Cooled by balmy breezes and offering magnificent wide-angled views of the ocean and islands, this exclusive gated hilltop estate is ideal for groups or families seeking a fully-catered vacation home in complete privacy. Poised just 5 minutes’ drive from Long Bay Beach and Smugglers Cove, it’s advisable to rent 4WD vehicles as the roads are paved but steep. Accommodation includes the services of a gourmet chef, daily maid service and use of a 30-foot captained powerboat (food, fuel and dockage fees are extra).

As you approach St Bernard’s Hill House through electronic gates and drive through eight acres of its meandering tropical landscape, the estate will start to work its magic on you. Gracious, attentive staff welcome you to your island paradise. Wrap around verandahs, sunny terraces and shaded seating and dining areas offer you myriad vantage points from which to watch the yachts and absorb the tranquility of your surroundings while a mirror-like heated infinity pool entices you to float any cares away.

Indoors, the Main Pavilion is dominated by the airy Great Room, richly decorated with original Caribbean artwork and intricate antiques. Arched doorways open out to a deep covered three-sided verandah, overlooking the ocean’s blue majesty, dotted with green islands and cays. Dining options abound – ask your talented chef to prepare a Caribbean feast and gather with your family or friends around the indoor dining table, or savor a sizzling barbecue under a starlit canopy on one of the outdoor terraces. For entertainment, choose from satellite TV with DVD player and surround sound, dock your iPod and listen to music on the outdoor speakers or pick a book or game from the shelves. There’s also Wi-Fi, a computer and printer in the study if you need to keep in touch.

Air conditioned cottages house five well-screened en-suite bedrooms with furnished verandahs, offering complete seclusion for couples and families. All bedrooms are ‘homes from home’ with microwaves, mini fridges, TVs and DVD players. There’s even a bamboo-floored home gym below one of the cottages for staying in shape.

If the nearby beaches can’t hold your attention for long, pack your snorkeling gear and hop aboard ‘BVI Beverley’ for a boat ride or diving trip to Jost Van Dyke. Visit world-famous Foxy’s or sip a refreshing Painkiller on the beach at Soggy Dollar Bar. Stop at Peter Island for lunch at a seaside restaurant then head to Cooper Island for more snorkeling and beach time!