There are many places one can go on vacation, whether you choose to stay stateside or travel abroad. However, there is one destination that is so truly magnificent it takes your breath away. Perched on the quaint Island of Tortola, there lays an estate that many have called “Heaven on Earth”, www.steelepoint.com
Steele Point is owned by Philadelphia native Don Ashley, I had the privilege to interview Don about his property. The photo’s on the website give a glimpse of the beauty you will witness if you are lucky enough to travel to this paradise. Frequented by “A” list celebrities, CEO’s and families wishing to experience a once in a lifetime vacation, all agree, there is no place as magical on this earth as Steele Point.
Q: Where are your properties located on BVI?
Don: The properties are located on a 1/3-mile long peninsula at the western tip of Tortola. Presently there are three homes with a fourth structure being built.
Q: Can you describe the properties, amenities, the beauty, why it’s a place everyone should consider visiting?
Don: I’ll quote our brochure for this one. “ Steele Point, one of the Caribbean’s most unique and impressive resorts, is dramatically situated at the tip of a private gated peninsula on Tortola’s West End. The estate offers the discriminating traveler the ultimate in luxury and sophistication. With uncompromising 360-degree views, dramatic cliffs and tropical gardens, all on your private 8-acre peninsula, Steele Point makes the everyday worry of modern life almost impossible. Steele Point has graced the pages of many magazines, including Architectural Digest. Its unrivaled design incorporates sensational natural landscape with luxurious island living. Enjoy breathtaking ocean vistas from numerous verandas, balconies and discreet patios tucked away in the most imaginative locations. This incredible retreat embodies the romance and elegance of the Caribbean ”.
Q: - How long have you owned the homes?
Don: For six wonderful years.
Q: What inspired you to purchase on this Island?
Don: On my first day ever on Tortola I took a chance drive to the west end of Tortola for lunch. Upon leaving the restaurant in my rental car I noticed a dirt road meandering up a steep incline and decided to follow it. At the top of the hill the road branched and as fate would have it I went straight on and ended at the 1/3-mile peninsula known as Steele Point.
At the time there were two homes on the property and the first one I encountered was called Gestalt. I encountered the caretaker who at first was unforgiving about my trespassing but after some friendly banter offered to show me around the Gestalt home. After showing me Gestalt, the caretaker asked if I would like to see the other home, like the peninsula named Steele Point. Although the house was already legendary to everyone on the island and to thousands who had encountered it from the oceans below, it was my first visit and I knew nothing of the house or it’s beauty.
As anyone who encounters it for the first time the property and the home were uniquely breathtaking. During a short tour the beauty and splendor continued to resonate beyond belief. Perhaps it was my anxiety or my constant questioning that unnerved the caretaker and the tour ended before completion. However he did drop the name of a realtor and upon leaving I placed a call to the realtor and asked for an immediate visit. Derrick Dunlop of Smith’s Gore Realty met me thirty minutes later and informed me the owner of the estate had only days before passed away and the disposition of the property was in the hands of a trustee in England. I passed on my business card and asked him to ring me up when he received news regarding the potential sale. Down the stairs I trotted dreaming and wondering just how close I may have come at having an opportunity of owning one of the world’s unique treasures. Just then a whistle from Mr. Dunlop above summoned me back. He announced to my sheer disbelief that a fax was coming thru from the trustee and that the decision on Steele Point would be forthcoming.
Some forty pages later and a few skipped beats of my heart, there in black and white was the proclamation that Steele Point, Gestalt and the entire peninsula was for sale. An agreed upon deposit held the house for my decision in 48 hours and after visiting Steele Point again, seeing other homes for sale on the island, visiting with Richard Branson at Necker Island and John and Jill Maynard at Little Thatch Island, and spending time with a few lawyers, a bid was given and a deal was struck just three days after seeing the property for the first time.
Q: What activities can guests enjoy while visiting Steele Point?
Don: Although many just want to enjoy the peacefulness and solitude of the property, there is an abundance of activity for guests of all ages. Steele Point comes with its own 20 boat which allows for island hoping to the more than 60 islands which make up the British Virgins. There are wonderful beach bars on many, a one of a kind National Park on Virgin Gorda known as The Baths, an adventurous lunch and rum punch at the famous Willy T vessel, a short trip to Jost Van Dyke where you can here Foxy perform, The New York Times proclaimed Foxy’s the 3rd best place in the world to celebrate New Years, or stumble over to Ivans where there’s a good chance you’ll see Kenny Chesney singing one of his latest tunes, another day can be spent on Peter Island’s five star resort and spa.
Spend an afternoon for lunch, or go for the day and enjoy a world-class spa followed by a dinner that will stand up against any. On Tortola one can spend several days touring and sightseeing not to mention beaches that rival any in the Caribbean.
An abundance of restaurants offer a variety of meals for those on a budget up to those who expect only the finest. For those more adventurous there is golfing in St. Thomas, and a casino with great nightlife in St Croix, both islands can be reached by ferry. Marlin fishing is only an hour north, but eatable tuna, wahoo, and snapper are abundant everywhere and on occasion can be caught right off the Steele Point dock. Fly-fishing for tarpon is just another short trip. Boats both motor and sail of any size are available for charter with or without captains and great dive sites including the Wreck of the Rhone are options. Some of the best snorkeling in the BVI is right off either docks on the property.
Q: What kind of guests have you hosted?
Don: We have had visitors from all walks of life. Peter Jennings was a constant visitor. Jean Michelle Cousteau has spent time here along with Win Rockefeller the former Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas and Kyle Eastwood the jazz musician and son of Clint Eastwood. Members of the rock group Phish come every year just to get away and relax. The late George Plimpton visited occasionally and always entertained everyone with his great stories of adventure and daring.
We have had small business groups and the property afford groups of up to 11 couples the opportunity to conduct business with high speed Internet and private areas suitable for round table discussions. Recently Hewlett Packard rented Steele Point for a one-week conference. We also work with corporations to do bonding events such as treasure hunts. Weddings are becoming more and more a part of Steele Point as advertising and word of mouth make this a wonderful destination wedding especially for smaller groups from 10 to 100. However, Steele Point and Gestalt at their present pricing structure can be very affordable especially when groups occupy the entire house and divide the cost proportionately. Gestalt for example in off-season for a group of four can be had for $175 a night.
Q: For anyone who has never visited BVI,what do you find special about the Island ?
Don: The Island is virtually crime free. Racism is non-existent and the personalities of locals, British Nationals, and Americans alike is friendly and personable. There is no poverty and no unemployment. Begging and abandoned cars are non-existent. One travels safely at night as well as during the day. The natural beauty is as spectacular as any island offering a broad array of beautiful beaches and long vistas.
We invite your readers to visit and experience a trip that will linger in their memories for years to come!
For more information contact: Karen Ammond, Publicist,
