Posts Tagged ‘Hotel Carl Gustaf’

The Hotel Carl Gustaf Closes Its Doors

Thursday, August 15th, 2013

It is with great sadness that I announce the official closing of the beautiful 5 Star hotel Carl Gustaf as of August 31, 2013. It was one of my favorites. Built in 1991 by successful businessman Jacques Laurent, its perch over the harbor was the ideal spot to be for sunset cocktails, a romantic dinner or a weeklong stay in one of its magnificent villa suites.

View of Gustavia from the Hotel Carl Gustaf

View of Gustavia from the Hotel Carl Gustaf

Like the rest of us, Jacques fell in love with St. Barth…for him it was in 1983, for me it was in 1986. At that time he owned PRB, the third largest paint coating manufacturer in France which he had founded at the age of 36. His love for the island meant he wanted to be a part of it. His dream was to build the Carl Gustaf and so he did. His daughter Emmanuelle became the hotel’s manager and I really enjoyed working with her. Our clients all loved the hotel; I was fortunate enough to have been a guest there on a few occasions. Jacques has since passed away and time moves on. We do hope to see the doors of the Carl Gustaf reopen in the near future.

In the meantime, do visit The Hotels of St. Barth a special collection of the island’s most distinctive hotels. The website features a wealth of information. Are you looking for a relaxing retreat or a romantic getaway? Fine dining and a wealth of services and amenities? Each hotel is exceptional in its own way and all share the ambiance of casual sophistication that is St. Barth.

Take a look. Call us at 1-800-421-3396 (outside the US + 1-508-528-7727) or email reservations@stbarth.com. We will find something special for each and every one of you.

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A Perfect Day at the Carl Gustaf

Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

Sophisticated you, yearning to come to St. Barth for all that fabulous shopping, fine dining and French culture. You’ve taken our suggestion of a stay at the Hotel Carl Gustaf. Your bonus? A touch of Sweden – this regal hotel is named for its king – and a deliciously decadent spa.

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You’ve opted for the Deluxe One Bedroom Pool Suite with its full view of Gustavia’s picture-postcard harbor and the lush hills dotted with the iconic red-roofed villas. It’s all so St. Barth.

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You are sure to love the full-sized air-conditioned living room with plush comfy seating and all the techno amenities: LCD TV, DVD player, iPod docking station and complimentary WiFi. It opens to a private terrace with tropical foliage and your own plunge pool. The fully-equipped kitchenette is a nice convenience. The bedroom (king) is accessed through a set of French doors, and the sumptuous marble bath is en suite with a private WC.

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Start your day with breakfast delivered to your terrace while drinking in the magnificent view with your juice and café au lait. Then head out to cove-like Shell Beach. It’s a nice walk and the swimming is delightful. Stay on for a leisurely lunch at feet-in-the-sand-casual restaurant Dõ Brazil. Meander back to the hotel mid-afternoon in time for your spa appointments. The Carl Gustaf is home to the luxurious Boutique Spa. Branded by the legendary Carita sisters of Paris, it offers a full menu of services – massages, facials, mani-pedis and more.

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Sunset cocktails are a St. Barth tradition and guests at the Carl Gustaf have the best “seats on the island.” Your options are: pop the cork of a bottle of bubbly to enjoy on your private terrace with a little fromage, or join fellow guests in the Lounge. The Planteur’s Punch is rumored to be the island’s best. Dine tonight at Victoria’s and watch the chef prepare your meal in the glass-enclosed kitchen. The food is divine and their list of Caribbean rums will tempt you to linger for a nightcap. Back down to your suite, end a perfect day with a midnight dip in your private pool. Sleep well! Tomorrow those fabulous boutiques are waiting for you.

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Bonne nuit.

If you would like to pamper yourself with a stay at the Carl Gustaf, contact reservations@stbarth.com or call 1 866 617 4578.

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Guest Blog – Kathy Schlitzer Trip Report

Wednesday, December 19th, 2012

I am in transit to St. Barth and am delighted to share Kathy Schlitzer’s trip report with you in this Guest Blog. Kathy is one of our very experienced and talented St. Barth Specialists. Rest assured that Kathy will be pleased to lend her expertise when helping you plan your trip so that you, too can Live Your Dream® in beautiful St. Barth.

St. Barth
November 9 – 16, 2012 Trip Report

Kathy Schlitzer
St Barth Specialist

Kathy Schlitzer

Kathy Schlitzer

Our November trips to St Barth are always exciting. The island is coming alive for the season, and there are new shops, restaurants, villas, and newly refurbished hotels to experience. Not to mention the annual St Barth Properties November BASH, held this year on November 10, and our Beaujolais Nouveau party on November 14. A great week to be in St Barth!

For this trip I decided to try the new Tradewind Aviation flight from St Thomas to St Barth. I flew direct from Boston to St Thomas on JetBlue then easily made the connection on Tradewind to St Barth. It worked perfectly and because the St Thomas airport is so small I breezed through the airport with time for a stop in the bar for a snack. Tradewind flies directly to St Barth from San Juan, Antigua, and St Thomas.

On arrival in St Barth my Gumbs car was waiting and I headed to my first accommodation, two nights at the Hotel Christopher. After settling in a was off to La Plage at the Tom Beach Hotel to join my colleagues for great food, music, and entertainment (pole dancing and fire juggling!) Always a nice way to spend a first night in St Barth.

The Christopher hotel’s new manager Sebastien Maingourd was pleased to show me further room refurbishment that had taken place since my last visit. My Ocean Terrace room was very comfortable and I slept well. At breakfast the next morning I watched an aqua biking class in the pool, had I not had appointments I would have joined in, it looked like fun. The manager joined me for coffee and I learned that the restaurant is featuring a new chef from Brazil who promises to shake up the menu with a Brazilian twist. Later I toured the new Sisley brand spa and the gym, no time for a treatment or workout today. C’est dommage. All in all I was pleased with the Christopher and look forward to recommending it to clients for the coming season. HINT: If you’re looking for a great place to have a cocktail and watch the sunset, the Christopher is the place to go. Stay for dinner at their restaurant Taïno then go up to Le Ti St Barth for the cabaret!

I spent the rest of the day looking at villas, notably Lys Blanc in Lurin. All I can say is what a view! This villa is newly renovated, comfortable, and very convenient to Gustavia, St Jean, and both Gouverneur and Saline beaches. The layout is good for kids too.

Villa Lys Blanc

Villa Lys Blanc

Villa Blue Diamond is under construction but even looking over an empty pool I was blown away by the view. Blue Diamond will be ready in mid January and will be spectacular. We have preliminary pictures on the website with more to come.

Villa Blue Diamond

Villa Blue Diamond

Villa Lilu is a two bedroom in Petite Saline. The view is beautiful with lush greenery and ocean views in a wide arc. The owner has designed the house for comfort and style. She mixed old and new successfully and result is brilliant.

Villa Lilu

Villa Lilu

Casa del Mar is a villa we represented in the past but a new owner has shaken it up – a lot! Massive work indoors and out has resulted in a truly spectacular result. While I was there the workers were everywhere, as well as piles of material and tons of shrubbery waiting to be planted. The owner showed me multiple new outdoor spaces for drinks and dining, as well as large Jacuzzi overlooking spectacular views. We’ll have pictures of the end product soon. Watch for them.

Villa Casa del Mar

Villa Casa del Mar

I don’t have space to mention all the villas I saw but special mention must be made of my other accommodations.

Two nights in Villa Nirvana was a treat. I’ve stayed at this villa in the past and I’ve never been disappointed. Clean and comfortable with an amazing sunset view, the owner has added everything to make her guests feel like home away from home. Two nights wasn’t enough.

Villa Nirvana

Villa Nirvana

Two nights in a Garden Bungalow at the Hotel Isle de France was a treat. After a great sleep I was treated to a massage at the spa by one of their highly trained therapists and it made for a wonderful start to my day. Later I had drinks by the beach and watched the weekly fashion show. Even if you aren’t staying at the Isle de France, don’t miss eating at their restaurant La Case de l’Isle right on Flamands Beach – dinner, or a long lunch on the beach, I opted for both!

My last night was spent in one of the newly renovated suites at the Hotel Carl Gustaf. Over the summer everything was refreshed and renewed with new furniture, linens and accessories to complete the transformation. By that time I needed a good sleep to get ready for a day of travel and that’s just what I got. A lovely breakfast overlooking the harbor and I was off the airport after another successful working (wink,wink) trip to paradise.

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SBH Trip Report November 2012

Tuesday, December 11th, 2012

Bonjour Everyone,

I’ve just returned from Cannes where I attended the ILTM (International Luxury Travel Mart). I met with many travel agents from all over the world in order to tell them how wonderful St. Barth is. I am off to St. Barth next week and I can’t wait to get there.

Sunset view from my room at the Majestic Hotel in Cannes

Sunset view from my room at the Majestic Hotel in Cannes

I have asked colleague Connie Walsh who traveled with me to St. Barth last month, to write a guest blog describing her trip.

Enjoy!

SBH Trip Report November 2012

By Connie Walsh

Connie Walsh

Connie Walsh

We had a smooth late afternoon landing, courtesy of Tradewind Aviation, and in no time we were settled in at Villa Everest – and enjoying some wine and cheese. (I highly recommend pre-arrival villa provisioning!) Dinner at Andy’s Hideaway is our first tradition and as always it was rollicking fun with locals and vacationers who have it on their gotta-go list. I adore their thin crust pizza – and their house-made vanilla rhum.

Villa Everest

Villa Everest

Our schedule was chock a block with villa and hotel inspections and, trying new-this-season restaurants and the company’s annual Beachside Bash. The venue was again Shell Beach’s Dõ Brazil where songstress Christine Gordon had the crowd up dancing.  The Champagne corks were popping and everyone enjoyed a buffet with samples of new menu items. My favs were the Mahi-Mahi sliders and the ribs.

New restos on the scene include La Tables de Jules in Lorient offering dinner staring at 29 euros for 2 courses  and a very cool – and cozy – sushi bar corner and in the heart of Gustavia, island restaurateur Franck Mathevet formerly of the Wall House has brought his culinary magic to the covered courtyard of Rue du Port. He has named it Le Carré and everyone in our group loved it…from the first kernel of truffle oil popcorn to the last spoonful of sorbet. Tucked between Hermes and Cartier the sidewalk café ambiance is tres chic.

There’s a brand new chef at Le Sereno, Jean Louis Brocardi and we were delighted to meet with him when we dined there one evening.  He is just as charming and engaging as he is talented and we had quite a feast!  Could one have too much freshly caught mahi-mahi?  We think not.  He presented us with a gorgeous appetizer platter of tuna prepared in different – and delicious ways.

We visited Hotel Le Toiny’s poolside Le Gaïac – for a “working lunch.” The pool itself has had a do-over in lava stone and the restaurant is resplendent with a new classic decor. We also lunched at Santa Fe, feet-in-the-sand Gloriette (fab chicken curry and rice) and of course, stopped for a cheeseburger in paradise at Le Select.

Armed with a list of villas newly added to the portfolios we were pleased with what we saw. Here’s a sample:

Villa Imagine – 3 bedrooms:  A beautiful Marigot location! A domed skylight floods the living area with light and a classic picture window frames the view. I loved the comfy contemporary furnishings and the artful combination of chic industrial and whimsical accessories. A striking extra long pool sparkles in the sun all day.

Villa Imagine

Villa Imagine

Villa A – 3 bedrooms:  A formal French maison, its grand salon must be seen to be believed and it opens to an expansive pool terrace facing the sea. Villa A features a huge eat-in kitchen with every culinary amenity and would be a WOW setting for a wedding or event.

Villa A Grand Salon

Villa A Grand Salon

Naturelle 3 – 4 bedrooms:  Worthy of an Architectural Digest layout, and like its two “sister villas”, the name comes from its gorgeous but natural tropical landscaping. A sprawling main-level deck features an extra long infinity edge (and heated) pool. The views are spectacular! Two en suite bedrooms are on opposite ends of the villa and the other two, also en suite, are situated just down the hill in a bi level pavilion. Each has its own plunge pool. A spacious open air mini-gym is just one of many special features.

Villa Naturelle 3

Villa Naturelle 3

And for honeymooners – Ti Acerola. This very private mini-compound’s main pavilion has a kitchen, dining area, bedroom and bath. The 2nd pavilion houses a cozy air-conditioned living room. Both are adjacent to a delightful pool. And what a view!

Villa Ti Acerola

Villa Ti Acerola

Our hotel inspections included the Carl Gustaf.  The suites’ plunge pools have been retiled in sparkling white and new contemporary furnishings and décor give the living rooms and the bedrooms a fresh new airy – and 5 star look. The Hotel Saint-Barth Hotel Isle de France is boasting new white marble flooring in it iconic breezeway.  We toured the newly refurbished rooms as suites on the beach as we; as the garden bungalows and they are gorgeous. We checked in at the Hotel Taïwana and its new top-level bedroom suites are nearing completion.

It was a busy and productive trip with a nice Sunday break in the middle. We began with a breakfast of ham and cheese croissants  at La Petite Colombe and a morning swim at Gouverneur Beach; and then on to St. Jean Beach for a picnic lunch – and some great people watching. Parfait.

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Hurry! It’s the Fourth Annual St. Barth Summer Sessions August 04-15, 2012

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012

DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS OUTSTANDING MUSICAL EVENT

If you have not yet been able to attend the St. Barth Summer Sessions (SBSS) there is still time to plan your summer vacation on St. Barts so that you can go to this year’s event. It promises to be sensational. Artists from different places around the globe will be performing at various venues all over the island. Be sure to attend the big concert on the quai Saturday night August 11- It’s Party Time!!

VIEW SCHEDULE

St. Barth Summer Sessions

St. Barth Summer Sessions

Berlin’s JAZZANOVA is the special invited guest this year. Their music is unique, funky and very entertaining. Last year, Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance had us all asking for more as we kept beat to their sound and the Adam Lasher Band was superb. Aberto Pra Balanço is a young artist from Sao Paulo who is certain to get us boogying. Emily Elbert, Eitch, Josh Logan, Ryan Fardy as well as Peter Barbee, a 24 year old Nashville based artist and the very talented DJ Alex Merrell will all be performing for us.

You will be able to enjoy the music at La Plage, The Christopher, Le Sereno, Bonito restaurant, Taïwana Hotel, L’Esprit, the restaurant of Jean-Claude Dufour, Hotel St Barth Isle de France, Hotel Le Village de St Jean, La Cantina, Voyageur Lounge, the Hotel Carl Gustaf, Eddy’s Restaurant and La Route des Boucaniers.
St. Barth RocksThierry de Badereau is the founder of the nonprofit organization St. Barth Rocks that organizes the St. Barth Summer Sessions. Celebrating its fourth anniversary, SBSS was also created by Thierry, the owner of Le Tom Beach Hotel and La Plage restaurant.

St. Barth Properties team and the owner of Villa Enfin are proud and pleased to have been able to donate a villa stay for some of the musicians. They are thrilled to be able to stay at this wonderful villa where they can enjoy a little R&R; they can take a dip in the pool and enjoy the panoramic views and be revitalized to entertain us each evening.

Contact reservations@stbarth.com or call 1-800-421-3396. Mention that you read about the event on Peg’s Blog. If you make a new reservation with dates that fall between August 4 and 15, 2012, we will make it tax free by personally paying the accommodation tax for you! That is a 5% savings.

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St. Barts Hotel News and more St. Barth info

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

I left St. Barts 3 weeks ago so that I could host Thanksgiving at home. (My 22 pound fresh turkey that I carefully prepared and stuffed was outstanding, if I do say so myself.) December brought me back to paradise as it was time to leave chilly Cape Cod, Massachusetts in favor of warm and sunny St. Barts where I will be based until late spring 2012. I will fill you in on all of the latest happenings.

I enjoy a close relationship with many of the hotels on St. Barts because, in addition to offering our guests a villa vacation, we have other people who prefer to stay in a hotel. I have been working with these St. Barth hotels for 23 years which means that I witnessed many changes in both management and transformations and over the years, I have seen a few hotels come and go. I follow our hotel partners with great interest as they make various renovations and wonderful additions to their properties.

Last Thursday, I was invited to the hotel Christopher’s weekly cocktail party. It was held poolside and the evening was perfect. Strategic lighting highlighted the waves as they lapped along the shore.

Pierre-Alexandre Maillard had issued the invitation which included an after-the-cocktail-party delicious dinner with him at the hotel’s well-renowned Taïno restaurant. Pierre-Alexandre was the former GM at St Barth’s hotel Carl Gustaf. He left to the property so that he could manage a gorgeous hotel on a private island in the Seychelles. Happily, St. Bart’s uniqueness lured him back and I am pleased to announce that Pierre-Alexandre will be the new GM at the Christopher as of January 15, 2012!

Peg with Sandrine and Christian Langlade and Pierre Alexandre Maillard December 2011

Peg with Sandrine and Christian Langlade and Pierre Alexandre Maillard December 2011

The Christopher has undergone an amazing renovation with gorgeous new suites, a new spa and a new fitness room. All of this was overseen by the present GM Christian Langlade who came to St. Barts from Sandy Lane in Barbados 2 years ago. His wife Sandrine was in charge of the marketing and excelled at it. Luckily the Langlades will not be leaving St. Barth. Christian has accepted the General Manager position at the wonderful Le Sereno Hotel on Grand Cul de Sac Beach. Sandrine has also accepted a position at Le Sereno. I stayed there last month and enjoyed it immensely. It is quite chic, the staff is so friendly and the setting is dreamy. For our villa lovers, Le Sereno has three luxurious four bedroom villas on the property.

Congratulations and I wish them all much success!

Other hotel news:

La Banane is closing December 15, 2011 and will no longer be a hotel. I will keep you posted on any transformation that may occur.

The very reasonably priced Tropical Hotel is conveniently located just up the hill from St. Jean Beach and is quite charming. The hotel is now managed by family member Aurélia Vial.

SBH news:

The new pier on the other side of the harbor is almost finished and they are dredging the harbor (even on Sunday when I took this photo) to prepare for the onslaught of the mega-yachts that are arriving daily in order to get their much-sought-after-berth and prepare for the always amazing St Bart New Year’s Eve celebration. Many stay for the season.

Dredging Gustavia Harbor by the new Quai Dec 11, 2011

Dredging Gustavia Harbor by the new Quai Dec 11, 2011

While I was on my morning walk, I saw the new Voyager Dreamliner ferry coming into the harbor. It looks so luxurious. I will take a tour one of these days and fill you in. Traveling by ferry could become the preferred and most affordable mode of inter-island transportation. I hear rumors that this new ferry hopes to be able to leave from the Dutch side of St. Maarten turning the transfer into only a 30 minute trip! If that happens I will buy a roundtrip ticket and test the waters for you, so to speak.

The new Voyager Dreamliner ferry December 2011

The new Voyager Dreamliner ferry December 2011

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What restaurant in St. Barts serves food non-stop 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and what is Pata Negra?

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Did you arrive in St. Barth by boat late in the evening or did you have a very late lunch and want to have a late supper? Never fear, the Carl Gustaf is here!

Operations Manager Marion Fayard invited our team for cocktails at the hotel Carl Gustaf on Tuesday evening…Lucky us! Connie ordered bartender Jacky’s famous Planteur’s Punch and loved it. I had une coupe de Champagne rosé as did a few of the others and Magda had a yummy Piña Colada. Out came the most amazing hors d’oeuvres consisting of a carrot mousse, swordfish ceviche, an anchovy delight, Mahi Mahi with sauce and tiny tomatoes with mozzarella-Delicious.

Hors-d'oeuvres-at-the-Carl-Gustaf-Lounge

Hors d'oeuvres at the Carl Gustaf Lounge

Nadine Rolland, one of our St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty real estate agents, pointed at a strange looking, what appeared to be an animal’s leg with a hoof, no less! She said, “Oh look, they have Pata Negra!” Huh? “It’s a delicious (and very expensive) Spanish delicacy…a pig’s leg. The pig is fed nothing but acorns. Jacky sliced off some pieces for us and we each enjoyed a piece or two.

Pata-Negra

Pata Negra

Jacky-slices-the-Pata-Negra

Jacky slices the Pata Negra

Marion informed us that the Carl Gustaf Lounge now serves a light menu non-stop from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm 7 days a week. (People can still enjoy fine dining at Victoria’s Restaurant from 7:00 pm to 10 pm). The announcement of the extended hours is really good news because most restaurants serving both lunch and dinner close for a few hours in between before they reopen for dinner. Many kitchens close no later than 10:00 pm. The nonstop menu is casual and very good; Victoria’s menu continues to be sumptuous. The restaurant is still offering the “Mystery Menu” that I blogged about last month.

Carl Gustaf Lounge menu
Victoria’s menu

Benoit,-Anne,-Nadine,-Magda,-Connie,-Peg-and-Marion

Benoit, Anne, Nadine, Magda, Connie, Peg and Marion

Afterwards, we visited the hotel’s stunning Royal Suite which is really a 4 bedroom villa located at the very tippy top of the hotel. The first floor features 3 gorgeous en suite bedrooms, a full kitchen, a dining area, a comfortable living room and an outdoor terrace with lots of places to sit to enjoy the incredible view of the harbor. The fourth bedroom is upstairs as is an upper level terrace with Jacuzzi and an amazing panoramic view.

Royal-Suite-view

Royal Suite view

The hotel has some fabulous packages available through August 31, 2011. For more information, contact carlgustaf@stbarth.com.

Royal Suite spa

Royal Suite spa

Royal Suite terrace

Royal Suite terrace

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What Can Teenagers Do During Family Vacations in St Barth? (Part One)

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

Day 1 and 2

I surprised my beautiful granddaughter Reegan with a trip to St. Barth as her present for her Sweet Sixteenth Birthday. I booked the trip for Reegan and her friend Andrea at midnight on Friday. They flew on JetBlue from Boston to San Juan and then on Tradewind Aviation from San Juan to St. Barth and arrived at 4:00 pm on Sunday. We picked them up and took them to our villa. Tired but very excited, they were fine with our plans for their first evening. They quickly unpacked, changed and we were off to see the sunset at Victoria’s Lounge at the hotel Carl Gustaf.

Arrival-Day-on-the-Tarmac

Arrival Day on the Tarmac

Then we headed over to Andy’s Hideaway which is the perfect place for weary travelers who wish to dine in a fun inexpensive atmosphere. The wait staff is excellent and ever so friendly and Andy always is a hoot! We love to order the Pierrade which is a hot stone on which you cook your food. They have a combo platter with beef, duck and chicken and they have a fish platter with shrimp, scallops and Tuna. All of this comes with salad and potato or fries and it is only 22 euros per person.

The Fish Pierrade at Andy's Hideaway

The Fish Pierrade at Andy's Hideaway

The next day, the girls were up early and ready to explore St. Barth. Reegan is very fair and burns like crazy, so we decided that we would go to the beach later in the day. I had an appointment at the office and I brought them with me so that they could plan their week with our St. Barth Concierge, Magda Votava. They chose some fun activities and Magda made the reservations for them. She also made all of our dinner and lunch reservations. In the meantime, my husband made sandwiches and packed the cooler for the beach.

Andrea-(L)-and-Reegan-(R)-meet-with-Magda-to-plan-their-activities

Andrea (L) and Reegan (R) meet with Magda to plan their activities

We arrived at St. Jean Beach around 2:15. Reegan and Andrea had signed up to take a windsurfing lesson with Jean Michel at Carib Water Play at 3:00. What fun! Jean Michel started them out on the beach so that they could get the hang of it; then it was time to actually get in the water and wind surf. They did quite well and enjoyed it. We stayed on the beach until about 5:30 and headed back to the villa to shower and get ready for dinner.

Windsurfing lesson at St. Jean Beach with Jean Michel

Windsurfing lesson at St. Jean Beach with Jean Michel

Time to try it in the water

Time to try it in the water

We chose to dine at the Santa Fé which is one of our favorite places. There was a full moon that evening and we enjoyed being able to dine on their delicious fare while looking at the twinkling lights emanating from St. Kitts, Statia and Saba in the distance.

Santa-Fe's-Wonderful-Croustillant

Santa Fe's Wonderful Croustillant de St. Jacques et ses Petites Legumes

Sole-Meunière

Sole Meunière at the Santa Fé

Beef-Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon at the Santa Fé

Only-Half-the-Calories-if-You-Share-Dessert

Only Half the Calories if You Share Dessert

More activities to follow in my next blog.

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There Are So Many Excellent Restaurants on St. Barth, Where Can I Go For Sunset Cocktails And Dinner?

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

All good things must come to an end (at least temporarily). So, it was time to head back to our home on Cape Cod.

What should we do for our last night in St. Barth?

It was a no-brainer! I said to Steve,” Let’s go to the Carl Gustaf for sunset cocktails and watch Christine Gordon perform in the lounge and then stay for dinner at Victoria’s restaurant. I hear they have a new menu and I want to try it before we leave.” No objection from hubby on that suggestion.

Glorious Sunsets can be seen from the Carl Gustaf

Glorious Sunsets can be seen from the Carl Gustaf

When we arrived, Jackie was at the bar ready to serve his very famous Planteur’s Punch. We sat down on one of the comfy love seats to watch Christine perform and sing her songs. Un verre de Sancerre Blanc for me and a Planteur’s for Steve along with some complimentary veggies and dip set the mood for the wonderful evening that was to follow.

Planteurs Punch and Sancerre Blanc

Planteur's Punch and Sancerre Blanc

Christine Gordon at Victoria's Lounge May 01, 2011

Christine Gordon at Victoria's Lounge May 01, 2011

We continued on to dinner and were seated at a wonderful table for two that overlooked the harbor and its sparking lights. The kitchen is located on the far side of the restaurant and is completely visible to the patrons through sliding glass doors. Diners are welcome to watch as they prepare their delicacies.

Dir for Two Overlooking The Harbor - Who Could Ask for Anything More

Dinner for Two Overlooking The Harbor - Who Could Ask for Anything More?

Watch the chef create and prepare your selections

Watch the chef create and prepare your selections

The menu selections varied with appetizers ranging from 24 euros for a Caesar salad to an ounce of caviar for 95 euros. The main courses feature fresh local fish of the day, Sole Meunière, veal or beef ranging from 38 to 48 euros. Desserts range from 15 euros for the Crême Brûlée to 19 euros for the Tartelette au chocolat Valhrona (Smoked Valhrona chocolate tart with an avocado milk ice cream).

Complimentary Amuse Bouche of Langouste

Complimentary Amuse Bouche of Langouste

Farm Fresh Egg Cooked at 62º, Black Truffle and Paris Mushroom Velouté

Farm Fresh Egg Cooked at 62º, Black Truffle and Paris Mushroom Velouté

Veal with pink grapefruit sauce and carrot mousseline

Veal with pink grapefruit sauce and carrot mousseline

BUT…if you are venturesome (and want to save some euros) each evening at this time of year, the Chef creates two “blind” menus that are prepared with simple products using innovative techniques. It is called the Menu Mystère (Mystery). Order an appetizer, main course and a dessert for only 65 euros or for the less famished, order an appetizer and main course or a main course and a dessert for only 49 euros. Feel free to tell your server your likes and dislikes before ordering.

Mystery Appetizer Tomato and Mozzarella

Mystery Appetizer Tomato and Mozzarella

Mystery Main Course Mahi Mahi Kebab

Mystery Main Course Mahi Mahi Kebab

If you would like to stay in one of the suites at the Hotel Carl Gustaf, you will love having your very own plunge pool, king bedroom with en suite bath, living room and kitchenette. Enjoy complimentary continental breakfast served in your suite as your wake-up call. Savor the croissants and fresh baguettes while enjoying the incredible views overlooking the harbor. Are you traveling with other couples or a family? Stay in one of their 2 bedroom pool suites or the elegant 4 bedroom Royal Suite. The very spacious 7 bedroom Villa Golden Reef is perfect for larger groups. Packages are available. For more information, contact carlgustaf@stbarth.com.

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