We’re just back from St. Barth where we spent a lovely afternoon at Hotel St. Barth Isle de France. The resort, which is a member of the Oetker Collection (think Le Bristol Paris, Hôtel du Cap Eden-Roc and the Palais Namaskar in Marrakech, Morocco), is a true jetset venue. Since it’s a mere five-minute drive from the airport, you can don your flip-flops and be sipping Sauvignon Blanc on Flamand Beach in no time as you’re still shaking off your cold weather blues.
When you arrive, you’ll get the vibe that everything at Hotel St. Barth Isle de France is pure white against a blue, blue sea. And it is white and fresh, thanks in large part to a recent renovation to its garden bungalows and public areas. We were able to get a good walk-through to one of the just-turned-two Flamands Villas (No. 43). There are two of these enormous three-bedroom suites which measure 4,300 square feet in size. Smart Move: Each of the bedrooms is of equal size, with a private bath, so there’s no stress about divvying up the sleeping quarters if you’re sharing with other couples or on a girlfriend getaway. More good things: Bathrooms have double sinks and roomy tubs. Both suites as well have full, real working kitchens near their respective living rooms, which open up to a terrace, complete with a plunge infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean and they have direct access to the beach. Other lush touches? Each has an exercise room and a home cinema. Life is good.
If a Flamands Villa isn’t large enough for your special party, consider adding on a suite next door, which measures 1,300 square feet.
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| Many of the Resort’s Villas have open access to beautiful Flamand Beach. |
What we loved: Lunch at the alfresco La Case de l’Isle overlooking the sea is a must, even if you’re just in town for the day off a luxury cruise. The menu is simple and French and the crowd that gathers is cosmopolitan and international and usually quite tan and fashionable. We started off with the refreshing soupe glacée de petits pois, bruschetta de prosciutto et poivrons grilles, which is an iced pea soup served with a prosciutto ham, and grilled peppers bruschetta. For a unique dish to share with your dining companion, consider the “Wok de gambas et poulet marine,” which is a shrimp and marinated chicken wok dish served with Thai noodles. (P.S.: A continental breakfast is included in the room rate.)
The spa here has four treatment rooms and uses Natura Bissé and Intraceuticals skincare products. There’s also a Spa Pavilion set in the resort’s tropical gardens.
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| The Napolitano Two-Bedroom Suite on the beach has a Jacuzzi and is 1,453 square feet in size. |
To make special arrangements, contact Reservations Manager Laurence Garret ([email protected]; 800-810-4691 or 011-590-590-27-56-66) or Elodie Miyet ([email protected]; 011-590-590-27-58-61), the sales and marketing director. She can also advise on all things St. Barth’s, such as top shopping in Gustavia, where many young French designers serve up chic island wear or unusual items for the home. Then there’s the famous St. Barth’s nightlife, when bars and restaurants are zooming.
Regular air service comes to St. Barth’s by way of St. Martin, via Winair or St. Barth Commuter, which provides private charters as well, as does Windward Express.
From Puerto Rico and Antigua, Tradewind Aviation offers private or shared charter service from November to May.