Where to Stay St. Barts
Aug 22nd, 2003, 01:57 PM
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Where to Stay St. Barts
My wife and I have done Virgin Islands for years and are looking for a different experience. Seems St. Barts gets the best ratings on this site. What is the scoop on accomodations? We are looking for top notch places, excellent food. Cost won't be a problem. We like to be taken care of. Are villa rentals the way to go? I'm having trouble finding info on Ilse De Paradise or Le Toiny on the net.
Aug 22nd, 2003, 08:33 PM
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St. Barts is absolutely wonderful--safe, sophisticated, great cusine, spectacular views, but it's certainly not for everyone. No casinos, all inclusives, or loud Caribbean music here.
Le Toniy is exceptional with WOW views, really a hotel compound of about 10 individual villas (each with their own pool), but a little isolated. Hotel Isle de France is right on Flamands Beach (a favorite for it's beauty)--an excellent hotel and spa. If you prefer in-town look at Carl Gustav-- all three are top notch, and they should be for 700-to 1K per night in high season. St. Barts has no large ones and over 1/2 the Guest rooms are in private villas. For privacy and ambiance it does not get any better than having your own Villa, but don't expect hotel like pampering.
Le Toniy is exceptional with WOW views, really a hotel compound of about 10 individual villas (each with their own pool), but a little isolated. Hotel Isle de France is right on Flamands Beach (a favorite for it's beauty)--an excellent hotel and spa. If you prefer in-town look at Carl Gustav-- all three are top notch, and they should be for 700-to 1K per night in high season. St. Barts has no large ones and over 1/2 the Guest rooms are in private villas. For privacy and ambiance it does not get any better than having your own Villa, but don't expect hotel like pampering.
Aug 23rd, 2003, 08:23 AM
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My husband and I stayed at Eden Rock on St. Jean Beach and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. We aren't really villa people. We go to the Caribbean for the beaches and to us that means being ON the beach and not having to pack up the car. Also, we don't mind that hotel-like pampering that caribcouple mentioned! Eden Rock was lovely, the food exceptional, the service personal and the setting stunning. Plus it's only about 10 minutes to Gustavia, a picture-postcard harbor town with great shopping and a variety of restaurants from very expensive to hamburger joints. Since good food is a must you won't have any trouble finding excellent food anywhere on the island.
Of the Virgin Islands we've been to St. John and Tortola and I must say that St. Barths is about as different as you can get. The French culture is very apparent, unlike, say St. Martin. If cost is no object, food and beaches your focus, and a different experience from the VI's your goal, you should have a wonderful time.
Of the Virgin Islands we've been to St. John and Tortola and I must say that St. Barths is about as different as you can get. The French culture is very apparent, unlike, say St. Martin. If cost is no object, food and beaches your focus, and a different experience from the VI's your goal, you should have a wonderful time.
Aug 23rd, 2003, 07:22 PM
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My wife and I were in Barts in late May. Hotel Guanahani is absolutely terrific. More secluded than Eden Rock but not as far out as Le Toiny. Le Toiny is a ways from its beach which is rocky at best. Beautiful views, however. Restaurant at Le Toiny is not to be missed. The tasting menu ($400 with one bottle of wine)rivals our best meal in several trips to France.
Guanahani has individual suites which have 10 foot wide sliding glass doors which we opened every morning while having cafe' in bed. Our room was 10 feet from a cliff dropping about 80 feet into the ocean. Talk about views!It also has a fantastic beach where you can sail, windsurf, snorkel or catch a dive boat. It is very calm, safe and shallow. Le Bartolomeo is the restaurant on site which is fabulous. It was almost as good as Le Gaiec at Le Toiny. Several of the premium properties are in very populated areas on St. Barts, ie. Eden Rock. Although they are great properties, I prefer a little more privacy. Room service had our coffee to our room every morning within 5-7 minutes which is amazing when you see how spread out the property is. Some of the suites have private pools but they are all great.
$400-1200 per night depending on the room and season. We had just chartered a 57 foot sloop in the VI's 6 months prior. That was an awesome trip, but there is something very special about St. Barts. You pay for it, but it is hard to explain and well worth it. Without the water, I would have sworn we were in a small town straight out of France.
We spent one night at La Samanna in St. Martin (another property which is also not to be missed) on our way over. St, Martin and St. Barts are like night a day. I laugh a the notion that St. Barts is rude or snobby. Hardly any one I encountered in St. Martin would hardly speak, much less be friendly(other than the people at La Samanna)
I hope you decide to go. I would be happy to provide more information just post back.
Guanahani has individual suites which have 10 foot wide sliding glass doors which we opened every morning while having cafe' in bed. Our room was 10 feet from a cliff dropping about 80 feet into the ocean. Talk about views!It also has a fantastic beach where you can sail, windsurf, snorkel or catch a dive boat. It is very calm, safe and shallow. Le Bartolomeo is the restaurant on site which is fabulous. It was almost as good as Le Gaiec at Le Toiny. Several of the premium properties are in very populated areas on St. Barts, ie. Eden Rock. Although they are great properties, I prefer a little more privacy. Room service had our coffee to our room every morning within 5-7 minutes which is amazing when you see how spread out the property is. Some of the suites have private pools but they are all great.
$400-1200 per night depending on the room and season. We had just chartered a 57 foot sloop in the VI's 6 months prior. That was an awesome trip, but there is something very special about St. Barts. You pay for it, but it is hard to explain and well worth it. Without the water, I would have sworn we were in a small town straight out of France.
We spent one night at La Samanna in St. Martin (another property which is also not to be missed) on our way over. St, Martin and St. Barts are like night a day. I laugh a the notion that St. Barts is rude or snobby. Hardly any one I encountered in St. Martin would hardly speak, much less be friendly(other than the people at La Samanna)
I hope you decide to go. I would be happy to provide more information just post back.
