Summer Heights in British Virgin Islands

Perched on a hillside, 500' above the ocean, in the midst of a green oasis, Summer Heights is situated on Tortola's south coast just a short drive from the beaches, shops and nightlife of the island. Guests, who stay at Summer Heights, describe the villa as a peaceful hideaway with amazing views that seem to go on forever – one of the best in Tortola! Overlooking the Sir Francis Drake Channel, you can see all the way from Ginger Island in the east to Coral Bay in St John in the west. On a clear day, you can even see St Croix, over 30 miles away. If you are an early riser, the sunrise is spectacular! At night, the clear, uncluttered sky offers a wonderful opportunity for stargazing.

Our beautiful Tortola vacation home is approached up a winding country road through the breezy green hills of the private residential area known as Havers Estate. On arrival, a broad staircase of Mexican coral tile leads through the double entry doors to a sunny enclosed courtyard with an expansive deck of crushed coral and the swimming pool, lined with cobalt blue tiles.

A roofed poolside area provides a beautiful setting for casual dining, with the adjacent gourmet kitchen and bar immediately at hand. A curved glass brick wall separates the kitchen from the very spacious lounge. Here you find comfortable, overstuffed sofas for lounging in front of the TV, as well as a computer desk. The desktop computer has WiFi and long distance calls can be made by VOIP using Skype or MagicJack.

Just along the deck from the lounge, are four similar bedroom suites. The two lower suites open onto a semi-shaded deck hung with a double hammock while the upper two open to private balconies. The fifth suite, the Turtle Dove Suite, in the east wing, opens directly onto the pool deck. This room also features a sitting area and a walk-in closet. Each of the five suites has a beautiful ocean view and features an impressive teak king four-poster bed with deep comfortable mattress, en suite bathroom, air-conditioning and flat screen TV / DVD combo. Above the Turtle Dove Suite and accessed by a staircase leading directly from the room is a twin bedded loft room, ideal for children. This room shares the bathroom with the room below.

Summer Heights is a luxury Tortola villa rental property and a relaxed and restful haven conveniently located to town, shops, restaurants and West End beaches. It is an easy fifteen minute drive to Road Town where you will find the three main fully stocked supermarkets. The closest beach is at Long Bay, a ten minute drive west and Smuggler's Cove, which we think is Tortola's best beach, is just another few minutes further on. Nanny Cay Marina, a watersports and boating centre, is less than five minutes from Summer Heights. From here, you can rent snorkel gear, arrange SCUBA diving or rent a powerboat.

Barry & Rosalind Rice, the owners of Summer Heights, personally built and now maintain the villa in immaculate condition. Originally from England, our own accommodations are tucked away on the lower eastern side of the property, completely separate from the villa's amenities. For more than 20 years, we have hosted guests on our beautiful 72-foot sailing yacht, Endless Summer II, in the BVI. If she is not on charter, ask about the possibility of a day sail to one of the neighbouring islands. We are always available to offer advice on where to go & what to do. However, we will respect your wish for total privacy, if you so indicate.

• Air-conditioning in all bedrooms
• King size teak beds with deep pillow top mattresses in 5 suites
• Twin beds in loft room above the poolside suite
• Flat screen TV/DVD combo  in all king bedded suites
• 40" flat screen TV with cable in the lounge
• Cable TV in poolside suite
• DVD with library of over fifty movies
• Music system with a selection of 100 CDs, outdoor speakers and iPod docking
• Desk top computer with WiFi& MagicJack for long distance calls
• Free long distance calls to the USA & Canada
• Two mobile phones for guest's use with free incoming calls and free connection between the two phones
• Library of books and games
• Swimming pool with toys
• Double hammock
• Loungers with padded mats
• Two outdoor seating areas, one shaded by a retractable awning
• Outdoor dining table
• Gas BBQ
• Fully equipped kitchen with gas oven, fridge/freezer, ice maker, coffee maker, dishwasher, microwave and grocery staples
• Weekly maid service
• Ask for availability of a day sail aboard the 72' ketch, Endless Summer II
• Stunning views from St John in the west along the St Francis Drake Channel to Ginger Island in the east

• Swimming - just 10 minutes from the closest beach at Long Bay
• Snorkelling - Brewer's Bay offers good snorkelling straight from the beach
• Surfing - two surfer beaches at Apple Bay & Josiah's Bay are particularly good during the winter months
• SCUBA diving - arrange diving with one of the many dive shops in Tortola
• Hiking - Sage Mountain national park has trails through the rain forest
• Sailing - take a day charter to exlore the outer islands and find superb snorkelling
• Explore - visit the Botanic Gardens and the Old Government House museum, as well as other interesting places around the island
• Day trips - take a ferry to neighbouring Virgin Gorda or Jost van Dyke.  If you have time, spend a day in Anegada
• Dining out - there are several very good restaurants close by
• Or simply laze around the villa, sun bathe and do absolutely nothing!

Winter: January 7th – April 13th 2012

1 - 2 guests $4,200;  3 - 4 guests $4,200;  5 - 6 guests $4,900;  7 - 8 guests $5,600;  9 - 10 guests $6,300; 11-12 guests $7,000

Summer: April 14th - November 16th 2012

1 - 2 guests $3,500;  3 - 4 guests $3,500;  5 - 6 guests $3,850;  7 - 8 guests $4,200;  9 - 10 guests $4,900; 11-12 guests $5,600

 US Thanksgiving November 17th – 23rd 2012

1 - 10 guests entire villa up to 5 bedrooms $4,900

1 - 12 guests entire villa up to 6 bedrooms $5,600

Autumn: November 24th - December 14th 2012

1 - 2 guests $3,500;  3 - 4 guests $3,500;  5 - 6 guests $3,850;  7 - 8 guests $4,200;  9 - 10 guests $4,900; 11-12 guests $5,600

Christmas & New Year December 15th 2012 - January 4th 2013

1 - 8 guests $7,000 using 4 bedrooms

1 – 10 guests $8,000 using 5 bedrooms

1 - 12 guests $8,400 using all 6 bedrooms

Winter: January 5th – April 13th 2013

1 - 2 guests $4,200;  3 - 4 guests $4,200;  5 - 6 guests $4,900;  7 - 8 guests $5,600;  9 - 10 guests $6,300; 11-12 guests $7,000

• 1 to 8 persons in 4 king bedroom suites in Main Villa
• 9 to 10 persons in 5 king bedroom suites including Turtle Dove Suite
• 11 – 12 persons in 6 king bedroom suites  including Turtle Dove Suite & kids loft
• When rental is less than 5 bedrooms, the Turtle Dove Suite can be included for a $490 pw supplement.
• All rates are per week and are subject to a 7% government tax
• $500 refundable damage deposit
• 4WD rental vehicle suggested