Just got back last week from a week in St. Barths. Would highly recommend this island to anyone, esp. those who love France. It was like being in the hill towns of Provence, but with a beach and port.<BR><BR>Stayed at Sereno Beach Hotel, which was quite a good value considering St. Barths prices. The bartender was super (Cyrille) and made the best pina coladas at a lovely beachfront bar, breakfast was good, service great. We would definitely consider a repeat stay there.<BR><BR>Dining was wonderful. Favorite meals were at Le Gaiac (at Le Toiny – wonderful dining and great wine list), La Marine (on Thursday night – each Thursday they fly mussels in fresh from France), Eden Rock (their ‘On the Rocks’ tapas restaurant had amazing views and really good food). Disappointed with Mayas. For lunch, Kiki & Mo’s was great as was La Rotisserie. Did go to Le Select for burgers for lunch – okay.<BR><BR>Beaches were wonderful. Grand Saline and Governors were our 2 favorites. Snorkeled just a little (borrowed someone’s snorkel gear and floated for an hour or so) – not a destination for snorkeling, but fun.<BR><BR>If you have any questions about St. Barths, I’d be happy to answer them. We can't wait to go back!<BR>

Hi Jen<BR>I am headed to the island next week..A few questions if you don't mind.<BR>WHere there a lot of mosquitos?<BR>Did you take carry on luggage or checked and what was it like at the Airport in SXM?<BR>DId your hotel have an electrical converter 110-220?<BR>Were the beaches empty since it's off season?<BR>How was driving on the island?<BR>Any other restaurants you would recommend..I think BOuBOu's is closed for the season?<BR>Any other tips would be most appreciated.<BR>Thanks

I'd recommend Esprit de Saline for dinner

hi jen, i've been looking into the sereno as well, how were the rooms? did you rent a car or was it easy to get to the beach? thanks in advance!

Hi Samantha:<BR><BR>There were some mosquitos - I personally get bitten a lot, and ended up with several bites on each leg.<BR><BR>Checked bags all the way through to St. Barths - I HIGHLY recommend you doing the same. The planes to St. Barths are small, and you'll need to check it there anyway. SXM was not the nicest airport I've been in; some parts are not airconditioned.<BR><BR>Bring a french converter with you - or buy one there at the gas station near the airport (I forgot mine).<BR><BR>Beaches were blissfully empty!<BR><BR>Driving is fine - you'll get used to the narrow roads and small cars. Just very hilly.<BR><BR>Boubou's is closed for the season. Other restaurants - The Hideaway in St. Jean - good food and inexpensive. La Gloriette on Grand Cul de Sac was good and service was nice. Le Ti St. Barth was wonderful - can't believe I left it out of the original trip report! A must-do. The goat cheese salad is wonderful.<BR><BR>Other tips, the gas stations (all 2 of them) are closed on Sundays, so get gas around that day. If you like baked goods, hit the bakeries really early b/c they sell out quickly.<BR><BR>If you like shopping there are some great stores:<BR><BR>Mia Zia for silk-wrapped bungee cord bracelets that are apparently popular with the yatching crowd. Good for summer (I bought 2 of the long ones to wrap around). In St. Jean.<BR><BR>La Pinta for vanilla rum - most restaurants will bring you a shot glass of flavored rum with your check...vanilla was our favorite, and brought some home from this shop in Gustavia. Good gifts. It's bottled in lovely bottles.<BR><BR>Enjoy - I'd be happy to answer more questions!<BR>

Beachlover:<BR><BR>Garden rooms are standard (not fancy) and very clean. Had a little garden and patio with hammock, 2 chairs, and table. Room had dresser drawers (built in) with 2 wicker nightstands and king sized bed. When we were hanging out, we did so on our patio.<BR><BR>The beach front suites are very nice, and they seem to have been updated very recently. Bathrooms are nice, and the one we saw had a private sunning room, living room, deck, in addition to the 'bedroom' area.<BR><BR>You really have to rent a car on St. Barths. The Sereno is directly on Grand Cul de Sac beach (great pool at the hotel too), but the other beaches I mentioned are just beautiful - esp. Saline. It's really easy driving to all beaches, except Governor's b/c it's just so hilly, and there is very clear parking once you are at the beach.<BR><BR>Enjoy.

Jen <BR>thanks for the reply..SO you told your home airport you want your bags checked all the way to ST BArths and that's all you did?Then just pick your luggage up on ST BArths? I was thinking of bringing just carry on ..Would I have to check it in SXM anyway?

We booked our Winair tixs through USAirways, and that's how we could book our luggage all the way through.<BR><BR>We had USAirways check the bags to St. Barths. When you arrive at St. Maarten, you go through a short line to the next gate area, and don't really pass a baggage claim area. <BR><BR>If you have your carry-ons with you, you take them through to board to St. Barths, and then Winair (or whatever airline you are flying to St. Barts) checks your luggage as you are boarding - so that's a fine option too.<BR><BR>Just don't check your luggage to St. Marteen and expect it to pick it up and recheck and make your flight to St. Barths b/c you won't.

Just a tid-bit of info:<BR><BR>I go thru the SXM airport very frequently. If you are flying American, you cannot check your bags all the way to St. Barth's via WinAir. You will have to claim your bags in SXM and check in with WinAir seperately, checking your bags at that time.<BR><BR>I'm not sure of other airlines policies, but I know that American does not do check in for WinAir. That contract became obsolete years ago.<BR><BR>If you ARE checked all the way to St. Barth's, then you can just go thru gate 9, which is the connecting gate, when you arrive SXM. This will also help you to avoid the long lines at immigration with all the other passengers from your flight.<BR><BR>As long as you have an hour for your connection from SXM to St. Barths, you should have no problem making it if you have to claim your bags in SXM.<BR><BR>However, be sure to obtain your departure tax receipt (you won't have to pay since you are in transit) and move thru the line into the departure hall ASAP. Don't waste any time shopping in the airport since the security line can very suddenly get VERY long and you can be caught off guard, therefore missing your flight.<BR><BR>Another thing to keep in mind is that you can take only small carry-ons on WinAir and most commuter planes. The rolling 22" carry-on bags have to go in with the checked luggage. They will do this at the aircraft, though.<BR><BR>Have fun!<BR>

Not to be nosy, but could you give me an idea of what your trip cost? I would like to go to St. Barths, but I'm not sure I can afford it. Also, was your resort on the beach?

Hi Macy,<BR><BR>I was a bit worried about the cost too. The Sereno's website www.serenohotel.com has some package deals during off season. We took the West Indies Welcome package $1360 that included 7 nights + rental car + breakfast + one dinner. The hotel is on the beach, but you probably want to swim from other beaches as Grand Cul de Sac has some grass in it - BUT - it's lovely to look at and people do swim in it, and if you like windsurfing, it's the place to be.<BR><BR>After accommodations, we did some fancy dinners ($200) and some not so fancy ($40). There are plenty of restaurants offering both all kinds of menus. Also, we did cheap lunches - a sandwich at Kiki & Mo's or at La Rotisserie.<BR><BR>My husband travels all the time for work, so we had free plane tickets to St. Marteen, and the cost of a round trip ticket to St. Barths is $100.<BR><BR>Hope that helps.

Even though the Sereno isn't on a very nice beach and the hotel is located off the beaten path, the package deal there is a great bargain!! You won't find too many hotels in St. Bart's at that price.<BR><BR>Most of the hotels provide the much needed bug spray in your room. Use it every night.<BR><BR>US Air will check baggage all the way through to St. Bart's, American Airlines will not. No problem with checked bags--it isn't as big of a hassle as some posters make it out to be.<BR><BR>Some hotels provide electrical converters, some may not so ask upon arrival.<BR><BR>Beaches will probably be pretty empty during the slow season as will the restaurants (some will be closed).<BR><BR>Driving is fun but it could be considered a challenge to some.