My picks in Shops, Gifts, Finds

Cheat Sheet: St. Barth's

Intimate hotels, fine dining, chic boutiques, water sports and more

It's no surprise that the Caribbean's sexiest and most fashionable island is a French one! Saint Barthélemy, a.k.a St. Barth's, truly is a stunning, tropical gem that lives up to its reputation as a sophisticated playground for the international beau monde, many of whom arrive by yachts to unwind in private villas, shop in chic boutiques, ride jet skis around turquoise lagoons, and socialize with or simply admire the gorgeous patrons of the island's hottest restaurants.

WHERE TO STAY IN ST. BARTH'S

Hotel Taiwana

Flamands Beach
Hotel Taiwana: Intimate, Private, Stylish Hotel on Flammands Beach in St. Barth's, French West Indies. Suzanne's Files
You won't find much written about Hotel Taiwana because its owners prefer to maintain its status as one of the most under-the-radar gems on St. Barth's. The intimate, beachy retreat is a favorite of former St. Barth's resident Christiane Celle, the founder of Calypso fashion boutiques. Although she now lives in New York and runs Clic, a new photo gallery and bookshop, she returns often to ... read more about Hotel Taiwana
www.hoteltaiwana.com | Phone: +590 590 27 65 01
Flamands Beach, Saint Barthélemy French West Indies

Hotel Le Sereno

Grand Cul de Sac
Hotel Le Sereno, a luxury boutique beachfront hotel on the Caribbean island of St. Barth's in the French West Indies
Surrounded by swaying palm trees and set on a pristine swath of the secluded Grand Cul de Sac beach in St. Barth's, Le Sereno is one of the chicest hotels in the Caribbean—and perhaps the chicest. A true bit of French flair in the Caribbean, sans the attitude. Go there if you want laid-back luxury and a romantic getaway—a grown up Blue Lagoon experience of sorts ... read more about Le Sereno hotel
www.lesereno.com | Phone: +590 590 29 83 00
Grand Cul de Sac, Saint Barthélémy French West Indies

Hotel Guanahani & Spa

Grand Cul de Sac
Hotel Guanahani & Spa, a luxurious family friendly resort on the Caribbean island of St. Barth's.
The only place to have a complete resort experience on the little Caribbean island of St. Barth's is the sophisticated and family-friendly Hotel Guanahani & Spa. It's the island's largest hotel, even though it has a total of just 68 rooms and suites. Le Guanahani strikes the delicate balance of being glamorous, romantic and kid-friendly all at the same time. It really has it all ... read more about Hotel Guanahani & Spa
www.leguanahani.com | Phone: 1 800 216 3774
Grand Cul de Sac, Saint Barthélemy French West Indies

Hotel La Banane

Baie de Lorient
Hotel La Banane, a small, low-key, chic hotel on the Caribbean island of St. Barth's

You're definitely in the tropics at La Banane in St. Barth's, a laid-back boutique hotel, essentially a villa with just 9 spacious bungalow suites, secluded in a grove of palm trees and a lush garden full of jasmine, bougainvillea and other fragrant flowers. Bookmark this one if you're looking to do St. Barth's without totally busting the bank, as it's a bargain, relatively speaking. “It's less expensive than ... read more about Hotel La Banane

www.labanane.com | Phone: +590 590 52 03 00
Baie de Lorient, Saint Barthélemy 97133 French West Indies

Rent a Private Villa

Private villa rental in the Caribbean
I love staying in great hotels, but I also cherish the freedom, flexibility and privacy of renting a villa—especially in the Caribbean where a private hideaway lets you truly immerse yourself in the relaxation and rhythm of the islands. And nowhere is renting a villa more popular than on the island of St. Barth's where privacy and beachfront access make these luxurious hideaways the perfect choice for a getaway ... read more about renting a private villa

WHERE TO EAT IN ST. BARTH’S

Restaurant File: St. Barth's Culinary Hotspots, from Beachfront Seafood Cafes to Glamorous Fine Dining

L'Esprit de Salines restaurant, a casual local spot in Salines, St. Barth's, French West Indies.

L'Esprit de Salines
"L'Esprit de Salines is fantastic for sophisticated local cuisine," says Christiane Celle, the stylish founder of the Calypso fashion boutiques, who's new project is Clic, a photo gallery and bookstore in New York and St. Barth's. Another fan of this chic but relaxed beachfront eatery is Suzanne's insider Deb Ryley: "It's a fairly casual spot for ... read more about L'Esprit de Salines and other hot restaurants in St. Barth's

WHERE TO SHOP IN ST. BARTH'S

St. Barth's Fashionable Shopping Finds

Lolita Jaca, a women's fashion boutique in Gustava, St. Barth's. The chic staples of designer Lolita's collections are her colorful caftans, kimonos, dresses, wrap tops and other beachy cover ups made with silk or block-print cotto, some in bold patterns and others trimmed with crochet or Lucknow embroidery. Think DVF meets Pucci with an exotic, tropical edge.

Lolita Jaca
This Gustavia boutique is a must-stop for fashionistas. "Lolita Jaca is my favorite place to shop in St. Barth's," says Christiane Celle, owner of Clic photo gallery and founder of Calypso, now a world-renowned fashion, lifestyle and fragrance brand. "I love their beachwear and kimonos." The chic staples of designer Lolita Jaca's collections are her colorful caftans ... read more about Lolita Jaca and other great shops in St. Barth's

WHERE TO PLAY IN ST. BARTH'S

Jet Skiing, Scuba Diving, Deep-Sea Fishing & more

Jet Skiing in St. Barth's

Jet Skiing: Marine Service
"Jet skiing is one of those activities to be prepared for ... goggles are a must, and the waters just outside Gustavia Harbor can have some pretty significant seas," warns Deb Ryley, one of Suzanne's Insiders and a frequent visitor to St. Barth's. "It's not for the faint of heart ... read more about Jet Skiing and other sporty adventures in St. Barth's

 

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Topics: Sports & Active , Shops, Gifts, Finds , Epicurean , Travel
Geography: St. Barth's
Tags: hotel, resort, boutique hotel, honeymoon, family friendly, restaurant, nightlife, shopping, yacht, beach

2 Comments

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Deb on Dec. 9, 2008

I am a little surprise there is no mention of Eden Rock and Le Toiny for places to stay. 

sandyman on Jan. 8, 2009

It's also a great island to buy watches much cheaper than the US as well as unique gifts.

 


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