My Neighborhood: Mustique

When you’re born poor in the West Indies, your road tends to be rocky. Fortunately for Basil Charles, his took an unexpected turn. When a motorbike accident left him lying unconscious by the roadside as a young man, a member of England’s high-society crowd stumbled across him and rushed him to the hospital. The good Samaritan then lent a helping hand when young Charles recovered and, before long, he found himself running a bar on the island of Mustique in the Grenadines. To this day, Basil’s Bar is considered one of the world’s best watering holes. Thanks in part to the tiny island’s ban on paparazzi, Basil’s has been a go-to spot for boldface names since the 1970s. Charles has served and sipped with everyone from Hugh Grant and Kate Moss to Amy Winehouse and Princess Margaret. He crafted a drink for Prince William that he christened The Prince’s Poison (vodka and cranberry), and for Kate Middleton he made piña coladas flavored with local rum. Dubbed “the king of Mustique,” Charles once dressed as Santa Claus and distributed presents to the island’s poor children, with Mick Jagger tagging along dressed as an elf. Mustique is still awash in jet-setters and celebrities who happily sit side-by-side with locals at Basil’s. Here’s where you will likely find the legendary barman when he’s not at his namesake watering hole. —Cameron Swain The Sporty Set Equestrian Centre “Because I play tennis, I love Mustique Tennis Club. It has six courts and is open to anyone who wants to play. This past November, U.S. pro Todd Martin (one of the world’s highest ranked players in the 1990s and early 2000s) ran a clinic for children and adults here. Especially exciting are the tournaments the club hosts every Christ- mas and Easter. They’re composed of locals and guests, and they’re great fun! I play doubles now, but when I was younger I won the singles tournament five years in a row. “The diving on the island is great. I love Pillories Rocks because there is a large population of lobster, turtles, and reef fish. It’s great for people who are a fan of corals. A boat departs twice a day from Mustique Water Sports Pavilion, on Endeavor Bay, to more than a dozen regular dive sites. “Mustique has one of the best horseback-riding facilities in the Caribbean- an, with everything from thoroughbreds to ponies. They offer lessons for all levels. If, like me, you love to ride horses, you should visit the Equestrian Centre.” mustique-island.comactivities Tropical Tastes Basil’s Bar “I love to go for lunch at The Cotton House. It’s a great beach café and a stunning coral-white boutique hotel. I always order seafood. You’re right on the sea, so you might as well eat fish, right?” mustique-island. comdiningthe-cotton-house , 784.456.4777 “Firefly, a small guest-house and restaurant, has a great view, serves all kinds of tequila, and is always packed with celebrities, villa owners, and renters. It’s a super place to go for margaritas.” fireflymustique.com , 784.488.8414 “There’s a local restaurant in the village called The View that, as the name suggests, has the most magnificent view of the bay—and of Basil’s Bar. The grilled lobster is just super.” facebook.comTheView Mustique, 784.488.8807 Think Pink “For anything from swimwear and fashion to shoes, accessories, and gold island pendants, I visit Pink House. A lot of what they offer is locally designed so, like the island itself, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience.” pinkhousemustique.com , 784.488.85 Find your next international home today.