BelAmour

BelAmour earns the 'amour' in its name. French owners conceived this intimate, seductive hideaway as an ode to romance, which makes the one-bedroom luxury rental property perfect for honeymooners, proposal givers, anniversary celebrators, and anyone who is simply joyful about being in love. A striking mural by French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac celebrating The Miracle of Love sets the mood, while all the practical features ensure maximum romance.

Sharing the stage with that memorable mural is the breathtaking view over the Caribbean Sea far below BelAmour has a dramatic setting high on a cliff side the northwestern coast of St. Barth, and the nearby islets of Bonhomme, Fregate, and Toc Vert. On a clear day, you can see Sint Maarten and Anguilla. And as the afternoon slips into evening, you can watch the sky turn aflame with the sunset. You can always see the water, as the romantic hideaway is perched on the edge of the land, so the water views almost give you the feeling of being in a yacht cabin.

Then again, being in BelAmour feels far more spacious and comfortable than staying on the average boat. Most of the living here unfolds in an open-concept living room/patio/pool deck that's contemporary think Jean-Paul Gaultier fabrics on the cushions and tableware from Balinese ceramics maker Jengala without being formal or intimidating. The living room has an all-glass wall that retracts to let in the sea breezes, light, and sounds of an island paradise. It's a good place to cocoon yourselves from the world or to do a bit of small-scale entertaining. Large sofas seat six comfortably. A dining table on the terrace also seats six.

The bedroom, though, is where BelAmour really shines. A large, flowing space encompasses a bedroom with a king bed and another wall of retractable windows, an oversize bathroom, and a decadently scaled dressing room and closet. The owner spends much of his time in Bali, and Indonesian motifs prevail throughout even the bed was shipped from Bali.

Right next door is Domingue, a bigger modern-Mediterranean villa with a similarly sophisticated design sensibility. The two can be rented together, making BelAmour an appealing option for couples who want to be alone, but also want to be close to family our good friends.