TravelOn the Island of St. Barths, This Stunning Oceanfront Villa Stands AloneOnce owned by Rudolf Nureyev—who hosted the likes of Grace Kelly and Jackie O—the home is now managed by Hotel Le Toiny

By Samuel Cochran

January 20, 2022

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Villa Nureyev’s terrace features 3,000 square feet of space, cantilevered out over the Caribbean, with 180-degree sea and coast views, and an infinity pool.All photos are courtesy of Villa Nureyev/Yotam Sandak

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The Caribbean paradise that is St. Barths suffers no shortage of swank accommodations, from luxury resorts to sleek, contemporary villas. But one home stands alone, and quite literally at that. Tucked between a well-trafficked road and the so-called côte sauvage, a wild stretch of coast known for its hypnotic thrum of wind and waves, there sits a single house. Low-slung and discreet though it may be—with a gated driveway, privacy wall, and barely a street-facing window—the residence is known to all on the island on account of its extraordinary perch and perseverance. Whereas neighbors were hit hard by Hurricane Irma, this property emerged only scratched. As of recently, the four-bedroom retreat has fallen under the expert care of the nearby Hotel Le Toiny, through which it is now available for rent—with breakfast service and beach-club access at that.

The pool offers unparalleled views of the Caribbean.

Those in the know will also recognize the home on account of its extraordinary pedigree. Originally built by a lieutenant of the United States Navy, the residence was purchased, furnishings and all, in 1990 by the ballet legend Rudolf Nureyev, whose exquisite taste has been well documented in the pages of Architectural Digest. Local lore has it that the Soviet-born dancer, who famously defected at Paris’s Le Bourget airport, wanted a terrace so broad he could dance on the water. Thus, he installed generous timber decking along the daisy chain of rooms, which today include a sauna and freestanding guest suite. 

There are two masters and a separate suite with its own deck and small pool.

Outdoor stairs now descend to a pool, hot tub, and a second strata of living spaces, among them a massage room and lounge. In the rocky embankments that overlook the shore, meanwhile, Nureyev is said to have dug a space to the dimensions of his body, so that he could snooze snugly beside the surf.

Much of the space is filled with original, whimsical decor.

His spirit permeates the property to this day. Shipshape rooms clad in dark wood boards call to mind not only the hull of a boat but the dachas of his native soil. Crystal chandeliers twinkle in the sun and sway in the breeze. (Because the house is cleverly nestled into the terrain, with one main exposure, the wind doesn’t sweep through the interiors.) Much of the furniture is original, including the living room’s upright piano, which Nureyev used to wheel onto the terrace for gatherings with friends. Notable guests included Grace Kelly, Marie Helène de Rothschild, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. According to Nureyev biographer Julie Kavanagh, the former first lady didn’t quite get the vibe, telling a mutual acquaintance: “If Rudolf invites you to visit, say no.” With all due respect, Jackie O, for once, you don’t know what’s good. And ultimately, the home wasn’t meant for others. Nureyev kept to himself, absorbed in his daily rituals, whether morning walks to the natural swimming pool Grand Fond or alfresco naps. Written on the wall of the house today is a quote by the dancer that, translated from French, reads: “I am not made to live in society, it is artificial.” For lucky guests, there’s no more magical place to both escape and embrace the world.

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