This is a big month for the lovely and sometimes rowdy island of Saint Barthelemy. Long celebrated as an exclusive and magical hotspot for A-listers and travelers hoping to unwind in a quiet and sometimes not so quiet luxurious pocket of paradise, St. Barths is ready to get back to late night dance parties, bottomless mimosas and skinny dips in private pools. As the hotels and restaurants on the island reopen their doors, we are thrilled to get there and breathe that sweet French West Indian air, stretch out on some of the most breathtaking beaches and enjoy both world class dining and rum punches on the beach.
Whatever you are in the mood for, stay for a week or two so you can explore all that this tiny island, accented with both French and Swedish design and cultural touches, has to offer.
1. CHEVAL BLANC
HIGHLIGHTS:
Remarkable Service
Direct Access to Flamands Beach
The Guerlain Spa
La Case Restaurant by Jean Imbert
With 61 rooms, suites and villas, Cheval Blanc offers its true, French hospitality with a focus on the Art de Recevoir, or a deep and nuanced attention to the art of entertaining and receiving guests. Cheval Blanc’s signature service is always remarkable, but now, that service is celebrated in ways we all need during these months of isolation and worry. Serious TLC time here. The outstanding decorative elements with white-on-white washes and touches of neutrals and blush pink against the vivid greens and glorious fuchsias, purples and oranges of the natural world will surprise and comfort you for long days lounging and trying out your new favorite Celine wedges.
On strolls of the property and grounds, you won’t miss Thierry Wasser’s (head nose of Guerlain) Tropical Chic, the maison’s signature scent. Drop in to the boutiques and a visit to the Guerlain spa is a must, where you will luxuriate in bliss as the sea breezes rush in through open doors and windows. One of the most notable elements of the dining program at Cheval Blanc, is the culinary delights of each menu item and dining experience. You can enjoy a lovely, customized breakfast in your Villa de France, with direct access to Flamands Beach or relax your way through a lunch La Case, a culinary concept designed by Jean Imbert. Make sure to order the candied tomato tart with burrata as a starter and then the sand crusted local branzino with baby potatoes for two. Later in the day, enjoy one of eight crafted, rum-centric cocktails at the White Bar where you can enjoy the wide views of the bright blue Caribbean Sea.
2. EDEN ROC
Oetker Collection’s, Eden Rock, is perfectly situated on St. Jean’s Bay where it is framed by white sands and coral reefs. Eden Rock has been a much-celebrated location ever since adventurer Remy de Haenen first welcomed friends to his home, Eden Rock, on the ocean in the 1950s. Since then, Eden Rock has been a home away from home for families, Hollywood and true-life royalty, musicians and adventure seekers who are looking for a luxurious basecamp from which to launch yachts or day drink sessions on the beach.
Newly renovated, Eden Rock continues to celebrate its famous…and infamous…past while simultaneously reflecting a sophisticated modernity. If you are eager to explore the nearby village of St. Jean, you can do so easily from your newly rebuilt, open and breezy Michaels Suite but the on-site restaurants and shops will keep you full and fulfilled. You can stuff your suitcase with treasures from the Eden Being Boutique, such as a coveted bag from Virgil Abloh’s Off-White line, inspired by the island, a limited-edition jewelry piece from Chopard or a timepiece from Hublot, made in partnership with Eden Rock. Just don’t let that suitcase get out of your sight!
In addition to the shopping and dining you will enjoy at Eden Rock, you will also appreciate the curated E Rock art collection. Eden Rock partners with galleries and artists, globally, for popups and for rounding out an impressive permanent collection, but our favorite pieces come from resident artists, who make Eden Rock their home for the season and where they showcase current and select pieces on display throughout the public spaces and guest rooms. This season, Eden Rock will feature work by residents Alec Monopoly, Elizabeth Sutton and Victor Matthews.
3. LE BARTHELEMY
In this waterfront hideaway, located in the Grand Cul de Sac, you will want to dedicate as much time as possible to sitting on the crescent bay beach, sipping champagne while zoning out on the rhythms of the crashing waves and the cries of the frigatebirds overhead. But first, you must get there. This season, Le Barthelemy Hotel and Spa partners with Tradewinds Aviation to make getting there and staying there a cinch. Fly to Le Barth on Tradewinds and book for five nights and you will receive a resort credit for the value of your arrival flight. That makes dining and sipping all day at Aux Amis Plage a treat and you can enjoy your green salad with truffle dressing or your beachside shrimp and vegetable rolls without worrying about a dime.
At Le Barthelemy, intimacy, serenity and tranquility are the go-to vibes so you can escape the stresses of everyday life and melt into the warm sand, your private 55-foot swimming pool in your own villa, or a tailor-made massage at Le spa without uttering a word or seeing a soul, if that is your heart’s content. With signature couture hospitality, a human-centered aproach and customized service in the way of a personal concierge, Le Barthelemy is the ideal sanctuary where young and old alike feel catered to, attended to and cared for. In case all of this serenity feels too precious, break up the peace and quiet a bit by taking a private yacht out for a spin to explore the secrets of the island and crash against the waves.
4. HOTEL LE TOINY
Located on a hilltop overlooking Toiny Bay are the ultra-private and unique 22 self-standing villas of Hotel Le Toiny. Each of the hotel’s villa suites come with a heated private pool, striking ocean views and the intimacy and privacy you will appreciate after a day exploring nearby islands with your personal guide, hiking the trails or sailing in the waters below.
One of our favorite parts of the Le Toiny experience is the super-private and super-luxurious Villa Nureyev, with a 180-degree floating deck, a private concierge, two master suites as well as a hammam, private pool and jacuzzi. This hideaway is ideal for families hoping to travel together for the holidays who can make as much noise as they want and enjoy the use of a full kitchen for collective meals and the option to take advantage of the hotel dining when no one feels like cooking.
Make sure to visit the Jarad at Le Toiny, a dining experience that you won’t soon forget. Executive Chef, Jarad McCarroll, will take you on a celebratory yet refined culinary journey that will leave you with both scent memories to last a lifetime and the desire to return ASAP. For something a little more low-key, take the shuttle over to the Beach Club where you can set up camp under the shade of a tamarind and take in views of the bay while munching on an upmarket lunch and jumping up for periodic dips in the beachfront pool.
5. EAT & DRINK
In addition to being celebrated the world over as a hotspot for luxury shopping, art and outlandish events and popups, St. Barths is also a foodie’s dream come true. You can’t go wrong popping to any one of the new and longstanding dining gems on the island but here are a few of our favs.
Le Fish Corner
Tucked away behind the Bar de L’Oubli, Le Fish Corner is a secret joy. With a light menu featuring local seaside, fresh veggies and select wines, you can take a break from some of the more decadent dining on the island and eat clean while enjoying some sea-to-table not found at other spots.
Nikki Beach St. Barth
Chart your yacht to 17° 54′ 22.55” N 62° 50′ 30.04” W and make a reservation for a spot at Nikki Beach where you can take in the Saint Jean beach scene, do some table dancing and let your hair down or just look on while others do. For nearly 20 years, Nikki Beach has been a coveted and chic spot that showers celebrity guests and return clientele with luxury and elegant food and drinks while keeping it fresh with DJ residents and Rosé Fridays with pink vibes and bass beats.
Le Papillon Ivre
Sophie Donzeau has opened the first wine bar on the island, and it is a great spot to sit in casual comfort, people watch and sample the all-French wine list with a selection of cheeses and charcuterie to pair. On Saturdays and Sundays, Sophie welcomes local farmers and vendors and the quaint space turns into a full French complemarket with produce, lively tunes and local goods to take back to your retreat to enjoy over the week.
5. EXPLORE
There is no shortage of adventures to be found on the island of St. Barthelemy. Maybe you are in the mood to scuba in the islet of Pain de Sucre, to explore the Anglican Church in Gustavia or to examine the intricacies of straw weaving in the village of Corossol where you will find what was once a fishing community and home to the original settlers of the island who still speak a variant of Norman French. There you will learn about the various headwear styles donned by island residents, including the woven lantanier hats and the Quichenotte (kiss me not), starched white bonnets.
Obviously, no trip to St. Barths is complete without establishing a serious knowledge of the 14 pristine beaches on the island. Our favorites, for surfing, views and relaxing are: Lorient (for the waves), Salines (for the natural elements and the seclusion) and Gouverneur (for the picnic grove and the lore of buried pirate treasure).
Make sure to grab a few pics of your entourage near the statue of Savaku, with the wide blue sea behind you. Savaku is the Arawak spirit representing the forces of nature. Parisian artist, Guillaume Blanchard, captures this force in a sculpture evoking the spirit of Savaku as it exists on the island. Savaku’s companions in this work, the iguana and the pelican, represent the land and sea of St. Barthelemy and you will be sure to celebrate all three: energy, earth and ocean, as you continue to unwind.
Words by Sasha Vliet
BENEFITS OF BOOKING WITH ITKE:
Receive preferential rates and/or special amenities at the properties
Expertise of the destination
Full-service management and customization of trip
On-property/off-property experiences & reservations
Additional VIP perks & benefits
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