Saba

The Unspoiled Queen’s Crown Jewels: The Top 10 Villas and Hotels in Saba

The Unspoiled Queen’s Crown Jewels: The Top 10 Villas and Hotels in Saba

While other islands are busy bragging about their endless (and let’s be honest, sometimes boring) stretches of sand, Saba is the mysterious, dramatic one in the corner, showing off its volcanic peaks, cloud forests, and world-class dive sites.

This 5-square-mile dynamo, known as “The Unspoiled Queen,” doesn’t do sprawling, all-inclusive resorts. Thank goodness.

Instead, Saba offers a collection of charming, intimate, and utterly unique villas and hotels that are as much a part of the experience as the island itself. Forget cookie-cutter rooms; think gingerbread cottages clinging to a mountainside, private villas with 360-degree ocean views, and boutique hotels where the owners treat you like long-lost family.

But with such amazing choices, where do you even start?

We’ve done the hard work for you. We put on our digital hiking boots and trekked through mountains of reviews on TripAdvisor, Expedia, Booking.com, VRBO, and Airbnb to find the absolute best.

Get ready to book your flight, because here are the top 10 rated villas and hotels in Saba.


1. Spyglass Villa

Best For: Unadulterated Luxury & “I’m King of the World” Views

“This property is absolutely stunning! Views are amazing and just a really great place to stay.”

Perched on Booby Hill (yes, you read that right), Spyglass Villa is the definition of a jaw-drop. This isn’t just a place to stay; it’s an experience. It’s a meticulously designed luxury villa that offers insane, panoramic views of the Caribbean, the volcano, and the charming villages below. With a private pool, gourmet kitchen, and wrap-around verandas, your main problem will be forcing yourself to leave.

VRBO Review: “This property is absolutely stunning! Views are amazing and just a really great place to stay. The house is well equipped and the property manager was awesome to work with. We will definitely be back!”

2. Juliana’s Hotel

Best For: The Classic Saba Experience with a Social Heart

If Windwardside is the heart of Saba, Juliana’s Hotel is its warm, welcoming heartbeat. This is a Saba institution, beloved for its friendly atmosphere, lush tropical gardens, and stunning ocean-view rooms (complete with hammocks, of course). It’s the perfect blend of full-service hotel convenience and boutique charm. Plus, its onsite Tropics Café is a hotspot for guests and locals alike.

TripAdvisor Review: “We were greeted by front of house manager, Xiomara Coffie… she is kind, patient, and wonderfully warm. She showed us to our room, where the four poster bed was extremely comfortable, the bathroom modern and comfortable and the view simply breath-taking… the breakfast… was of a standard most metropolitan five-star hotels would be proud of.”

3. Haiku House

Best For: Zen-Like Seclusion & Architectural Wow-Factor

Looking to truly disconnect? Haiku House is your sanctuary. This stunning, Japanese-inspired villa is tucked away in a lush private estate, offering ultimate peace and privacy. It’s a masterpiece of design, blending indoor and outdoor living seamlessly. Lounge by the private pool, meditate in the zen garden, or just sip a coffee on the deck while listening to nothing but the sounds of the rainforest.

VRBO Review: “Haiku House is stunning in every way… Sitting high above the Caribbean sea and tucked into the rainforest, the beautifully decorated, well-equipped and perfectly maintained Haiku House is stunning in every way. On six of our seven days, we lounged comfortably by the pool… why would we leave such a beautiful house?”

4. The Cottage Club Hotel

Best For: Traditional Gingerbread Charm & Epic Pool Views

This is what you picture when you dream of Saba. The Cottage Club is a collection of 10 iconic, white-walled, red-roofed gingerbread cottages, each with its own private balcony and kitchenette. The property is meticulously maintained, and its pool deck offers one of the most photographed and spectacular views on the entire island, looking out over the village of English Quarter and the sea beyond.

Expedia Review: “10/10 Excellent. Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities. Beautiful views. Very centrally located and quiet.”

5. El Momo Cottages

Best For: Eco-Conscious Travelers & “Sleeping in a Treehouse” Vibes

“The view from the shower with the sun setting was amazing. We loved our time there and will certainly be back!”

If your idea of luxury is being close to nature, El Momo is for you. These rustic-chic cottages are nestled into the hillside on Booby Hill, accessible by a set of stairs that make you feel like you’re ascending to a secret hideaway. It’s an eco-friendly property with compost toilets, a gorgeous pool, and views that will make your Instagram followers weak at the knees. It’s simple, sustainable, and spectacular.

Booking.com Review: “Fantastic property with great views set in the rain forest. Hosts are wonderful people. We had the Sunshine Cottage and it was fabulous. The view from the shower with the sun setting was amazing. We loved our time there and will certainly be back!”

6. Althea Cottage (and Peter Hytte)

Best For: Historic Charm & Living Like a Local

This is the Saba you’ve been dreaming of. Althea Cottage is a 175-year-old historic property, a “Guest Favorite” on Airbnb, that has been lovingly restored. It’s located right in Windwardside, meaning you are just a 1-3 minute walk from grocery stores, restaurants, and hiking trails. The property also features “Peter Hytte,” a smaller, modern apartment built on the same grounds, making this a flexible option for couples or small groups traveling together. It’s the ultimate “live like a Saban” experience, complete with stunning views of Mt. Scenery.

Airbnb Review: “This cottage was built in a bygone era (1858) in Windwardside and features stunning views of the blue Caribbean, the misty top of spectacular Mt. Scenery, and the picturesque village below. Within 1-3 min you can walk to 2 grocery stores, 6 restaurants, 3 bars… Staying there is like remembering life before the 21st century simple, super clean, fun, and very friendly.”

7. Selera Dunia Boutique Hotel

Best For: A Romantic, Around-the-World Getaway

With only two suites, Selera Dunia (meaning “Taste of the World”) is one of the most intimate and unique properties on the island. Each spacious suite is decorated with art and furniture from the owners’ world travels—one with an African theme, the other Asian. The hospitality from hosts Hammy and Jenny is legendary, and the views from the private balconies are simply breathtaking.

Booking.com Review: “Guests rave about the unique themed rooms, exceptional hospitality from hosts Hammy and Jenny, and the serene atmosphere that feels like a piece of paradise on earth.”

8. Flamboyant Cottage

Best For: The Perfect “Home Away From Home” Villa

“Beautiful views and a short walk to town… The island of Saba is beautiful and the people are very friendly and welcoming.”

Want to live like a local (a very lucky local)? Flamboyant Cottage is your spot. Rated “Exceptional” on VRBO and Expedia, this private gingerbread-style villa has it all: spectacular views, a private pool, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a location that’s just a short (but steep!) walk to Windwardside. It’s the perfect base for hikers, divers, or anyone who just wants to read a book by their own pool.

VRBO Review: “We loved our stay. The cottage was perfect, cozy with everything you need to have a great stay. Beautiful views and a short walk to town… The island of Saba is beautiful and the people are very friendly and welcoming.”

9. Saba Arawak Hotel

Best For: Modern Comfort & a Great Base for Hiking

One of the newest additions to the island, the Saba Arawak Hotel offers a more modern, apartment-style experience. The rooms are clean, spacious, and feature kitchenettes, making them great for longer stays. Its location is a hiker’s dream, sitting right at the crossroads of the Mt. Scenery trail and the trail to The Bottom. After a long hike, the saltwater pool is a welcome sight.

Expedia Review: “10/10 Excellent. Place is really nice and clean. Staffs are friendly and accommodating. I would definitely recommend this place.”

10. Effie’s Historic Saba Cottages

Best For: Authentic, Storybook Charm

For a truly authentic experience, rent one of the island’s many historic cottages on Airbnb or VRBO. Properties like the 175-year-old Effie’s Cottage aren’t just places to sleep; they’re pieces of Saba’s history. These “antique” Dutch Caribbean homes, with their beamed ceilings and ship-hull-style roofs, have been lovingly modernized while keeping every ounce of their storybook charm.

TripAdvisor Review: “A picture perfect neighborhood of authentic Saban Cottages… A lovely home away from home with all the modern conveniences. You’ll be totally comfortable… So book it fast and come visit the splendor of Saba.”

How do I even get to Saba?

It’s an adventure, which is what keeps it so special! You can either take the 15-minute flight from St. Maarten (SXM) on Winair—which lands on the world’s shortest commercial runway (it’s thrilling!)—or take the 90-minute “Makana” ferry.

What’s the currency?

Easy peasy. The official currency is the U.S. Dollar ($USD).

What should I pack?

Hiking shoes. We cannot stress this enough. You’ll be climbing Mt. Scenery (1,064 steps to the top!) or exploring the 20+ other trails. Also, pack layers (it gets cool in the cloud forest), reef-safe sunscreen, and a rain jacket.

Caribbeandrop

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