After binge-watching The Crown on Netflix, I found myself utterly fascinated with Princess Margaret's life. Oh, how fabulous it must have been to flit back and forth between London and Barbados---a life of scandalous escapades, whispered romances, and endless champagne. While we peasants were grappling with overcrowded buses, she was escaping the dreary London fog to her private Caribbean paradise.
Barbados: The Gateway to Royal Escapes
Princess Margaret wasn't simply jetting to Barbados to sip pina coladas under a palm tree---though I'm sure plenty of that happened too. For her, Barbados was the gateway to Mustique, the tiny, private island where she could let her hair down, far away from cameras and judgmental headlines. She visited mostly in winter, escaping the chill and embracing the exclusivity of a place where royalty, celebrities, and billionaires mingled. Mustique became her secret playground, a sanctuary from the pressures of royal life, her marriage troubles, and the ever-nosy British press.
The Mystery of Mustique
Naturally, I had to know more about this elusive island, so I started digging. To my surprise, Mustique isn't exactly a destination you'll stumble upon while browsing Traveloka or Tripadvisor. No quirky reviews like, "5 stars for the quiet beach, minus 2 stars because Brad Pitt blocked my sunset view." Even Booking.com skips it, though Agoda gave a little whisper about accommodations there. Why? Because Mustique isn't your run-of-the-mill tourist trap---it's a private island, dripping in exclusivity.
To visit Mustique, you either rent one of its absurdly luxurious villas, book into its singular boutique hotel, or get invited by someone fabulously wealthy. Property owners include A-list celebrities like Mick Jagger and, once upon a time, David Bowie. Fun fact: Bowie owned a stunning Indonesian-inspired villa there. Yes, even rock gods appreciate Balinese tranquillity while sipping Caribbean rum.
Princess Margaret's Les Jolies Eaux
But the crown jewel of Mustique? That would be Les Jolies Eaux, Princess Margaret's villa. She didn't just stumble onto this dreamlike retreat---she was gifted the plot of land in 1960 by Colin Tennant, the flamboyant 3rd Baron Glenconner. Tennant had bought the entire island in 1958 for a laughable 45,000 pounds and was developing it into a playground for the elite. As a wedding gift to Margaret, he handed her a piece of paradise.
The villa, completed in the late 1960s, was designed by the renowned Oliver Messel, a theatrical set designer turned architect. Messel infused Les Jolies Eaux with his signature mix of elegance and romance. Picture dreamy verandas, sweeping terraces, and views that seem straight out of a fairytale. The villa itself sprawled over 4,05 hectares, offering the Princess unparalleled privacy and jaw-dropping vistas of the Caribbean Sea.
Of course, the Tennants were central to Margaret's time on the island. Colin Tennant was a larger-than-life figure who knew how to throw a party---and his wife, Anne Tennant, was one of Margaret's closest confidantes. Together, they made Mustique the perfect blend of escapism and indulgence.
Why Les Jolies Eaux Became Available to Plebs (Sort Of)
Margaret bequeathed the villa to her children, David Linley and Lady Sarah Chatto. By then, maintaining such a property was no longer practical, and they sold it before Margaret died in 2002. Today, Les Jolies Eaux is available for rent---if your wallet can handle it.
The Cost of Living Like Royalty
If you want to stay at Les Jolies Eaux, prepare to cough up anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000 per week. Yes, per week. But what do you get for such an outrageous sum?
- The entire villa (no sharing with strangers, darling)
- A private pool overlooking the Caribbean
- A full villa staff, including a chef, housekeeper, and butler ready to cater to your every whim
- Gorgeous terraces, lush gardens, and panoramic sea views
- Access to Mustique's exclusive amenities---tennis courts, beaches, and glamorous social events
