and small snacks or biscuits instead of afternoon tea or snack.
Guests can opt to dine out if they give chef 24 hours notice and they will only be charged for meals used. There is a supplement for lobster at market price and a suggested 20% gratuity for the chef for meals on the plan. Any wine or Champagne, plus beverages outside of the cocktail hours of 4.30-6.30pm are extra. Menus can be modified according to guests needs. See the sample menu, which has a special children’s menu.
There are very few villas with their own chefs or cooks in the BVI, but if you wish to cater for yourself, a grocery service is available at an extra charge. Lastly you can opt just to use the chef on occasion, on an hourly basis for the evenings when you do want to dine in. The chef’s usual working hours are between 7am to 9pm, any requirements outside of this must be pre-arranged.
Service is available to the rooms and the chef is happy to provide picnics if you want to head off to another beach.
There is a good wine cellar at Baraka Point. |
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Children
As many as ten children, plus infants can be accommodated at Baraka Point (with six adults), in their own smaller bedrooms off the main rooms. There are restrictions as to where children can sleep at Baraka Point, hence the additional bedrooms attached to four of the bedroom suites. Children under the age of 16 should not occupy any of the upper level suites or the single storey suites. These were designed for adults only.
A selection of children’s toys, games and books are provided and include beach and pool toys such as arm bands, flutter boards, buckets and spades; a Playstation II with games; DVDs and CDs. Books include a Harry Potter collection and the Chronicles of Narnia. There is a kite, snorkelling gear and even a pop-up tent for the garden. During meal times smaller tables and chairs can be provided for younger children.
There are three cribs for babies and toddlers, highchair, baby bath, a car seat and a playpen are available. Baby sitting or a nanny can be arranged at additional cost. Babies may stay in the adult only rooms if they are unable to get out of a cot.
Special pizza making courses and treasure hunts and other Kid’s Club activities can be arranged for children that are staying.
Due to its seafront location which has steep drops from the edge of the promontory, none of which is enclosed, all children staying at Baraka Point should be strictly supervised to avoid accidents, which includes around the pool area which is also not enclosed. |
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Useful Hints
A personal laundry service is available for an extra charge. |
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Rates
| | 05 Jun- 16 Dec 2010 | Thanks- Giving 2010 &2011 | 16 Dec- 30 Apr 2010-11 | Christmas/ New Year 2010-11 10 nights | Easter 2011 | 01 May- 14 Dec 2011 | | 1-4 guests | 11,000 | 29,000 | 24,000 | 95,000 | 39,000 | 15,000 | | 5-8 guests | 15,000 | 29,000 | 28,000 | 95,000 | 39,000 | 19,000 | | 9-16 guests | 19,000 | 29,000 | 32,000 | 95,000 | 39,000 | 24,000 | Rates are quoted in US$ per week (7 nights), room only (EP) in US$ and are subject to 7% Government Tax and 15% Service Charge. Rates are for a maximum of 16 persons, with a maximum of 12 adults and are for the sole use of the entire Baraka Point Estate. Rates include use of the a Hobie Cat, beach buggy/golf cart, sea kayaks, snorkelling equipment, sea trampoline, nearby tennis court, gym and one snorkelling trip on Baraka Point’s 25ft RIB (subject to sea/weather conditions), and Kid’s Club activities. All rates and inclusions are subject to change without notice. Meal plans are available and cost from approximately US$65 for breakfast or lunch and a 3 course dinner, US$95 for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea/snack and a two course dinner, US$125 for full cooked breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea/snack and a three course dinner – prices per adult, per day and include canapés/pre-dinner snacks at sunset. Beverages are not included. A children’s menu is available from US$60 per child for cooked breakfast, lunch, biscuits/small snack, dinner and soft drinks/juices – if children eat what the parents eat (i.e. steak, lobster etc.) the regular price for that given meal will be charged. Please use these prices as a guideline as costs vary according to menu chosen i.e. surcharge for lobster. A minimum stay of 7 nights is required except during the period 19 Dec to 02 Jan when minimum stay is 10 nights. There is a suggested 15% gratuity on meals (cooked by a private full time chef), beverages and spa treatments at Baraka Point Estate. |
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How To Book
If you wish to make further enquiries or a reservation, please use the WEB LINK or DIRECT EMAIL ENQUIRIES facility at the top of this page to make contact with the owner of Baraka Point, or if you wish to telephone, please click on TELEPHONE CONTACT to reveal the number.
You will need to send a deposit of 50% of the total rental fee to confirm a reservation and payment of the remaining 50% is payable 60 days prior to your arrival. If you are booking within 60 days of arrival, full payment must be made in advance to secure the booking. Please use Direct Enquiries above.
Any cancellations more than 60 days before arrival will be subject to a 20% charge of the entire rental, if within 45-60 days this will be 50% and if less than 45 days it will be 100%.of the rental. For Christmas/New Year bookings during the period 19 Dec to 02 Jan, the terms are 50% of the full rental to secure the booking with full payment due 90 days prior to arrival, and if the booking falls within the 90 day period full payment is due on reservation. Both are non refundable. Please note that, whatever the time of year, there will be no refunds for late arrivals, early departures, or no shows.
A credit card imprint will be taken on check-in as a security deposit against any damages to the property. |
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Locality
Baraka Point is set on its own clifftop promontory in two acres of landscaped gardens on the western coastline of Virgin Gorda. It is surrounded by the Nail Bay residential estate but is separate from it and under different management. There are a number of villas in the vicinity, including those belonging to Mango Bay Resort and farther along there is another development at Mahoe Bay, where you will find an excellent Italian restaurant called Giorgio’s Table. This is located above the waters edge and is an extremely romantic spot and well worth a visit. Otherwise you will need to drive into Spanish Town for restaurants or any form of nightlife. The estate road is unmade (reports are that it will be sealed soon, and so it is best to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle. It will take you around about 15 minutes to get into Spanish Town.
Chez Bamboo is a pretty little bistro near the yacht harbour, which serves Caribbean and Creole cuisine and some international fare, and always comes highly recommended. Alternatively, a popular spot for more casual fare and live music is The Rock Café & Sam’s Piano Bar, where you can dine outside amongst the boulders in their rock garden or inside in the air-conditioned piano bar. For late nights there is the New Tequila Bar upstairs for music and dancing. If you fancy going further afield, a ferry trip from Gun Creek to the Fat Virgin Café on the waterfront at Biras Creek for a casual but excellent lunch is another possibility. |
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Airport Meet & Greet
You will be met at your point of entry, at the airport in Tortola or in Virgin Gorda, or at the ferry dock in Virgin Gorda, and you will be transported to the villa. Your transfers should be paid for locally, unless Baraka Point fix your local flights (they can get a good rate with the local airline).
If you are using the services of a travel organiser, it is possible that their 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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Getting Around
A hired car is strongly recommended for all private villa holidays, particularly at Baraka Point Estate, which is relatively remote. Due to the rough terrain of the unmade road through Nail Bay to Baraka Point, a 4 wheel drive jeep is essential and the estate’s two 4x4 SUVs are available for hire. There is also a beach buggy/golf cart for guest use - included. A vehicle will be useful if you want to dine out at night or to visit the beaches by day and particularly if you prefer to do some of your own shopping for groceries. |
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