Haiku House
A 16th-century Japanese villa perched 400 meters above the Caribbean on Troy Hill
Why Go
Imagine trading a beach resort for a redwood-clad hideaway in the clouds, where a private pool spills toward the sea and the only soundtrack is trade winds moving through the tropical forest. Haiku House is Saba's most singular stay — a hilltop villa modeled on a 16th-century Japanese home, dropped into the Dutch Caribbean's smallest, greenest island.
The Experience
Getting here feels like arriving at a secret. You wind up Troy Hill until the road dissolves into greenery, then step into a three-bedroom sanctuary built entirely of redwood and red cedar — chosen not just for beauty but for their resistance to earthquakes and fire. The interiors, styled by legendary Dutch designer Jan des Bouvrie, feel more like a design magazine spread than a rental: clean lines, warm wood, a SieMatic kitchen you'll actually want to cook in. Outside, the pool deck is the whole point. It floats above the Caribbean Sea at 400 meters up, cooled by a permanent breeze, lit from below at night. Each of the three air-conditioned bedrooms has its own bathroom, so a couple, a family of six, or a small group of friends can all disappear into privacy. There are no crowds, no lobby, no piped-in music — just you, the forest, and a slice of ocean that never stops moving.
What to Try
Cook a slow breakfast in the SieMatic kitchen using produce from the Windwardside markets, then take it out to the pool deck to catch the morning light over the sea. Spend an afternoon reading on one of the private terraces — the temperature at this altitude means you rarely need the AC. At dusk, swim in the underwater-lit pool as the trade winds pick up. If you're here with a group, book a private chef to serve dinner on-site; the villa's setup is made for long, unhurried meals with the whole Caribbean as a backdrop.
Insider Tip
Bring layers. At 400 meters up, evenings on Troy Hill get genuinely cool by Caribbean standards, and mornings can be misty when clouds roll across the peak of Mt. Scenery next door. Also: rent a car on arrival. The villa is stunning precisely because it's remote, but that means every trip to a restaurant or trailhead requires wheels — Saba's roads are steep and narrow, so a small 4×4 is your friend.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Troy Hill, Saba (Caribbean Netherlands), roughly 400m above sea level. Capacity: 3 bedrooms / 3 bathrooms, sleeps up to 6. Size: about 3,472 sq.ft. of living space. Amenities: private pool with underwater lighting, jacuzzi, fully equipped SieMatic kitchen, WiFi, TV/DVD, air-conditioned bedrooms, 20,000-gallon water cistern. Getting here: fly into Saba (SAB) via St. Maarten, then a short but winding drive up to Troy Hill — a rental vehicle is strongly recommended. Booking: handled through Iconic Estates International; expect luxury-tier pricing with a multi-night minimum.
Pair It With
- Amonhana Guide — A short drive down the hill for a relaxed dinner when you don't feel like cooking in the villa's kitchen.
- Angelina's Saba By OwAiChie — A local favorite for casual food and drinks — a good way to break up your hilltop hideaway with a taste of Saban village life.
- Battery Corre Corre Guide — A historic Saban landmark worth walking to on a clear morning before the clouds settle in around Troy Hill.
- Big Stone Guide — An easy nearby activity to pair with a lazy pool afternoon — Saba rewards guests who mix downtime with a bit of exploration.
