| St.Barthélemy (St. Barths) is the upscale little sister
to St. Martin, in our opinion. More upscale, smaller and more cosmopolitan than
most Caribbean islands. |
 |
| |
  St.Barths is the upscale little sister to St.
Martin, in our opinion. More expensive, more upscale, smaller and more
cosmopolitan than most Caribbean islands. St. Barths is short for St.
Barthélemy and is a department of France. Christopher Columbus
discovered the island in 1493 and named it after his brother, Bartolemeo.
|
 |
| |
Only about 15 miles southeast of St. Martin, St. Barths is
French in every way, but, surprisingly, nudity is less accepted than on St.
Martin, in our opinion. St. Barths seems to attract a greater percentage of
Europeans and world travelers than St. Martin, where more North Americans seem
to frequent the island. A big plus for St. Barths is the port is not large
enough to handle large cruise ships, so the island isn't over run with day
trippers from the ships like St. Martin is. Temperatures vary between about
72-86 F with a dry climate but is in the hurricane belt for storms in late
summer and early fall. We recommend travel insurance to protect your holiday
investment.
U.S. Citizens: Passports are
required for international air travel to all destinations outside the
USA.
To reach St. Barths, fly into St. Martin and take a
ferry or a short flight to St. Barths. St. Barths is only 10 minutes by air
taxi from St. Martin but a world apart otherwise. Smaller ships, Windjammers,
Star Clippers, Cunard, Seaborne and other upscale cruise lines do stop at the
island. Ferry service is frequent from St. Martin and surrounding
islands.
| Maps |
|
|
 |
|
 |
| Caribbean
Area |
|
St Barth |
|
 |
| |
 All the modern
conveniences are available on St. Barths, and a rental car or jeep, preferably,
is advisable to get around the small island, only 8 square miles, whereas St.
Martin is 53 square miles. Landing on the island's short airport runway will
leave your heart in your mouth but flight service by air taxi is the most
convenient way to get there. Driving is on the right, and most tourist service
people speak some English, but French is the official language. St. Barths is
very hilly so a jeep comes in handy.
NOTE: Please take care of your valuables,
cash, airline tickets and passports while on vacation. Some vacation
destinations are considered "third world" countries and experience petty theft.
Recommendation: Do not take precious jewelry unless you wear it all times; keep
your cash, valuables, watches, travel documentation and cameras with you and
don't expect your in-room safe to be "safe." Just a word of caution to make
sure you remember to practice common sense with your valuables while you're on
vacation.
|
 |
| |
Food, wine, entertainment and diversions are world class on
St. Barths. The hotels have some of the best restaurants but great bistros and
smaller  places to eat are all over the island. Plan on world class
prices, too! French and Creole are the main bill of fare and you won't go
wrong.
One of the best ways to avoid sticker shock every time you walk
into a restaurant is to rent a small villa with a cook, gardener and maid. Many
villas have a private pool so you can feel free to skinny dip any time you
wish.
See Bill and Cathy's recent
detailed report for more on dining and entertainment.
Here is a
list of dining selections reported by Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine.
Note: This list is subject to change and is not guaranteed as establishments
change hands, close or change cuisine.
Bartolomeo-Hotel Guanahani
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Kiki-e Mo Pasta + Bakery
Carl Gustaf's-
Sunset Restaurant
Le Cellier du Gouverneur
Eden Rock-St Jeans
Sand Bar-Eden Rock
On the Rock-Eden Rock
La Gaiac at Toiny Cove
Maya's-Public
La Route des Boucaniers-Gustavia
PaCri- Gustavia
Francois Plantation- Colombier
Restaurant des Pecheurs
La Case de
L;Isle Baie de Flamands
K'Fe Massai Lorient
La Sapotillier- Gustavia
Wall House-Gustavia
|
 |
| |
Some hotel rates can start as low as $100-$125/room/night,
but the norm is usually higher like $150-$300/room/night. Remember, no food, no
taxes and no drinks are included so carry you credit card and plenty of money.
Villas can start at about $2,000/week in the off season.
See Bill and Cathy's recent detailed report
... Money Matters section
|
 |
| |
From babies to seniors on this island. However, you don't
see many families on holiday on this upscale island.
|
 |
| |
Cool, upscale and expensive.
For nude sunbathing,
the two most popular beaches are Grand Saline (Anse de Grande Saline) and
Governeur's Beach (Anse de Governeur), both on the south side of the island,
and you can drive there, but again we recommend you rent a jeep to get around.
Once you rent a vehicle, the local maps can help you find your way. With the
island so small, you can't really get lost.
See Bill and Cathy's recent detailed report
for more on nude beaches and more.
TIPS
**Rent a jeep.
**Prepare your own meals if you can to save money.
**Travel with
another couple and rent a villa and car, split the cost and have fun.
**Take lots of money.
**If you rent a hotel room, you may want to
confirm if there is a fridge and/or kitchenette available in the hotel units.
**Brush up a little on your French and you'll find the people to be
friendly in turn.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Small,
quaint hotels dot the island so you'll not see the 200-400 room resorts
there....just  more civilized and built
to scale for the islands size. The largest resort is arguably Guanahani, with
only 76 rooms and suites, then St. Barts Beach hotel with 36 rooms. Most other
hotels are family run or jointly owned, with 10-25 rooms the norm. Some of the
better smaller hotels include Sofitel Christopher, Sea Horse Hotel, Filao Beach
Hotel, La Residence, Hotel Le Toiny (very upscale), Hotel Manapany, Sereno
Beach Hotel and the Carl Gustaf, overlooking the harbor at Gustavia, the
capital.
In summary, five hotels that are at the top of the list and
friendly to those with big budgets are: Eden Rock, Guanahani, Le Sereno,
Taiwana, and the most charming, Isle de France, with its residence club. It is
hidden away at one end of a long curve of white sand, Baie des
Flamands.
Our personal favorite is Eden Rock Hotel & Restaurant in
St. Jean, not fancy but charming with a great little beach bar, a new bistro
and bar at the entrance plus a terrific restaurant on the rock above the hotel
rooms with a drop dead view of the bay, the beach, St. Jean and the airport.
Very romantic, take lots of cash, make reservations and impress your honey with
a great meal and wine for dinner. The resort has rooms and suites with A/C and
two beaches. Topless sunbathing is OK most places but you don't see nudity in
the public areas or beaches, like you would on St. Martin.
One of the best values with great
flexibility is a rental villa. Plus, if you want to vacation on St. Barths on a
budget, visit in the off season of summertime or early fall for the best
bargains and greatest selections. We use a couple of very reliable villa rental
companies and can recommend several selections from two bedrooms to 4 or more.
ACTIVITIES
Most sports activities, equipment
and services are ala carte. Since most of the hotels are small, plan on using
service vendors for such things as SCUBA diving, sailing, etc. Shopping is
expensive in Gustavia and world class yachts anchor in the harbor, so you'll
think you really are on the French Riviera after you take a look at the
millions at anchor. Some hotels have equipment for water sports such as sun
fish sailing, windsurfing and snorkeling.
Restaurants: Le Gaiac, Le
Tamarin, Au Port, L'Ananas, Do Brazil, Maya's.
Party spots/see and be
seen: Le Ti St-Barth, Nikki Beach.
This list for St. Barts is not
guaranteed and will change as properties change names, close or re-open under
new management.
|
 |
| |
 Mostly, sight seeing is
limited to exploring the island and spending time on the beach. Relaxing and
enjoying wine, food and song is a good idea, too. There is a small museum
called the Musee Municipal de St. Barthelemy which showcases the island's
history through photographs, documents, costumes and antiques. Some of the most
fun is simply to nose around Gustavia, stop at roadside bistros and have a wine
and salad to get you through the day.
For chic night life and great
food as well as ambiance, try Le Ti on St. Barts. (Ti is short for Petite in
Creole) A stylish bistro...see and be seen and pay for right to do so.
Moderately priced drinks and food. After dark, boogie and disco to all hours of
the night. Dance on the tables.......??? It's OK here.
Pizza, burgers,
French and Creole creations. Cassoulet, crayfish fricassee. Rib of Beef is
house speciality. Also, fish Tartare with Tropical fruit and smoked fish on
blinis. Long list of French wines (what else) from moderate to "you'll need a
bank loan" prices. Gruson (she) is the chef. Also, DaBadereau owns the Tom
Beach Hotel and La Plage restaurant.
Best late night crowd and great DJ
Music. Eat & drink....but make reservations. Cameras not particularly
welcome.....mix of common folks and celebs. Open daily. Reservations a MUST.
Try to visit when there are Theme Nights. Located at Pointe Milou, the island's
north coast, not far from Guanahani and Hotel Toiny (very expensive
there).
All entries, clubs and restaurants listed above are subject to
change without notice.
For a little underwater fun, try the Yellow
Submarine, with space for 22 passengers with 24 below-deck portholes for
spectacular sites below the surface with a snapper's-eye view of reefs and
wrecks just offshore. Tours run an hour.
See Bill and Cathy's recent detailed report
for more on Sightseeing.
For premier windsurfing, try Grand
Cul-de-Sac, voted one of the world's 10 most beautiful beaches by the Travel
Channel. Nearby is the hotel Le Sereno, modernistic, typical French take on an
island property with 37 rooms. St. Barts most expensive most expensive getaway
and chic restaurant, try Le Toiny, whose owners reportedly include Lance
Armstrong. Le Tamarin is another upscale eatery directed by the former chef at
Le Toiny. A dinner cruise can be had aboard the Chinese junk, Sao Mai for up to
10 guests.
In January, the St. Barts Music Festival is held and
includes classical, ballet and jazz. Best beaches are: Grand Cul-de-Sac,
Flamands Beach, Colombier, Gouverneur Beach and clothing optional Grand Saline.
St. Jean bay still hosts Eden Rock with one of the best views on the island
from its restaurant. Its two villas are for rent; Villa Nina and Rockstar,
complete with a recording and screening studio and 4 bedrooms.
|
 |
| |
|
 |
St. Barths is expensive |
| |
|
|
|
 |
Variety of activities is somewhat limited since the
island is so small. |
| |
|
|
|
 |
Some interesting and cool people vacation on St.
Barts. Yep... famous ones too! |
| |
|
|
|
|
If you drive, be careful as the roads are narrow and
the terrain hilly. |
| |
|
|
|
|
Take credit cards and charge where you can since you
usually get a better exchange rate. |
|
 |
| |
Any time is great to go. The island is in the hurricane
belt so the weather can be potentially unstable late summer or early fall.
Prices for lodging, hotels or villas are lower during summer and fall but food
and drink always seem expensive.
|
 |
| |
Sure wish that St Barts was a bit less expensive.
|
 |
| |
• View the Photo
Album
We now have our St. Barths photo album online thanks to Bill
and Cathy. You can contribute your photos to this section - all you have to do
is go to our Contribute Trip Report
/ Photographs page.
|
|
| |
If you have been to St. Barths, we would love to have your
trip report. All you have to do is go to our
Contribute Trip Report /
Photographs page.
|
| |
|
|
