St. Barts Travel Guide – Best Places to Visit and Eat At

The French Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy, or St. Barts (or St. Barths) as it’s generally known as, is a playground for the extraordinarily well-heeled—the type of place Kendall Jenner or Jeff Bezos would possibly jet to for the weekend, and infrequently do. It had lengthy existed in my thoughts as a luxe dreamland, and after a brief constitution flight from San Juan, courtesy of Tradewind Aviation, I used to be excited to search out out why the tiny island (it’s lower than 10 sq. miles), is such a draw.

By the point I completed my first meal, I had found out what units St. Barts aside. Positive, the island has the pristine white sand seashores and sensible turquoise water that a lot of the Caribbean is understood for, however there’s additionally an enormous bonus on the subject of vacationing right here: scrumptious French meals all over the place, ready by a number of the greatest cooks on the earth. Lovely seashores and fresh-baked croissants? Signal me up.

And if that isn’t sufficient to entice you: St. Barts additionally throws some really epic seaside events, and is house to a number of the greatest high-end procuring within the Caribbean (Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Prada all have outposts there). Learn on for the most effective locations to laze the times away.

Shell Seaside

St. Barts could also be recognized for its white sand, however dare I say Shell Seaside, which, because the identify suggests, is roofed by shells of many shapes, sizes, and colours, is probably much more beautiful. And lest you are worried that this seaside is fairly however painful on the ft, there are many areas the place the shells have been crushed right down to a high-quality powder that’s excellent for throwing down a towel over. Positioned on the western aspect of the island, Shell Seaside can also be a fantastic spot to look at the sundown; head to Shellona to nosh on some Greek bites as you take in the view.

Pure Swimming pools

Everybody is aware of about St. Barts’ seashores, however its lesser-known pure swimming pools are additionally a must-see. They are often arduous to search out—tucked behind rocks and beneath jagged cliffs—and the paths are a bit arduous to observe, so it’s greatest to enlist the assistance of a educated information. (Guides additionally know when the swimming pools are protected to enter—the waves are sometimes too robust; I went with Jean-Edmond Amblard of Essence Wellness St. Barth.) The fairly quick however steep trek, with nice vistas, was nicely well worth the reward on the finish: a dip within the vibrant waters.

Le Spa

Look, any high-end resort spa is bound to be wonderful, however add in a partnership with the posh skincare model La Mer and Le Spa is in a category all of its personal, as the one spa within the Caribbean to combine the famed miracle pores and skin cream into its face and physique remedies. Whilst you’re there, you’ll be able to soak within the spa’s Nordic-inspired baths (one heat and two chilly), that are fabricated from crimson cedar and odor unimaginable.

Tamarin

Set in a tropical jungle, consuming at Tamarin feels much less like dinner and extra like an expertise. For those who’re fortunate, you’ll be seated at considered one of its tables that’s so enveloped by the luxurious environment that it’s simple to neglect there are different diners close by. Among the stars of the menu are the tiradito, a Peruvian dish just like carpaccio, with pickles and ginger sorbet, and the milk-fed veal. If in case you have any room left, the citrus pavlova and creative tackle a lemon meringue pie are to die for.

Amis

I might eat at Amis for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and actually, I did! That includes French and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, the menu is precisely the type of mild, contemporary meals you need to be consuming while you’re by the water, together with native ceviche, watermelon-goat cheese salad, spiced beef balls, and carpaccio (each fish and tomato, the latter of which is served with burrata from Puglia). Guests who aren’t staying on the resort can go for the “A Day at Amis Plage,” which incorporates an appetizer, major, and dessert, together with a solar mattress for the day, for 90 euros. And in case you stick round for dinner, you should order the lobster ravioli; it comes with carrot and ginger purée and a curry butter sauce that had me actually eager to lick my plate clear.

Rivyera

That is the type of place that can go away you mystified, considering, Are we positive I’m not in Saint-Tropez proper now? A play on the French Riviera, Rivyera goals to move guests to the equally posh South of France by means of each the feel and appear of its area in addition to the delicacies. Chef Arnaud Faye hails from a number of the greatest eating places in Paris and elsewhere in France, the place he obtained a number of Michelin stars, earlier than falling in love with St. Barts and bringing his skills to the island. Among the finest components about eating right here: the pastry cart, the place candy choices abound.

Nikki Seaside

For those who’re in search of a day social gathering—and who isn’t?—head to the posh seaside membership, Nikki Beach, for a day of beats, swimming, cocktails, sushi, and sure a number of movie star sightings. Snag one of many plush, glowing white solar beds and, who is aware of, perhaps Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, or Gwen Stefani (all of whom have reportedly blessed Nikki Seaside with their presence) will plop down within the subsequent lounge chair over? Don’t miss Rosé Fridays and Wonderful Sundays, the favored day-long international dance social gathering.

Bar de L’Oubli

This shiny bistro, centrally situated in Gustavia, is a good spot to wind down after a day of procuring within the island’s capital metropolis’s many boutiques. Select from any variety of tropical cocktails, from Caribbean classics (daiquiris, mai tais, darkish and stormies) to the inventive (its namesake options blended strawberries and champagne), and snack on cod fritters and fries. Alternatively, get an early begin with mimosas at brunch. Bar de L’Oubli is a favourite for breakfast on the island, simply ask the Kardashians and Karlie Kloss, who’ve reportedly dined there.

Le Ti

St. Barts meets Moulin Rouge at Le Ti, the place burlesque dancers placed on a cabaret present whilst you dine. After the meal, the restaurant, set in a Creole cottage up within the hills, turns right into a full-on membership and, for a small price, partiers can go to the costume closet to adorn themselves with feathers and sequins. That is your Instagram second.

Le Barthélemy

On the north finish of St. Barts, away from the crowds of Gustavia, lies Le Barthélemy, a luxurious resort situated in the course of the island’s Grand Cul de Sac, a quiet, crescent-shaped lagoon recognized for kitesurfing and sea turtles. Its trendy ocean view suites include personal infinity swimming pools, beneficiant patios, and the most important rain showers I’ve ever seen. For those who actually need to deal with your self (and 5 very fortunate BFFs), lease one of many two six-bedroom villas, every geared up with personal infinity swimming pools that look out over the bay. And in case you can pull your self away out of your setup, the resort’s sizable infinity pool is a sight value taking in, to not point out the beachfront loungers alongside it are additionally a fantastic spot to spend a day. (The hardest determination I confronted every day was the place to park myself!) All that, plus all-you-can-eat ache au chocolat within the morning? I by no means needed to depart.

Cheval Blanc

Cheval Blanc is the one resort in St. Barts to have obtained the coveted “palace” distinction. The resort, a part of the LVMH’s resort group, not too long ago underwent a top-to-toe renovation by famend French inside designer Jacques Grange. The outcomes are grand. A spotlight: La Villa de France, a five-bedroom villa with two infinity swimming pools, a non-public spa, and jaw-dropping views. However maybe the most effective a part of the property is the gardens surrounding it, designed by Madison Cox, the panorama designer behind Marrakech’s famed Jardin Majorelle, as soon as owned by Yves Saint Laurent. The resort’s restaurant, La Case, can also be a stunning area, with porcelain Dior tableware made solely for the restaurant. You should definitely order chef Jean Imbert’s specialty: the sand-crusted sea bass.

Rosewood Le Guanahani

Le Guanahani is again! And it has a brand new identify. The beloved mainstay, set on a non-public peninsula and recognized for its lovely lavender, yellow, and blue clapboard cottages, was all however destroyed by Hurricane Irma and closed in 2017. After 5 years of renovations, and now underneath the management of the Rosewood Lodge Group, the resort has reopened and it’s chicer than ever. Now the most important resort on the island (although you’d by no means realize it from the intimate really feel), its 20 suites every have personal swimming pools, which very a lot appears to be a factor in St. Barts.