Life is sweet at The Tides Sugar Beach

There is a certain exclusivity about the South of the island of St Lucia that the North cannot quite capture. It may have something to do with its absence of large towns, and perhaps the fact is connected to why it’s smaller communities are so relaxed, welcoming and friendly.

Perhaps it’s the squiggly roads which wind around ancient volcanic hills that help retain the charm and perpetuate the inaccessibility and privacy of the South. Or perhaps it’s those grand dames of volcanoes themselves – Gros Piton and Petit Piton that grace the South Western coast – two towering cones of majestic rock that dominate the skyline.

These volcanoes and the lush valley that hangs like a lazy hammock between them are part of a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site which includes a perfect white sand cove and the best scuba diving and snorkelling on the island where the volcanoes descend into the sea.

It is also the ultra exclusive home to the world renowned and much loved Jalousie Plantation resort. Ask any St Lucian or wealthy visitor about Jalousie and their gaze will turn wistful and a knowing smile will course across their face. For this is St Lucia at its best, and soon it will be better still.

Jalousie Plantation is in the process of a US$100million renovation. The resort will be rebranded as The Tides Sugar Beach and on completion in 2011 will offer 5 star hotel and spa facilities, three new top quality restaurants and an extended white sand beach. The traditional St Lucian wood cabanas in which guests stay are to be modestly extended to reflect their Heritage Site status and transformed into 85 luxurious white and pastel villas and offered for sale to those who value this truly exclusive location.

The freehold villas range in size from 1,064ft² to 2,272ft² and each is fully furnished and comes with its own private plunge pool and sensational views of the ocean and the iconic Pitons. No other building permissions will be granted on the 192 acres of rainforest and pristine beaches which will ensure there is no risk of over-development.

The properties will include one bedroom villa (from $700,000) one bedroom deluxe villas (from $705,000) two bedroom deluxe villas (from $1,410,000) and two bedroom superior deluxe villas (from $1,685,000).

The Tides Sugar Beach will be the first Caribbean development to be managed by Los Angeles-based Kor Hotel Group, operator of The Tides, an elite brand with resorts in the world’s most desirable locations. The Tides brand is synonymous with luxury and owners will have full use of all the facilities of the resort and can enjoy the benefits of being a Tides hotel guest. These benefits will include a 24 hour butler service, 3 gourmet restaurants, a late night bar, swimming pools, a Rainforest spa, a scuba diving centre, a children’s club and a beach club and lounge located on the beautiful white sands.

Marco Bonini, Sales Director of Sugar Beach Villas says: “Buying a villa at Sugar Beach is a great investment. Owners may use the property for four weeks of the year with their villa forming part of the rental pool for the remainder of the year. The developer then guarantees the owner a minimum 5% pa return immediately on completion and for the whole of the first year of operation.

“Owners will receive a 37.5% share of the total hotel room revenue which will be pooled between the properties. The amount is taken directly from the room rate without any deductions and is split between the owners proportionately according to the purchase price of their villa, set at project launch.”

Another great incentive for UK buyers is that the dollar exchange rate can be fixed a $1.72 to the £ for a limited period of time which offers a fantastic saving compared with current exchange rates which are closer to $1.45. If you combine this with the fact that comparable properties in Barbados are 30-40% higher, then buying at Sugar Beach makes great sense.

Marco Bonini continues: “This is definitely an ‘investment without the worries’ option. The initial outlay at Sugar Beach may be slightly higher than for other developments in St Lucia, but because of the high standard of facilities, maintenance and management and its fantastic location, rental yields are likely to be 50-60% higher.”

Another incentive for property investors is that they do not have to pay Capital Gains, Inheritance tax or VAT in St Lucia. A tax efficient way to buy property is to form a local company. Whilst Directors require an Aliens Land Holding License, the Vendors tax (payable on the selling price of a property) which is 10% for foreigners, is reduced to a share of Transfer tax of only 0.5% if the property is the only asset belonging to the company.

There are direct scheduled flights from London Gatwick, Manchester, Toronto, Montreal, Miami, Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta making St Lucia more accessible for those wishing to invest in a second property or retirement home. It also means that tourist traffic for the discerning traveller is now at its highest ever, resulting in higher rental returns and property appreciation, for those who choose to invest here now.

Marco Bonini concludes: “The international airport is only 35 minutes from Sugar Beach this part of the island still feels like its just been discovered. When I arrive at the ridge of the Val des Pitons and look over the glorious bay, for me it is the most beautiful spot in the Caribbean. There is no doubt that the South of St Lucia has a very special exclusivity and charm, but if a buyer wants the best on the island then without doubt, Jalousie Plantation’s transformation and tie-in with The Tides will make Sugar Beach the cleverest investment in the Caribbean too.”

For further information please contact Lisa Basire at Sugar Beach Villas on +44 (0)20 8812 4773 or visit www.sugarbeachvillas.com