Latest News - Orient-Express opens first villa

The Residences at La Samanna
First Luxury Villa Available for Holiday Season

Orient-Express will officially open the first villa at La Samanna is December of 2006. Part of the Residences of La Samanna, the villa is located on Caribbean island of St. Martin on the cliff side adjacent to Orient-Express’s luxury hotel, La Samanna. The Residences will include eight Mediterranean style villas ranging in size from 4000 to 4500 square feet. The first two villas will be available for short term vacation rentals, with the remaining six villas selling from 5 Millions Euros each with interior designer packages starting at $350,000. Spread among 36 acres each villa takes advantage of spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and the exclusive lowlands neighbourhood.

Architects, Mauricio Lanari of Le west Indies and Francois Jaulino of Architectural Concept combined their talent to create the first villa which captures the Caribbean lifestyle and French sensibility while still complementing the Mediterranean architecture of the award winning La Samanna hotel. Expansive outdoor terraces, arched doorways and windows, oversized bathrooms, a private free form pool, granite finishes and 21-foot ceilings are a few of the signature elements.

Interior designer, Cameron J. Zentz of Marc-Michaels Interior Design, Winter Park Florida, joined the creative team to give the interiors a “quiet sophistication and a take-off your shoes sensibility.” Drawing on the palate of colors provided by the sunsets and views from the villa’s terrace, rooms feature a colorful explosion in the patterned linen draperies complemented with soft warm backgrounds colors of straw, peach and azure blue in the upholstery. The Living space features quilted linen sofas - long and low, perfect for lounging - with golden honed stone and iron cocktail table anchoring the space. A “found” twisted twig table and an 18th century French iron mirrored console add a European influence to the space that fits well with the islands French history. The dining room in particular, showcases a 19th century Parisian carved oak buffet paired with a sleek stone and glass topped dining table, and traditional carved dining chairs. The focal point of the room is an original art piece by Carol Mann floating between glass. The three guest rooms each offering its own distinct retreat, reflect the playful, relaxed mood of St Martin with use of splashy colors in lemon, avocado, and aqua. The use of soft flowing linens and nubby cottons paired with wood and iron furnishings add to the relaxed ambiance.

The first Villa will be available beginning December of 2006. Minimum 7 day rentals during peak holiday periods and a 10 night from December 15-January 7 will be required. Rental fees come with a staff of chef, housekeeper and butler. Food costs are additional. Price for the villa is $8000 per night plus 5% tax.

The 37 square mile island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten is one island with two nations. For visitors this means a true multi-cultural experience where numerous languages are spoken, the cuisine is outstanding and the hospitality refined. The cliff side development is ideally situated just 15 minutes from Marigot, the capital of French St. Martin in the French West Indies and a short drive from the fabulous restaurants of Grand Case. For more information call 800-957-6135 for rentals and 800-957-6136 for sales.