Naim

Hi, <BR>We are planning on spending 8 days of our honeymoon at Le Toiny??? This will be in the first week of July. We are looking for a chic relaxing place with great beeches, shopping and some fun. What do you think?? <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR>Naim

Howard

Hello <BR> <BR>I would say if you have money to burn, Le Toiny is a great place and St. Barts a great island for a honeymoon. One drawback to keep in mind - the hotel is not on the beach, but a couple of hundred feet up a steep hill. At the bottom of the hill is not a beach, but rocks. This makes for great scenery, but to get to a beach, you need to drive. If it is important to you to roll out of bed and on to the beach, stay somewhere else. If not, Le Toiny would be great.

paul

You can't do much better than Le Toiny! (and you probably can't do any more expensive, either...). <BR> <BR>It's just about perfect, except it's not on a beach. Trust me, you won't care. Great beaches like Salines, Gouverneur and St. Jean within easy drive, and shopping in St. Jean and Gustavia also are easy drives - it's a small island!

Naim

Hi, <BR>Paul & Howard...thanks for the advice we don't mind driving to the beach so we will go with Toiny....any suggestions on the higlights of the island..where to eat what to see...etc.. <BR> <BR>thanks for your help! <BR>Naim

paulfpt

Can't help you much with "what to eat", as I'm a vegetarian and always get simple fare (of course I also save a bundle!). If you have a kitchenette, stock up on whatever you want/need at the Match superette across from the airport - best selection on the island. Also, on the hilly roads heading up toward Flamands, just 5 min from the airport, there's a great boulangerie (La Petite Colombe?) on your left - classic croissants, baguettes and delicious french pastries. Cafe au lait. Breakfast will cost a fraction of what you'd pay at a hotel or resto (who buy them from the same place). <BR>What to see - any water sport you want can be arranged through Marine Service in Gustavia. We took a catamaran snorkeling trip to Isle Fourchue and had fun. Beaches - besides Gouverneur and Salines, which are superb, take the hike (about 20 minutes) on the footpath to Colombier beach. The path starts in Flamands, about 1/2 mile past Flamands beach (which is itself a lovely beach) where the road dead-ends. Also - drive up into Colombier, as far as you can go, and there's a lookout point (just past Le P'tit Morne cottages) with a fabulous view.

BillK

With no insult intended it just struck me as funny - a vegetarian going to St Barths is like a Eunich going to a brothel - but there are the pastries.

paul

No insult is taken. And it doesn't mean I don't go to restaurants - I do! I'd recommend La Mandala (in Gustavia) for example. I also know that many other people rave about Maya's, although I haven't tried it.

Ashley

We were in St. Barts for our honeymoon in May 2000. We loved it. Stayed at Hotel St. Barth Isle de France on Flamands beach. But we met another honeymooner couple staying at LeToiny. They were very happy with their stay. We visited their for a drink. LeToiny seemed a bit more "stuffy" of an atmosphere to me than where we were. You should check out Hotel Isle de France before you book. It's very upscale also, but clean, airy, spacious rooms with luxurious large bathroom (jacuzzi tub, separate open tile shower), and if you stay in the main building, you are right on a gorgeous beach. Chairs, umbrellas, and waiter service. <BR> <BR>For dining- I recommend BouBous for lunch. Eden Rock is a must at some point for a meal. And many people not staying at our hotel dined at the restaurant there- it was excellent.