When you’re ready to book a room at a St Barts hotel, it can be tempting to check out TripAdvisor and follow other travelers reviews.  I have used it, and often times, it works out really well.  But, I caution you to not follow them too closely because often times, they’re not quite as helpful as you think.

Here’s one prime example of what I’m talking about.  This information is not 100% reliable, and here’s why:

1. It’s a complete mess.  Take a good look at the list.  The list intermingles reviews about St Barts hotels and St Jean hotels…..and the St Jean hotels have their own separate list over here.  As you well know, St Barts is so small that it doesn’t even make sense to make a separate list for St Jean.  Overall, the list they provide is confusing and hard to read.
2. It’s not up-to-date.  Number 5 on the list is the Christopher Hotel, which has been closed for the last 6 months, and I’m beginning to believe that it will never re-open.
3. It’s lacking reviews. I don’t find that this list has enough review to make it trustworthy.  Some hotels, like Francois Plantation, have 9 reviews, while others have 42, like the Guanahani.  For major cities, such as New York, the first hotels on the list have hundres of reviews, so if there is a negative one here and there, it is much less likely to impact the overall score of the hotel.  Plus, with so many to choose from, there is a major difference between the first on the list and the last; this is not so in St Barts.  Because there are many fewer hotels, being last on the list is not considered shameful.
4. It’s hard to compare amenities.  Some hotels on St Barts have only 5 rooms, like at Saline Cottages; on the other hand, the Guanahani have 75.  Hotels like Eden Rock are really expensive. So, to use TripAdvisor, you have to understand that the rankings are really just a graded average.  Be sure to know what your needs are and really read reviews to see if you can relate to what the other travelers are saying.
5. Overall, the website is quite helpful, as long as you are careful.  Guanahani does not deserve to be as low on the list as it is, but I checked in to that.  There are still negative reviews from 2004 and 2005 hanging out there.  It’s time for TripAdvisor to take them down. 

When you’re traveling to St Barts island, it’s always good to check around for a hotel, see which one most closely matches your wants and needs.  Use TripAdvisor, but take their advice with a grain of salt and know that, as with most things in life, there is more to the story.

St Barts Hotel :: Le Toiny ~ Arial View

Although the island of St Barts is small, this St Barts hotel seems to have found 38 acres of complete and total seclusion.  The Le Toiny offers 15 villa suites, each with its their own private pool and Plantation style furnishings.  The decor is such that is blends wonderfully with its natural surroundings, making the guests feel right at home. Teak chaise lounges with thick, comfy cushions sit upon beautiful hardwood floors; fall into your giant four-poster mahogany bed covered in crisp Frette linens. 

Le Toiny is located in the Toiny area of the island, and sets among only a handful of local houses.  Perched on the slope of Morne Vitet, it overlooks a beautiful cove of the Caribbean and is where "French savoir-faire meets West Indies casual, in a perfect blending of uncomplicated relaxation."

Here is a great video that showcases the beautiful Le Toiny:

                   St Barts Hotel :: Dining at Le Toiny

I often visit the Le Toiny for the Sunday brunch because it’s the best on the island. The managers are very nice, service is traditional French style, yet not stiff.  If you decide to lunch there, make sure to sit by the blue pool in the shape of a crescent.  Le Toiny is part of the Relais & Châteaux, a posh French Association of Chic Independent Hotels.

Everyone should experience the Le Toiny, even if it is just once.  The luxury and service you will experience will be like nothing you could ever imagine.  Come experience St Barts at its finest; experience it the Le Toiny way.

First, when I finished reading the press release, I must say that I was not sure to understand what Exclusive Resorts did. Was it a deluxe travel agency? I looked up on their website to know more. The company defines itself as a Destination Club.

It’s a whole new concept in vacationing—combining the privacy and spaciousness of vacation homes with the services and amenities of luxury resorts. Members can:

Enjoy the ultimate in vacation variety and value. Choose from a worldwide portfolio of residences, many with access to luxury resorts, that individuals could never amass themselves.

Relax in grand residences perfectly appointed for your comfort without being tied down to a single vacation home (and its expenses and headaches).

Expect the utmost in service and amenities, including round-the-clock concierge service and privileged access to private golf courses, spas, beach clubs and more.

Exclusive Resorts pioneered this innovative approach to luxury vacation travel and we continue to be the leading luxury destination club.

The company has introduced a range of products called "Once in a Lifetime". In the "Once in a Lifetime for Couples" line, our St Barts hotels Le Sereno and Le Toiny have been selected.

Well, I think that it is a great choice for couples with money:
- Le Sereno has recently been redesigned by French master Christian Liaigre, it sits just on the lagoon, the restaurant has simple but good food.
- As for Le Toiny, I would say that it is slightly more upscale and a bit stiffer (in a good way, service is the best on the island).

Picture of Le Sereno (credit: Exclusive Resorts)

Picture of Le Toiny (Credit: Exclusive Resorts)

This St Barts hotel oozes with glamor and luxury from the moment you step through the front door

Having only 14 individual one and two-bedroom villa suites, this is the perfect spot for honeymooners who just want to be alone.  Tucked into the trees and rich foilage, you can ultimate privacy and experience true carribean luxury.  Each suite offers it’s own private plunge pool and terrace.                                                                                    

If you do choose to pull yourself away from the wildly romantic hotel, and venture out, ask the staff about commissioning their luxury power boat and its skipper.  Make a day of discovering hidden coves and neighboring islands.  Bring along a bottle of champagne and picnic lunch, the skipper won’t mind.

If you’d rather experience Gustavia by land, simple walk in to town.  It will only take a few minutes and it will give you the chance to experience all that Gustavia has to offer.  Take a swim at Shell Beach, aptly named as it is littered with shells to pick up and take home with you.

After your day out and about, head back to the hotel and dine in the panoramic "Restaurant Carl Gustaf."  Specializing in gourmet dishes, you can start your meal with Carribean lobster medallions and fresh fruits on a bed of lettuce, carmel infused with ginger, fresh mint and horseradish.  After a main course of Rack of Lamb or Roasted Shrimp Tails, finish your meal on a sweet note with Tatin of mango with pink pepper and a saffron ice cream.  If your mouth isn’t watering by now, there must be something wrong with you!

Dining at The Carl Gustaf Restaurant

Because of its size and its intimate setting, The Carl Gustaf is one St Barts Hotel that books up fast.  Doing a quick check of rates via Expedia, I found a few rooms available for the week of November 18th starting at $1107 per night; you may have better luck with availability if you choose a mid-week stay.  Or, travel next Februrary – they’re still wide open for the week of the 10th with rates a little higher, but still reasonable; just $1505 per night.                              

Nestled on 16 acres of lush and beautiful land, it has only 68 bungalow-style guest rooms. Decked out with rare woods and beautiful colors, there are a variety of room settings will please even the most discerning guest.  From private pools to the "wellness suite" that offfers one free treatment per day in the spa, there is certainly something for everyone!

Striking the perfect balance of small and cozy, yet large enough to enjoy your vacation without constantly running in to other guests, there are two charming cottages that house the rooms that are more like small villas than hotel rooms. These both offer trails that lead down to two different beaches: the ocean side Marigot and the reef-protected Grand Cul de Sac. 

The resort also has two pools and a large jacuzzi that the whole family can enjoy. In addition, there is a shallow lagoon area this is a perfect place for a couple with one small child to stay.  And, to make it even more family friendly, they have the Kindergarten and Juniors’ Club, located on the beach all day, which will keep the kids busy if you and your mate want some alone time. 

While the kids are busy, head over to the spa for a Safflower Fruit Salt Body Scrub or even just a massage; feel your stress melt away at their full-service spa by Clarins. Get a haircut with Frederick Fakkai, eat poolside for lunch at L’Indigo where the food is great and the service is even better (I make a point to go to L’Indigo at least once during each my stay on the island), or just lounge by the pool.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to having fun at the Hotel Guanahani & Spa.

Guanahani’s amazing location at Grand Cul de Sac

Booking Information:

As I have said before, there are not many hotel room on the island of St Barts. So, prices go crazy during the high season ( mid-December to mid-January) and rooms sell very fast. Just like villas, book very much ahead if you are planning on coming at this time of the year.

On Expedia.com , you will find great hotel deals. Here a few sample prices, as of today (mid October 2007), for a 7-night stay. As you can guess, it is now almost impossible to find a room at the Guanahani for either Christmas or New Year’s Eve 2007.

Examples found on Expedia.com : (7-night stay, price per night for a bedroom for 2 people)

Nov. 3 to Nov. 10: from $793 (Garden bungalow, breakfast included, king bed) to $2,085 (Ocean mini-villa)
Jan. 26 to Feb. 2: from $1,481
Apr. 5 to Apr. 12: from $814
Jun. 6 to Jun. 14: from $491