By the Caribbean Journal staff

It’s an almost corner of St Barth, another way to see this jewel of the Caribbean.

It’s not pretentious, free of attitude. It’s you and the beach, from your own private bungalow.

Yes, in the heart of one of the Caribbean’s greatest luxury destinations is a classic beach bungalow hotel.

And it’s open again.

The island’s post-Irma recovery has continued with this month’s relaunch of the Les Mouettes boutique hotel.

The tiny Les Mouettes is made up of a charming little collection of seven air-conditioned one-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalows, all of which include their own terrace kitchenettes, Wi-Fi, phones, and most of which are on the beach or the edge of the sand.

“Finally, after seven months of hard work the hotel is now reopened,” the L’orient-area beachfront property announced on Facebook.

Long one of the island’s closely-guarded secrets, Les Mouettes is a portal to the Old St Barth, the barefoot-chic French Caribbean fishing village that was St Barth in the beginning, the place where a morning starts best with a ti’ punch, and an evening just lazing on the terrace.

The latest in a line of St Barth hotels to make their returns, including Le Village (long a CJ favorite), the wonderful little Les Ilets de la Plage and the reimagined Manapany, among others.

But it’s every bit St Barth, meaning all of the wonderful sophistication, culture, charm and beauty are within easy reach.

That is, if you ever want to leave the beach.

(And even better? They’re one of the island’s best values, with rates of beachfront bungalows starting at just € 150

in the summer).

For more info, visit Les Mouettes.

— CJ