There’s Caribbean luxury, and then there is Saint Barthélemy, also known as Saint Barts. No matter what you call it, it is by far one of the most exclusive and luxurious places you can visit in the Caribbean. With its French glamour plus its tropical landscape, soaring peaks, and idyllic stretches of white sand, this natural paradise is nothing short of perfection.
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Saint Barts is also home to one of the highest concentrations of luxury hotels in the Caribbean, so picking the right one can be a challenge. Fortunately, we’ve scoured the reviews for you, and we’ve found the 10 best luxury resorts and hotels on the island.
10. Baie Des Anges Hotel & Suites
Luxury meets family-owned charm at this (uncharacteristically) affordable property with a beautiful beachfront location on Flamands Bay. The rooms at Baie des Anges Hotel & Suites are built around a gorgeous courtyard with its own pool and quaint restaurant. The design is decidedly Caribbean, with red-tiled roofs and pale blue buildings. There are 10 recently renovated studios with their own kitchenettes as well.
The seafood here, according to guests, is phenomenal, as is the tranquility of the hotel; the property is set back from the crowded parts of the island. Guests love the personal touches that make a stay at this hotel a rewarding, intimate experience. The staff is always on hand to help, and the beach is just out front.
9. Le Guanahani
Le Guanahani is one of the most beloved and luxurious resorts on all of Saint Barts. However, the island was a victim of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and the five-star resort is currently closed and undergoing renovations; it is scheduled to reopen in October 2020. Still, given its reputation, it must be mentioned here for its beautiful 75 rooms and cottages, all with terraces and modern amenities. Before closing for repairs, the resort had a pool, tennis courts, dining options, and a spa. While there was a beach, guests have said that it was a bit small, so they often opted for other beaches within driving distance.
8. Hotel Manapany
There’s something relaxed and refreshing about the barefoot luxury at Hotel Manapany. Set on the calm Anse des Cayes bay, just 5 minutes from Gustavia and the Gustaf III Airport, this small boutique hotel goes back to the island’s roots. Picture minimalist chic with earth tones and splashes of tropical color, from mint green to electric blue, fiery red, and ochre. There are 43 rooms and suites that face the ocean, as well as two swimming pools, a beach restaurant, a bar, a spa, and more.
Guests love the hotel for its laid-back vibe, which distinguishes it from the island’s posh jet-setting resorts and red-carpet clubs. Hotel Manapany is unpretentious, clean, modern, and private; guests feel like they can kick off their shoes and let down their hair.
7. Cheval Blanc
French glamour meets Caribbean luxe at the Saint Barts location of the ultra-chic Cheval Blanc, a hotel chain with other properties in Saint-Tropez, Courchevel, and Randheli. Picture 61 rooms, villas, and suites surrounded by pink flowers, powdery sand, and stunning blue waters. With its fabulous gourmet cuisine, decadent spa, and bespoke excursions, Cheval Blanc is Caribbean luxury living at its absolute best.
Guests rave about everything from the staff to the views to the quality of the towels. The resort’s signature Guerlain scent is a favorite as well. Staff members welcome repeat guests by name, a personal touch much appreciated by Cheval Blanc regulars.
6. Villa Marie
It’s like stepping through the door of your best friend’s beach house — if your best friend’s beach house were a five-star hotel. With its homey and approachable vibe and understated elegance, Villa Marie is one of the most comfortable and welcoming hideaways for A-listers looking to steal away for a barefoot luxury getaway. Perched in the hills overlooking Flamands Beach, Villa Marie is set amidst beautiful flowering gardens and features luxe touches like an outdoor pool, a spa, and a restaurant that serves up local delicacies.
Guests rave about the decor in the villas and main house, which includes gorgeous plantation-style furniture and tableware handmade in France. For the best views, book the tropical Blue Lagoon bungalow, but note that you must climb 90 steps to reach it (though you can call for a ride up from or down to the main house). While the resort is not located on the beach, visitors love it for the views and the garden-escape vibe.
5. Hotel Le Toiny
Hotel Le Toiny’s 22 luxury suites sit on a hillside overlooking the raw, wild beauty of Saint Barts. The hotel is minimalist, chic, and superbly luxurious, with an infinity pool that oozes style. The rooms are painted white and Provençal-style colors like pale blue and lavender; they all overlook the sea and the lush green hillside. Complete with two restaurants, a spa, and a Relais & Châteaux designation, Hotel Le Toiny is understated luxury at its best.
Guests affirm that they truly get the royal treatment here. The spacious rooms continue to be the number-one draw; each has its own living room, kitchenette, stunning bathroom, and beautiful views. In many villas, the entire wall that faces the ocean is a sliding glass door that leads to the pool deck. Guests must take a shuttle to the beach, but they don’t seem to mind, because the beach and the restaurant are both to die for.
4. Eden Rock
Another Saint Barts institution, Eden Rock, is an English-country-house-style resort located on the Baie de Saint-Jean. Unfortunately, much like Hotel Guanahani, this fan favorite was damaged by the hurricanes; it’s due to reopen in November. Guests are eagerly awaiting the debut of the luxury beach houses, suites, and guest rooms, all of which will sit cliffside or at the sand’s edge.
Guests love the personalized concierge services, particularly those of Nicolas Rondelli; his knowledge, sense of humor, and attention to detail earn high marks. Guests also appreciate the private beach at the resort, which serves top-notch cocktails and cuisine.
While Eden Rock is being remodeled, consider the Eden Rock Villa Rental, a collection of 130 properties on the island that offer the best of both worlds: 24/7 concierge services plus a private home away from home.
3. Le Sereno
Minimalist, chic, and a haven for the glitterati, Le Sereno is a five-star pearl of a resort, completely rebuilt in the wake of the hurricanes and now sporting 39 rooms and three gorgeous villas. Located along a resort-owned stretch of beach on the Grand Cul-de-Sac, the rooms and villas all have views of the lagoon. The restored resort offers fantastic dining at Restaurant Le Sereno, an expanded spa, and the attention to detail and wonderful service that repeat guests have come to expect.
Guests appreciate the small setting and the personalized service — the staff can set you up with any experience you desire, from scuba-diving lessons to tables at the best restaurants in Saint Barts.
2. Hotel Christopher
The sophistication and glamour of Paris meet the laid-back, casual vibe of the Caribbean at Saint Barts’s classic Hotel Christopher. The clifftop resort’s stunning private villas face the ocean, and the property features a Sisley spa and one of the island’s largest infinity pools. The freshwater pool overlooks the sea, and the pool bar serves delectable food and drinks. The best suite in the house is the Ocean Panoramic, which is known for its views, but the Ocean Deluxe Terrace rooms are a close second. If you are a fan of sunsets, Hotel Christopher has some of the best seats in the house.
“Nothing short of exceptional” seems to be the general consensus among guests who have stayed at the property. The food and the pool, in particular, are favorites. Service at a luxury hotel is expected to be great, but guests of Hotel Christopher rave about each member of the staff, praising them for always anticipating their needs.
1. Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa
In 2018, Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa was named the best resort in the Caribbean Islands by Condé Nast Traveler. Though it was closed for some time due to hurricane damage, the hotel is back and better than ever, much to the delight of its long list of fans. The beachfront resort was designed by Sybille de Margerie, and its menus were curated by Michelin-starred chef Guy Martin. It’s a slice of Parisian perfection on the sugary Caribbean shores, featuring 44 rooms and suites with private terraces, tranquil views, and luxurious appointments. The recently introduced villas are just steps from the beach. These state-of-the-art spaces have kitchens, six bedrooms each, dining areas, ocean views, private pools, and more.
Guests find this to be an outstanding resort, small and intimate enough that by the time you leave you feel like family. The food is some of the best in the Caribbean — the French scrambled eggs and the poke bowl are some of the most popular dishes. Guests report that the resort is spotless and that the attention to detail is on point. For example, one guest left sunglasses with fingerprints on them on the table, and by the time he had returned to the room, room service had left lens cleaner beside them. The secluded bay is a highlight as well, and it is possible to snorkel with sea turtles. All in all, this is one of the most highly regarded properties not only on Saint Barts, but in the entire Caribbean.
