For the purposes of this review - I will show you my own personal photos of Indochine. Please keep in mind that my personal photos are not the "showtime" images and represent the way Indochine looked after we sampled it. If you rent Indochine, it will be immaculately prepared for your arrival and you'll be greeted with the "showtime" effect, which is more accurately reflected in the images on the managing agent's site found here: http://www.mclaughlinanderson.com/villawebpage.cfm?curunitid=335&curbegdate=2006-09-19&curenddate=2006-09-26&cursortby=OccupancyMax&curresultsbegin=1&curguests=2&cursearchislandids=&curdisplaytype=search. The McLaughlin Anderson site also features 360 degree imaging of the rooms, terraces and views. You'll have to check that out to really get the effect.

I can say that this villa looked even better "in person" than in the professional images or in my images.

Indochine is a serene sanctuary nestled in one of the most beautiful areas of St Thomas, Estate Harmony. This is a lovely residential community on the North side of the island, featuring the much-desired cooling Atlantic Ocean breezes and down-island views, and is perched over the most beautiful little sandy beach (Sunsi Bay) that is accessible via a tropical path from the villa.

Indochine is one of those villas that is a destination unto itself. Relatively speaking, it is on the more expensive side of the spectrum¡Ksomething in the area of $11k/wk in low season and $13k/wk in high. It is also well booked, so you're best advised to lock-in your choice for your desired dates as soon as you are able.

I'm not surprised about the rental rate or the popularity of this villa. Clearly, the focus here is on luxury and experience. The theme is elegantly antique Asian with a touch of antique West Indian (strong focus on elegance).

I asked Indochine's deliciously handsome chef, Gustavo, about reaching Sunsi Bay Beach on foot via the path. He said it would take about 30 minutes to hike down, but perhaps an hour or slightly more to hike back since it is a fairly steep climb. I think I'll have to return and ask him to take me to the beach on the path so I can see for myself¡K.and if I happen to feel faint trying to climb back up, he'll be there to carry me (sigh)¡K.ok, enough fantasizing about Gustavo (for now). Let's get back to fantasizing about Indochine.

Sunsi Bay Beach

Personally, I am not a huge fan of Asian design, which I believe is because most novice decorators don't do it well or maybe because I often encounter the more modern Asian designs, and prefer antiques. Indochine, however, was a complete departure from what I thought I knew (and disliked) about Asian design. It felt tropical, yet refined and serene. Absent were the eye-popping Caribbean colors (aside from the garden areas), which are replaced with warm mahogany and teak. Indochine invites us to become receptive, to empty the mind of limiting preconceptions and to harmonize and flow of nature.

We spent time in the library, which is a very large room with polished mahogany floors and a beautiful desk, outfitted with computer keyboard - wireless DSL access is available throughout this villa. There's a printer/scanner/copier. This room, which can be made up to function as a fourth bedroom suite, also houses a full bath, a Cybex electric exercise bike and Gravitron assisted-weight pull-up machine. Top-quality exercise equipment is a relatively rare find in Caribbean villas, so make note of this one if work-out options are on your "wish list" for villa amenities.

The air-conditioned living room features a beautiful settee and a media center with 34 in. flat screen TV (with cable) and DVD system tucked into an elegant armoire. I found that the settee back reclines to a degree that is more appropriate for relaxing and philosophical contemplation than TV watching, which is what you'll probably want to do anyway. But, for die-hard TV watchers, this is worth noting. You could probably use the pillows to prop yourself up, if desired.

On the east side of the living room are tall, arched French doors which open to a roofed and tiled terrace, and on the west side, french doors lead to the sheltered alfresco garden lanai. It was here, on the westerly lanai retreat, that we found the piece de resistance of this home, antique Balinesian teak daybeds swathed in white netting. Bring your book, your cocktail and your ability to forget the world as you'll surely feel removed from everything ordinary. The lanai features ceiling fans, romantic lighting and tranquil rock gardens. Honestly, the daybeds on the lanai were whispering for me to go wrap myself in a silk sarong and come lounge with a cosmopolitan while Gustavo prepares dinner. I suppose this is exactly why this is the perfect villa in which to enjoy the luxury of a chef and caretaker. You'll not feel up to doing much, if anything, for yourself.

There's an air-conditioned dining room seating eight, for evenings when you want a diversion from poolside service.

The kitchen is Gustavo's temple, lined with chef-quality appliances such as a large stainless steel commercial refrigerator/freezer, a butcher block chef's table, triple sinks, an 8-burner Vulcan professional range with double ovens and a griddle top, etc¡KIf you are into culinary arts, you'll be impressed¡K.if you just want to dine and enjoy, you'll be impressed anyway. The size and appointments of this kitchen will give you the immediate hint that you're in for a treat. Here, you'll also find the antique Indian hand-painted kitchen table.

This villa features three air-conditioned bedroom/bath suites; the Taoist philosophy of living simply in harmony with nature being an obviously major influence. Each bed is draped in white netting and enveloped in cotton bedding and an all-organic mattress. Tranquility was immediately evident. You'll sleep well, no doubt.

The queen suite has French doors which open out to the east terrace, while the king suite opens to a green lawn, not easily found in the VI. All beds featured pillow-views of the ocean and islands beyond. The king suite features an alfresco shower lined in bamboo. This shower, however, does not offer an ocean view.

French doors lead from the king suite out to a patio, where a staircase descends through landscaping to the oceanfront pool and hot tub featuring a down-island view to Grass, Mingo and Thatch Cays, and Congo and Lovango islets, and islands of St. John, Tortola and Jost Van Dyke beyond.

There's a path leading from the pool to the meditation pavilion, where you are invited to focus on self-cultivation, your responsibility to your own soul. On the meditation pavilion, there's another sumptuous daybed¡K..the perfect place to release and renew! This pavilion also features the majestic views mentioned above and in my photos.

Services: As mentioned, Indochine features a private chef in residence, Gustavo, who hails from the Dominican Republic. I had heard that Gustavo didn't speak English, but we conversed just fine, in English, about his culinary delights. He assured me that he can cook in many different cuisines. I wish I had a picture of him - handsome and ruggedly sexy - not exactly what I think of when I think "chef", much better! Husbands: if your wives are planning a "girl's trip" to STT and mention staying at Indochine, better check into it! - and then call me so I can go along (as a chaperone, ya know?) 😉

Note: your rental rate includes 5 meals per week and you'll pay for the groceries used to prepare your meals. Any additional meals you'd like Gustavo to cook for you will be charged at $50 for each extra continental breakfast, and $100 (for 1-4 persons) or $150 (for 5-8 persons) for each additional full (cooked) breakfast, lunch or dinner, plus the cost of your groceries.

There is also a housekeeper in residence, Alba.

In summary, this is a fabulous villa and surely tops the charts for luxury and elegance in the VI. The private staff in residence pushes this one beyond most others on these islands and caters to the traveler for whom service is important. Indochine offers you the opportunity to transcend beyond the self-catering villa vacation and combine luxury resort amenities with the privacy and serenity of this Zen inspired sophisticated sanctuary.