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Say ~bonjour~ to a posh and picturesque atmosphere with a surprisingly casual vibe in St. Barts.
As it would turn out, heaven really is a place on Earth. After our recent sojourn to the beautiful remote island of St. Barthélemy (aka St. Barts), we can assure you it’s bucket list-worthy.
Truly awe-inspiring—what with its ~11-mile oasis flaunting a bevy of beaches and rolling hills dotted with buildings and clear blue waters as far as the eye can see—the island at once exudes luxury while giving a casual vibe. So, clearly things too good to be true no longer are.
Jet-setters’ll wanna book November through July (see “So Temperate”) and journey by air to St. Martin via airport hubs in big cities like Atlanta or New York, then hop onto a puddlejumper plane to bring you straight down (literally) to the getaway of your dreams.
Here, 10 insider tips for a trip to the land where vibes are so high, “Toi Là! Je t’aime!” (“Hey, there! I love you!”) is the MO—from graffiti to signs to travel mugs. Wheels up!
- Pack Your Bags • No shirt or shoes? Yes, service! With St. Barts’ smattering of star sightings, luxury accommodations and breathtaking surrounds, you might assume you need to pack cocktailwear—or at minimum, your Sunday best. Think again. Rather, the vibes here are quite cool and casual, meaning you can go fancy or throw those jorts and your fave beachwear into your carry-on.
- Plane Luck • After zipping into St. Martin, you have the choice to hop on a ferry or puddlejumper to reach your final destination. For the non-height-averse and those adventurous at heart, a plane is the way to go. But, take caution as the boarding process is basically the Wild West—think absolute mayhem with no care taken to your ticket time or travel companions. Once on board, make sure to stick to a front-row seat (best views on the left!) and hang tight for a ~15-minutelong ride culminating in a nosedive onto the landing strip.
- Lodging in Luxury • You’ll be hard-pressed to find a resort lower than four stars in St. Barts, with an array of luxe lodgings on offer. Our pick: The five-star Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf, nestled in cap city Gustavia, and touting private villas with a personal pool out on the deck—NTM some of the most comfortable supersize beds you’ll ever find. During your stay, be sure to belly up to Beefbar, an internationally renowned restaurant dishing up exclusive beef and crustaceans (aka the best way to eat surf and turf), as you overlook the bay.
- C’est la Vie • You’ll feel like you’re in the south of France without actually being in France via the French-speaking people living and working on the island—not to mention the coastal Mediterranean vibes similar to what you might see at the French Riviera. Expect tons of cheek pecks from locals and a glimmer of Française culture in the form of luxury food, lodging and environs.
- Star Gazing • Stars… they’re just like us?! Considering the high-class caliber of the island, it’s not atypical to bump into a celeb or two (think Jeff Bezos, Jennifer Aniston, musical industry folks and the like)—especially during peak season.
- Size Matters • Here, small is très bien. Since the island spans ~11-miles from end to end, a car is simply an unnecessary accessory. Live out your White Lotus wanderlust and hop on a Vespa to explore the entire island and its bundles of beaches in under six hours. And while you take in the airy, dry atmosphere from two wheels, be sure to take a pit stop to see the off-the-beaten-path bay of sea turtles. Pro tip: They take helmets very seriously (we got pulled over).
- Drop It Like It’s Yacht • If sailing’s your thing or you wanna spend the afternoon imagining you live the Below Deck yacht life, you’re gonna wanna book your travels for March for the annual St. Barths Bucket Regatta (March 13–16). Sailing and socializing? Say less.
- Shop (and Eat) Till Ya Drop • Channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw as you explore the lineup of luxe designer retailers akin to Fifth Avenue or Beverly Hills. Pop into La Petite Plage for refined yet refreshing libations, fresh Mediterranean fare and a tricked-out gorgeous sand floor; get your sports bar and snacktime in at the circa-1949 local hangout Le Select; or dig into more classic bar food ops at Bar de L’Oubli—all within a stone’s throw from each other.
- *Wink, Wink* • When it comes to, ahem, substances, we’ll just say this: You can have whatever you like.
- So Temperate • We’ll shoot you straight. The weather can be pretty fickle—because tropics—albeit temps consistently range between the 70s and 90s. Be wary of traveling in conjunction with hurricane season though—and, to wit, Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf shutters from mid-August until early November. Depending on your preference (and price range), a more cost-effective trip awaits between April and June; the end of the year marks a popular time to escape the NC chill; and the rainy season is in full swing between September and November. Laissez les bon temps rouler! hotelsbarriere.com
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