Posts Tagged ‘Le Ti St. Barth’

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The 10 Most Romantic One Bedroom Villas in St. Barth – Here’s Why

Tuesday, February 4th, 2020

I have some very exciting news for couples who are looking for a romantic St. Barth getaway. As Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, we thought about love, how so many people are in love with each other, and, like all of us, fall in love with St. Barth.

What could we do to enhance a St. Barth honeymoon, anniversary, or just a retreat for lovers to make their villa experience extra special? We created a Romance Collection! I am very excited to announce that, for all new reservations of seven nights or more, when you reserve one of the villas in our Romance Collection, you and your significant other will be treated to two 45 minute in-villa massages. A couples massage is available upon request, based on the therapists’ availability. (7 night minimum stay required.)

THE ROMANCE COLLECTION

AN EXCLUSIVE CLASSIFICATION OF VILLAS PRESENTED BY ST. BARTH PROPERTIES


Villa Silhouette

Villa Silhouette was designed and built by the owner, a renowned St. Barth architect, and created with romance and tropical weather in mind, everything but the king bedroom, office area, and en suite bathroom is outside. The outdoor living area and kitchen are undercover, while the dining area is located in a gazebo where there’s the second TV. All of this surrounds the plunge pool and overlooks the view of the water at Anse des Cayes. The view is also visible from the king bed; you can even flip the mirror in the bathroom to enjoy the view while you are brushing your teeth!


Villa Moana

Affordable and adorable Villa Moana is a brand new romantic villa designed with honeymooners in mind. It is tucked into the Lorient hillside and enjoys views of the hills and peeks of Lorient Beach. The villa is fully air-conditioned, making it an excellent choice for year-round honeymoons. There’s a TV with French satellite and Apple TV service in the living area, a fully equipped kitchen and a king bedroom with a garden view, SONOS, and a double sink en suite bath. The very private plunge pool and deck area complete the romantic ambiance.


Villa Bonbonnière

Villa Bonbonnière, located in the trendy area of Pointe Milou, is equally romantic. The villa faces the breezy side with views of the rolling surf crashing into the rocky coast below. I love listening to the waves; it’s so romantic. Bonbonnière is spacious and features a king bedroom, an en suite bath with double vanities, a view of the pool, and Apple TV. Prefer his and her bathrooms? There’s a second bath in the mezzanine above the air-conditioned living room with US satellite TV, kitchen, and dining area. For couples who enjoy the nightlife, the infamous Le Ti St. Barth is within walking distance. Stroll on over for late-night drinks or dinner and a cabaret show.


Villa Blue Diamond

Villa Blue Diamond is a favorite for couples looking for romance and one of the most beautiful views on the island. Sunsets, anyone? Many guests return year after year, so you should book early! Fully air-conditioned, there are two pavilions offering gorgeous views. One features the air-conditioned living room, kitchen, dining area, and guest bath. The bedroom is in the 2nd pavilion and features a king-sized bed, en suite bath with double vanities, and a TV with US satellite service; glass sliders provide access to the pool and frame the view. Outdoor dining, both covered and open, temp guests to linger longer and enjoy sunset cocktails before heading out to dinner. Blue Diamond is the perfect venue for enjoying your in-villa massages.


Villa Léana

Villa Léana is an intimate romantic option that offers an incredible view over Flamands Beach. Imagine sitting in your private, heated plunge pool, and gazing at the blue Caribbean Sea. There are three pavilions, one with the air-conditioned living area that offers US and French satellite TV service, and the fully equipped kitchen. Another features the king bedroom with a half bath and a balcony that overlooks the view; the third houses the spacious bathroom with a shower that faces the view. The incredibly romantic gourmet restaurant, François Plantation at the 5-star hotel Villa Marie is just up the hill.


Villa Little Caramba

Villa Little Caramba is another adorable villa situated on the breezy side of Pointe Milou. It boasts a gorgeous view of the sea, the rocky cliffs along the shoreline, and brilliant sunrises. The oh-so-romantic queen bedroom has a picture window facing the water as well as a TV with US and French Satellite service. The en suite bath with double vanities also features a window with a sea view. There is a compact kitchen with a dining area. The sunny deck, plunge pool, and outdoor covered seating area add to the ambiance.


Villa Caza Lili

Villa Caza Lili is the perfect romantic spot for couples who decide they want to stay in a villa on the beach. Many beaches on St. Barth are protected from development, but Lorient Beach isn’t one of them. It’s a lovely reef-protected beach with small waves and areas that are good for swimming. Some parts have coral and one end offers waves that are often perfect for surfers. In fact, there is a surf shack mid-beach. Caza Lili is one row back from in beachfront and is therefore private. Fully air-conditioned and with contemporary décor, the villa has a comfortable living room, full kitchen, and an en suite bedroom with a French king bed. Electronics include French satellite TV, Apple TV, and SONOS. Guests enjoy walking to the bakery for their fresh baguette and croissants, to two grocery stores and going to Jo-Jo Burger for a quick lunch or dinner.


Villa Alphane

Villa Alphane is located on the breezy side of the gated community of Mont Jean and enjoys terrific views of the sunrise, Marigot Bay and the sea beyond. It is ideal for enjoying those very romantic massages. The en suite queen bedroom affords a view of the pool and the beautiful garden. Cozy up in the air-conditioned living room that features a TV with US satellite service and is next to the compact kitchen. Dine alfresco or relish the expansive view while sitting by the long lap pool.


Villa Genia

Villa Genia is an exceptional spot perfectly designed for lovers. There are multiple areas to share, including the elegantly furnished air-conditioned living room and the numerous outdoor options near the delightful pool. The king bedroom has a nook suitable for your two 45 minute massages. The kitchen is well equipped and there’s a washing machine for guests’ use, which is very unusual, due to the scarcity of water. A public path through the Guanahani Hotel (due to reopen in the fall of 2020) that leads to Anse Marechal is available for guests to use.


Villa Gouverneur Jewel

Villa Gouverneur Jewel exudes romance. It is honeymoon-haven, wonderfully situated high above gorgeous, undeveloped Gouverneur Beach and not far from Gustavia and St. Jean. The furnishings are lovely and include a 4-poster king bed with a TV that pops up from the footboard, an en suite bath with gold fixtures, a clawfoot tub, and a rain head shower. The kitchenette is on the terrace. In addition to the two massages, many amenities such as daily continental breakfast consisting of pastries, bread, orange juice, milk, jam, butter & fresh eggs, daily turndown service (upon request), free Nespresso coffee, 1 bottle of water (still and sparkling) and soft drinks upon arrival. Mix and match Champagne, red wine, white wine or Rosé for a total of 2 bottles per week are included for bookings of 7 nights or more.

If you would like to stay in one of the villas in our Romance Collection, please contact reservations@stbarth.com. I am sure you will enjoy it immensely.

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GUEST BLOG – Read all about what we did and discovered in St Barth last month

Thursday, May 9th, 2019

This season we spent a couple of months in Gustavia and adored it. Steve and I were delighted to have SBP’s marketing consultant Connie Walsh and her husband Mike join us for a week at Suite Paradis. They loved it as much as we did and as this month’s guest blogger, Connie shares her experiences.

Trip Report St. Barth – April 2019

By Connie Walsh

As a marketing consultant for St. Barth Properties, I’ve been fortunate enough to visit this beautiful little island many times. Over the past dozen years, I’ve checked in to almost every one of its celebrated 5 star hotels and some lovely, lovely, villas. I’ve enjoyed Toiny’s dramatic coastline, the stunning views from the hills of Vitet and been within walking distance from one of my favorite beaches—Flamands. Oh, and having just a “short hop” home after some table-top dancing at Pointe Milou’s notorious Le Ti St. Barth is a plus.

In early April, husband-in-tow, I stayed in the heart of Gustavia with Peg and Steve and it was a whole new, and delightful experience. Our digs for the week were a charming apartment across the street from the little capital’s iconic harbor. View? Check.

Suite Paradis (bi-level, with 3 bedrooms and 2 and ½ baths) has a spacious living room and a compact kitchen that open to a balcony overlooking the harbor. Coffee and pastries in hand, we took a seat and watched the island come alive each morning. Joggers and dog-walkers, boaters and fisherman heading out to sea and parents bringing their children to school. It inspired us to take advantage of the cooler mornings and get in a walk around the harbor ourselves.

One of views of the harbor from Suite Paradis

And what a spot for sunset cocktails! That fiery orb pairs well with a chilled glass of Pouilly-Fumé Ladoucette 2015—recommended by the local vintners. Timing is everything in life, so guests at Suite Paradis should plan a pre-sunset stop at nearby Zagury’s for some mouth-watering nibbles. We loved the many goodies from France: cheeses, olives, patés, and chocolate. The shop does a significant amount of yacht provisioning and has shelves full of premium spirits and a nice selection of wines including the uber-popular rosé Whispering Angel and jeroboams of Champagne—should you be so inclined. You probably won’t be driving to and from dinner. Just sayin’.

Harbor sunset view from Suite Paradis

Being within walking distance of so many restaurants is a huge benefit of staying in Gustavia. Our first night we strolled down the street to Le Repaire for dinner. Located across from the ferry terminal, this casual eatery opens at 7 am for breakfast, they serve lunch and there are always appealing specials on the blackboard. I opted for a filet of pork and potatoes dauphinoise. Loved it. Reasonable prices and great people watching are a bonus.

Filet of pork at Le Repaire

We walked to some of our other favorites—Black Ginger, where they shake up a perfect Mai Tai and my husband and I always order the chicken curry and Mahi-Mahi in black pepper sauce. Dining on the top level, under the stars is special. The chichi harborside Bagatelle (location, location, location, superb service, cool vibe …) always makes our list. Bagatelle’s other jet-setter locations include its flagship in New York as well as London, Miami, Rio, and Buenos Aires. So that gives you an idea before you book your table (For clients of St. Barth Properties, be sure to do that through their concierge, and you’ll receive a complimentary apéritif.). Think French Mediterranean influenced cuisine and a south of France ambiance. Their signature dish Poulet Rôti Entier à la Truffe is de mourir pour (if I’ve conjugated the verb” die” correctly) and for me, it’s a difficult decision between this fabulous roast chicken and their linguine and clams. Consider their black truffle pizza to start.

Suite Paradis rentals come with a parking spot at a nearby lot, which is a real bonus. One evening we drove out to the Tamarin and dined in its enchanting garden We got our pizza fix at Les Bananiers—St. Barth-style with a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. And for us, no trip to St. Barth is complete without dinner at Santa Fe.

Les Bananiers— Pizza St. Barth-style with a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

On every visit, we try to include newer additions to the island’s dining scene. We enjoyed two feet-in-the-sand lunches, one, a post-site-inspection at the Hotel Manapany in Anse des Cayes (Love this hotel with its eco-friendly policy and its Dr. Hauschka- branded spa.)

The Manapany hotel thinks of everything.

The other was St. Jean’s lil’ Rock Beach Club. Just down from the Pearl Beach Restaurant, you’ll see wooden tables and chairs set under umbrellas and just behind them a faux beach shack set up for those wanting more shade. With any luck, you’ll hear everyone’s favorite island crooner—Soley. The “joint is jumpin” on the weekends and just the spot if you are looking for a party scene. Weekdays are quieter. The burgers—beef and Mahi-Mahi—are terrific and come with hand-cut fries. We recommend the salade niçoise and the barman makes a fine Planteurs.

Soley entertained us at lil’Rock Beach

Staying in Gustavia, with proximity to all those marque designer shops can be dangerous though. Le Carré d’Or Shopping area is always fun, and on the other side of town, I love the West Indies Design Store. If there’s a chance to pop into the Longchamp’s Shop and treat myself to a new purse, well, I’m there. However, we especially enjoyed browsing the boutiques tucked away in the streets adjacent to the harbor. In search of a new bikini? Pain du Sucre has a tiny outpost here.

Pain du Sucre has a tiny outpost at Case In Blue in Gustavia

Les Canebiers, a luxury swim and resort brand from Saint Tropez, has some hard to resist creations and MC2 stocks Caribbean-colored sportswear for the whole family. Anytime is a good time to stay in Gustavia, but during the annual sales – Les Soldes! (May 4-June 14, 2019) might just be ideal. The team at St. Barth Properties will be happy to help. Enjoy!

We stopped by Les Canebiers, a luxury swim and resort brand from Saint Tropez

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Hurricane Irma Update 4

Wednesday, October 25th, 2017

The latest news plus, how do you see photos of St. Barth in real time?

We know many people are confused by some information that has been reported in the media. It is true we were hit by a very powerful storm. Some media have lumped St. Barth together with other islands that had certainly suffered greatly and are not as fortunate to possess the resources for such a rapid recovery like St. Barth. Our hearts go out to our neighbors and we wish them the best in their efforts towards recovery. We know they will all rise up again.

Gustavia 10-12-17

Irma before and after 10-13-17

Below you can see the current list of updated business and restaurant openings as well as airport/ferry information. All of this can be found on our Hurricane Irma update page on which we have posted nearly every day. We invite you take a moment to read this page. Be sure to start from the bottom of the page to see all updates. We think you’ll be impressed with the progress.

Business/Restaurant/Airport/Ferry Info

  • Private Villas:
    • We have assessed all of our properties and are pleased to report that many are ready for their November or December arrivals and most ready for high season. A few may take a bit longer but with 250 beautiful homes in our inventory we have plenty of great choices to offer you.

Villa Royal Palm in Vitet received its first guests October 23, 2017. They are thrilled! Photo taken 10-22 17.

  • Shops & Businesses:
    • The majority of shops in Gustavia and St. Jean are open now or will be re-opening as originally scheduled in October & November.
  • Restaurants:
    • Open now or by the end of November: Bakeries island wide, Le Select, Bar de L’Oubli, Galawa (former Pipiri), 25 Quarter, Le Jardin, Le Vietnam, Island Flavors, Au Regal, Bistro Josephine, Le Bouchon, Les Bananiers, Modjo, Yo Sushi Mania, L’Esprit de Saline, La Langouste, La Cantina, Le Piment, Papas Pizza delivery, Le Rendez-Vous, Eddy’s, Le Tamarin, Black Ginger, François Plantation, L’Isola, L’Isoletta, Orega, Chez Rolande, L’Entracte, Spice of St. Barth, Jo-Jo Burger, Mayas to Go.
    • Opening in December: Mayas, Le Ti St. Barth, La Bagatelle, La Plage, Shellona (former Dð Brazil), La Guérite (former Wall House), Kiki é Mo, Baz-Bar.
  • Airports/Airlines/Ferries:
    • St. Barth Airport: OPEN Re-opened in September and is fully functional.
    • St. Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport: OPEN Re-opened Oct 10 to commercial flights.
    • San Juan Airport: OPEN Tradewind Aviation is currently flying daily flights between St. Barth and San Juan and will maintain a full schedule for the high season.
    • Antigua Airport: OPEN Tradewind Aviation will resume its flights between Antigua and St. Barth and expects to add additional flights for the high season.
    • St. Thomas Airport: OPEN Tradewind Aviation will resume its flights between St. Thomas and St. Barth for the high season.
    • St. Kitts/Nevis Airport: OPEN Tradewind Aviation will resume its flights between St. Kitts/Nevis and St. Barth for the high season.
    • Great Bay Express: Ferry service between St. Martin and St. Barth resumed October 13.
    • Voyager Ferry Service: Ferry service between St. Martin and St. Barth resumed October 13.

The residents of St. Barth have worked hard so that they can welcome you back this season. If you are considering a St. Barth vacation and support our beloved island, everyone there will be happy to see you! I would be delighted to assist you in securing the right accommodations. Some who know St. Barth are saying this could be the perfect year to visit as it may be a bit quieter than recent years, a nice reminder of the St. Barth in simpler times. I look forward to assisting you. Contact me pegwalsh@stbarth.com or our St. Barth Specialists at reservations@stbarth.com, 1-800-421-3396.

Many of you have asked for photos of the island. Everyday it gets greener and greener. For a live update 24/7, check http://www.st-barth.com/livecam5.html. You can follow along to see the improvement right up until your day of travel.

The greening of St. Barth continues…10-22-2017

Post Irma, only 7 weeks later, the palm trees that looked like Q-tips as described by Tom Smyth 2 weeks ago are now coming back with gusto 10-22-2017

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Some St. Barth tidbits for April 2014. What’s up?

Thursday, April 17th, 2014

Just a short note today to update you on the latest news around here…

Les Coulisses restaurant in Gustavia has closed. The harbor side restaurant formerly was the home of Harbour’s. Me Gusta has just moved there from St. Jean and offers tapas with a Portuguese flair. I am going to try it and report back.

Me Gusta restaurant is now located on the harbor

Me Gusta restaurant is now located on the harbor

Pipiri Palace is open for lunch now! You can get French delights such as Croque Monsieur or an omelette and they have a daily special “Formule” for only 16 euros.

In addition to dinner, try Pipiri Palace for lunch

In addition to dinner, try Pipiri Palace for lunch

Oasis grocery store in Lorient has extended its hours. It is now open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm every single day including Christmas.

La Table de Jules (formerly K’fé Massai) in Lorient is closed for good. I wonder what will replace it? The sushi bar, Koya in the corner section of the restaurant is still open.

The Yacht Club nightclub in Gustavia is closed. (Carole of Le Ti St. Barth is the owner.) She has replaced it with The First Floor which is located upstairs above The Yacht Club. There is late night entertainment quite often. For you night owls, it is open Sunday-Thursday from 10:00 pm until 4:00 am and for you die-hards it stays open until 6:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Be aware that the venue has been enclosed to keep the noise from disturbing the neighbors and it can be very smoky. (I don’t understand why I see people smoking in some restaurants and night spots here because it is against the law in France but that is another story.)

Nightclub The First is on the First Floor (2nd floor to Americans)

Nightclub The First is on the First Floor (2nd floor to Americans)

R. Barth, the fancy rhum store has shuttered its doors. The entire contents of the shop including the very expensive old rum, other rums, furniture, a computer and glassware among other things will be auctioned off at 10:00 am April 23, 2014.

Au Revoir, R. St. Barth. We are sorry to see you go.

Au Revoir, R. St. Barth. We are sorry to see you go.

The Black Swan closed its Gustavia store but their larger boutique in St. Jean is open and still has a great selection of beachwear, t-shirts and casual clothing.

Les Soldes: French law dictates when the shops are allowed to have their Soldes (sales) in various areas. In France, for example, there is a period in January when this is allowed to take place but of course at that time of the year St. Barth is in the midst of High Season so full price, it is. People love the shopping here; many say the designer boutiques offer much better pricing than they can get at home.

Don't miss out on Les Soldes

Don’t miss out on Les Soldes

The dates for Les Soldes in 2014 were just announced. You will find a lot of items on sale with the exception of the Nouvelle Collections.

Mark your calendars and get ready to shop ‘til you drop May 03-June 06 and October 11-November 14, 2014.

If you haven’t booked your hotel or villa yet just email me or contact reservations@stbarth.com (1-800-421-3396) and we will begin the process to get you here ASAP.

Enjoy!

The shopping in St. Barth is a must-do

The shopping in St. Barth is a must-do

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St. Barth is a lot about the food

Thursday, March 7th, 2013

My husband Steve and I played tourist when my son and SBP VP Tom Smyth brought his family down here for Presidents Week. He did his best to be in vacation mode and I tried to take some time off from work to spend time with them. My grandsons Tommy Jr. and Tyler as well as my daughter-in-law Amy and Amy’s parents, Bob and Barbara were here too. It was Bob and Barbara’s first time to St. Barth and I loved watching them discover just what makes this island so special.

Sunday lunch at Nikki Beach: Ok, so what is the hype all about? I saw it firsthand. If you want to party all afternoon, this is the place to go. Be ready to spend big euros – they recommended that my daughter-in-law select a 345 euro magnum of Rosé when she asked about the wine. She kindly declined and ordered a much less expensive bottle. If you do order the expensive stuff, they make a big deal out of it and come running out with sparklers on the bottle when they deliver it to your table. We enjoyed our wine, took our time and shared appetizers before ordering our main courses. I love people-watching so it was entertaining to see diners get up and dance and then later end up dancing on the tables while the DJ’s decibels steadily increased.

Sunday Lunch at Nikki Beach

Sunday Lunch at Nikki Beach

By contrast, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France’s beachfront restaurant, La Case de L’Isle on another day. The setting is gorgeous; it has a view of Flamands Beach. My crispy chicken salad with fresh ginger, cashew nuts and poached eggs breaded with coconut was delicious. My grandson Tommy Jr. especially enjoyed the shrimp & marinated chicken wok (not to mention the gorgeous young woman who constantly walked by our table modeling some very sexy swimwear). Actually all the guys at our table were quite enthralled with the fashion show. (The restaurant has one every lunchtime and features another one on Tuesday evenings.)

Dinner at the Santa Fe was, as always, a fabulous experience. Almost everyone ordered the Langouste (aka Caribbean Lobster) Thermidore while I had their famous Dover Sole. Andy’s Hideaway is always a must for a fun casual dinner with pizza and their signature Pierrade when we all cook our combo platter with duck, chicken and beef on the hot stone in front of us and then we dip the cooked results in one of 4 yummy sauces (Think fondue [but without the oil] that we “more mature” folks used to have at dinner parties).

Dinner at the Santa Fe

Dinner at the Santa Fe

One evening, our St. Barth Properties Concierges arranged for us to have private a chef, Manu. He cooked and his assistant served us at Villa Au Soleil where Tom and his family were staying. Appetizers were served while we looked out over the pool to the view of the twinkling lights of St. Jean. We then moved to the dining area for our meal. This particular evening was a real highlight of the week. We spent a leisurely evening wining and dining and having great conversation. Manu topped it off with an incredible Soufflé Grand Marnière with ice cream vanille.

Several years ago, Tom, Tommy Jr. and Tyler took a Scuba diving course and were certified here in St. Barth; they dive whenever they are in St. Barth. So, on Wednesday, we had arranged for them to meet us for lunch at Le Select after their dive. A Cheeseburger in Paradise is a “must” when you are vacationing in St. Barth.

Le Select

Lunch at Le Select

Every vacation should include a night out at Le Ti St. Barth. Our St Barth Concierge Magda Votava reserved an excellent table for us and we had an up-close-and-personal view of their sexy fashion show followed by a very professionally done cabaret show. Steve and I go there often when we have guests; this particular night we saw a totally new show and it was really great.

Le Ti St. Barth on Tuesday night

Le Ti St. Barth on Tuesday night

Friday – their last day. Magda had booked a full day catamaran trip with Miguel, the St. Barth Sailor. Unfortunately I had some last minute and urgent work to do so I had to back out at the last minute and I was not able to go out with them as planned. However, Tom called me about 12:30 to check in with me and see if I could join them. I told him I would love to, so they arranged for a dinghy to come and get me in Gustavia at 2:00 pm and take me to meet them at their mooring by Colombier Beach. I held onto the sides of the dinghy for dear life as we sped to meet them. When I made the transfer from the dinghy to the catamaran, I was happy to see that I had made it just in time to join them for a late lunch. They had anchored off of Forchue Island earlier where they snorkeled and had been served hors d’oeuvres before heading to Colombier. Miguel served us a fantastic lunch that had been prepared by one of my most favorite chefs, Jean-Claude Dufour, the owner-chef of L’Esprit restaurant in Salines. (We all had dined at L’Esprit a few nights earlier and loved the alfresco experience.)

Lunch by Colombier Beach aboard the St. Barth Sailor's catamaran

Lunch by Colombier Beach aboard the St. Barth Sailor’s catamaran

Of course beach time and boutique shopping filled out the rest of their week. If you get a chance to vacation in St. Barth with your family, it will create memories of a lifetime. Live Your Dream®.

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What’s New at the St Barth Airport? Plus Good News for Spring Travel to Barts!

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

I am back from a great trip to South Africa. I left St. Bart March 02, 2012 and I have been itching to tell you some great news: St Barts Gustaf III’s airport has gone retro!

Remember the good old days when we were able to check in for our flights and casually go in and out of the departure lounge at will? Friends could even accompany us while we waited for our flights to depart. Those informal and friendly days are back! The security procedure in St. Barts Is history! That’s right – no x-ray machine- no scanner- no more removing shoes, belts and laptops. New regulations exempt St Barts from those formalities due to the size of the airport and number of passengers passing through it.

The change in the departure lounge at St Bart's Gustav III airport March 02 2012

The change in the departure lounge at St Bart's Gustav III airport March 02, 2012

More good news:

After my 6 months stint in St. Barts, I traditionally go back to the States in May. Then, I travel back and forth with staff in the off season. That is the time when we do our villa and hotel inspections. Our team is required to go to St. Barts at least twice a year (poor them). They travel individually so that we still have plenty of coverage in the US office in order to assist you with the planning stages while arranging your dream vacation to St. Barts. The staff does these on-island inspections once in the spring and then again in November before the high season begins.

Getting to and from St. Barth in May and June can sometimes be a challenge because we like to travel through San Juan and then take Tradewind Aviation directly from San Juan to St. Barts on its scheduled charters. Each passenger pays for the individual seat ($420 to $620 each way depending on the day of the week); it is much more affordable than flying on one of their private charters and much easier than connecting through St. Maarten.

Traditionally Tradewind stopped flying this route in early May in favor of their Nantucket route and then resumed the San Juan to/from St. Barts route in late October, so we had no choice but to connect via St. Maarten.

Caravan Landing in SBH

Caravan Landing in SBH

The Pilatus just landed in San Juan

The Pilatus just landed in San Juan

We are in luck this year! Tradewind has announced that it will continue flying through June 25 2012! St Barth Properties is pleased to offer our clients an add-on package that is valid for any 7 night (or longer) stay that occurs between April 16 and June 25, 2012. This package includes round trip air for 2 from San Juan to St. Barts and back, a Jimny car rental, plus a 100 euro voucher towards a fun evening at Le Ti St. Barth. If you are planning a trip (or have already booked a villa or hotel with St. Barth Properties) please let us know if you would like us to arrange the Tradewind flights for you and/or you wish to purchase this package. Contact reservations@stbarth.com.

Caravan Interior

Caravan Interior

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More Neat stuff about St. Barts

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Do you remember one of my previous blog’s where I mentioned the very talented Tomas Doncker Band that was playing at the Baz Bar over the holiday period? Tomas kindly stopped my office in Gustavia to give me his latest CD, “Power of the Trinity”. It is excellent. I thanked him and told him that we would go to his last show on Sunday night before the band headed back to New York. We enjoyed it immensely. If you get a chance to see the band, you will not be disappointed. Check out their website www.tomasdonker.net.

I gave my grandson Vince a trip to St. Barth as a combination Christmas/ 21st birthday present and I invited his girlfriend Samantha (“Sam”) to join him before they return to the University of Miami where they are both top students (Yes, I am allowed to brag.) I used my frequent flyer miles to get them as far as St. Maarten and then secured the inter-island flights for them. They have been having a great time. We went to St. Jean Beach one afternoon. The next day they toured all the way around the island by Jet Ski and yesterday they hiked the goat path to Colombier Beach. (You must do that at least once or take a catamaran there. That is the only way to access this gorgeous beach and great snorkeling spot.)

Vince-and-Sam-get-ready-to-Jet-Ski-around-St

Vince and Sam get ready to Jet Ski around St Barth

The-Jet-Ski-instructor-uses-this-map-to-point-out-the-natural-reserves-where-Jet-Ski's-are-forbidden-to-enter

The Jet Ski instructor uses this map to point out the natural reserves where Jet Skis are forbidden to enter

Colombier Beach

Colombier Beach

Our evenings have been full, too. We went to some of my favorite restaurants. Tuesday evening we went to our St. Barth Properties cocktail party which we host every Tuesday evening (late November to the end of April). It takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 at the gorgeous Bonito restaurant which overlooks the harbor. We enjoyed talking to our villa and hotel clients and then stayed on for dinner. The food was excellent.

A week in St. Barth should include one night at Le Ti St. Barth. It describes itself as being “A Caribbean Tavern.” We went there for dinner and were entertained by a fashion show at 9:30 followed by a cabaret show. You should try it. Today we’ll hit the shops and tomorrow we’ll have a “cheeseburger in paradise” at Le Select.

Fashion-show-at-Le-Ti

Fashion show at Le Ti

Vince-and-Sam-at-LeTi-St

Vince and Sam at Le Ti St Barth

Last night we went to the Santa Fe restaurant (delicious as always!) and as we were leaving, a gentleman introduced himself and his wife to me. He said, “Peg? I love your blog.” Well, that stopped me right there in my tracks, “You do????” He said, “Yes I wouldn’t miss it.” It was great to hear that. So, if any of you feel the same way, I certainly do not mind if you add a comment to let me know. You can also ask me questions about St. Barth and suggest topics you would like me to explore.

Robert-and--Susan-Waite-at-the-Santa-Fe-restaurant

Robert and Susan Waite at the Santa Fe restaurant

It turns out that this couple is a longtime repeat client of SBP. They have come to St. Barth and used our services every year since 2002. Happy 10th Bob and Susan!

Julie-Nally

Julie Nally

They told me that they love working with Julie Nally who is one of our St Barth Specialists. Julie has been with SBP and assisting clients with their choice of villa or hotel since 1997. Her contact info is julienally@stbarth.com. This is the 5th time in a row that Bob and Sue stayed at Villa Sud Ouest which is a real testimony on how enjoyable it is. I hope to see them again at our cocktail party next Tuesday.

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Posted in Activities, Beaches, St. Barth Restaurants, St. Barth Trips, Villas | 1 Comment »

Why go to St. Barth in August? St Barth Rocks Presents St. Barth Summer Sessions August 05-15, 2011

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

The Dog Days of Summer in the United States can be defined as a time period or event that is very hot and/or stagnant. Why not pack your carry-on, jump in a plane and head to St. Barth to attend an event in Barth that is not to be missed? It’s the St. Barth Summer Sessions that is promoted by St. Barth Rocks.

St Barth Rocks is a non-profit organization whose goal is to bring artists and musicians to perform in Saint Barthélemy all year long. This year it is promoting St. Barth Summer Sessions which is an annual event that brings in very talented artists to perform each evening between August 05 and 15. Both were created by hotelier Thierry de Badereau of Hotel Tom Beach and his famous restaurant La Plage. It has grown into an extremely popular event that will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island and include a concert featuring all of the invited artists that will take place on the harbor’s quai on August 13th.

This year’s festival focuses on artists from Brazil. Performers such as TAIS ALVARENGA the Brazilian 23-year-old songwriter, composer, actress and singer who graduated from Bostons’ Berklee College of Music with a degree in film scoring will surely dazzle us all. ALVARO KAPAZ who was born in São Paulo, Brazil was awarded the Berklee Achievement Scholarship for his outstanding involvement with the college, He is also one of the creators of the band, Project K-Paz that will be entertaining you. The ABERTO PRA BALANCO TRIO formed by young São Paulo musicians that has rocked at parties, events and concerts in São Paulo and other parts of Brazil will be sure to rock you too.

Artists from elsewhere such as the ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ TRIO one of the famous finalists and singers from American Idol 2010 who graduated from Berklee in 2009 will bring her ‘All Girls Band’ to the Summer Sessions. Tom Howie is a 22 year-old guitarist and songwriter whose soaring vocals and songwriting talents have drawn comparison to Jeff Buckley and Thom Yorke. In November, he will release his third solo album, The Right and Wrong of Everything. RYAN FARDY has created his own genre, mixing Blues, Rock, Funk, R&B, Soul and Pop. At 24 years old, Ryan has had a fantastic start to his 10-year career. He has opened for the legendary Chaka Khan, Leon Russell, Edgar Winter, Mountain, Snoop Dogg, Rick Derringer, Hoobastank, and more.

Let’s not forget the DJ’s! YO–ONE SUTTER is resident DJ at restaurant La Plage, his music is a mix of electro acoustic, Soul, Swing, Jazz and Latin Beat and he’s doing a fusion between Live Music and a DJ set. JOSE PADILLA /DJ CAFÉ DEL MAR, IBIZA first arrived on Ibiza in 1975 and has been DJing there ever since. With the ‘Café del Mar’ series he is the so-called “spiritual father of Chill-Out”. He has gone from a poor barrio in Northern Spain, to a jet-set DJ lifestyle; guesting in London, Paris, Monte-Carlo, Amsterdam, Miami, Italy, Moscow and Australia. Who else will be there? Steve and I had the pleasure of dining with Thierry the creator of Summer Sessions, Tom Beach Hotel’s Assistant GM Aymeric Bourdin and DJ ALEX MERRELL who will be spinning for you. Alex’s style is distinct yet tailored to the audience, influenced by house, electro, dance, hip hop, classic and indie rock, top 40, lounge and world music.

The events will take place at Taïno restaurant at the Hotel Christopher in Pointe Milou, Le Bartoloméo restaurant at Hotel Guanahani & Spa on Grand Cul de Sac as well as at the restaurant La Plage at Hotel Tom Beach which is located on St. Jean Beach. In addition, performances will be held at Hotel La Banane which is surrounded by an exotic garden and is in Lorient as well as Bonito restaurant which boasts an extraordinary view over the Harbor of Gustavia (Where we host our cocktail party from the end of November through the end of April). Plus more great venues like La Gloriette, a beach restaurant located on the lagoon of Grand Cul de Sac, Le Tamarin located in a huge garden with its famous tamarind tree and parrots and is located on the way to Saline Beach are also hosting performances. As previously mentioned, a concert for the etire island will be held on the harbor side quai Saturday night August 13, 2011. For me it’s a must-do!

Don’t miss out on this great event! Contact reservations@stbarth.com or call 1-800-421-3396. Book an accommodation for 5 nights or more for any stay that includes any date between August 01 and 27, 2011 and St. Barth Properties will give each person in your party one 50 euro voucher to be used towards a fun evening at Le Ti St Barth while you are there. (The voucher is non-transferable and valid through August 27, 2011). This offer is applicable for new bookings made between June 28 and July 08, 2011 or until we run out of vouchers (80) whichever comes first. Reservations at Le Ti must be made in advance prior to your arrival.

Le Ti St. Barth is Located in Pointe Milou. Everything you’ve heard about this party place is true; the restaurant’s gourmet food, the Champagne in abundance, the wine cellar, the island’s hottest fashion show with DJs from the music capitals, theme nights and cool people from around the planet dancing on tables!

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Here I am back in St. Barth!

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Lucky me! Connie Walsh and I arrived in St. Barts Sunday afternoon with a full calendar in place in preparation for the publication of our annual Live Your Dream® catalogue which will arrive on the island in early November. I am the editor in chief and Connie is the assistant editor and we are in St Barth gathering information for our articles and other content.

I picked up my car and headed toward Flamands Beach because we were lucky enough to be able to take advantage of a 4 night opening at Villa Les Embruns. The villa is so popular that being able to stay here is a real treat. As I write this I am sitting on the sectional sofa in the living area and looking out at the heated swimming pool, outside deck, the sea and the little islet of Frégate. There are 4 very nice chaise lounges and an outdoor table for 4 so that we can enjoy or morning coffee outside. The open floor plan features another sitting area for TV viewing, an indoor dining area and a fully equipped kitchen with bar.

Flamands-Beach-as-seen-from-the-front-yard-of-Villa-Les-Embruns

Flamands Beach as seen from the front yard of Villa Les Embruns

Villa Les Embruns outdoor table and view

Villa Les Embruns outdoor area

Villa Les Embruns kitchen

Villa Les Embruns kitchen

I am staying in the king bedroom with bath en suite and Connie is staying in the king/twin bedroom that also has an en suite bath. The villa is fully air conditioned and I especially love the outdoor speakers so that we can listen to music while taking a swim. The villa is very private and we can walk to gorgeous Flamands Beach in about 3 minutes.

View from Villa Les Embruns bedroom

View from Villa Les Embruns bedroom

We invited the owners for a drink Monday evening and they reminded me that Villa Les Embruns has another opening June 20-27. Why not take a last minute vacation to St Barth? The villa participates in our Drive, Dine and Relax package which includes a car and the services of a chef who will prepare a romantic dinner for you one evening. The best part? That particular week the owners are offering a 10% off promotion and St Barth Properties will contribute 100 euros per person (for anyone 18 or older, that is) towards a fun evening at Le Ti St. Barth while you are here. They are still featuring their cabaret show two nights a week and of course they continue to have their “White Angel” party one night a week. For more information contact reservations@stbarth.com.

Back to day one…Per usual, Magda (our on-island concierge) had reserved a table for us at Andy’s Hideaway for our first night’s dinner. It is a great spot to dine after a full day of traveling. In fact I saw the family of 6 who were on the same flight as we were from Miami to St. Maarten and were staying in Villa Azur enjoying their fist night’s meal there too.

Andy-greets-us-at-The-Hideaway

Andy greets us at The Hideaway

We are visiting villas and doing hotel site inspections, interviewing some very interesting people and experiencing some activities first-hand—fun! (All in the line of duty, of course). I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

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

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

Day 4 finds us up bright and early because Reegan and Andrea were going out on the Ne Me Quitte Pas Catamaran at 9:00 am. They had signed up for a half-Day trip to Colombier and that beach is only accessible by a 20 minute hike along a goat path or by boat. Once owned by the Rockefeller Family, the beach has always been public and it remains untouched. There is great snorkeling just offshore.

Half-Day-Snorkeling-Trip-to-Colombier-on-the-Ne-Me-Quitte-Pas

Half Day Snorkeling Trip to Colombier on the <em>Ne Me Quitte Pas</em>

Colombier_Beach

Colombier Beach

Lathered up with sunscreen (They learned their lesson the hard way) a dingy took them out to the boat and off they went. The Catamaran had snorkeling equipment as well as kayaks which the girls used to paddle onto the beach.

Kayaking-off-of-Colombier-Beach

Kayaking off of Colombier Beach

We picked them up at 1:00 and hurried off to our luncheon date with Christine and Felix from Le Bar du Village. We met them at O’Corail which is a fabulous little place on Grand Cul de Sac Beach. (Their goat cheese salad is to die for.) We opted for a table on the beach, took off our shoes and put our toes in the sand.

Lunch-at-O'Corail-with-Christine-and-Felix

Lunch at O'Corail with Christine and Felix

(right)-with-a-Mango-Smoothie-and-Andrea-with-a-Raspberry-Smoothie

O'Corail: Reegan (right) with a Mango Smoothie and Andrea with a Raspberry Smoothie

What’s a trip to St. Barth without going to Le Ti St. Barth for dinner and a show? I made sure the girls would not miss out on that experience so asked Magda to book a great table for us. Right now Le Ti has a fabulous cabaret show on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings; we were fortunate to see it on that Wednesday. It was so professionally done and the costumes were quite remarkable.

Reegan-and-Andrea-at-Le-Ti-St.-Barth

Reegan and Andrea at Le Ti St. Barth

Le-Ti-St.-Barth-Cabaret

Le Ti St. Barth Cabaret

Le Ti St. Barth Cabaret

More Le Ti St. Barth Cabaret

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