Inside Princess Margaret’s former Caribbean party villa

By NATALIA DIDOVICH From Stuff

She was a royal known for having a good time and now you can holiday like a royal by renting Princess Margaret’s stunning former party villa on Mustique.

For between US$20,500 (NZ$28,354) and US$35,000 (NZ$48,409) a week, guests can stay in the luxurious Les Jolies Eaux, which was given to the rebel royal as a wedding gift in 1960.

The stylish Caribbean island villa has often been referred to as the Princess’s favourite home where she retreated to escape the pressures of the royal life for 30 years.

The luxurious getaway boasts five ensuite bedrooms, two swimming pools, a media room and princess-approved indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Designed by Oliver Messel in 1971, the four-hectare property has five permanent household staff, including a chef and a butler, and can cater for up to 10 guests at a time.

Guests at Les Jolies Eaux also have access to two Kawasaki Mules (lightweight utility vehicles) to help them explore the 5.7 square kilometre island – if they feel it necessary to tear themselves away from the villa’s panoramic views of the Atlantic.

The villa’s history isn’t without scandal. Former owner Colin Tennant introduced the princess to Roddy Llewellyn, who she later entered into an affair with.

Although Princess Margaret last visited her beloved villa in 1989, the property remained in the royal family until 1998.

It was then sold to its current owners who conducted a pricey renovation project to ensure the modernity of the villa.

The small Caribbean island is a popular holiday spot for the rich and famous and has boasted many A-list visitors including the Duchess of Cambridge’s family, Mick Jagger and David Bowie.
IMAGES:
Princess Margaret, seen here with the Queen Mother, used the villa as an escape from royal life.
REUTERS

The villa boasts panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
LES JOLIES EAUX

You and your friends could sit back and relax in the spacious living room.
LES JOLIES EAUX

Dine like a royal in the one of the villa’s many dining areas.
LES JOLIES EAUX

The villa’s pool-side dining pavilion gives eating out a whole new meaning.
LES JOLIES EAUX

The luxury residence has two swimming pools including this beauty.
LES JOLIES EAUX

The 12 metre pool looks directly out to the Atlantic Ocean.
LES JOLIES EAUX

The perfect place to write your own Princess diary?
LES JOLIES EAUX

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