Cotton House

Mosquito Island

In the heart of the Grenadines archipelago, a tiny stretch of land in the form golden confetti lies on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, off the beaten track of the traditional tourist circuit. Mosquito Island, a private domain, administered since 1989 by the Mosquito Company, whose objective is to assure the protection of its natural environment, only reveals its charms to a select number of visitors. Highly regarded by the international jet set, and a holiday resort for certain members of the British crown, life on this six-square kilometer island is private to say the least. It’s useless to try to bring back pictures of the celebrities staying here. The Mosquito Company watches carefully over the intimacy of its residents, and new arrivals are warned: “Do not photograph either the residents or the houses, only the scenery.”

There are 89 villas, a grocery store, a bakery, a hotel, the legendary Basil’s Bar, on stilts and long stretches of white sandy beaches opening onto the Caribbean Sea. The island is a true piece of paradise that fell from the sky. The “Mosquito style” is defined by total liberty and the absence of constraints. Everyone is free to do what he or she wishes, when he or she wishes.

Charm, propriety and discretion

The Cotton House is the only hotel on this stretch of land known as Mosquito Island. Its silhouette is half hidden by lush vegetation. Scottish aristocrat, Sir Colin Christopher Paget Tennant transformed this 18^th century mansion once surrounded by cotton fields and sugar cane plantations, into an elegant and refined hotel where crowned heads, show business personalities and other celebrities in search of a luxury getaway can enjoy total anonymity. The decorations were entrusted to the highly sought after theatre set designer, Olivier Messel. He was responsible for the interior of the villa of Her Highness Princess Margaret. Messel remained faithful to the original spirit of the building by creating a subtle blend of colonial and Caribbean influences with shiny, dark wood parquet floors and pearlescent curtains, giving the interiors a touch of elegant sobriety.

Recently restored, the cottages are ensconced in the vegetation, in the shade of the frangipanis, cedars and hibiscus, opening onto the Caribbean Sea. The only distraction susceptible to breaking the relaxation and gentleness of the passing days is the five o’clock tea proposed by the hotel to its guests, served with total respect for British traditions. The Cotton House is truly an idyllic refuge.

“Everyone comes here for the same reason, which is to find peace. You won’t see any paparazzi here, and people feel free. No one will come here and ask questions. That’s a real attraction for celebrities.” – Pippa Ona, Director of Cotton House