Rosewood is adding one of the region’s crown jewels to its Caribbean resort portfolio. 

Rosewood Hotels and Resorts has been tapped to manage St Barth’s iconic Le Guanahani hotel, which is set to reopen in 2021 after an extensive renovation project. 

The Grand Cul de Sac-area property, which has been closed since Hurricane Irma in 2017, will reopen as Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, following a “property-wide rebuild and refurbishment.”

“A legendary resort cherished for its rich offerings, memorable service and captivating landscape, Le Guanahani is a jewel within the Caribbean and an idyllic destination for Rosewood’s affluential explorers,” said Sonia Cheng, chief executive officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. “We are honored to steward Rosewood Le Guanahani as it sets a new standard of luxury on St. Barth and around the world.”

It’s the first Rosewood in the French Caribbean, joining existing Rosewood Caribbean resorts including Rosewood Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda and Rosewood Baha Mar in The Bahamas. 

A Rosewood-branded resort is also in development in Antigua, slated for a 2023 debut. 

The transformed Le Guanahani is being designed by David M. Schwartz Architects, with interior design by Luis Pons Design Lab. 

All 66 rooms, suites and villas will be redesigned; a new beachfront dining concept will be added along with a new pool, fitness center, tennis court and Sense spa. 

Notably, the property will continue to operate under longtime Le Guanahani managing director Martein van Wagenberg, who has previously served as managing director at Rosewood Little Dix Bay and Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort in Mexico. in San Jose del Cabo. 

. “Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is the perfect partner and one that shares our core values through their A Sense of Place philosophy, demonstrated through an unwavering commitment to our associates and community. This is an extraordinary opportunity for the Le Guanahani team to join Rosewood’s global network. We are delighted to launch a new chapter of Le Guanahani’s storied legacy with Rosewood by our side.”

The news comes as St Barth officially reopened its borders for tourism earlier this week. 

For more, visit Rosewood Le Guanahani. 

— CJ