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Villa Zandoli and Ti Zan (Cottage).
The name "Zandoli" means "lizard" in the local French based creole spoken by the bi-lingual islanders on the beautiful island of St Lucia. This exotic house with its sensuous type of easy luxury and separate cottage - Ti Zan - set on an acre of hillside two minutes walk from the beach, combines the best of Caribbean architecture with a hint of the East, to create a villa of exceptional tropical flair, character and ambiance. With its typical West Indian woodwork, hand made Demerra and louvered windows, vaulted Indonesian style wooden shingled roofs, organic mix of natural stone, marble, wood and glass, burnt orange exterior, outdoor showers, stone and boulder enclosed pool set in lush gardens, and beautiful art collection, this stylish home provides a great location for an exceptional Caribbean villa experience.
The main house is designed around three pavilions on different levels, linked by enclosed bridges framing dramatic views. The handsome solidly built handmade wooden door introduces a hint of "old Spain" into the decor, incorporating massive handmade iron hindges and a pedestrian "window" with views into the main pavilion. The doorway opens into a 700 square foot, marble tiled sitting and dining area, capturing breathtaking panoramas of the Caribbean Sea and Pigeon Island - a historic National Park, home to the famous Jazz Festival held every May. This main room opens directly onto spacious decks overlooking the ocean, furnished with locally made cane-covered dining and rocking chairs, and a 10 foot long table - perfect for dining, listening to the surf, enjoying spectacular sunsets, or simply absorbing the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
The living room furniture is a blend of rustic Mexican and Balinese teak, mahogany and other hardwood pieces, complimented by an antique wooden Indian table fashioned from the sides of a horse drawn carriage. Modern lighting provided by scones, hand made terra cotta fixtures, chandeliers with an eastern flair and specialty drop lights over the dining table, provide soft lighting to this romantic room. The entire room is tiled in 18 by 18 inch italian marble tiles, each with its own tapestry of colour, set off with hand cut marble inlays, giving the entire room an elegant, yet relaxed feel.
A modern kitchen with rustic ambiance is fully equipped with all appliances. It opens directly onto the main deck - a favorite spot for eating meals and enjoying the ever changing seascape. Lightly stained cupboards lie both above and below tumbled marble covered countertops.
The second and third pavilions, flanking the main pavilion on either side, accommodate two equally appointed spacious Master Bedroom suites with unique, king-size four poster Balinese bamboo beds, and large, specialty stone titled bath areas with outdoor showers featuring 12 inch wide "rainheads", as well as bath tubs. Natural vines and ferns are introduced into the bathrooms which are titled in tumbled marble, slate and local stone for a real organic feel. Closets are lightly stained to compliment the tones of the stone and woodwork of each bathroom.
The third bedroom, the "garden suite" located at garden level, is an oasis of tranquility and peaceful relaxation; it is furnished with a queen-size bed with oriental bed-head, unique Mexican and Balinese furnishings and bathroom en-suite. The fourth bedroom is also downstairs. Each bedroom opens onto stunning views, and is appointed with ceiling fans and private patio leading directly to the pool and tropical gardens.
A large sunny room capturing spectacular views with TV (cable) and overstuffed Indonesian bamboo sofas is located at garden level in the main pavilion. This room opens onto a rustic stone-tiled pool patio featuring a wet bar and swimming pool surrounded by a sun deck framed by large boulders, vibrant tropical gardens and dramatic ocean vistas - a wonderful place - as one guest put it: "to sip Francesca's (the housekeeper) wonderful rum punch, and watch the spectacular sunset"! It is also a great spot for a barbeque, and a swim under the stars. The full moon is a time of special magic.
Ti Zan (Little Lizard)
Ti Zan, the separate guest cottage on the property is a perfect hideaway for two. Perched on the hillside above the main house, the views from Ti Zan are even more dramatic. The large covered veranda with its rocking chairs and cane chairs around a round wooden table, is a perfect spot for any meal, or any time. The deck opens onto a spacious open plan studio with queen-size bed, TV with cable, and kitchen tiled in earth toned tumbled marble. The floor to ceiling wooden louvers and large doors are designed to ensure that the drama of the view is fully captured within the cottage at all times. The shower area is unique. Tiled with local river and imported stone, the area is suspended outdoors with large traditional wooden windows flung wide open to embrace the view.The cottage may be booked with the main house, or separately.
Both Zandoli and Ti Zan were designed with a blend of modern and traditional architectural detailing of their roofs, eaves and windows to capture the most of the prevailing Trade Winds to ensure tropical, yet cool comfort, year round. Unique pieces of art featuring the work of Caribbean as well as artistes from Africa, China and the Middle East grace the rooms of the villa.
The beauty of Zandoli and its surroundings has provided the backdrop for weddings and honeymoons of several happy couples from Europe, the USA and Canada. A garden path, a favourite of all guests, winds through the bottom gardens and through a gate, to the beach and Pigeon Island, a great place for hiking, running, walking and exploring the history of the region.
Zandoli has been featured by Elegant Resorts (Europe), by the TV show Better Homes and Gardens (USA), by Island Life TV series, and many International Luxury villa Operators. |
