The Best Hotels in St Barts for Every Traveller

With a reputation for attracting wealthy travellers, St-Barthélemy – or St Barts to its friends – is undoubtedly flashy. On an island of less than 25sqkm (10sqmi) and just over 9,000 people, there are designer boutiques, Michelin-starred chefs and superyachts galore. But, being the Caribbean, there are also shallow reefs, empty bays and steep volcanic slopes to explore. Ready to visit? Here’s our guide to the best hotels in St Barts.

This hip 1970s hotspot, just five minutes from the airport and right on the beach, has been reimagined by French hotelier Anne Jousse as an eco-resort. Think solar panels, chemical-free water in the spa and two pools, handmade furnishings, bamboo-fibre towels, and only electric cars allowed on the property. In fact, e-cars are available to rent, with each room having its own parking space and recharging station. The rooms themselves – some fronting the beach, others on the hill with expansive sea-view decks – embrace traditional Caribbean architecture with a modern twist, imagined in shades of vibrant red, sunset yellow, and azure blue. Lift the shutters above the roll-top bath, and let the ocean breeze sweep through. Take part in free yoga and pilates on the sunny deck.

Watch the planes make their infamous landings at nearby Gustaf III airport, located along the bay from Pearl Beach. The small jets often make a low descent over the water but they are more of a spectacle than a nuisance. With a beach-side restaurant and regular live music, Pearl can be a lively spot, but the 14 rooms – some on the beach, others in garden settings – offer a peaceful retreat. The décor in some rooms is traditional, with dark wood and tile touches. Others are more breezy, in pine and hues of blue. If you need more space, the two-storey, three-bed villa is a roomier option.

The late French interior designer Christian Liaigre crafted Le Sereno’s rooms to inspire tranquility, using a simple palette of white and wood. Brimming with tropical fish and coral, the lagoon right in front of the hotel draws the eye. A reef out to sea means the Grand Cul de Sac bay resembles a giant swimming pool when the light hits it, and the shallow waters glow bright blue. Located right on St Barts’ longest beach, Le Sereno is well-known in luxury circles, due in part to its sister hotel on Lake Como. Expect preloaded iPods in rooms, chocolates on your pillow, villas with butler service, an indoor-outdoor spa, and fine dining.

Stuffy? No. Fun? Oh yes. French-Caribbean aviator Rémy de Haenen attracted the likes of Howard Hughes and Greta Garbo when he opened Eden Rock as a guesthouse in the 1950s. In truth, celebrities can still be spotted in this legendary hotel. Art-adorned rooms all have an individual look, and there’s a hefty number of room categories to choose from, all refreshed after Hurricane Irma in 2017. Some of the most interesting are intended to resemble a luxury yacht cabin on land. Note: that there’s no communal pool, so be sure to choose one of the many rooms or villas with their own. A frosé at the Beach Bar is also a must; proof that hotels in St Barts will never leave you thirsty.

The seasoned traveller knows that the best beaches can only be reached by boat or foot. That’s certainly true for Colombier, a moon-shaped bay surrounded only by green hills; it’s an excellent sunset spot. Have the sand to yourself by taking a 20-minute hike down from this hotel located not on the beach, but high in the hills. Car hire is a must if you want to venture from this quirky, chic, boutique resort, where bright clapboard rooms with open-rafters feature hanging chairs, shell-lined mirrors, and accents of acid-pink and blazing orange. The hotel’s restaurant has a strong reputation across the island; start the day right with the rum-infused French toast.

If you want resort convenience but don’t want to have to make small-talk with Pat and Alice next door every time you leave your room, Toiny’s suites offer both privacy and luxury facilities. Each of the 22 villa suites on the hillside above Anse de Toiny has its own pool, terrace and kitchen, as well as access to the Beach Club. Reached via private shuttle, the hotel features a bar, boutique and beachfront swimming pool shaded by sea grape trees. There’s full restaurant service for lunch and dinner, with European-inspired cuisine by chef Jarad McCarroll.

Cuter than a puppy in a sunhat, this exceptionally sweet hotel has just a handful of suites clustered around a pool, and right on the beautiful lagoon of the Grand Cul de Sac. Some of the spacious suites, in stone and sea-worn wood, have direct access to the beach from generous terraces. There are full kitchens for independent stays, but leave room for the complimentary breakfast. The easy vibe and safe bay make this a draw for families.

The largest of all hotels in St Barts, owned by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, has those special touches that make the simple décor, the tasteful dark-tiled pool, the discreet but attentive staff, feel more than the substantial sum of its parts. Maybe it’s the bespoke scent that’s detectable throughout the hotel. Perhaps it’s the subtle splashes of a signature pink on glassware, towels and cushions; it’s all just incredibly well thought through. Some rooms are right on the sand, some on the hills overlooking the beach, others have a garden-view. Room amenities also feel special – a beach bag and flip flops, a tablet, fresh flowers. The spa, which uses Guerlain products, includes a garden pavilion.

An impressive compound for those who want total privacy; you don’t even need to be around the people you’re staying with. Coco Rock is a six-bedroom, 12-person villa, but its rooms are arranged across four separate bungalows, located at different elevations throughout the garden. All overlooking the Petit Cul de Sac, the simple design feels restful with waxed concrete floors and natural wood. Communal areas feature a heated pool, an air-conditioned indoor lounge, and an outdoor lounge. The island’s capital, Gustavia, is about twenty minutes from the villa.

The rattan furniture, seagrass shades, and palm-print wallpapers of the Shellona restaurant, right on Shell Beach, are a good introduction to the easy French style of this hotel. Its suites and rooms sit high on the hill above, with an outlook towards Gustavia. All have the same Caribbean flair with a modern twist. Some suites even have their own private plunge pool. Try the coconut milk-infused mahi-mahi fish or raspberry and watermelon lemonade at Shellona and stroll along the sand at sunset.

Not found your ideal place to stay yet? See the best resorts in St Barts and book with Culture Trip.