Not to toot my own horn, but I can confidently say that I know St. Barths better than I know any other destination in the world. Over the course of my 10 or so trips to the island, I’ve stayed at all of the best hotels in St Barts (or Barths, depending on who you ask), eaten at almost every restaurant, and drank rosé at every single place that serves it (which, as you might imagine, is a lot of places.)
I’ve also written about the island for big outlets like Vogue, Town & Country, and Departures…so if you’re reading this post because you’re considering a trip to St. Barths, well, you’ve come to the right place.
My guide is an adaptation of an email I’ve been sending around to friends (and friends of friends) for years. It’s fairly informal, which I think you’ll like, and also includes tidbits that I would have never gotten away with including in a story for magazines like those listed above. MY WEBSITE = MY RULES! Wow that feels good.
Anyway, I’m SO excited to share my “special place” with you. Safe travels!
HOW TO GET TO ST. BARTHS.
Figuring out how to get to St. Barths can seem overwhelming, since there are no direct flights from the States. (Unless of course you’re flying private—in which case, I’M COMING.) I have a separate post dedicated to explaining your options, so if you haven’t sorted out your flights yet, I’d recommend starting here.
TRENDING: How I Use Credit Card Points to Fly Business for Free
BEST HOTELS IN ST BARTHS.
People often ask me what I think is the “best” hotel in St. Barths. It’s almost an impossible question—they’re all incredible (seriously) but it really just depends on the kind of vibe you’re going for. Here’s my take on the places I’ve stayed.
The pool at Hotel Le Toiny
Hotel Le Toiny
Vibes: understated elegance, beautiful villa-style rooms
Best For: people who like big rooms and privacy
Cheval Blanc
Vibes: the epitome of sophistication
Best For: couples, babymooners, honeymooners
Eden Rock
Vibes: glitzy and glamorous; a place to see-and-be-seen, uniquely designed rooms each with their own style and charm.
Best For: couples, groups of friends, anyone who loves people-watching (it’s the best place for it)
Le Sereno
Vibes: hip, cool, chic, with one of the most iconic pools on the island.
Best For: couples, weddings
The Christopher
Vibes: the best sunset spot on the island; affordable luxury
Best For: people who want to spend under $1,000 per night on a room, but don’t mind the lack of beach
Rosewood Le Guanahani
Vibes: approachable, unpretentious luxury
Best For: families or people traveling with young children
Hotel Manapany
Vibes: eco-chic, cottage-style living
Best For: people who like fancy things but also care about the environment
Villa Marie
Vibes: jungle vibes and a design-lover’s paradise
Best For: anyone obsessed with attention to detail
Le Barthelemy
Vibes: chic, gorgeous beach, huge rooms, great energy
Best For: groups, birthday celebrations, couples
Hotel Tropicale
Vibes: no-frills, boho, and budget-friendly
Best For: anyone who wants to St. Barths experience on a budget
Hotel Le Carl Gustaf
Vibes: boho-chic meets an at home feel with nautical touches inside each room.
Best for: stunning views of Gustavia, the island’s capitol, and it’s renowned marina.
Full review of Le Carl Gustaf here.
If you have questions about hotels, or you’re having trouble deciding which to book, feel free to drop me a question in the comments.
WHERE TO STAY IN ST BARTHS:
HOTEL OR VILLA?
I’ve had both the hotel experience and the villa experience, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each for different reasons. I’d recommend staying in a villa if…
The guest house we stayed in several years ago had a pool and amazing views.
- You REALLY like your privacy
- You’re traveling with a big family
- You’re traveling with a big group (40th birthday, bachelorette party, couples retreat, etc)
- You want a cheaper alternative to a hotel
- Hear me out on this one: most of the “villas” on the island are big. I mean, really big. Which also means that they’re priced accordingly. ($$$$) However, there are a handful of small cottages, 2-person villas, and apartment-style condos that you can find for a reasonable price—especially if you’re willing to go off-season. Matt & I stayed in one that was a guest house belonging to a larger property. It was amazing! We had our own pool, our own kitchen, and complete privacy.
- You like to cook or you’re trying to save money on food
- I know this probably sounds weird because…who cooks on vacation right? Well, when Matt & I stayed in our little guest house, we actually had SO MUCH FUN hitting up all of the markets for cheese, fresh fish, wine, and produce. We also ended up spending WAY less money by eating breakfast and lunch on our own, so we didn’t feel guilty about splurging on nice dinners at night.
There are a number of villa rental companies on the island, and to be honest, I’m not entirely sure what differentiates them because I’ve only used one company. A few that are worth checking out: St. Barth Properties and WimCo.
Price-conscious travelers might consider looking at VRBO, HomeAway, and Airbnb.
BEST PLACES TO EAT IN ST BARTHS.
The food in St. Barths is so insanely good, I had a hard time narrowing down my list. All of these places are amazing, but I put a * next to my personal favorites.
*Nikki Beach – BRUNCH
An absolute must. Sunday brunch here is so fun and entertaining, make a reservation for the 3:30 seating. There are two seatings – the earlier is more chilled out, the 3:30 seating is more fun. We usually order a sushi boat and a magnum of rosé.
Stalk them on Instagram: @nikkibeachsaintbarth
*The Beach Club @ Hotel Le Toiny – LUNCH
Great for a laid back lunch. Order the grilled lobster and the pea salad (just had this, one of the best salads I’ve ever had in my life!)
Stalk them on Instagram: @hotelletoinystbarth
Pearl Beach – BRUNCH/LUNCH** [update as of 1/29/21 – I have a new favorite spot for a Saturday brunch; see below!]
Fun vibes on a Saturday for a daytime lunch.
Stalk them on Instagram: @pearlbeachsaintbarth
GypSea – LATE LUNCH
Newcomer to the island that’s giving Nikki Beach a run for its money. Feels like a Mykonos Beach club in St. Barths. Super fun! Highly recommend making a late lunch reservation on a Saturday
Stalk them on Instagram: @gypsea_beach
Kiki é Mo – BREAKFAST or LUNCH
Best fresh juices and healthy eats.
Stalk them on Instagram: @kikiemo_stbarth
Maya’s To-Go – LUNCH/PICNIC
Great spot for salads and sandwiches to go. Perfect to bring in a cooler to have a beach picnic!
Stalk them on Instagram: @mayastogo
Le Select – LUNCH or DINNER
A quintessential St. Barths dive restaurant and bar. Low-key a spot for locals.
*JOJO Burger – LUNCH or DINNER
A no-frills burger joint, classic St. Barths! Also right next to the cemetery. My new tradition is to go there for drunk late night eats after partying at Nikki Beach.
Stalk them on Instagram: @jojoburger97133
*Orega – DINNER
An absolute must for dinner, such an intimate experience. Make a reservation! The owner’s name is Greg and he is usually there. It’s a French-Japanese fusion restaurant – so unique and delicious. The tuna caviar appetizer is bomb.
Stalk them on Instagram: @oregastbarth
Black Ginger – DINNER
Great if you’re in the mood for Thai. Located in Gustavia.
Stalk them on Instagram: @blackgingersbh
*Bonito – DINNER
A very cool dinner scene with a DJ and good looking people. Definitely my favorite dinner spot, plus the atmosphere is stunning. Order the salmon tiradito and any cocktail (amazing mixologists!). We like going on Friday and Saturday nights, but honestly it’s chic any night of the week.
Stalk them on Instagram: @bonitostbarth
Tamarin – DINNER
Fabulous French food in a stunning “secret garden.”
Stalk them on Instagram: @tamarinstbarth
L’Isoleta – LUNCH or DINNER
A casual Italian/pizza place in Gustavia.
L’Isola – DINNER
Sister restaurant to L’Isoleta. A more high-end, sit down restaurant.
Stalk them on Instagram: @lisolastbarth
Kinugawa – DINNER
Traditional Japanese food meets Parisian “art de vivre” at one of the newest restaurants on the island.
Stalk them on Instagram: @kinugawasbh
La Guérite – DINNER
Serves up fresh Mediterranean-style dishes with an equally impressive cocktail menu. It’s also the place to be and be seen on Wednesday nights (party from 10pm-late).
Stalk them on Instagram: @la_guerite_stbarth
Eddy’s Restaurant – DINNER
Casual restaurant in the heart of the Gustavia disguised among lush greenery with an impressive wine list.
Stalk them on Instagram: @eddysghettoVictoria – LUNCH or DINNER
Chic new indoor-outdoor restaurant located in the heart of Gustavia along the marina. Perfect for a casual breakfast or brunch duringor to watch the people stroll by at night.
Stalk them on Instagram: @victoria_stbarth
La Petite Plage – DINNER
Victoria (mentioned above) has changed ownership and is now known as La Petite Plage. It’s a VIBE for dinner and gets rowdy certain nights of the week. Amazing DJ, great food, great atmosphere. The floor is covered in sand, so choose your footwear accordingly!
BEST BARS IN ST. BARTHS.
Photo: @shellona_bycelavi
Shellona at Shell Beach
This is more of a bar/restaurant – completely open air on the beach. Perfect for sunset cocktails. Order the “Shell Spicy Dream.”
Stalk them on Instagram: @shellona_bycelavi
WTF
Rooftop bar at Le Barthelemy. Good for cocktails and a pretty beach setting.
Stalk them on Instagram: @lebarthelemy
Bagatelle
The place to be on Friday nights. Arrive at midnight for the most buzz. Unless you want the FULL experience, I wouldn’t eat dinner here—just go for an after-dinner party/cocktails. You can usually walk in and don’t need a reservation (as long as it’s not during crazy peak season.)
Stalk them on Instagram: @bagatellesb
TIP: YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST RENT A CAR. CABS ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN ON THE ISLAND, AND THEY’RE INSANELY EXPENSIVE. ODDLY, ONE OF THE ONLY “BUDGET-FRIENDLY” THINGS ON ST. BARTHS IS CAR RENTALS. YOU CAN GET THEM AS LOW AS $30 A DAY, AND DRIVING AROUND THE ISLAND IS 90% OF THE FUN.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN ST BARTHS.
Colombier Hike
Go early in the morning before it gets too hot. It’s a very private beach that you can only get to by foot or by yacht.
Grand Fond
Google “grand fond washing machine” and you’ll understand. It’s just a mini hike to the natural pools.
Gustavia
This is the MAIN town. Go to the Marche (supermarket) for snacks and wine if you need. Gustavia is where all of the fancy designer stores are (Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Hermès, etc.) but there are also some amazing small boutiques here. I love Poupette St Barth & Clic St Barth.
Sunset at The Christopher
Those “in the know” know that The Christopher hotel is home to the best sunset viewing spot on the island. They’re easy-going about welcoming nonguests…just drive up to the property, tell them you’re here for drinks, and the valet will gladly park your car for you.
BEST BEACHES IN ST BARTHS.
Saline
We think this is the most beautiful beach on the island. Very simple – no bars or restaurants. Just sun and sand. Bring lunch, a sun umbrella (it gets hot because there’s no shade) and a bottle of wine.
Shell Beach
The most unique beach on the island. Covered in crushed shells instead of sand. Shellona (bar/restaurant) is located on this beach.
Shell Beach
St Jean Beach
This is where the “action” is. Good for people watching. Eden Roc & Nikki Beach are both here so it can be sceney. But it’s still very lowkey with lots of locals and people just hanging.
Photo: @er_stbarths
Sample 6-Day St Barths Itinerary:
Thursday
Afternoon: Arrive to St. Barths, and pick up your car rental.
Evening: Have a low-key dinner and drinks at your hotel.
Friday
Morning: Spend the morning hanging out at the hotel.
Afternoon: Head to Shellona on Shell Beach (gorgeous beach and beautiful restaurant mentioned above). Take a break from the beach and do some shopping in the town of Gustavia, which is walking distance from Shellona. Head back to the hotel to change for a late dinner.
Evening: Make a reservation at either Bonito or Bagatelle.
Late Evening: Bagatalle starts heating up just after midnight.
Saturday
Morning: Chill out at the hotel or take a drive to Boulangerie or Petite Colombe (two fabulous bakeries) for some croissants and coffee.
Afternoon: Have lunch at Le Toiny Beach Club or Pearl Beach.
Evening: Watch sunset at The Christopher. Late dinner at any of the restaurants mentioned above, then head to Le Ti after 12:30am (but first, talk to hotel staff and find out if it will be dead or not – it’s been hit or miss lately.)
Sunday
Morning: At your leisure. Rest up. You’ll need it.
Afternoon: Make a “second seating” brunch reservation at Nikki Beach. Expect to get pretty drunk, and don’t make dinner reservations.
Evening: Grab a quick bite at JOJO Burger or The Hideaway for late night eats.
Monday
Morning: Drive to one of the beaches you haven’t visited yet—like Saline or St Jean. If you’re feeling up to the task, hike Colombier or Grand Fond.
Afternoon: Grab a quick bite to eat at any of the lunch restaurants mentioned above, before heading to the airport.
THE BEST TIME TO GO TO ST. BARTHS
Here’s what you should know about the different times of year…
Late November – early January: HIGH SEASON. Rates for hotels and villas will be significantly higher, as will flights. Some properties require that you book 2 week minimums as you get closer to Christmas and New Years. If you’re on an unlimited budget, by all means. Otherwise, pick another time to go.
Mid-January – February: Still high season, but prices will be slightly less inflated.
March – April : The St. Barths Bucket Regatta takes place in March, and two other regattas take place during April, making it a particularly desirable time to visit for yachties. Coupled with Easter vacation and spring break, expect somewhat inflated prices throughout March and April. There are, however, a few sweet spots in between the holidays and events, where you’ll be able to find decent room rates.
May/June: Personally, I love going this time of year. It’s still buzzy and fun, the weather is great, but the island isn’t totally inundated with people. So you can walk into restaurants without a reservation, and not worry about planning anything in advance.
July/August: Because this is considered hurricane season for most of the Atlantic, rates drop significantly during the summer. However, it’s entirely possible to book a trip during the summer and not experience a single drop of rain—but since there are no guarantees, you have to be OK with potentially questionable weather.
September/October: Here’s when it gets a bit dicey. You’re up against hurricane season, and in October, most of the hotels close down for maintenance, so your options will be fairly limited.
TIP: DOWNLOAD THE ST BARTH ULTIMATE APP. IT GIVES YOU MENUS FOR EVERY RESTAURANT, ACCESS TO RESERVATIONS AND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO NAVIGATE ST BARTH.
WHAT TO PACK FOR ST. BARTHS
Believe it or not, the island is far more casual than you’d imagine. Check out my packing guide here!
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68 Comments
Emily
February 5, 2019 at 6:02 pmThis is a great guide to St. Barths! Thanks so much for this- My fiance and I are looking to go here for our honeymoon in July for one week and are trying to decide where to stay…..we are torn between the following hotels: Hotel San Marie, Hotel Christopher, Edens Rock, Le Sereno, Le Bartheleme, Le Village St. Barths, and Hotel Baie des Anges –do you happen to know which of these places offer complimentary breakfast? Also, is it a big deal if our hotel is not right near the beach? Do you know if Hotel San Marie is near the beach?
Thanks so much for the help! 🙂
Lindsay Silberman
February 8, 2019 at 8:44 pmso glad you found it helpful!
Lindsay Silberman
February 8, 2019 at 8:46 pmAh sorry didnt see the full question – to be honest I’m not sure about complimentary breakfast, although I think at most places it’s pretty standard in SB. I think you might mean Villa Marie? (I’m not familiar with a San Marie!) I personally don’t think it’s a problem not being on the beach as long as you rent a car!
Mark Cafferty
May 9, 2019 at 9:32 pmEmily picked an eclectic mix of hotels ranging from 200 to 1000+ per night. In my 4 trips I stayed at hotel 3x and Villa 1x. Honeymooner probably want a hotel that acts as a pivot to everything else you want to do is crucial… so I view St. Jean Beach as a top spot to launch everyday and night from, because sometimes you just want to drift around and not feeling you are driving all the time, unless of course it is one of those honeymoons where you sequester yourself in the room. As a honeymooner, unless budget is of criticality, I would NOT stay at the lower priced places. I think that 3 top choices from considering different perspectives would be to look at Pearl Beach, then Hotel Christopher, then Eden Rock. I stayed at the first two and are great backstops for pool(Chrisopher) and Beach (Pearl Beach) and restaurant when you do not want to stray too afar. Restaurants in walking distance abound on St Jean ie Nikki Beach/ La Plage, Li Ti near Christopher as well as Christopher’s restaurant. BTW headed back there for a week circa the 4th and staying in a villa near St Jean so we can walk to beach and restaurants shops grocery and be able to pop back to villa. We stayed previously at Villa Diaco on Mt Vitet… so cool / private… with a daily visiting brown and orange turtle!
Lindsay Silberman
May 10, 2019 at 5:13 amLove it! We have a lot of the same faves! Thanks for the villa recs!
Lisa Lee
May 15, 2019 at 1:17 amThanks for this…just booked Manapany for late July. Thanks for this guide…helped me a lot! Will use it for the restuarants too. Now, just hoping weather is good.
Lindsay Silberman
May 15, 2019 at 3:55 amGreat! You’re going to love it!
Brittney
June 10, 2019 at 3:16 pmAny recommondations on adapters to use? We are stayig in a villa. I was hoping to bring my curling iron and flat iron and plug it into the adapter. Will I have any problems doing that? Don’t want to be responsible for any disasters.
Lindsay Silberman
June 17, 2019 at 10:03 pmto be honest i think the hotels i stayed at had US plugs but I could be wrong!
Erin
August 9, 2019 at 8:49 pmThis is great! Does Villa Marie have a beach?
Lindsay Silberman
August 11, 2019 at 10:35 pmnope it’s not on the beach!
Stephanie
August 21, 2019 at 7:31 pmAmazing guide!!! Super helpful. Thank you so much for this. I’m going with my best friend next June. We found this amazing Villa through Eden Rock. It’s on the beach with direct beach access, pool, etc and is less money than the actual ocean suites at the hotel. I’m so confused by it though and it seems too good to be true. Any idea why the villas are less priced than the hotel rooms? This villa comes with all amenities to Eden Rock as well. On the hotel side, we are stuck between Eden Rock, Le Barthelemy and Cheval Blanc. We like a hotel that has amazing ocean views and direct beach access. Given that, which hotel would you recommend?
Lindsay Silberman
September 10, 2019 at 7:06 pmHi! So glad you found it helpful! I do sometimes find the villas to be lower priced than the hotel rooms for some reason. Where is it located? Is it on the property or somewhere nearby? Honestly all three of those hotels are amazing – I would say that Cheval Blanc feels a little bit more romantic/couple-friendly so if you’re going with a best friend you might prefer LB or ER.
Jackie
November 1, 2019 at 3:36 pmHi Lindsay! I’m going on my honeymoon right after NYE this year and am in between staying at Le Barthelemy or Sereno. Food, lots to do, spa are all important. Also what is the minimum amount of days you recommend in St Barths? We were thinking 4 or 5 outside of travel. As far as travel goes, I’m not sure where you are based. Have you ever/would you recommend doing a night stay in San Juan, St Thomas or Miami to break up the travel? Any preferred places to book flights through? Thanks so much in advance!
Lindsay Silberman
November 5, 2019 at 7:28 pmHi Jackie! You’re totally right in planning for 4-5 days (not including travel.) That’s the perfect amount of time. I guess it depends where you’re flying from, but a night in Miami is always nice! I would skip St Thomas since it’s not really on the way. San Juan would also work, but if given the option I would choose to go directly to SB. You can’t go wrong with either Sereno or Le Barthelemy. Both are incredible and have everything you’re looking for. Maybe try reaching out to each hotel and seeing if they offer anything special for honeymooners (like a suite upgrade) and decide based on that!
Sharon
November 28, 2019 at 10:50 pmGreat guide! Any thoughts on the best hotel for a solo traveler? I’m planning a visit for the 2nd week of January. Will I feel out of place around all the couples or groups?
Lindsay Silberman
December 8, 2019 at 9:52 pmI think you’ll be fine at any of these! It’s such a chill place and so great for exploring.
Bethany
January 6, 2020 at 1:17 amLove your guide! Which is the best hotel do you think is the best for families (two adults and one 2 year old toddler)?
Lindsay Silberman
January 6, 2020 at 5:39 amTruthfully the best best would be Le Guanahani which is SO great and family friendly but I think it’s still closed post hurricane. When are you going? Otherwise I would say Villa Marie or Le Barthelemy 👌🏼
Bethany
January 7, 2020 at 3:44 pmI would love to go in May for Memorial Day! Amazing thank you, I will check all of these out!! 💖
O
January 17, 2020 at 5:52 pmDo you recommend hiring a concierge to book your reservations, etc during the high season?
Lindsay Silberman
January 18, 2020 at 1:00 amIf you’re staying at a hotel they can definitely help with that (but I’d reach out to the concierge well in advance.) If you’re staying in a villa, many of them come with a concierge included in the price!
JJ
January 26, 2020 at 5:12 pmCan you reccommend your favorite places to shop for clothing and swimwear? Also, any favorite boutiques within hotels?
Lindsay Silberman
January 29, 2020 at 12:47 amI love Poupette St Barths, Banana Moon, Clic Concept Store, Lolita Jaca. Also the boutique in Eden Roc was really good from what I remember!
Madison
February 1, 2020 at 3:02 pmMy boyfriend and I just booked out flights for the first week of April and we are SO excited. We are between Les Ondines Sur la Plage and Hotel Manapany. Have you heard good or bad things about Les Ondines? The prices are comparable. Manapany looks nicer online but it’s always hard to tell for sure from just pictures. Does one have a better beach than the other?
Thanks for your help!
Lindsay Silberman
February 3, 2020 at 10:13 pmHi Madison! I’ve never stayed at Les Ondines / I don’t really know much about it, but I’ve stayed at Manapany and really liked it there! It sounds like Les Ondines might be super tiny (and sometimes you may not have as much staff/service if there are only a few rooms.) TBH every hotel in St Barths is great but I’d suggest Manapany only because I can vouch it’s a nice experience!
Tammy
February 27, 2020 at 11:36 pmTrying to decide between Turks and Caicos or St Barts?? We love TC!!! We want to have great beaches, great local food, and the opportunity to explore the island on our own. Thanks for any information.
Lindsay Silberman
February 28, 2020 at 1:47 amAh that’s a tough one!! I’ve done both and they’re so different. I’m partial to St Barths and would say that if it’s in the budget and you’ve never done it…it’s a MUST. there’s truly no place like it. People who experience it once end up becoming “lifers” – it’s a cult!
Nathalie Mojonnet
April 25, 2020 at 2:57 amThank you so much for this Lindsay, so helpful! Which hotel would you recommend if going with a girl friends for a girls trip?! Thanks !
Lindsay Silberman
April 27, 2020 at 12:12 amAh that’s such a tough one! But I would say Le Barthelemy or Eden Rock!
Aliza
September 1, 2020 at 9:19 pmWhat a great guide! Thanks for sharing. What are your thoughts on bringing a toddler here? He is so curious so I feel he would LOVE it because he enjoys people watching. If you have any recommendations for a place to stay with a kid, I’d love to hear 🙂
Lindsay Silberman
September 2, 2020 at 2:36 pmI know that Le Guanahani (which is now becoming a Rosewood!) was the best child-friendly hotel on the island… always lots of couples with kids there!
Lindsey
October 5, 2020 at 3:27 pmHi! This is such a great guide. My fiancé and I are trying to find the perfect place in St. Barths to book for our honeymoon in June. So far, we’re between Hotel Le Toiny, Cheval Blanc, and possibly Le Barthelemy. We want something romantic and beautiful on the beach with some privacy, but also close by (via rental car) to other must see areas and restaurants that you mentioned. What would you suggest? Thank you!!
Lindsay Silberman
October 7, 2020 at 7:14 pmHi Lindsey! Congrats! All great choices (and I can guarantee you’ll be happy at ANY of these places!) Cheval Blanc is the most private/low-key/quiet of the three; Le Toiny is one of our favorites (rooms, views, & staff are incredible) – the rooms are not directly on the beach so that’s something to consider. They do, however, have a beach club that they’ll drive you down to any time of day and the ride is only like 3 mins. Le Barthelemy is also great; I remember guests being more our age (we are in our 30s), other honeymoon couples, etc. Location-wise, they’re all pretty equal – nothing in St Barths is more than a 15-20 min drive max!
Katie Kallas
October 7, 2020 at 12:37 amHi Lindsay, I love your article! It’s been so helpful and made me want to visit St Barts even more! We’re looking at going to St Barts for our honeymoon in March and after reading your blog, we’ve narrowed it down to two options (we think), Cheval Blanc or Le Barthelemy. We’re in our thirty’s and definitely not huge nightlife people but we enjoy socializing and good food. I see us hanging by the pool or beach most days, followed by meals at local restaurants, and back at the hotel by 9/10 or so! What Hotel would you recommended? It seems like Le Barthelemy maybe more upbeat and family friendly and Cheval Blanc is more private.
Lindsay Silberman
October 7, 2020 at 7:04 pmHey Katie!! Congrats! It is the absolute BEST place for a honeymoon. Those are great choices in terms of hotels and you can’t go wrong with either. You’re correct that Cheval Blanc is more quiet, and Le Barthelemy is a bit more upbeat (but definitely not a nightlife/party vibe at all). For ex: when I stayed at Le Barthelemy I remember they had some chill live music at sunset, which was really nice. We’re not really the type to make “friends” on vacation (LOL) but we ended up chatting with some other couples at happy hour. From my recollection at Cheval Blanc people mostly kept to themselves (which can be just as nice!) All a matter of preference, but you’ll be happy with either!!
Katie K
October 8, 2020 at 12:01 amHi again, thanks so much for the quick response. After reading your comment and doing more research, I think we’ve ruled out Cheval Blanc. Now I’m considering Le Sereno. Can you tell me anything about this hotel? My biggest hesitation with Le Barthélemy is it seems more family friendly and while we love kids, we don’t want to see any on our honeymoon- ha! March is spring break time for Texas at least so I want to stay away from somewhere that is more kid friendly.
Lindsay Silberman
October 10, 2020 at 9:49 pmHii! Totally get it – I definitely didn’t want to be around any kids during my honeymoon lol
We loved Le Sereno when we stayed there! It was a while ago (haven’t stayed there in a few years) but I did like it a lot. There’s also a new hotel that just opened called Carl Gustaf that might be worth looking into — we’re staying there next month for our anniversary so I can report back on it after my trip!
Jessica Wise
November 10, 2020 at 7:02 pmHi Lindsay
Love your blog and site! First rate. I want to take my hubby back to St Barth for our 25th wedding anniversary. Sadly, some health issues means he has difficulty with lots of steps and steep inclines. Are there villa suites at Le Toiny that would be close to the main building? Or is everything a schlep? Thanks
Jen
December 15, 2020 at 3:16 pmHi Lindsay! We are looking to book an anniversary trip/babymoon in April and I CANNOT figure out which hotel is right for us. We are deciding between Eden Rock, Villa Marie, Cheval Blanc, Le Sereno and Le Toiny. We are in our mid-thirties, would prefer romantic/sexy and not a lot of children (we have two at home), we like good food…but not overly gourmet, and a little vibe – we don’t love super quiet/pretentious places (energy is everything!), and we plan on a getting a car…but don’t want to spend the entire time in the car. Budget isn’t a huge issue (they all seem to be expensive). What do you think?
Lindsay Silberman
January 13, 2021 at 9:00 pmHi Jen! I’m so sorry for the delayed reply! If you’re still deciding, based on what you described, I would say Eden Rock or Le Toiny! But truthfully you’ll be very happy at any of the places you mentioned! Make sure to make a rez for dinner at Petite Plage and a rez for lunch at GypSea (they’re new and havent been added to my guide yet!)
Jen
December 15, 2020 at 3:20 pmI forgot to mention – we definitely want a hotel with a spa! 🙂
Ben
January 25, 2021 at 4:56 pmHi Lindsay! We’re curious what hotel you’d recommend that has the best beach: specifically want easily accessible, soft white sand, calm water, and private and not crowded. thank you!
Panjene
February 2, 2021 at 6:01 amThese are great hotels for vacations and honey moons. Thank you Lindsay for taking your time and sharing!
Alec
April 29, 2021 at 6:22 pmhey this is awesome thank you so much! Christoper or Manapany???
Lindsay Silberman
May 5, 2021 at 8:40 pmah that’s a tough call! If beach is super important to you, then I would go with Manapany (as Christopher is not on the beach!)
Coco
May 5, 2021 at 9:12 pmI just can’t decide on which hotel to stay at for my honeymoon in St. Barth’s in December. This will be our second trip there (first time we stayed at Villa Marie.) The original private villa we wanted fell through, so now I think we want to go the hotel route where we can ensure the quality of the accommodations. If price was no object I’d stay at Eden Rock because of the location, but at 1700 euros for a garden room of 500sq ft is it worth it? Le Toiny looks amazing but I heard it’s sleepy and kind of out of the way over there. Would we be bored and leaving in our rental car every day? Then there’s Christopher, Cheval Blanc and the new Carl Gustaf! I just cannot decide which is the best bang for our buck with the most at our fingertips! We like to eat out, mingle and hang out at beaches like St Jean (which was our fave becuase of the sandy and blue water). Help!
Lindsay Silberman
May 12, 2021 at 10:54 pmomg this is such a tough one!! (a good problem to have of course lol) feel free to DM me on Instagram and I’ll talk through it with you!!
Erika
July 3, 2021 at 8:41 pmHi Lindsay!
great info!
I see that Sundays are the day to go to Nikki Beach but are the other days fun too like Saturday? or they only have music sundays?
Lindsay Silberman
July 23, 2021 at 6:20 pmThe other days are more low key and less busy. If you want the real scene, Sunday is *the* day!
kurt
July 13, 2021 at 9:30 pmHey Lindsay, you had mentioned you were going to stay at the Carl Gustaf last November. Did you stay there and what’s your feedback ? Didn’t look like there was any beach (?). thank you , kurt
Lindsay Silberman
July 23, 2021 at 6:18 pmHi Kurt! I have a blog post review of the property here! You’re correct – it’s not located directly on the beach (however Shell beach is a 5 min walk down the road) https://www.lindsaysilberman.com/travel/hotel-barriere-le-carl-gustaf-st-barths-review/
Miguel Angel
August 11, 2021 at 4:08 pmExcellent ! I am a travel agent from Puerto Rico and I have to tell you, this is the most complete guide I read. Thanks
Ashlee Glazer
October 29, 2021 at 10:42 amAmazing Guide’ legit read this as I flying – and rented a car on the spot!
Best tips ! Made me feel so in the know upon arrival
Xox
Meredith
December 13, 2021 at 7:09 pmHi Lindsay, do you have any opinions on Le Village? I am going to SB in March for my bachelorette with a group of 8.
Lindsay Silberman
January 29, 2022 at 9:57 pmI haven’t stayed there but I know someone who had people stay there for a wedding weekend many years ago and she said it was lovely!
JB
March 9, 2022 at 4:21 amHey Lindsay! Love the guide – what’s the protocol around day passes on the island? Are they even available? We’ll be visiting around Late April and staying at a villa near The Christopher and seems like we can hang out at the pools and lounge given that we’re drinking/eating.
Lindsay Silberman
May 3, 2022 at 9:41 pmI’m not sure what the technical rules are, but in my experience, if you go for lunch/drinks most places will be pretty relaxed about letting you hang by the pool & getting beach chairs. Never hurts to ask!
Carly
March 14, 2022 at 5:24 pmHi Lindsay,
This guide is SO Helpful. We are going to St. Barths for 3 nights for our honeymoon. Would you recommend Gyp Sea over Pearl beach for Saturday? Also if you had to choose three top restaurants do you have any suggestions ( I cannot decide from your amazing list!)
Lindsay Silberman
May 3, 2022 at 9:40 pmsuch a fun spot for a honeymoon! Yes to GypSea over pearl beach on sat! I need to update the guide!
Rita Cambert
March 22, 2022 at 3:18 pmHello there! Was wondering about accessibility at Le Toiny… are there suites that don’t involve alot of stairs or hilly walks to get to the Main Reception? Thanks
Lindsay Silberman
May 3, 2022 at 9:39 pmFrom my recollection there are actually a number of suites that you can drive and park right in front of!
Christine
March 23, 2022 at 6:30 pmHi Lindsey – this guide is amazing and it, along with stalking your IG trips there, has convinced my cousin and I to book our annual trip here (we try out diff tropical locations). We are going to book a villa to save a bit on cost. Do you know if any hotels let guests come pay to visit the beach club for the day ? Or is reserving chairs at Nikki Beach / GypSea our best bet? It also seems like (from your photos and others I’ve seen) that people just lay on towels at the beaches you mentioned (Saline, Gouvernour etc) and don’t do the chair / lounge thing unless you’re at a hotel or beach club. Is that true?
Lindsay Silberman
May 3, 2022 at 9:39 pmHi! GREAT decision for you an your cuz 🙂 All the beaches are technically public, so you can pretty much bring your own towels/beach stuff and park yourself anywhere you want. if you want the “service” aspect (i.e. people coming by to take drink orders etc.) you can book chairs or a lunch reservation for that
jill murphy
March 27, 2022 at 3:18 amHi Lindsay,
Your guide is super helpful! Thank you! My husband and I are thinking about planning a trip to St Barts early July. I know you warned about rain. Wondering if because of this the island is dead/quiet. We definitely wanted the scene / Liveliness when we go. Would love any thoughts. Thank you!
Jill
Lindsay Silberman
May 3, 2022 at 9:37 pmHi Jill! Truthfully I think the island feels pretty lively all year round (except for maybe Sept/Oct). It’s kind of nice to go during the less popular periods because you don’t need to worry about making reservations in advance.
Aly
January 22, 2023 at 10:29 pmI’m going with my fiancé to Le Toiny for our honeymoon! We are very excited and I found this guide to be so helpful. I’m starting to prep by picking up some outfits and wondered if you had any retailers you recommend I shop at!?
Lindsay Silberman
January 24, 2023 at 1:03 amI’d say you can’t go wrong with Revolve or Shopbop! Lots of good flowy dresses and resort accessories 🙂