HOW ONE MAN MADE HIS SUNNY DREAMS COME TRUE

It’s not often you see the owner of a multi-million-dollar luxury vacation home painting his own house and troubleshooting the plumbing, but Simon Hénault’s story isn’t a typical one.

After a lifetime of snowy winters and muddy springs, Simon dreamed of owning a spectacular beachfront retreat in the Turks and Caicos Islands — a dream far from realistic for a middle-class snowbird living a couple thousand miles away from the Caribbean hotspot. Undeterred by logic, Simon plodded on with little more than deep determination and a willingness to roll the dice.

“I took a lot of risks: mortgaged my house and exhausted most of my life savings to make the White Villas a reality,” Simon recalls. “I had to get pretty creative with my budget.”

In part, this included shipping most of the construction material and doing a lot of the work himself. “Th ere were many sleepless nights,” Simon admitted. “Th e investment was huge without any certainty of success.”

in the end, it was all worth it. Since opening in May of 2016, bookings have been solid. A remarkable feat considering there are over 850 established villas in Turks and Caicos to compete with. In large part, the success of the White Villas can be attributed to the modern open-space design. Something uncommon, yet greatly appreciated by guests.

“Most villas have a very laid back beachy feel to them. But the White Villas off er an ultra-modern meets impressive tranquility vibe,” Simon explained. “It’s perfect for those who desire a sunny, relaxing retreat without sacrificing the comforts and amenities of a posh 5-star resort.”
Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive views of turquoise waters, European inspired bathrooms and retracting overhead doors that make
for a seamless transition from indoors to out; indeed the villa could grace the cover of Dwell magazine. But the nearby activities are worthy of pages in National Geographic.

Secluded Long Bay Beach is just steps from the villa and offers world-class kiteboarding. Stand-up paddle boarding, scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as deep-sea fishing are also easy to arrange.

“With 350 sunny days a year and turquoise shallow waters, it’s no wonder Turks and Caicos is a haven for water fanatics,” says Chris Moore, who owns and operate recreational tour companies on the island.

If the natural beauty, luxury, recreation and relaxation aren’t enticing enough, Turks and Caicos is easily accessible from Salt Lake International Airport, with just a quick stop in Atlanta or New York.

“Turks and Caicos really is the sea-level version of Park City,” Simon added. “It offers endless recreational opportunities, breathtaking views from every location, and that small-town, laid back vibe locals have mastered and visitors are drawn to.”

For more information, photos, videos and fun activities to do on the island, visit: WhiteVillas.net.

By Amy Roberts

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