St. Barthelemy

A jet set oasis in the heart of the Caribbean

Saint-Barthelémy, or Saint Barth to seasoned travelers, is undoubtedly one of the most glamorous destinations in the world with all the charms necessary to win over even the most demanding tourists in search of an exotic vacation. A luxury jet set oasis in the middle of the Caribbean? Definitely. The spirit and the pretense of Saint-Tropez? Not really. Although St. Barth’s intentionally high prices are designed to attract a very selective clientele and to protect the island from mass tourism, it’s the intimacy and serenity that people come here for, like relaxing in the shade of the latanier palm trees on this magnificent strip of volcanic land blessed with lush vegetation. The island, discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, and the property of the kingdom of Sweden before being turned over to France in 1876, is very attached to its mixed French and Creole culture, which reflect its refinement, warm hospitality and gentle way of life. In the same vein, and to the great delight of the local inhabitants, this Antilles island favors quality over quantity, limiting the number of suites to forty per hotel. The real must however in Saint Barth is renting a private villa, in order to take full advantage of this island of a thousand pleasures, in total privacy.

Ultra luxury

Think about the most idyllic setting you could possibly dream of : fine sand, a semi-deserted beach, coconut palms, crystal clear emerald and sometimes sapphire colored water, and a huge variety of multi-colored fish and birds. Sound good? Then rest assured; this earthly paradise exists! It’s not by chance that Saint Barth is considered to be the most beautiful island in the Caribbean.

To transform this dream into reality, two addresses are recommended for an unforgettable vacation in an ultra luxurious setting: The Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France on Flamand Beach, one of the most beautiful on the island.  Another prestigious site is in the northeast, on the peninsula between the Anse de Marigot and the Anse du Cul de Sac : the Hotel Guanahani, consisting of charming peony pink, sky blue and aniseed green cottages, enhanced by white sculpted wood. A bonus for families is that the hotel is kid friendly and possesses a kindergarten and a junior club where children can enjoy a variety of activities all day long.

Confidentiality

« To live well, live hidden » is the motto of the La Banane villa. Located in the midst of palm trees and hibiscuses and soothed by the chirping of the birds of paradise, this villa, formerly owned by the king of Parisian night life, Jean-Marie Rivière, was reborn and rejuvenated for the benefit of guests in search of good taste, luxury and total discretion.

On the other end of the island, on the Anse de Toiny side, a Mecca for surfers, there’s an address that can be summed up in two words: intimacy and exclusivity. The accommodations of the Toiny, also famous for its gastronomic restaurant specializing in French fusion cuisine, are all private villas with their own swimming pool, that blend into the authentic landscape, facing the Caribbean Sea. The villas and hotels built here must abide by one the island’s urbanism regulations which says that no building can be higher that that of a palm tree!

The bountiful sea

Although Saint Barth’s rich nature and breathtaking landscapes are its greatest attractions, the star of the island is undoubtedly the turquoise water that flows onto the sand of its numerous beaches. Whether it’s for the diverse activities surrounding the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea like swimming, deep sea diving, surfboarding, sailing, jet skiing and deep sea fishing or for the fresh products that will satisfy our palates, all eyes converge on this bountiful sea. As proof of this phenomenon, the island’s first hotel was built on a rock in the north of St. Barth facing the Bay of Saint Jean. Today, the Eden Rock, in order to take advantage of the increasing number of villa rentals, built its own private residences each with its own identity, like Rockstar which possesses a replica of the recording studio where the Beatles immortalized “Yesterday.” The magnificent Hotel Sereno whose lines are both elegant and relaxing, is known for the cuisine it creates from the fresh fish delivered daily and served at its Restaurant des Pêcheurs. 

Carré d'Or

For city people looking for good shopping and socializing, Gustavia is a miniature Paris. Numerous elite names in Italian and French high fashion and jewelry have taken over this small quarter known as the Carré d’Or (Golden Square). And let’s not forget that Saint-Barth is a free port and therefore an excellent place for bargains. A bit further on, in the village of Corossol, we find the island’s finest craftsmen who sell their work on the street. Gustavia is also a venue for a number of trendy clubs like the Casa Nikki and the Yacht club ideal for dancing the night away while sipping on a delicious cocktail. The Carl Gustav is the ideal place to stay in this quarter.