Tortola Villas

Distillery

Distillery is located in Greenbank Estate, Tortola. (more photos)

The eight lush acres of tropical paradise on which The Distillery stands are steeped in over two colorful centuries of West Indian history. Formerly an indigo plantation, a sugar cane plantation, then a rum distillery until the 1950s, this magnificent estate is now welcoming privileged guests. The Distillery is built as two modern pavilions set among original stonework ruins, now converted into whimsical areas and incorporated into the fantastic gardens.

The main house is a classic Caribbean Great House with hip roofs, wood-louver shuttered windows and a shaded wraparound verandah with hardwood flooring, affording sitting areas for relaxation, conversation and cocktails, and alfresco dining with cool tradewinds and a sea view on the horizon.

The Great Room is the heart of this villa, a comfortable central gathering place with 20-foot ceilings, sitting areas, a wet bar, the kitchen and powder room and just outside, an elegant alcove for dining, with a large glass-topped Florentine "Palm" dining table and colonial-styled chairs from the Philippines, and huge tropical hardwood and glass doors which can be open or closed to the tradewinds as you desire. This dining alcove is embraced by a stand of tropical greenery just outside, providing an exotic, yet intimate area for dining. The Great Room is open, cool and full of light, with views of the gardens, sea and sky framed by large windows and french doors. If you prefer to dine casually indoors, there's an upholstered corner settee with a table right off the kitchen and two other dining areas, one inside the Great Room and the other on the front verandah nearer the pool. A beautifully-done bar is conveniently at hand in one corner of the Great Room, offering a wet bar, mini-fridge and a collection of barware.

On the main villa's upper level, accessed by a staircase outside the Great Room, is the "Burd's Nest" Suite, with a king bed (or two twins) and a full bath. This suite boasts its own private sitting room, actually a gallery which looks down into the Great Room - a quiet spot for reading.

Just outside, a pair of hand carved wood gryphons guard the entry to the main villa. A few stairs lead from the main villa down to the pool and pavilion, where a large pool (heated, if you wish) with a fountain is set into a green lawn bordered by vivid island flora and tall trees. The pool pavilion is equipped with a wet bar, gas grill and mini-fridge, and furnished for poolside dining. Below the pool and sun deck are acres of meadow where the two house donkeys graze; William and Nelly roam this pastureland with three sheep and a handful of chickens.

On the garden level of the main villa, below the Great Room, is the Blue and White Suite, a spacious bedroom with two full beds and a sitting area, well-furnished in fine wicker and antique pieces. This suite offers early risers a coffeemaker and a mini-fridge, and a wet bar for nightcaps; just outside is a covered verandah.

A stonework walkway threaded through the gardens leads to The Distillery's nearby cottage, which comprises the secluded master suite on the upper level, and the study on the garden level. The master suite is a charming and private space, with a four-poster king bed and a private wraparound balcony under the trees. Below this suite is the very private study, which is equipped with media, an office space, a full bath and a living room with a single daybed, all showcased by a colorful handpainted mural.

Adjacent to the main villa and cottage are native stone ruins which date back to 1620; a large garden wall bisects the magnificent landscaping, and is festooned in a riot of colorful bougainvillea flowers, climbing vines, ferns and a stately traveler palm tree.

The adjacent old stone building, which housed a former rum barrel warehouse, has been converted into a whimsical English-type pub, the "Pig's Eye Pub," where a snooker table, working jukebox and fancy bar promise some entertaining hours. Above is an exotic garden bower where Caribbean plants grow lushly within the old stone and brick walls, a wonderful spot furnished for quiet conversation or cocktails, distinguished by a floor paved with ships' ballast bricks and old coppers which boiled down sugar cane in bygone days and today serve as planters and a fountain. Behind is an equipped exercise alcove, if you must work out while on vacation, with satellite TV and an exotic alfresco shower set in a secluded fern garden.

The Distillery's old furnaces and grinding presses are still on the property, recalling the old West Indies of centuries past. Above the main villa and cottage is a walkway lined with mahogany trees which leads to The Distillery's tennis court and a gazebo for spectators.

The Distillery is 800 feet above the sea. Due to the slope of the hillside which funnels constant cool breezes onto the property, there is simply no need for air-conditioning (and in winter, you should bring something long sleeved for evenings). Although just a short drive to Road Town, and to the white sand of scenic Brewers Bay Beach just below the estate, we found it very difficult to leave this Eden...don't miss a chance to spend some sunny days and starry nights at this one-of-a-kind villa property.

Lydia, The Distillery's housekeeper and cook, will prepare and serve for you 7 meals per rental week (5 lunches and 2 evening dinners, or 7 lunches). Her talents are included in The Distillery's rental rates; you pay for all your groceries and beverages, and Lydia will work her kitchen magic for you (except on Sundays). Dinners must be served no later than 8 p.m., please. In addition, a complimentary breakfast buffet will be set out for you every morning (except Sundays) from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m, and includes mixed fruit, breads, jams and other spreads, dry cereal, milk, orange juice, eggs, ground coffee and teas. You prepare your own breakfasts and dine at the pre-set table. This buffet, including all breakfast provisions, is also included in The Distillery's rental rates.

Lydia will also provision The Distillery with your groceries and drinks for your arrival day (please provide Island Hideaways your shopping list at least 15 days in advance!) She will also shop for your groceries once daily, which is also included in your rental (you pay the cost of the groceries purchased). Her hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturdays - please note that Lydia is not available from noon onwards on Saturdays, or on Sundays. However, on weekdays when she is preparing and serving an evening's dinner, her hours are then 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and approximately 5:45 pm to 10 p.m., in order to accommodate your dinner service.

photos by Mark Callanan

AMENITIES

+ Hillside location
+ 4 bedrooms (up to 7 guests)
+ 4.5 bathrooms
+ Pool
+ More

PRICING

+ Rates for Distillery
+ Rates for all Tortola Villas