Summer Heights is a 5-minute drive from the sailor's bars, restaurants and shops at the well protected harbor of Nanny Cay. Soper's Hole, with more nautical restaurants, bars, shopping, nightlife and the ferry dock is a scenic 10 minute drive. Road Town is a 10-15 minute drive in the opposite direction. Swimming and snorkeling at the north shore beaches of Long Bay, Carrot Bay and Smuggler's Cove, are a 10-15 minute drive through the scenic green hills that separate the north and south shores of Tortola.

DESIGN. This is a spacious and very attractive 2-level design that consists of 3 adjoining buildings that are connected by covered walkways and coral stone tiled decks. The entrance and parking area is above the house so you descend a flight of tiled stairs to the enclosed courtyard and pool deck. The first building on your right as you enter onto the courtyard is the kitchen and a half bath. The next building, which connects to the kitchen, contains the great room (living area). The 2-level building to the right of the living area contains 4 equal bedrooms, with 2 on the lower level and 2 on the upper level. The stairs and entryway separate Summer Heights from the housekeepers (owners) quarters.

KITCHEN / LIVING / DINING. The gourmet kitchen is just off the pool deck. This is a well-equipped kitchen with a gas grill, microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher, as well as a bread maker, expresso machine, ice cream maker, food processor and blender. Just off the kitchen is a wet bar that will be set up for your arrival with drinks and a fruit platter. The dining table and barbeque grill are outside the kitchen under a covered deck. A curved glass wall separates the comfortable great room from the kitchen. This living area contains a TV, VCR, multi disc CD changer, DVD player, and a movie and music collection. There is also a high speed DSL line for your laptop and an inter-villa intercom.

BEDROOMS. The four equal sized, fully screened bedrooms (4 queen beds) are decorated in pretty ocean pastels and shell pinks and all have excellent ocean views. Interior stairs lead to the 2 bedrooms on the upper level, which have vaulted ceilings and private balconies, while the 2 lower bedrooms open to tiled decks. Each bedroom features its own telephone, TV, VCR, radio and coffeemaker. As with the rest of this villa, the trade winds provide plenty of cooling breezes.

CARIBBEAN VILLAS' VIEW. This very colorful and pretty, Caribbean-styled villa is as enjoyable as it is attractive. The location, design, furnishings, beautiful views and over all excellent condition of this villa is more than enough to earn our recommendation as a good choice for families or couples. But this home has a bonus feature; the owner's of Summer Heights live in the adjoining home. Often we regard nearby owner's as an undesirable feature that impairs privacy and full enjoyment of the villa. But in the case of Summer Heights, the owner's presence is a plus that will enhance your enjoyment of the villa and the B.V.I.'s. First, the owners maintain Summer Heights in near new condition, as the photos show. Second, the owners are in the tourism business. They own and operate the Endless Summer II, a 72' charter sailboat that sails in the BVI's, and does "uncovered" (nude) cruises. For the past 20 plus years they have welcomed guests to Tortola, and have worked hard to insure that their guests return year after year. The owners are aware of, and respect, the villa guests desire for privacy and their need to enjoy themselves. After 20 years of guiding visitors through the B.V.I's, the owners also know all the best restaurants, beaches, bars and snorkel and dive spots on Tortola and the B.V.I's. If they're not out sailing, you'll enjoy having these people nearby and sharing their knowledge and advise on how to discover the many delights of the B.V.I.s.

RENTAL NOTE: Your personal laundry is done by the housekeeper.

Photos 5, 6 and 7 are by Don Hebert.