 The Hotel St. Barth Isle de France is in every sense a world class
hotel that meets and exceeds all the international
standards for luxury, comfort and service. It’s
little wonder that it continues to garner awards
and top all the assorted “best” lists.
Suffice to say it is one of St. Barth’s best
addresses – if not in all of the Caribbean.
Anchored on gorgeous Flamands Beach, it is beautifully
situated and oh-so-sexy. Elegant? Absolutely. But
in an understated way. The Isle de France is the
grand master of casual sophistication.
The brilliantly whitewashed main building, set just
above the beach, houses nine rooms and three suites.
It is here we see that iconic and frequently photographed
breezeway framing an amazing snapshot of the azure
sea. It’s breathtaking. We recommend the 2nd
floor accommodations for those who would rather see
than be seen but if you prefer the latter, the ground
level will put you and your chaise lounge in the
midst of all the action: the pool, a little bar and
the beachside restaurant, La Case de l'Isle – and
all those beautiful people clinking glasses under
beach umbrellas. It’s all so St. Barth. A tiny
chic boutique offers teeny-tiny bikinis, pareos,
and movie star worthy cool sunglasses.
As you would expect, the appointments are luxurious
– four-poster beds, lovely linens, French fabrics,
and fine art. The marble baths are sumptuous and
sensuous with the added bonus of Molton Brown amenities.
The sparkling jewels in Hotel St. Barth Isle de France’s tiara are its four
lavishly large Beach Suites and the pièce de resistance is the pair of new
villas – the exquisite (3 bedroom) Flamands Villas. Both the Suites
and Villas are just steps – across that sugar sand beach – from the
sea and boast a panorama of Flamand’s brilliant blue waters. And they
have private infinity-edge pools.
Decorated by acclaimed international
designer, London’s Penny Morrison, for style and comfort, they have
all the must-have techno amenities: WiFi,
plasma TVs, iPod docks and such. Each Suite
totals 1500 square feet and includes a spacious living area (with a
52” plasma TV), a bedroom with an adjacent dressing area and an oversized
en suite bath featuring a stone soaking tub. Full sized kitchens are great
for nights guests opt to cook-in and dine à deux.
Not
to be outdone, the 3 bedrooms in the Flamands Villas also have luxurious
en suite baths, adjoining dressing rooms and mini-gyms. Guests can
relax in the spacious living room or catch up on DVDs in the home cinema
(enjoying the complimentary mini-bar). A fit-for-an-Iron Chef kitchen has
the latest in high-end appliances and is sure to inspire the creation of
a tropical dish or two.
“Across the way” – the hotel is divided by a sliver of a road
that turns into a cul-de-sac – there are loads of room and suite options,
including bungalow-style villas. Nestled among the bougainvillea and banana
plants they are nicely private and several have their own pools. The 2 bedroom
Garden and Eden Villas and have patio kitchens making them ideal for small
families. Here in this lush garden setting, you will also find the luxurious
Molton Brown branded spa and the gym.
An interesting factoid is that the hotel enjoys a 72% high-season return rate
and that was before they opened the Beach Suites! They know how to do it right
at the Hotel St. Barth Isle de France.
A Few of Our Favorite Things
- The spa, in collaboration with Natura Bissé and Intraceuticals, two of the world's leading skin care brands – and the Spa Pavilion in the garden
- Lunching at La Case de l’ Isle – for the scene
Who Would Just Love it Here
Sophisticated travelers – you know who you are – who would love the special ambiance and the service level. |
