New hotels are rare on the tiny slice of France in the Caribbean that is St. Barths.
The island draws a yacht-owning, celebrity-studded set that returns for its exclusive, leave-your-wallet-on-the-table club vibe.
But the isle’s assortment of five-star stays has now expanded with two alluring havens: a luxurious beach hotel on an eco-preserve bay (which debuted in October) and a treetop refuge ideal for design and culinary aesthetes (launched in December).
Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa
The location
Eight years in the making (and the first new hotel on the island in 20 years), Le Barthélemy has carved out its luxurious niche on 600 feet of prime beachfront on the Grand Cul de Sac. That calm bay is a mecca for parasailing and encompasses a protected reef, part of the isle’s Nature Reserve.
The look
Beachy serenity now. Sybille de Margerie (who designed the Mandarin Oriental in Paris and Cheval Blanc Courchevel in the French Alps) decorated the hotel’s 46 rooms and suites in a palette of white, turquoise and sand in order to capture the soothing sensation of being surrounded by water and light. Most rooms also enjoy views of the infinity pool or ocean, while some even boast private plunge pools. A series of breezy pavilions is linked by open-air walkways, enhancing the outdoors-in mood.
The luxe factor
Ultra-personal service and island-life authenticity are blended perfectly, with a nod to the island’s French roots (in-room amenities are courtesy of Hermès). Le Spa at Le Barthélemy, meanwhile, is a cool underground retreat for holistic treatments, featuring skin-care products from La Mer.
The cuisine
With four decadent dining experiences on-site — all created by French Michelin-starred chef Guy Martin — you can nibble on truffle pizza under swaying palms during the day and feast on foie gras at the romantic Aux Amis restaurant in the eve.
Ideal for
Your own Blue Lagoon. Less see-and-be-seen than its boldface-name iconic counterparts, it has a more down-to-earth luxury without the image baggage and pretension — in a word, more American.
The details
Rooms from $643 (including breakfast and transfers) | Le Barthelemy Hotel
Villa Marie Saint-Barth
The location
A tropical oasis on the crest of the Colombier hillside (set in the former François Plantation boutique hotel and restaurant), the property offers 19 bungalows and two private-pool villas, all with terraces and views of the hilly island beyond Flamands Bay.
The look
Jungle treehouse for jet-setters. The family-run Maisons et Hôtels Sibuet group is known for exuberant interior design, and this outpost (its first in the Caribbean) takes its French-colonial-plantation-house theme to the nines — from a mahogany lounge to live parrots. Pick from bungalows with names like Pineapple, Indigo and Hibiscus — each has a different layout and vibe.
The luxe factor
You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped ashore your own private island. A pool set in the gardens hugs the main reception house, offering the feel of a posh residence. Boho-chic décor (selected by Jocelyne Sibuet and her daughter) includes plush canopy beds, seashell lanterns, Pierre Frey tropical prints and antique rattan furniture culled from far-flung corners.
The cuisine
Restaurant François was once the dining destination on St. Barths. Villa Marie’s new restaurant (above), helmed by chef de cuisine Emmanuel Motte, keeps that pedigreed name and is well on its way to reclaiming its title, striking the perfect balance of beachy simplicity and foodie sophistication. You’ll want to order the tuna tartare. Also the soufflé, the bouillabaisse, the mango melba . . .
Ideal for
Your own Thomas Crown affair. With its Pure Altitude spa, excellent restaurant, charming pool and secluded terraces, it’s entirely feasible to hide away on Villa Marie’s mountaintop for as long as you dare.
The details
Bungalows from $527 (including breakfast and transfers) | Villa Marie