Mustique

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At a Glance

This former cotton warehouse and sugar mill was the first collaboration between Caribbean architect Oliver Messel, who made his mark on Barbados, and Mustique’s main architect Arne Hasselqvist.

Indagare Loves

• Stylish accommodations that mix traditional plantation-style antiques with global accents
• Child-friendly duplex suites perfect for families who don’t book a villa
• Pampering spa for relaxing afternoon massages

Review

Oliver Messel and Arne Hasselqvist teamed up in the late 1960s to transform the structures of this former warehouse and mill into a small hotel called Cotton House. Then, it was the island’s only hotel, and it’s where Basil Charles first tended bar on the island. Today, it remains the only true hotel and has been glammed up by Parisian hotelier Grace Leo Andrieu of the Lancaster. She brought not only her elegant touch to the design but took over the hotel management, bringing in first-class chefs and adding a spa and beach café. The great room in the main house resembles the living room of a globe-trotting islander with treasured objects mixing in with plantation-style antiques. The twenty-some guest rooms now have every amenity you’d expect at a five-star hotel, yet they manage to feel more like beach house accommodations than anything fussy. The options include bedrooms in a hillside annex, free-standing cottages, suites by the sea and the Cotton Hill Residence, a two-bedroom house with its own large pool and dedicated butler. A stay here is a great way to get a feeling for the island, especially since the weekly cocktail party serves as an informal meet-and-greet for everyone in residence.

Who Should Stay

Couples or families who want the Mustique experience but don’t require the space of a villa. The Cotton House is also a good choice for those who are joining friends in a villa but prefer to have private accommodations.

Author

• Melissa Biggs Bradley