WHERE TO STAY:
Luxe St. Barts – Luxury Villas, both small and large
Eden Rock – Iconic & glamor (St Jean)
Cheval Blanc Isle de France – Chic & cozy (Flamands)
Villa Marie – Bohemian & tropical Boutique Hotel (Colombier)
Le Toiny – Luxury Suites (Toiny)
Hotel Christopher – Casual chic (Pointe Milou) – Great pool (get a day bed)
For lower budgets: Airbnb is commonly used here
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK:
La Petite Colombe – Cute roadside bakery, good for breakfast! Must to order there: the crepes! To die for.
Hôtel Le Toiny – Lunch Spot (The best part is the nice Defender ride experience to get to the beach (wild side of the island) – You can also get lounge chairs for the day and enjoy a nice musical atmosphere.
Shellona – Lunch Spot! It is also a very nice place to enjoy a cocktail at sunset time (most incredible sunset is on Shell Beach: the only shell sand in St Barths). Very healthy, tasty and fresh meridional Cuisine (Mix of Greek & Mediterranean food). The best way to live it: Share everything!
Cheval Blanc – Lunch Spot (Cuisine is by French Chef Jean Imbert (a rising star Chef – he opened a restaurant in Miami with Pharrell Williams called Swan.
O’Corail – Lunch (freshest tuna tartar)!
Lil Rock – Amazing beach restaurant! You can also get lounge chairs here for the day! Caribbean vibes, very local, casual, friendly but idyllic little beach club.
Nikki Beach – After lunch drinks!
Eden Rock – Great for pre dinner drinks! One of the best mixologist teams. The bar at Eden Rock is called Rémy Bar, named after Rémy de Haenen, an aviation pioneer who has been St Barths first mayor. He is the one who built Eden Rock St Barths 50 years ago.
Tamarin – A fav dinner spot (Local cuisine). The only tropical garden, very chic and romantic. One of the most attentive service on the island. Located in Salines.
Bonito – Also a fav dinner spot. Very well-known as a fish and ceviche restaurant, with an incredible view on Gustavia’s Harbor and a great Mixologist team.
La Guérite – Dinner (like a cooler bagatelle). Mediterranean & festive restaurant located on the harbor. Their speciality: make everyone dance on tables with a traditional Sirtaki Greek song (everybody makes their napkins turn in the air).
Isola – For a nice dinner. Probably one of St. Barths best Italian restaurants considered “fine dining”. Indoor only, very chic and soft lighting.
LeTi – Good for drinks – The only Cabaret & Show in St Barths.
Gustavia – Fish market for cooking.
Shankar Juice – The best place for Açai bowls, smoothies and only vegan homemade raw food.
WHAT TO DO:
Petite St. Jean Beach – White sands (local beach).
Piscine Naturelle – Great hike and swim! Natural pools, amazingly beautiful.
The swimming reef at the former Rockefeller House (Designed by Nelson W. Aldrich, at Colombier Beach).
Hands down my favorite discovery on St. Barth’s was the 40 minute hike to Le Colombier beach. The walk/climb revealed plenty of friendly turtles along the way before reaching the private cove. You can only access this beach by boat or hike. The most beautiful sunset!(Pack a lunch).
Salines – My favorite beach and adored by all real St Barths lovers.
Drive a few minutes west along Cote Sauvage from Toiny to Grand Fond and hike down to the natural baths- you’ll feel like you’ve crossed over into another world!
WHERE TO SHOP:
Baya – Great for home goods!
Clic – Concept store. Gallery and bookstore that also sells sunglasses, clothes, perfumes, bags etc.
Wild Side – Designer apparel and accessories.
Poupette and Lolita Jaca – Both local designers. Very inspiring women who created empires by starting literally with nothing.
THINGS TO KNOW:
Make sure to bring Euros!
French is the official language of St. Barths but you also may hear people speaking Creole. Since so many Americans visit, English is also spoken throughout the island.
Don’s forget your adapters!
Plan an extra budget regarding valet as it’s very complicated to find a parking lot spot during high season. Valet service costs between 15 & 20 dollars.
Make sure you don’t drive too fast as a lot of turtles cross the roads in St Barths. It’s very cute to see. All drivers stop to move them out of the road. There is no red lights on this island so turtles are the only traffic jam reason!
Most importantly, get to know the locals while you are on site. The best way to live the most ultimate stay here is by getting to know real St Barths lovers.
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Thank you so much to Olivia for being our St. Barths expert and insider on all the hottest spots on the island! Would not have been able to have the local, chic experience without you! If you’re planning a trip, @oliviajnrs is your girl to reach out to for all things St. Barth’s!