Having gained a reputation as a destination for the fabulously wealthy, St. Barths retains its quaint yesteryear charm, much of the island still undeveloped, leaving its pristine beaches and lush forests to be enjoyed as they have been for hundreds of years. Sparkling turquoise water, sugar-like coral sand and an air of tranquility draw visitors from across the globe. While the five-star luxuries offered by legendary Eden Rock St Barths will transport guests to a paradisiacal retreat overlooking beautiful St. Jean’s Bay.
Accommodation type: 5-star hotel
No. of Rooms & Suites: 34
Pricing: starts at $725 for standard rooms, at $950 for cottages; at $1,060 for suites, at $1,182 for beach houses, and at $1,566 for villa ultraluxe
High season: December through June
Nearest airport: Saint Barthélemy Airport (SBH)
Suitable for: couples, honeymooners
Awards:
- Condé Nast Traveller’s Gold List, 2017
- Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards #1 in the “Travel Top 100,” 2016
- World Travel Awards’ “St Barths’ Leading Boutique Hotel,” 2016
Accommodation
The distinctive outcrop that gives Eden Rock St Barths its name drew enterprising Frenchman Rémy de Haenen to build the island’s first hotel in the 1950s. Frequented by Hollywood legends like Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes, it also drew members of the Rockefeller and Rothschild families. Refurbished in 1995 by the current owners, the hotel today offers guests unparalleled luxury and award-winning service. Much of the hotel dates back to its founding, with buildings incorporating part of the rock into their construction.
Accommodation ranges from charming Caribbean-style cottages to sleek and luxurious villas, all offering either lush garden or stunning sea views. Beach rooms offer guests terraces that overhang the ocean for incomparable viewing of the sun rising and setting over the water. Amenities include spacious bathrooms with rainfall showers, flatscreen TVs, iPhone docking stations, and European bedding. While some rooms also have private dipping pools.
Facilities
- On The Rocks Restaurant — named this way thanks to the stunning rock outcropping it’s perched on. This exclusive restaurant headed by a Michelin-starred chef serves an intimate array of dishes, from Beluga caviar and blinis as an appetizer to main courses of Chilean sea bass, local lobster or venison sirloin. Desserts incorporate the flavors of the region using ingredients like chocolate, rum, caramel and passion fruit.
- Sand Bar — from breakfast to dinner, this casual eatery offers guests waterside dining with a laidback vibe. Breakfasts are fresh and light, using a range of locally sourced produce. Lunches and dinners focus on light meals like salads, pizzas and fresh seafood. While creme brulee, cheesecake, and sorbets top the dessert menu.
- Eden Rock Spa — housed in cabins overlooking the water. The massage rooms of Eden Rock incorporate a sense of tranquility and unearthly beauty while offering wonderfully fragrant treatments that make use of fresh papaya, mango, pineapple and passion fruit. Full body massages or light facials keep guests relaxed and replenished after a day in the sun and salt water.
- Eden Rock Fitness — Here you can work out solo with free weights and cardio equipment. Or opt for one of the classes in aquabiking, a spinning class where the bikes are underwater.
Complimentary Activities
The hotel offers guests use of a wide range of water toys, from stand-up paddleboards to kayaks to snorkeling equipment on a complimentary basis.
Travel Options
Guests traveling from St. Martin can opt to take a ferry from Bobby’s Marina, Oyster Pond, Philipsburg or Marigot and arrive at the island by sea. The hotel can also charter a private yacht for guests.
The airport is just one kilometer from Eden Rock St Barths, a quick, three-minute ride in a taxi. Visitors planning on renting a car at the airport will want to take D209 East upon leaving the airport. After one kilometer, take a left on the road to Baie de Saint-Jean. The hotel will be at the end of the road. Chauffeured airport transfers can also be arranged with the hotel at the time of booking.
Main Attractions Around Eden Rock St Barths
1. Anse des Flamands Beach
The main reason to visit St. Barths is for its immaculate beaches, and the island offers no less than fourteen of them to the public. This is widely acclaimed to be one of its best, a wide expanse of dazzling white sand that offers a shaded area at one end for those who want to appreciate the beauty out of the sunshine. It’s perfect for taking a stroll, and some visitors even hike to the ancient volcano nearby, thought to have been instrumental in the island’s formation. There are also waves for surfing in season. While one side of the beach has been left relatively natural, the other side features eateries and shops for a snack and quick essentials.
2. Gustavia
St. Barth’s intriguing capital city lies in a horseshoe configuration spanning the natural harbor on the western side of the island. Its natural function as a port was the draw for visitors over the centuries, and today it retains its busy seaside ambiance with sailboats and yachts. Moreover, the old cobblestone streets are fun to explore, lined with swanky little boutiques, small cafes, historic buildings and galleries showcasing local artists.
3. Wall House Museum
This distinctive brick building set in the heart of Gustavia exemplifies the architecture of the island’s Swedish period, from its charming stonework to its wide shutters. Filled with fascinating relics of the time, visitors can wander the exhibits and get a sense of life in the colonial era. There are plenty of remnants of shipbuilding and seafaring. As well as immaculately preserved examples of clothing styles and farming implements.
4. Fort Karl
Perched advantageously above the city of Gustavia, this remnant of the island’s early protection offers visitors today particularly pretty views out over the ocean and the city below. While there’s little left of the original fort beyond the stone walls, the chance to enjoy the scenery and engage in a little yacht-watching adds to the fun. The short hike up the hill does include a number of stairs, which might be a hindrance for some visitors.
Final Words
With easy airport access and a quick drive to its capital city from anywhere on the island, St. Barths is an appealing getaway allowing visitors to lounge in the sand or explore the shops in town. Moreover, for another luxurious destination, you can try the Caneel Bay Resort in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Therefore, if you have you had the opportunity to stay at the beautiful Eden Rock St Barths tell us all about your adventures in the comments below.