Villa Bahari

Villa Bahari is a three-bedroom beachfront villa at Shore Point on Cupecoy Beach, on the Dutch side's Gold Coast, with a private pool and deck that open straight onto the sand. It suits couples or a small family who want the beach in the morning and the island's nightlife a few minutes away in the evening.

The draw at Bahari is the direct access. The pool and deck sit above the sand with a private way down to Cupecoy Beach, a quiet, sheltered stretch below the cliffs where you can swim and snorkel without a crowd. One honest note worth knowing: Cupecoy is a clothing-optional beach, which keeps it low-key and uncommercial.

Inside, the three bedrooms each have their own en-suite bath, comfortable for up to six, with a contemporary island look throughout. There is a practical touch most beach villas skip: a dedicated office with a computer and printer, for the traveler who needs to stay reachable for an hour before heading back to the water. A sauna adds to the wind-down.

From the terrace the ocean runs to the horizon, which is the reason to take morning coffee slowly and to stay out for the sunset. The house can be booked as two or three bedrooms, so a couple can keep it small.

Cupecoy puts you in the heart of the Dutch side. Casinos, dining, and nightlife are all a short drive, and for dinner Jax Steakhouse over at Maho Village is an easy, lively pick a few minutes away. Our concierge can book the table and point you to the best of the evening.

Low-season weeks start at $5,950 for the three bedrooms. By late afternoon the pattern is set: a swim in the pool above Cupecoy Beach, the private path down to the sand, and the lights of the Dutch side flickering on a few minutes away.