Original art work throughout. Local phone service is available as well as a fax machine and computer with a flat screen monitor.

Monthly maid service is included. The large private yard has an inviting porch to enjoy your morning coffee.

There is an additional patio with grassy areas. The huge eucalyptus tree provides shade and is home to hummingbirds.

Off street parking is available. No smoking indoors, pets permitted with prior agreement only (less)

five-bedroom architect designed villa conveniently located midway between the capital city of Castries (most resort hotels are located immediately north of Castries) and Soufriere to the south (site of additional resort properties and points of interest). Built by the late Wayne Brown, the island's most respected designer-builder of high-end second homes, no expense has been spared to create a unique and memorable experience for our guests.

No other St. Lucia villa offers Brigand Hill's complete privacy amid almost 500 acres of tropical splendor.

Brigand Hill is named for the Brigands, the valiant indigenous people who took to the forest and waged guerilla war against the British in the late 18th century (at the same time America was fighting the Revolutionary War), successfully retaking the island and holding it for several months. The villa is situated within the five hundred-acre St.

Lucia Estates plantation. The estate grounds encompass the Brigand Cave (a Brigand headquarters two centuries ago), a wide variety of flora and fauna, a private beach (offshore is the sunken ship "Lesleen", and some of the best scuba diving on the island), even the original plantation housing and machinery.

Occupying arguably the best site on the estate, each room of Brigand Hill offers sweeping views of the mountainous rain forest to the east, the Caribbean Sea to the West or the plantation floor below. Brigand Hill is fully staffed (cook/maid, gardener/caretaker) and the perfect place to fully and enjoyably embrace the romance and elegance of the real Caribbean.

Additional Rate Information Nov 1 - Apr 30 1 - 4 people $398 nightly 5 - 7 people $519 nightly 8 - 10 people $639 nightly May 1 - Oct 31 1 - 4 people $275 nightly 5 - 7 people $394 nightly 8 - 10 people $485 nightly Christmas / Holidays 1 - 4 people $582 nightly 5 - 7 people $692 nightly 8 - 10 people $850 nightly Vacation Rental Policies Payment Options: cash, check or money order Deposits: 50 % deposit required. Other Availability Brigand Hill - Nourishing the Body and Spirit - St.

Lucia Property Amenities Furnishings/Luxuries Air Conditioning Balcony Deck Linens Provided Ocean View Porch/Lanai Appliances Dishwasher Full Refrigerator Microwave Stove Electronics Internet Access TV Recreation/Activities Boating Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Nearby Group & Family Reunions Honeymoon Pool (Private) Restaurant Nearby SCUBA Diving Nearby Shopping State/National Park Nearby Swimming Weddings Other Unlisted Amenities The late George Poindexter built the original villa in 1964. The present owners, guests at the house since the early Seventies, bought the property and completely rebuilt from a new design (by J.

Andrew Carr, of Essex, Ct) on the old footings, adding a second floor master suite, enlarged caretaker's quarters and many other features. The main house includes three bedrooms, each with private bath, the dining and living rooms and kitchen, and a two-bedroom cabana, with shared bathroom.

Privacy is assured regardless of where you are in the villa. The bathrooms feature stunning tile mosaics of the St.

Lucian parrot, St. Lucian whip-tailed lizard and the leatherback turtle.

All rooms feature overhead fans and Jalousie windows and doors that are designed to open up each room, encouraging the constant, gentle trade winds to flow through the house unimpeded. Tastefully decorated with furniture crafted on the Island, complemented by imported fabrics and 450-count linens, three bedrooms have queen beds; the other two feature twin beds.

All bedrooms feature extraordinary views. The kitchen is fully equipped and the living areas have stereo hi-fi (tape and CD; be sure to bring your favorite recordings).

The patio area includes the pool, tiled terraces, extensive plantings, outdoor showers and stairs to the garden below. Summary of on-site amenities: Wireless Internet access Cable TV (Pending) Snorkel equipment Fresh organic fruits and vegetables (in season) Library; books, CD's Jalousie windows and doors Outdoor swimming pool with fountain Five bedrooms Overhead fans in all rooms Four bathrooms Modern, fully equipped kitchen Washer and dryer Hair dryers in all rooms Outdoor showers (Turkish) terri-cloth robes Separate cabana, including two of 5 bedrooms 'Garden of Eden', a work-in-process destined to include all the fruits, vegetables and flowers of the tropics Stereo system (tape and CD) Car rental available from Brigand Hill at below-market rate Safe for valuables Several airlines fly to St.

Lucia from the US and Canada, including American, Delta, Air Canada, Air Jamaica, US Air, BWIA and others. European guests can obtain fights from airline BWIA, British Airways, Virgin and others.

When possible, we advise booking flights into Vigie Airport in Castries (it's only 30 minutes from Brigand Hill) rather than Hewanora (1 1/4 hours). Both take smaller planes and private jets (including Challengers and Gulfstreams); the former can't take jumbo craft.

Airfares to St. Lucia vary widely and often without apparent reason.

Best to plan your vacation early and so improve your chances of nabbing a cheap fare. Guests typically arrive on a Saturday.

For a small fee, the staff can stock food and drink for your first few days, and they can also, for a modest fee, fill the larder for your entire stay. We recommend a typical Creole meal on the night of your arrival.

Finding The Villa is easy; we're less than a mile south of the village of Anse La Raye, midway between Castries and Soufriere on the coastal highway. Property Activities A week at Brigand Hill can be anything you want, full of vigorous activities such as mountain biking, Piton climbing, scuba diving and hiking.

Some guests prefer a week of reading good books, lounging by the pool, napping and sampling the superb Caribbean cooking of our staff (with many ingredients coming from our organic garden), even discovering new fruits and vegetables--plantain, avocados, mango, yams, pineapple, etc. (all grown on our property).

Brigand Hill includes many enticements designed to keep you at the villa--great views in every direction, pool and fountain, outdoor showers and private beach. Many guests like to start their day with a walk through the plantation and a swim off our private beach.

Swedish Massage available. Our staff has been trained in Swedish massage, by the staff of the Stratton Mountain, VT Sports Center Spa.

The therapeutic benefits of massage are well-known and we think you'll agree--what better place to enjoy one than on our terrace with swaying palm fronds overhead and beautiful views everywhere around you. Fees are $15 / $25 plus tip for a half / full hour, paid directly to our staff.

A typical week at Brigand Hill might go like this..

..

. Saturday.

Stop at supermarket on way to Brigand Hill from airport and pick up groceries, wine, etc. We recommend the J.

Q. Charles Supermarket (if you fly into Vigie Airport in Castries, it's just north of the airport) or Big J's in Roseau, which is on route to the villa from either airport.

If you prefer, our staff will shop for you (a fee of $25 is charges for this service). Arrive at villa in time for swim off our beach or pool, cocktails, dinner.

Plan menus and activities with Brigand Hill staff. Sunday.

A great day to get to know our plantation. Hike to back of the estate and, if you're especially adventurous, have Reggie guide you to the Brigand Cave.

Note the many wild orchids, plus the Bird of Paradise, and giant ferns. Finish the hike off with a swim.

Consider dinner at Marigot Bay or nearby Ti Kaye Village (we are respectively 15 and 10 minutes away). Ask Reggie to arrange a boat trip to Soufriere and points south for the next day (approximate cost for one-day boat charter with captain is approx.

US$140.) Monday.

Meet boat in Anse la Raye and motor south to Anse Chastenet for superb diving and snorkeling. Bring equipment from villa or rent on site.

Make Soufriere your first stop and visit the Diamond Baths and Gardens (an easy walk from the village). Back to boat and retrace steps to Anse Chastenet, visiting bat cave on the way.

After beachside lunch, motor further south to Jalousie Plantation, located between the Pitons, and snorkel the preservation reefs right under the Petit Piton. After a cocktails, head back to villa, possible stopping at Anse Cochon for another swim.

Tuesday. If summer, inquire into turtle watch by calling Jim Sparks at 452-9829.

Ask Reggie to order up some lobsters (a one-day lead time). Get early start on trip to Maria Islands, home of the St.

Lucia Whiptailed lizard and the Maria Island snake. Take Atlantic side route south to National Trust office (phone 454-5014) directly across from Hewanorra Airport.

Guide will take you to the Island. Brings swimsuits, as there is a superb beach on the island.

If so inclined, continue on the "circle route", stopping at Ladera (just south of Soufriere; phone 459-7323) for cocktails. Enjoy the superb mountaintop view of the Pitons and the Jalousie Plantation below.

Wednesday. A quiet day at the villa in preparation for the next day's climb of the Gros Piton.

Perhaps a walk or drive to Anse Cochon for great snorkeling (10 minutes away). Possible turtle watch at night (from March through July; call Jim Sparks 452-9829, to arrange.

) Thursday. Get an early start to Soufriere and climb Gros Piton.

It will take about two hours to ascend, slightly less to come down. Pack lots of water.

Climb is not dangerous, but vigorous and requiring some fitness. Friday.

To Castries to visit the open-air market. Lunch at the Coal Pot, on the water just north of town and serving superb cuisine.

Golf at Cap Estate or Sandals course. Spend afternoon at Le Sport, remembering to book spa treatments ahead of time.

Book dinner at one of the many fine restaurants in Rodney Bay ( we especially like The Steak House or Razmataz Tandoori Restaurant), leaving time to stop by the weekly jump up held every Friday night in Gros Islet or Seafood Friday in nearby Anse La Raye. Saturday.

Relax at villa and prepare for departure. While Brigand Hill and the local area offer many diversions (Friday night's Seafood Friday in Anse La Raye is not to be missed), guests can sample St.

Lucia's many other nearby delights. Just 10 minutes away is the horseshoe-shaped Anse Cochon beach which features Ti Kaye's great beachfront bar and restaurant.

This magnificent beach also offers wonderful snorkeling and an onsite dive shop serves scuba fans. Another approach is to have our staff arrange for a boat to take you down the coast, enabling you to sample many different beachs and snorkeling (equipment is provided for Brigand Hill guests) spots.

Be sure to stop at Anse Chastenet to check out their superb undersea life and bar-restaurant. (Only the brave DRIVE into Anse Chastenet).

Continue to Soufriere and the marine park between the Pitons at Jalousie Plantation. This would be a good time to visit Soufriere's "Sulfur Springs" "drive-in" volcano, gardens and mineral baths.

Imagine bathing in the same tubs as Napoleon's favorite soldiers! But you can (his wife Josephine grew up in Soufriere). Diving St.

Lucia offers superb diving with fully equipped dive facilities at several locations, including nearby Ti Kaye Village. Call ahead to Island divers, who take great care of Brigand Hill's guests.

They also offer a safe one-on-one "Discover Scuba" package for first-timers. If you plan on diving, bring your valid NAUI/PAADI card, but plan to rent tanks on island at Ti Kaye (Anse Cochon), Oasis Marigot or Anse Chastenet.

Leave your spear fishing gear at home, though; St. Lucia prohibits such fishing (but encourages the other, deep sea kind, and many charters are available).

Whale and Dolphin Watching Whale and dolphin watching is available via boats operating out of the Rodney Bay and Soufriere areas. Game Fishing Several charter operators are located in the Rodney Bay area.

We favor Hackshaw's, which is conveniently located in the Vigie Bay marina next door to the Coal Pot Restaurant. Tell the owner, Chris Hackshaw, that you're staying at Brigand Hill.

Car Rental All the major car rental companies are represented on the island. Rates are relatively high, so we encourage our guests to take a cab to the villa, then call the firms and negotiate a good rental.

They will deliver the vehicle to the villa. Layne knows where to get the best rate at any time.

Savoring St. Lucia's Natural Wonders The St.

Lucian government has worked hard to make the island's magnificent features easily accessible to visitors while, at the same time, creating employment opportunities for its citizens. 14 nature trails (the most on any island in the Caribbean) varying in difficulty and length dot the island.

Through the Forestry Department's hard-won success in restoring the endangered St. Lucian parrot one can see parrots on many of the trails.

Visitors can now visit the Maria islands off St Lucia's south shore, home of two creatures--the whipped tail lizard and Maria Island snake (the rarest in the world with only about 100 in existence)--which only live on this 26-acre windswept island. Piton Climb St Lucia's two most prominent landmarks are the Pitons just south of Soufriere.

Contrary to popular wisdom, these are not "dead" volcanoes; in fact, they are volcanic cones and both can be climbed. The Petite Piton has a forbidding reputation and some hikers have fallen off (a fatal miscue).

The larger Gros Piton is safer, though still a test on one's fitness (plan on a drink at Ladera and a nap afterward). The Government requires that each party take a guide on the climb (a good idea; we've gotten lost on the descent) for a small fee.

The view from the top is breathtaking. Sailing Yacht Charters by the day or week, bare boat or with crew are readily available at Moorings in nearby Marigot Bay.

Chateau Mygo at Marigot offers an excellent day sail, including lunch. This is a great way to see the beauty of St.

Lucia's coastline or some of the nearby islands like Martinique. Local ferry companies offer a one-day trip to/from and bus tour of Martinique and other Islands.

Turtle Watching Another initiative that was started 18 years ago by the St. Lucia Naturalists Society and the Fisheries Department is safeguarding the leatherback turtles when they come ashore in the months of March through July to lay their eggs.

Magnificent creatures as big as a Volkswagen Beetle, some turtles have ventured as far as Australia before returning to St. Lucia to deposit their eggs.

The Turtle Watch Program has succeeded in protecting the nesting turtles from human predation, initially through all-night vigils and now by enlisting the former predators as allies. Two years ago 14 young people from the community were trained to conduct and monitor the turtles and they now manage the beach site, charging tourists a modest fee to observe the leatherbacks! This is considered by many as the model for community-based conservation projects in the Caribbean.

Brigand Hill's staff can arrange such a turtle watch, sometimes accompanied by Jim Sparks (an American living here for 27 years), former chairman of the St. Lucia National Trust and the individual behind this success.

Golf The island has two golf courses, the 18-hole Cap Estate Country Club and a 9-hole layout at Sandals. Both are open to the public and rent shoes and clubs.

Tee times are seldom necessary. In addition, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Arnold Palmer have been retained to build new 18-hole courses, in the Northern & Southern ends of the island.

ATV Tours Kurt Verhaegen of ATV Paradise Tours www.atvstlucia.

com offers a great tour through the 1000-acre Fond Estate in MIcoud. We and our guests loved the experience.

Call 455-3245 for reservations. Zip-Lining through the Jungle Canopy This is a new attraction and very exciting (and quite safe).

Windsurfing The best windsurfing in the world can be had at St. Lucia's southern end.

Equipment rentals and instructions are readily available. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A suggestion - the hotels often welcome "day guests", sometimes charging a small fee.

Four worthy of consideration are nearby Ti Kaye Village (Anse Cochron beach; a superb new small hotel), Le Sport (located in the North, close to the Cap Estate golf course), Ladera, on a mountaintop just south of Soufriere, and Jalousie Plantation, located below the Petit Piton. The first is only minutes away and free, the second offers a wide spectrum of spa treatments (but you are advised to book ahead); the third has an outstanding kitchen and view and is well worth visiting for lunch or dinner (and dallying by their pool and deck).

It was to this hotel that Superman flew to pick a flower for Lois Lane, in the movie of the same name. Jalousie is the handiwork of Lord Glencomer (Colin Tennant), intimate of Princess Margaret and developer of Mustique earlier in his career.

Lord Glencomer retains some property in the plantation and hosts nightly entertainments (less)

Chateau Devaux offers panoramic views of the glistening bay and majestic mountains and shorelines of the neighbouring French island of Martinique. Living on a 290 ft high cliff ensures constant, cool, fresh, uninterrupted breezes straight off the Caribbean Sea (to your left) and Atlantic Ocean (to your right).

The house has a tropical plantation design with french doors opening onto lagre surrounding decks, a swimming pool, gazebos (complete with hammock) all overlooking the ocean. Its sprawling lush tropical gardens constantly ablaze with colour, embrace your every sense.

This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom villa easily sleeps a party of 8, with provision for more guests in the additional spacious rooms, easily converted into bedrooms.

For those who seek serenity, tranquility and feng shui, this truly is your haven. Our indoor garden keeps you in constant contact with nature.

For those who're looking for fun and excitement, Chateau Devaux has been termed, "the ideal party house" with outdoor swimming pool, wet bar and stone barbeque grill. Chateau Devaux truly offers the best of all worlds.

The house is conveniently located within minutes of the beaches, championship golf courses (including the soon to be completed Jack Nicklaus Course), Pigeon Island National Park and Rodney Bay Village. The property is completely fenced and has a remote controlled gated entrance.

For guests spending five or more nights, we offer free airport transfers (one upon arrival and another upon departure) and a four door sedan to ensure you make the most of your trip. For the more adventurous, a four door 4x4 pickup truck is available for a small additional charge.

Basic housekeeping services are provided twice a week. Special arrangements can also be made at an additional cost for extra housekeeping, babysitting services, catering services andgrocery services.

Just let us know what your special needs are and we will do our best to fulfill them. Chateau Devaux waits to welcome you.

house rental amenities Chateau Devaux offers: -panoramic ocean views and of our neighbouring island, Martinique -off street parking and garage -it is completely fenced with remote controlled gates -swimming pool, two gazebos (one with wet bar and the other with hammock), stone barbeque grill -indoor and outdoor gardens -decks, patios,balconies -lounge chairs and outdoor furniture -air-conditioning is all the bedrooms -jacuzzi in master bedroom -1 king, 3 queen sized beds and two twin beds that can replace a queen if neccessary, 1 crib -fully furnished interior -library -linens and towels -washer and dryer, iron and ironing board -fully equipped kitchen; fridge, stove, icemaker,microwave,coffeemaker,electric kettle,blender -cable tv, dvd, landline and mobile phone and wireless internet Services include; pre-stocking, catering, event planning and in-house massages (less)