St Bart’s is well known in the US as a chic holiday destination, but it doesn’t have the same reputation in the UK, with Brits favouring larger islands such as Barbados and St Lucia. However, with its turquoise sea, white sand beaches and glorious weather, St Bart’s is just idyllic. The island is quaint, intimate and the perfect blend of barefoot luxury with a splash of glamour.

Le Sereno

Beautifully designed by Christian Liaigre, whose portfolio includes The Mercer in New York, the white walls and dark wood of Le Sereno are effortlessly stylish. With four-poster beds, large terraces and rainfall showers, the rooms are spacious, modern and sophisticated. Many of the 37 rooms have direct sea views, the larger villas have a private hot tub on the terrace and the Villa du Pêcheur has its own small pool.

The main pool, which seems to extend into the sea, is the focal point of the hotel, and with its position next to the restaurant, someone is always on hand to replenish your cocktail. The Restaurant des Pecheurs, which, as the name suggests, specialises in fish, is the very definition of ‘locally sourced’, using fish caught by local fishermen each day.

The hotel sits on the Grand-Cul-de-Sac, a short stroll from an abundance of water sports for the active traveller, and guests can also use the hotel’s canoe to explore the neighbouring coves.

Thoughtful touches include the complimentary white Havaianas sandals with subtle Le Sereno branding, which ensure guests blend in with the sleek, understated minimalism of the design.

Carl Gustaf

The Carl Gustaf, with its prime position in the hills overlooking the marina, is the perfect base from which to explore Gustavia’s stylish boutiques and super yachts.

There are only 14 rooms, but each is a one or two bedroom suite with a terrace, private plunge pool, sitting area and kitchenette, while the Royal Suite has four separate en suite bedrooms and several terraces to maximise the beautiful views of the marina and the endless blue sea.

Fresh from a recent renovation, Carl Gustaf retains its old world charm, with attention to detail, impeccable service and French influences. Victoria’s Restaurant continues the French theme with its focus on fine dining and the new spa offers a range of treatments by Carita.

Shell Beach is only a few minutes’ walk away from the Carl Gustaf and provides an ideal setting to enjoy a sunset cocktail at Do Brazil.

Isle de France

The Hotel Saint Barth Isle De France lies on Flamands Beach, one of the best beaches on the island, with picture perfect pristine white sand and turquoise sea. The 12 beachfront rooms are prized possessions, including the new beach suites with private plunge pools, while the remaining cottages, located in the garden area at the rear of the hotel, all have large terraces. The décor combines whitewashed walls with splashes of colour and vintage French fabrics, with Molton Brown products in the bathrooms and in the spa.

The hotel has a devoted following with guests returning year after year, therefore it’s no surprise that the hotel places a focus on providing guests with friendly and welcoming service.

While the pool is perfectly positioned at the heart of the hotel, the beach is the main attraction, including the beachfront restaurant, which is one of the island’s best lunch spots. The hotel has a more formal restaurant for the evenings, which also offers a lunch menu during the day.

The hotel is effortlessly stylish, making great use of its beach location and, with one of the beachfront rooms, you’ll struggle to find a more idyllic view anywhere on the island.

Le Guanahani

The Hotel Guanahani & Spa is the largest luxury hotel on the idyllic island of St Bart’s, the only one that offers a complete resort experience, but with only 68 rooms and suites, the hotel manages to retain a sense of intimacy and charm.

With a Clarins spa, a Frédéric Fekkai hair salon, a fitness centre, tennis courts and a kids’ club, the hotel really does cater for every whim.

The design is a mix of French Colonial and Caribbean, with multi-coloured cottages perfectly complementing the landscape. Each room has its own signature colour, large, comfortable beds and glass patio doors that offer sublime views of the sea. Ocean view suites are highly recommended, or you could try one of the prestige suites, many of which have private pools.

The hotel’s focal point is the lounging area by the beach, which also has a freshwater pool and Jacuzzi, and a beach bar serving excellent food, where lunch is very much a scene.

Le Guanahani sits on a peninsula, with one side facing Marigot Bay and the other side facing a reef protected lagoon, offering two beaches on which to revel in the white sand and warm sea. There is a wide selection of water sports on offer, from snorkelling to wind surfing and Jet Ski hire.

The hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Le Bartolomeo, serves classic French cuisine in a tropical setting, with an extensive list of carefully selected vintage wines available – even when ordered as room service, the food was perfectly executed.

For a more casual dining experience, Indigo restaurant on the beach serves both lunch and dinner where the menu is comprised of well-prepared dishes with a nod to both Creole and French classics.

Le Guanahani offers a great child-friendly resort experience, but manages to be elegant, romantic and effortlessly enchanting at the same time.

Restaurants

The Caribbean on the whole may not be known for its cuisine, but St Bart’s is a welcoming exception. On The Rocks at the Eden Rock hotel, which offers French cuisine with a Caribbean twist, has a romantic and serene setting with panoramic sea views and crashing waves all around.

The most formal restaurant on the island, Le Gaiac at Le Toiny, has a distinct focus on haute cuisine and makes its mark as the only property to have the Relais Chateaux affiliation. With its glorious views, faultless service and, most importantly, exceptional French and Creole cuisine, Le Gaiac offers fine dining at its very finest.

Further Information

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