10 Years, 12 Nights, 6 Hotels, ONE LOVE - April 2012 Trip Report

[Hubby-man]

I have been asked several times during our trip to describe Villa Sur mer. I tried, as some of you know, but now I finally have the time to think about the right words.

Our first impression was Kimmi the manager, who I knew from an email that had come moments before our departure. It said:” It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been upgraded to the honey moon suite. How is that for a start?” - Pretty damn great!

All our dealings with Peter, the owner and now Kimmy, previous to our trip, had been extraordinary. The courtesy extended to us was beyond what anyone could ever expect. So naturally I am somewhat prejudiced in their favor. Still I believe that I am not exaggerating in saying, that our welcome at Villa Sur Mer was the warmest and most relaxing one I have ever had at any hotel.

At first glance the grounds were beautiful, but not radically different from what one might expect. We were standing next to our suitcases in the midday heat with full Bay Area gear, jeans, jackets and all. The sunlight from almost straight above was blinding. All I could see were pitch black shadows and bleached out bright spots.

When the aperture of my pupils adjusted and my eyes focused, I found myself in a spa like environment with unusual twists and turns. A dark wooden fence lines the property. The houses were also framed with the same very darkly tinted wood. This provided a uniquely ideal background for the tropical plants, which shone with unusual green vigor against the black backdrop.

One quickly had the impression every plant and even every leaf had been arranged individually, just to make the whole more beautiful - much like a drip-painting by Jackson-Pollock: utterly random and yet carefully composed.

Every palm frawn seemed to be curving over the pathways between the houses in just such a way, as to allow a person to pass below it with a pleasant breath of space between. The garden sort of gently caresses the person walking through, giving shade and just brimming with beauty and color.





I later learned this was indeed no accident as I found countless branches and frawns gently tied together using their own fiber, as to conform to someone’s delicate and deliberate vision of height, proportion and design.

Between the black framings all walls were freshly whitewashed. All Elements in concert, the place had the appearance of a Japanese Zen Temple, a perfect Harmony of architecture, nature and light. I almost did not dare touch any part of the beautiful composition.


(Honeymoon suite)

While the amazing honeymoon suite was presented to us we collected a small entourage.
• Kimmi the manager, wiping the tears out of her face Daisy's own tears had caused her to cry (This will not be the only time this happens on this trip)
• Richard, the concierge, who explained more remote controls to me than I had ever seen in one room,
• Jonalee the house keeper, who assured us that we were in good hands, and,
• from outside the window Shakespeare (“Shakes”), the gardener, was peeping in, curious about all the commotion.

Kimmy warned us about Shakes obsession with his home-made broom and told us to halt him, should he not quit with the sweeping at 6 am outside the bedroom window.

Shakes, overhearing the slight, mouthed “I-don't-know-what-she's-talking-about” and continued sweeping.