Location: Havers, Tortola, British Virgin Islands BVI, Caribbean (Havers on Tortola's south coast 15 minutes west of Road Town) View Map
Accommodations: Villa, 5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths (Sleeps 10)
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.
This beautiful Tortola vacation home is approached up a winding 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 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, ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning and cable TV with VCR.
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, rent a powerboat or take surfing lessons.
Barry & Rosalind Rice, the owners of Summer Heights, personally built and now maintain the villa in immaculate condition. Originally from England, their 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, they have hosted guests on their 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. Barry & Roz are always available to offer advice on where to go & what to do. However, they will respect your wish for total privacy, if you so indicate.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: A/C in each bedroom suite
- Washer: Laundry services available
- Dryer
- Linens Provided: Beach towels provided
- Off Street Parking
- Beds
- King Bed (5) : Four poster teak king size beds with deep comfortable mattresses in each bedroom
- Crib (2) : One wooden full size crib (age 0 - 3 years); one fold up smaller wooden crib (age 0 - 1 year)
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV (5) : Cable TV in lounge & bedrooms
- DVD
- VCR (5)
- Video Library: Extensive Video & DVD library
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library: Charged iPod dock connected into lounge & deck speakers
- Private Pool: 10' x 20' Depth 5' - 6'. Unguarded.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator (2) : Side by side fridge/freezer with water & ice dispenser. Additional fridge in bar
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available: Summer Heights is now offering a fully catered meal plan at an amazingly low cost. You don't pay for the chef - just the cost of the food. This add on service sets Summer Heights in a value class of its own.
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill: Gas BBQ
- Deck/Patio: 2 seating areas on deck. One chat centre under a retractable sun awning & one cocktail table and chairs overlooking the view.
- Balcony (2) : Upstairs bedrooms have a private balcony, with chairs.
- Lanai
- View/Location
- Ocean View
- Water View
- Communications
- Free Long Distance: Skype & MagicJack available on the computer
- Cell Phone (2) : 2 cell phones for local calls, with credit, provided for guest use. No charge for incoming calls & no charge for calls between the two phones. Guests can keep in contact with each other when out and about in different locations around the islands.
- Computer: DSL & WiFI connections
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Standby generator. Books & games. Computer with high-speed DSL + Wi-Fi & free Skype VoIP. Bar with refrigerator for drinks, cooler & beach chairs. Highchair for babies & toddlers. Double hammock, lounging chairs & loveseat under a retractable sun awning. Personal laundry is done by the housekeeper who visits once a week. With advance notice, groceries and drinks can be stocked at Summer Heights for your arrival. OR consider our all inclusive meal plan. Beauty treatments, massages and spa services may also be arranged.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly: Be aware that the swimming pool is unguarded.
- Smoking Not Allowed: Smoking allowed on the deck only please.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Other Activities
- A 4WD vehicle is recommended. All the sea and land activities that the BVI has to offer are a short distance from Summer Heights. Along with your own private pool for swimming, the beautiful beach at Long Bay is just a short distance away.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Rates shown are per week. Minimum stay 4 nights except holidays. Add 7% gov tax.
Winter 2010: 1-4 pers $4,600;5-6 pers $5,100; 7-8 pers $5,600; 9-10 pers $6,100
Summer 2009: 1-2pers$3200;3-4pers$3600;5-6pers$4100;7-8pers$4600;9-10pers$5100
Thanksgiving: 1-10 pers.. $ 5,100/wk.
Christmas/New Year: 10 nt minimum. 1-8 pers $7000 wk; 9-10 pers $8,000 per wk
Meal plan: $160pp per WEEK for 2 lunches & 3 dinners
Meal plan: $200pp per WEEK for 3 lunches & 5 dinners
Meal plan: $240pp per WEEK for 4 lunches & 6 dinners
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Map & Owner's Profile
Summer Heights - Peaceful Retreat and Spectacular Ocean Views
Year Purchased: 1997
Why the Owner Chose Havers
We chose to build Summer Heights on Havers mainly because of its central location, the constant breeze and the amazing views. We haven't been disappointed - the site is everything we hoped for and more! The ambiance is one of peace and tranquility. I can think of nothing better than sitting on the deck absorbing the ever changing vistas - I hope you will too!
The Unique Benefits at this Villa
To set Summer Heights apart from other excellent villas on Tortola, Barry & I decided to use the experience garnered over the past 25 years of running our 72’ charter yacht by offering an affordable culinary package here at Summer Heights.
Although I am not professionally trained in haute cuisine, I have always enjoyed cooking and eating in fine restaurants. Nowadays, there are few that can match my 25 year career as a charter chef. I have been a contributor of recipes to the ‘Ship to Shore’ series of cookbooks and the inspiration for the cook book ‘Simple Pleasures’ based on the culinary experience aboard Endless Summer II. Some minor cordon bleu courses have helped me with new ideas for menu planning and presentation. I do like to work with tropical fruits and local vegetables that impart a Caribbean flavour in my recipes.
The meal plan rates are per person and, depending on the number of meals you choose to have at the villa, range from $160 - $240 plus a 15% service charge. The package has been calculated on an at-cost food basis and without consideration of my own time. Because not everyone wants to get up early for breakfast, this meal is not included in the package. All you need for a casual “help yourself”continental style breakfast is provided. Every effort will be made to ensure the meal selection complies with the food dislikes and allergies declaration that I will request from you before arrival. The menus will always vary depending on the availability of ingredients and the mood of the day. This package is not to be confused with a full chef service where time and costs can amount to several hundred dollars for just one meal. Special requests outside of my normal fare are certainly possible but may incur added food cost. House wine is included with dinner but no other beverages are included in this package. Normal clean-up and loading dishwasher are also considered part of the service.
Owner's Map of Havers
We always had a sense of adventure and were lured away from England in the 1970's by the sea. We sailed across the Atlantic to the Caribbean in our 32' sailboat. Planning to be away for just one year, we never returned! Working as crew on charter yachts introduced us to the hospitality industry. When our daughter, Susanna, was born in 1986 settling in the beautiful British Virgin Islands, with their easy access to the US was a no-brainer! In the mid 90's we decided to build our villa Summer Heights. Situated on a hillside on the southern shore of Tortola with easy access to all attractions and with awesome views it has proved extremely popular with guests who return year after year. We would love to share our little bit of paradise with you and introduce you to "Nature's Little Secrets" - the hidden gems of the British Virgin Islands!
Property Photos
- View of the pool & shaded seating area - Tortola Vacation Villa
- Aerial view of Summer Heights - Tortola Vacation Villa
- Outside dining poolside - Tortola Vacation Villa
- West end of deck with bedrooms & hammock - view to Coral Bay, St John
- One of the deck level suites
- Entrance to Summer Heights
- Comfortable lounge
- Poolside suite
- Poolside bathroom
- East Deck bathroom
- Kitchen
- View from East balcony suite
Guest Comments (16)
First (10) of (16). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #160839
There have been 8902 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2007.
This listing was first published here in 2007.
Date last modified - November 04, 2009
Positive Rating
Melissa B. , Knightdale, NC
Positive Rating
T. Huang , Cambridge, MA
Positive Rating
Cathy M , Apex, NC
Positive Rating
Matt Bray , Releigh, NC
Positive Rating
Serena ,
Positive Rating
Positive Rating
David ,
Positive Rating
Mitu S. , Chicago, IL
Positive Rating
Dan , Frederick, MD
Positive Rating
We had a wonderful time at Summer Heights. The view was spectacular and very pretty. My favorite part of the trip was when we took the ferry to Jost Van Dyke and went to White Bay.