Saint-Barthélemy, a mythical French-speaking island in the Caribbean, promises the ultimate in tropical luxury. A selection of five-star hotels with their feet in the sand.
Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf Saint-Barth
Nestling on the cliffs overlooking Gustavia harbour, Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf opened its doors in 1988 and quickly established itself as the finest hotel with spa in Saint-Barthélemy. Isolated between the palm trees, with the impression of being lost in the middle of the jungle, book one of the 21 suites with Caribbean architecture designed by Gilles & Boissier. The open spaces let in natural air. Their terraces or private pools seem to overlook the ocean. Villa Diane, the owner’s former home, is a particular favourite: no less than 400m2 of refinement, with a semi-circular swimming pool. In the same Riviera spirit, the Diane Barrière spa offers natural treatments with sensoriality taken to the extreme. Still facing the sea, the Shellona takes us on a Mediterranean journey with dishes whose freshness contrasts with the warmth of the Caribbean. At the Beefbar, you can savour a selection of exceptional meats. Black Angus, Kobe and Wagyu mingle with the sea and vegetables. Making a reservation at sunset is the perfect way to round off your meal. Please note that the hotel does not have its own private beach, but provides access to deckchairs at the beach club, five minutes from the hotel, on the pink shell beach known as Shell Beach.
Le Cheval Blanc
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Inaugurated in 1991 and acquired in 2013 by the LVMH group, the Cheval Blanc St-Barth is located at the foot of the heavenly Flamands beach. Renovated by the famous designer Jacques Grange, the five-star hotel was quickly awarded the Palace distinction. And rightly so. With its chic European aesthetic, the establishment has 61 rooms, dressed in a palette of pale greens, blues and pinks and natural elements of raffia, bamboo and stone. The backdrop is the azure blue sea and white sandy beaches. Guests can choose between two culinary delights: La Case, with Creole cuisine led by Jean Imbert, and La Cabane, the restaurant on the hotel’s private beach, which also has two swimming pools. Buoyed by Guerlain beauty rituals, the spa offers a tropical pavilion sheltered by flowering bougainvillea. A true tropical refuge for a relaxing break for two.
Hotel Christopher
Nestling between crystal-clear waters and the rocky cliffs of Pointe Milou, the Christopher hotel is gently sheltered by the trade winds. The five-star spa hotel has no private beach, but the infinity pool (one of the largest on this island paradise) facing the sea is more than enough to make the most of Saint-Barthélemy’s mild climate. The palm trees that protect it gently let in the light. The hotel has 42 rooms and suites, as well as three elegant villas, Niña, Pinta and Marian, which combine Creole architecture with minimalist design. When it comes to culinary delights, La Plage de Chris showcases marine treasures, depending on the catch. Christopher Coutanceau offers eco-responsible cuisine that respects seasonality and uses local produce from small-scale producers. Reef fish are prepared with finesse, a rare delicacy in restaurants. The hotel is also renowned for its Sisley wellness centre, one of the island’s finest spas. Book a hot oil or shell treatment in a room overlooking the sea, and finish off your relaxation break in a jacuzzi on the terrace.
Le Barthélémy
In the heart of the magnificent bay of Grand-Cul-de-Sac, the Barthélémy was designed by the great interior architect Sybille de Margerie. The hotel boasts a large pool literally a stone’s throw from the white sand, allowing sea and pool lovers to bask together. At lunchtime, we take a seat at the Amis St. Barth table for a light but tasty meal. For dinner, Abyss takes us into the depths of taste thanks to the talent of Michelin-starred chef Jérémy Czaplicki. Here, Caribbean flavours are magnified by French techniques. 44 rooms and suites and 2 villas are set against a backdrop of unspoilt nature, where ocean views are an integral part of the décor. The beige and light blue tones echo the beach. At the hotel spa, the Atma Janzu ritual takes the pressure off the body as the therapist keeps it floating in the pool. Truly relaxing.
Eden Rock
This residence has been part of the Saint-Barthélémy landscape since the 1950s, when Rémy de Haenen decided to build his home here. Now part of Oetker Collection’s Eden Rock brand, the hotel was designed by Martin Brudnizki. It is recognisable by its red roofs and idyllic position with its feet in the sand. The 37 rooms and suites, like the villas, offer breathtaking views over the bay of Saint-Jean and feature beautiful woodwork and cheerful colours, a far cry from the neutral, minimalist decor of some jewel cases. For food and drink, head for the gourmet Sand Bar by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. In addition to the classic wellness treatments, Eden Spa is launching its own high-tech medical spa in partnership with Dr Pierre-Michel Havet, a specialist in anti-ageing medicine and cosmetics.
Read also: The most beautiful palaces in Paris
Featured photo: © Hôtel Christopher
