Travel
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Spotlight on: St Barths
Chase the winter sun with a trip to the Caribbean
Wild and wonderful, with craggy green peaks and pristine white sand beaches, this is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, and it boasts some of the most opulent hotels, too.
Eden Rock
EDEN ROCK ST BARTHS
Situated in the heart of Baie de St Jean, this gorgeous property boasts an unrivalled position on a rocky promontory surrounded by the calm waters of the bay. A true Caribbean queen, the hotel was originally owned by French aviator Rémy Haenen, who opened it as a guest house in the 1950s, going on to host a celebrity crowd including the likes of Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes. It is now part of the Oetker Collection and considered to be one of the island’s flagship five-star hotels – it was voted one of the World’s 50 Best Hotels in the 2023 list. The hotel was forced to close for a two-year period after sustaining significant damage during Hurricane Irma; it now boasts a new restaurant and spa, and 34 exquisite new guest rooms. The accommodation, housed in pretty, low-built, redroofed buildings, features warm walnut wood, colourful textures and artworks chosen to complement the unbelievable views. Food is served at The Sand Bar – designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio it offers a beach chic vibe, with all-day menus overseen by French American chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Don’t miss the delicious truffle pizza – a house favourite for very good reason. oetkercollection.com/hotels/eden-rock-st-barths
Hotel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf
HÔTEL BARRIÈRE LE CARL GUSTAF
Set on a hillside overlooking the red roofs and the pretty harbour of Gustavia, the island’s Capital, this intimate five-star hotel offers just 21 guestrooms and suites, giving it a super exclusive feel. The location means that guests are perfectly placed for both the glitzy boutiques, buzzy bars and fine restaurants of the town, and the crystal-clear waters of nearby Shell Beach, one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated. At the latter, you’ll find the Shellona Beach Club, the hotel’s beach restaurant, which is overseen by Greek head chef Yiannis Kioroglou, who is known for mixing local culinary influences with his native Mediterranean style to delicious effect. And this season, further foodie appeal comes thanks to a new gastronomic addition at Le Carl Gustaf, with the opening of Beefbar St Barth, nestled in the hotel’s leafy gardens. It promises all the iconic dishes fans of the famously glittering steak joint will know and love, served with a backdrop of stunning views. Of course, all the facilities at the hotel are second to none, not least the spa. Part of the celebrated Barrière group, the luxury French hospitality brand behind Le Majestic in Cannes and Les Neiges in Courchevel, the hotel boasts a gorgeous Diane Barrière spa offering indulgent Biologique Recherche treatments. Totally dreamy. hotelsbarriere.com/en/saint-barth/le-carl-gustaf
CHEVAL BLANC ST-BARTH
CHEVAL BLANC ST-BARTH
Part of the exclusive hospitality brand developed by LVMH, this is one of the most exclusive hotels on the island. With an enviable location on Baie des Flamands, the island’s prettiest beach, it was the first hotel outside France to be awarded Palace status and is the only property in the Caribbean to hold the accolade. Unsurprisingly, guests here can expect to be treated like royalty, with a butler on hand 24 hours a day to attend to their needs. Surrounded by lush greenery on the wilder north side of the island, it offers a tranquil paradise for those in the know, with accommodation offered in 61 bright and airy plantation-style rooms, suites and villas, each offering breathtaking views of the sea, or the tropical gardens. Elegant and simple, the calming interiors are the work of acclaimed French designer Jacques Grange. If the views – both inside and out – don’t help to melt away your stresses, the spa almost certainly will: offering bespoke treatments by Guerlain it is a true sanctuary of wellness nestled in the hotel gardens. There are two restaurants here, the laidback La Cabane and the more formal La Case – though they are different in vibe, both have menus overseen by French chef Jean Imbert and are not to be missed. chevalblanc.com/en/maison/st-barth