It’s hip, it’s chic, it’s French and it’s Caribbean. The island of St Barts is the toniest place in the West Indies, but beneath the pomp and circumstance is a seriously substantive offering that makes it among the Caribbean’s greatest travel destinations. Whether you’re looking to eat gourmet food at haute cuisine French eateries, shop for your favorite luxury brands or lounge the day away at show-stopping white-sand beaches, this island has a bit of everything for the refined luxury traveler. Here are our favorite places to stay — the best St Barts hotels.
Le Guanahani St Barth The island’s largest resort at just 67 rooms, this 31-year-old classic has emerged from a multimillion-dollar refurb with all the perks you’d expect, including twin pools; a complimentary kids’ club; and a Clarins spa and Frederic Fekkai hair salon. It’s all got the best hotel beach of all St Barts hotels, and it all adds up to the number one ranking among St Barts hotels. Right now, this is the best hotel on the island.
Le Sereno, St Barth.
Hôtel Le Sereno With an eye-pleasingly modern design that reads cool, not cold, this chic hillside cloister offers sanctuary for stylish sun-seekers who stay in 36 suites and three airy and spacious villas, which overlook the beautiful white-sand Grand Cul De Sac beach.
Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France Whether you choose a breezy beachfront room or homey garden bungalow you’ll be enchanted by this grande dame of St. Bart’s hotels, which has presided over Flamands Bay for a decade.
Tom Beach Hôtel There’s no better place to sip un planteur (or to watch planes touch down precipitously close to the water’s edge) than this party-hearty St. Jean boutique, where a dozen suites and its La Plage restaurant are the nucleus of a buzzy beachfront scene.
Hotel Taïwana Compact and undeniably cool, this resort on Flamands Bay has 22 one- to four-bedroom suites (several with private pools), making it ideal for families or groups who want to combine the space of a villa with the amenities of a hotel stay.
Le Village Saint Barth Hotel This charming hillside boutique hotel is a popular pick as perhaps the best value hotel in all of St Barts. Why? It’s near to both downtown St. Jean and several stunning beaches; outdoor kitchens make cooking for yourself, dare we say, fun; and the luxe-but-laidback vibe is a welcome departure from the seen-and-be-seen scene.
Eden Rock St Barths.
Eden Rock If the stunning oceanfront location, two superb restaurants (one helmed by Jean-Georges Vongerichten), and 34 whimsically decorated residences at what was the first luxury St. Barts hotel don’t make you want to stay here, check your pulse. (Or at least check out the over-the-top fabulous six-bedroom Rockstar Villa and reconsider.)
Hotel Le Toiny St Barth Almost as far as you can get from bustling Gustavia, this elegant 14-suite retreat on the southeast “Cote Sauvage” marries isolation with indulgence and is rightfully popular for its sumptuous Sunday brunch, served with jaw-dropping views on the side. Nearby Toiny Beach is a raw, very different side of St Barts, with rough Atlantic waves making it a popular spot for surfers.
Le Barthélemy Less than a year old, this Grand Cul De Sac boutique has 46 plush rooms, some with heated plunge pools, all kitted with Hermes toiletries. A two-star Michelin chef helms the beachfront restaurant, and the spa serves up serenity via indulgent treatments using La Mer products.
Villa Marie Saint-Barth What can you expect when you check in to this cloister of 18 Colombier cottages overlooking Flamands Bay? Boho-chic décor that echoes the color and casual vibe of the island itself; delectable French fare at Francois Plantation restaurant; and a welcoming ambience that makes it hard to leave and one of the best St Barts hotels.
