Guide · Updated 2026-08-12
Villa Staff in St Barts, Explained: Who Does What
The cast of a staffed villa week — roles, rates, and how hiring actually works.
The core pair
Housekeeping comes with every serious rental (daily or six days a week); the chef is the first hire that transforms a stay. Chefs bill a daily rate plus provisioning at market cost — two lines, both transparent.
The occasional cast
A butler for service-heavy groups, certified sitters for family weeks, a maître d’hôtel for one big evening, massage and training at the terrace. All are booked per day or per occasion — staff scale with intent, not with status.
How hiring works here
Every professional contracts and bills you directly — the curation lies in knowing who is excellent, who fits your table’s mood, and who is free on your dates. That knowledge is the value of twenty-five years on island; the process starts in our chef guide.
Tipping and the last morning
Villa staff tips are discretionary and given at week’s end — typically 5–10% of the service fees, in cash, handed personally. The better practice is a word with the tip: staff here remember guests who saw the work.
Questions
Does staff live at the villa?
Rarely. Most staff come on schedule; only the largest estates carry live-in teams.
Can we share one chef across two villas?
For one event, yes; for a week, no — a chef’s value is the daily thread, and threads do not split.