St Barths Insider’s Guide

 

Favorite thing to do on the island?

I love to dive here — not widely known for its diving spots, but there are some fantastic ones. I also enjoy watching sunsets from the island’s various beaches.

Favorite beach?

Flamands and Lorient. I love a beach where I can swim, but it’s calm enough to read.

Favorite restaurant?

Le Café when I want something festive — I love the food and the ambiance. Eddy’s Ghetto is great for something more local, located in Gustavia.

Favorite shop?

Pop St-Barth in Gustavia. They have superb collections perfect for wearing on St-Barth, especially their chic island dresses.

Favorite hotel you’ve visited?

The Four Seasons Bora Bora, for the destination, the beauty of the resort, and the warmth of the staff. Also Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, for its intimate atmosphere and perfect service.

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Coffee on the terrace first thing in the morning, walk up Le Morne, sit on the bench at the top and listen to the birds and waves, go to the gym, then get ready for the day.

Favorite beach?

Colombier Beach — you need to hike down to it.

Favorite restaurant?

Le Café, and a seat at the bar at Bonito. Pro tip: go to the wine cellar.

Tips for first timers?

Pack and plan as if you’re going to St. Tropez — but without the crowds and mass tourism. Be open to uncovering the surprising side of the island: local art, warm service, natural landscape, and the best food in the Caribbean.

Favorite hotel you’ve visited?

Rosewood São Paulo — so lush, and I love the people.

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Favorite thing to do on the island?

Go for a walk in Grand Fond with my family. Enjoy a morning swim between Corosol and Public.

Favorite beach?

Corossol — the swimming and the water there. That’s the local answer. For visitors, Saline. Pure bliss.

Favorite restaurant?

Les Bananiers. Local, and the best pizza.

Tips for first timers?

Rent a car and explore. The beauty of the island is in all its beaches.

Favorite hotel you’ve visited?

The Greenwich in NYC. My home away from home.

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Favorite thing to do on the island?

Take a car and explore, stopping at viewpoints, beaches, and neighborhoods whenever the mood strikes. Every corner of St. Barth has its own character.

Favorite beach?

Colombier for its unspoiled beauty — only reachable on foot via a hiking trail, which makes it feel like a privilege once you arrive. I also love Saline Beach for its exceptional setting.

Favorite restaurant?

Gyp Sea beach club for its barefoot, relaxed atmosphere. For dinner, Isola for refined Italian in an intimate setting. Bonito for Mediterranean cuisine with Peruvian influences and spectacular views over Gustavia harbor.

Tips for first timers?

Don’t try to see everything in a few days. Embrace the island’s pace, explore a variety of beaches, catch the sunsets, and let yourself find the hidden gems.

Favorite hotel you’ve visited?

La Bastide de Marie in France — it doesn’t feel like a conventional hotel. More like staying with friends in a beautiful country home. Set in a vineyard with just 12 rooms, it perfectly captures the Provençal art de vivre.

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Favorite thing to do on the island?

I walk a lot and just started scuba diving. There’s also a music festival in January with the opera from Paris — and I’ve started going to the theater.

Favorite restaurant?

Le Café for atmosphere and live music. Le Tamarin for the garden setting without a DJ. Te Corail for a local beach meal. Nyama is a very local spot — the owner has Vietnamese recipes at lunch that turn into French-Vietnamese at dinner. I prefer Barry over Bonito. Nikki Beach is the best beach club for going out, and the food is great.

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Favorite thing to do on the island?

Watching the sunset from Gustavia Lighthouse and simply enjoy the magical colors of the sky with a homemade aperitivo.

Favorite beach?

Shell Beach. My favorite time to visit is early in the morning, before the island wakes up, when the water is at its most crystal-clear and the snorkeling is simply exceptional

Favorite restaurant?

Le Grain de Sel. A true local institution, loved for its warm atmosphere, generous Caribbean cuisine, and authentic St. Barths spirit. And for those sunnier, more celebratory afternoons, Le Gypsea Beach offers the perfect blend of beachside elegance and relaxed island living.

Favorite shop?

The Eden Rock Boutique. For its exceptional curation, exclusive luxury collaborations, and the signature Diptyque x Eden Rock scent that instantly transports you into the Eden Rock world.

Favorite hotel you’ve visited?

Le Bristol Paris. Timeless Parisian elegance and impeccable attention to detail.

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Favorite thing to do on the island?

A boat day

Favorite beach?

Colombier — absolutely breathtaking, and only reachable by hiking or boat. One of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I also love Saline Beach. A short four-minute walk takes you there. Local legend says it’s a magical beach: when you’re there, look out toward the endless horizon and make a wish. It works!

Favorite restaurant?

La Case at Cheval Blanc for brunch and Le Table (at le Toiny) for dinner.

Favorite shop?

Lolita Jaca, a local designer whose prints are beautiful, chic, and perfectly representative of the St. Barth spirit. I also love the Eden Rock boutique — a wonderful selection ranging from French and American designers to Brazilian and Colombian labels.

Tips for first timers?

Experience something truly local:

• Visit the local market held on the first Sunday of every month.

• Explore the Domaine De Félicité, a charming spot that tells the story of the island.

• Dine at a local restaurant and take the time to chat with the owners.

• Enjoy a beer at Le Select, the island’s first bar and a true St. Barth institution.

Favorite hotel you’ve visited?

Cap Juluca in Anguilla, Palazzo Margherita in Bernalda, and Borgo Egnazia in Puglia.