Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: Top 10 best luxury hotels in St Barts
St Barts (also known as St Barth or Saint Barthélemy) is one of the world’s most exclusive and fashionable vacation destinations. Part of the French West Indies, the island has an area of only 25 square km (9.7 sq mi), but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in style, sophistication and casual luxury. With secluded beaches, tropical weather and high-end clubs, St Barts perfectly owns the balance between restful tranquility and stylish French flair. This standout holiday destination has earned its place among the most prestigious and sought-after locations in the world, and also boasts orld-class luxury accommodation that matches the island’s reputation. Here’s my selection of the 10 best luxury hotels in St Barts.
There is more information (with reviews and YouTube videos) below the slide show. Think I missed one? Share your favorite St Barts hotel in the comments section.
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10. GYP SEA HOTEL
An authentic piece of paradise, Gyp Sea Hotel, which overlooks the magnificent Bay of Flamands on the heights of Colombier, offers breathtaking views of the crystal-clear waters and a refined tropical ambiance. Meticulous attention to detail, warmhospitality, and personalized service ensure that every stay is a memorable experience. The 22 bungalows and villas, on the top of Colombier hill, are decorated in bohemian and colonial style with sea view. For even more luxury, consider booking one of the new beach houses on the Gyp Sea’s beach club on the Plage du Pélican, which are bursting with bold textiles, local art, and hand-carved furniture.
9. WIMCO ST BARTH PROPERTIES
The crown jewel of the French West Indies, St Barts is one of the world’s most exclusive islands. Wimco St Barth Properties is not a hotel but represents more than 300 exclusive private villas on the island – from romantic one-bedroom case-style homes to palatial multi-bedroom estates with luxurious amenities. Wimco St Barth Properties has offices in the U.S. and on the island; its expert staff will help match you with the perfect accommodations and coordinate a range of concierge services – including villa provisioning, poolside massages, reservations at the best restaurants, and more.
- Website: Wimco St Barth
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Wimco St Barth via Virtuoso (e.g. early check-in, late check-out, a jute market bag for the beach & shopping, and a special sampling of Rhum Agricole that is bottled on the island).
8. HOTEL CHRISTOPHER SAINT-BARTH
Hotel Christopher is the intimate island escape you’ve been dreaming of. Snuggled between crystal-clear water and Pointe Milou, protected by the trade winds, this intimate setting is embraced by unobstructed views of the ocean and neighboring islands. Guests enjoy unobstructed ocean views from 42 breezy rooms and 3 villas that blend Creole architecture with minimalist design. Mediterranean-style dishes are handcrafted by Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Faye (try the local lobster linguine and citrus baba). Or just settle into one of the loungers alongside the hotel’s infinity pool, the largest on the island, and watch the sunset over the horizon.
- Hotel website: Hotel Christopher
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Hotel Christopher via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
7. HOTEL LE TOINY
Hôtel Le Toiny, member of Relais & Châteaux, truly reflects the exclusivity and elegance of St Barts. Just 22 ocean-view suites set amid 42 acres of tropical garden overlook a beach that is one of the best-kept secrets among local surfers. Each suite is more than 1,500 square feet and features a private terrace and a heated swimming pool. Hôtel Le Toiny offers simple yet elegant European cuisine for lunch at the fully serviced Beach Club and dinner at the main house with a DJ performing every night. The oyster shell bar welcomes you for cocktails and tapas.
- Hotel website: Hôtel Le Toiny
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Hôtel Le Toiny via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
6. LE BARTHELEMY HOTEL & SPA
Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa exudes Parisian cool with 44 luxe guest rooms and two chic oceanfront villas, just steps from the beach. The resort has been named within the Top #5 Best Resorts in the Caribbean for 7 consecutive years by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. The newly renovated La Mer Spa features Nordic Baths, a sauna, and a hammam, blissfully set on a tranquil crescent bay. French Mediterranean flair mingles with island-inspired flavors in the hotel’s Amis St Barth restaurant, where guests can enjoy a gourmet dinner by the sea with live music.
- Hotel website: Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
5. HOTEL BARRIERE LE CARL GUSTAF
Nestling above the town of Gustavia, this jewel of the Caribbean stands proudly over the port and the turquoise sea. Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf features suites, a loft and a villa, most of them with breathtaking Caribbean Sea views and private pools. Foodies will love Beefbar, with its innovative cuisine showcasing an elegant fusion of French and Caribbean flavours, or sip a delicious cocktail, feet in the sand at Shellona on the private beach. The hotel also features a Spa Diane Barrière with stunning views of the sea, where you can enjoy a pool, sauna, steam room, and treatments in collaboration with the Biologique Recherche and Algologie brands.
- Hotel website: Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
4. EDEN ROCK – ST BARTHS, OETKER COLLECTION
Eden Rock is a storied hideaway perched on the iconic rock in sunny St Barts. In 1950, Rémy de Haenen purchased the rocky promontory and built a hotel upon it, gambling on the island’s potential as a dream destination. David and Jane Matthews and family purchased the property in 1995 from Rémy De Haenen and restored the buildings, constructing new additions and designing enhanced amenities that preserve De Haenen’s eccentric taste and zest for life. Since 2014, the Matthews family partners with Oetker Collection to manage Eden Rock – St Barths. The hotel presents 34 lavish casitas, 26 beachfront suites, four ocean villas featuring private pools and butlers, and two multibedroom villas.
- Hotel website: Eden Rock – St Barths
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Eden Rock – St Barths via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
3. CHEVAL BLANC ST-BARTH
Set on Flamands Bay, one of the island’s finest beaches, Cheval Blanc St-Barth is home to 61 beautifully appointed rooms, suites, and villas hidden in lush gardens or with panoramic sea views. All Ocean and Beach Rooms and Suites unveil a Caribbean flair imagined by French designer Jacques Grange. La Case restaurant serves a locally inspired cuisine for a culinary journey to the carefree rhythm of the Caribbean, while La Cabane is the perfect setting for a relaxed meal a few steps away from the sea. The Cheval Blanc Spa offers Guerlain rituals, exclusive to the Caribbean, for a well-being interlude.
- Hotel website: Cheval Blanc St-Barth
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Cheval Blanc St-Barth via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
- Review: coming soon
2. LE SERENO
Designed by the late, renowned Christian Liaigre, Le Sereno is an intimate family-owned and -operated luxury hotel offering only 39 suites in addition to 3 large four-bedroom villas. Located on the beach at Grand Cul de Sac and spanning 600 ft (180 m) of pristine shoreline, Le Sereno is one of only a handful of St Barts hotels that can claim a beachfront location (in this case, a virtually private beach). Catering year-round to discerning travelers craving luxury, comfort and privacy, the boutique hotel features a swimming pool, a sundeck, a restaurant and a spa pavilion all of which overlook the water.
- Hotel website: Le Sereno
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Le Sereno via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit).
- Review: coming soon
1. ROSEWOOD LE GUANAHANI
Facing a peaceful lagoon and the sparkling Caribbean, Rosewood Le Guanahani is a vision of bougainvillea, coconut groves, and vibrantly colored cottages. In keeping with its exclusive St Barts’ location, this enclave feels more like an intimate retreat than a full-service hotel. Each of the 66 air-conditioned, Creole-style cottages features accents of rare wood, a wide terrace, and a private garden with nearly all rooms and suites offering ocean views, and many feature pools. Be as active as you wish; choose between the world-class spa and the many water sports, from kayaking and snorkeling to an exclusive hiking trail on the Morne.
- Hotel website: Rosewood Le Guanahani
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking Rosewood Le Guanahani via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit; bookings in the 2 and 3 bedroom signature suites come with an additional $100 USD resort credit for a total of $200 USD during stay).
- Review: coming soon
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