Tropical charm and untamed nature Saint Barth in two stages

Between two island refuges - after all, why choose? One chapter ends, another begins, and paradise goes on. It’s much better this way! Three nights in the northwest of the island to start, by the lovely Flamands Bay, at a discreet accommodation that is a charming and refined haven. Then four nights to the southeast, overlooking Anse Toiny, in a Relais & Châteaux property sheltered from the crowds. You have a Mini Cooper convertible at your disposal, allowing you to explore freely with the wind in your hair. A private catamaran cruise is already planned; for the rest of the time, everyone is free to set their own pace - whether relaxing on your own, unwinding on the sand or exploring the island, with our recommendations to guide you.

BAIE DES FLAMANDS - YOUR TROPICAL AND COLONIAL REFUGE

The renovation of this former hotel with a tropical spirit, perched on the Colombier heights overlooking the Flamands Bay, was carried out by the Sibuet family, who also own several charming hotels in the Alps and Saint-Tropez. The bungalows and villas, nestled in a tropical garden where mango trees and bougainvillea bloom, embody a “chic planter” spirit in a warm, family-friendly Creole retreat atmosphere. Under the verandas and on the terraces, in the airy rooms, soft and tangy colours highlight wood, rattan, exotic wallpapers and fine fabrics. Vintage furniture is paired with carefully sourced objects. The gourmet restaurant, set in the garden, is an institution on the island that the hotel has chosen to keep within its walls, as an epicurean nod to the history of the place. The cuisine here is rooted in French tradition, enhanced with local flavours: lobster and grilled vegetables, the catch of the day, truffle salads, frosted coconut, coconut blanc-manger, flambéed bananas, etc. At the rum and cigar bar, a Creole dolce vita atmosphere surrounds the ebony bar. The spa, for its part, offers treatments with flowers and rituals with hot shells. Dress code: the perfect combination of a sarong, total sunblock and dark sunglasses.

ANSE TOINY - A paradise on the edge of the crowds

Nestled on a hillside above Anse Toiny in the southeast of the island, the hotel is one of the exclusive accommodations in Saint Barthélemy, far from the crowds and the glitz. A tropical paradise set in the heart of a 17-hectare (42-acre) palm grove bordered by a sandy beach, on the island’s Wild Coast - the most peaceful and unspoiled area. Not long ago, this iconic Relais & Châteaux hotel underwent a rejuvenation, revealing a new “chic seaside” look, characterised by refined luxury and timeless Caribbean elegance. The fifteen or so villa suites, designed in the spirit of planter houses, showcase natural materials and soft tones: mother-of-pearl, driftwood, bleached teak, fine fabrics, large openings to the outdoors, touches of azure to evoke the sea, etc. The best part is that each one comes with its own spacious terrace and private pool, facing Anse Toiny. There is also the hotel’s pool, which is an infinity pool as well. Below, the beach is accessible by a small shuttle; untouched and wild, it is appreciated by surfers. The cocktail bar established here has earned an excellent reputation on the island with its bold creations, complemented by a boutique, a barbecue area with your feet in the sand, and lounge chairs for relaxing under the Coccolobas, gumbo-limbo trees and other thatched shelters. Unless you would rather try your hand at kitesurfing, windsurfing or diving. On the culinary side, you’ll enjoy the same guiding thread of French cuisine with delightfully Caribbean accents. Nestled in the heart of lush vegetation, the spa offers a range of treatments with the gentle scents of the islands: lime and ginger salt treatments, soothing massages with warm shells and “deep tissue” massages.