Hotels Overview

There's no denying that hotel rooms and villas on St. Barths carry high prices, and the current weakness of the dollar makes for a costly respite. You're paying primarily for the privilege of staying on the island, and even at $800 a night the bedrooms tend to be small. Still, if you're flexible -- in terms of timing and in your choice of lodgings -- you can enjoy a holiday in St. Barths and still afford to send the kids to college.

The most expensive season falls during the holidays (mid-December to early January), when hotels are booked far in advance, usually require a 10- or 14-day stay, and can be double the high-season rates. A controversial tax on hotel and villa rental rates has been abandoned, so you should not have any surcharge on your bill.

Villas & Condominiums

On St. Barths, the term "villa" is used to describe anything from a small cottage to a luxurious, modern estate. Today almost half of St. Barths' accommodations are in villas, and we recommend considering this option, especially if you're traveling with friends or family. An advantage to Americans is that villa rates are usually quoted and confirmed in dollars, thus bypassing unfavorable euro fluctuations. Most villas have a small private swimming pool and maid service daily except Sunday. They are well furnished with linens, kitchen utensils, and such electronic playthings as CD and DVD players, satellite TV, and broadband Internet connections. In-season rates range from $1,400 to $40,000 a week. Most villa-rental companies are based in the United States and have extensive Web sites so you can see pictures of the place you're renting; their local offices oversee maintenance and housekeeping and provide concierge services to clients. Just be aware that there are few beachfront villas, so if you have your heart set on "toes in the sand" and a cute waiter delivering your kir royale, stick with the hotels.