Staying in Villa African Queen is a waking daydream, an opportunity to inhabit a world that is entirely your own. Filled with exotic treasures from the owners’ travels in Africa, the luxury rental transports guests into a cinematic experience, a feeling of being the starring character in a movie. It is little wonder that the villa is frequented by actors, artists, writers, musicians, and other creative types.

Villa African Queen was designed by artists whose goal was to make their guests themselves feel like queens and kings during their vacation on the island. The design is unique on St. Barth—rather than the usual clean lines, whitewashed walls, and minimalist geometry, the prevailing spirit is earthy, freeform, and sumptuous. The fuchsia bougainvillea trailing up the exterior walls complements their soft terra-cotta color, and the palette inside is no less beguiling. Accented by zebra-print rugs, vividly printed couch cushions, and plumes of feathers in lieu of flowers, the villa conveys a spirit of exploration, but exploration done in style, of course.

The lagoon is on view from the freeform, rock-edged swimming pool—at 90 feet long, the largest private pool on St. Barth—and a sliver of sea reveals itself when you go up to the newly built wooden deck with a hammock. But the sea views are almost beside the point when the visual delights inside are so delightful.

Spread over 22,000 seductive square feet of living space on one easy level, Villa African Queen provides ample privacy. The first bedroom is in the main house. The second and third bedroom are in separate bungalow near the main house, and fourth occupies a newly built cottage that has its own kitchenette bathroom and parking area. The rooms all have king or queen beds, ensuite bathrooms, and private terraces.