After a slew of St. Barths Hotel Features (check them out here, here, & here!) I am ready to pack up and head back to the island! So I’ve put together a little island guide for anyone headed that way. Below, you’ll find insider info on getting to St. Barths, getting around the island, what to bring, what to expect and when to go to this island paradise.
Getting There: St. Barths is home to the second shortest runway in the world. There are no direct flights to the island. The best bet is to fly to one of the larger islands nearby (I recommend St. Marteen) and take a small plane or ferry from there to St. Barths. If you’re not the most confident flyer, I would recommend the ferry option. Landing in St. Barths is a rush, to say the least.
- The Great Bay Express: Daily ferries from Bobby’s Marina in St. Marteen to St. Barths.
- Master Ski Pilou: Private boat charters.
- Winair & St. Barth Commuter: These are two popular airlines for shuttle flights from St. Marteen to St. Barths. The flight from St. Marteen is a short 15 minute flight and planes hold no more than 15 passengers. Be sure and tell the gate agent at your starting destination that you are connecting with one of these carriers to see if your bags can be transferred for you, then you won’t have to claim and then recheck your bags in St. Marteen
Getting Around: Only 8 square miles wide, with one “main road,” it’s hard to get lost on St. Barths. I highly recommend renting a car.
- Taxis: two words – scarce & expensive. Taxi fares are 50% higher from 8PM to 6AM nightly, Sundays, holidays, & during high season. They are also pretty difficult to get a hold of.
- Car Rental: Once you get to the island, there are car rental options at the port & the airport. You can also request a rental car at your hotel and they will arrange to have one brought to you (they also sometimes negotiate their own rates that are lower than what you might get if you arrange for the car yourself)
What to Bring & What to Expect: There are a few things that I found pretty necessary for travelers to make sure and bring with them when traveling to St. Barths…For everything else, check out our St. Barths Style Posts (here & here).
- Money: The currency on the island is the Euro. You will get the best exchange rate by getting cash from an ATM. ATMs are about as scarce as taxis… so try and get cash while you’re at the port, airport or downtown.
- Electricity: There are European outlets. So bring converters with you, or check to see if your hotel provides them.
- Bugs: As with any Caribbean island, there are mosquitoes, so pack some insect repellant. My favorite is Off! Smooth & Dry Insect Repellant- it’s not nearly as greasy as the regular kind and smells better too.
- Tipping: Restaurants will have an automatic 15% service charge added to every bill, so in accordance with common French practice, it’s best to leave an additional 5-10% more in cash, even if you’ve paid by credit card. Most taxi drivers don’t expect a tip.
- Timing: The majority of shops and restaurants are closed from around 2-4pm daily. A lot of places are closed on Sundays as well, so be sure to plan accordingly. Also dinner is served much later in European countries, as well as on St. Barths. You will have to ask your server for your check when you have finished your meal.
When to Go: St. Barths has a high and low tourist season and they also have a hurricane season.
- High Season: The highest tourist season in St. Barths is over the holidays (November-January). Rates are higher during this time than any other time during the year. Book far in advance if you want to visit during these months.
- Hurricane Season: Late August through October.
- Spring & Summer is a great time to visit because it isn’t as crowded and the weather isn’t as unpredictable as it can be during hurricane season. What’s more, prices on the island typically drop quite dramatically after March.
Check back tomorrow for tips on beaches in St. Barths and where to eat! Also, don’t forget to enter our fabulous Secrets Resorts & Spas Giveaway!
The last hotel we visited was the Hotel Eden Rock. I just loved this place!! It is such a cool property and has so much history. It’s been a hideout for big shots and celebrities since the 50’s and 60’s, and the hotel staff goes out of their way to ensure every guest is treated as such.
Eden Rock was one of the first hotels on the island of St. Barths and was originally the home of a famous Caribbean aviator & adventurer, Rémy de Haenen. Once the word got out about this island paradise, however, the Eden Rock estate became an escape for Rémy’s Hollywood friends throughout the 50s & 60s. The hotel was eventually bought by a British couple who took Rémy’s private estate and transformed it into a secluded 34-room boutique beachfront hotel. If you’re looking for the elegance and sophistication of the French Riviera with a relaxed, Caribbean, family feel, Hotel Eden Rock on St. Barths has your name written all over it.
Eden Rock has a little bit of something for everyone. Literally. Not only does the hotel have these beautiful rooms, it also has these gorgeous villa suites, one of which, the Villa Rockstar, has it’s own screening room & recording studio with the mixing console that was used by John Lennon to record the iconic “Imagine” album. Everything you need for a Caribbean getaway, right?
Fortunately, while it’s nice to dream about escaping to a place like Villa Rockstar, Eden Rock offers rooms for the more average traveler but still makes guests feel as if they are just as VIP as the guests staying in Villa Rockstar.
Another thing I love about Eden Rock is the in-house art studio. Every 3 months or so, Eden Rock brings in a new artist to showcase their work and use the beauty of the island as inspiration for upcoming and current projects. Fun, huh??
Even if you don’t get the pleasure of staying at Eden Rock, it’s basically imperative to stop by Eden Rock for lunch or dinner if you’re staying on St. Barths. The Sand Bar is ideal for lunch or a late afternoon snack/happy hour, but the real gem is On-The-Rocks. Literally perched “on the rock,” each table has spectacular views of St. Jean Bay. I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say that it is one of the most romantic spots for dinner on the entire island.
Eden Rock is the iconic St. Barths hotel stay, luxurious, unique, and stylish.
Interested in stay at Hotel Eden Rock? Contact us! hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com
Also, don’t forget to enter our awesome giveaway! Click here for details!!
Happy Friday everyone! How’s everyone enjoying our new blog??! Have you checked out the site too?? I’m so excited it has finally launched! We have lots of fun and exciting things in store! Be sure to check back next week for an amazing surprise!
Heading out to St Barths? Here are some suggestions of fun things to bring along with you!
Coverup – Earrings – Hat – Bag – Maxi Dress – Bikini – Bracelet – Sunscreen – Hair Product – Bug Spray – Bronzer Mist – Gadgets Case – Wedges – Nail Polish – Evian Spray – Mascara – Lip Stain
Interested in going to St. Barths? Contact us! hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com
The second hotel we had the pleasure of seeing while in St. Barths was Hotel Le Christopher. After undergoing a major renovation, this chic resort is ready for business, complete with new rooms, two delicious restaurants, and a pool that stretches right out to the ocean. Located in the secluded Pointe Milou and just minutes away from one of the hippest restaurants on the island, Le Ti St. Barths, and a short drive from the downtown area of Gustavia. Le Christopher has 38 guest rooms, all of which open up to a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea.
This modern boutique getaway has an intimate ambiance that makes it ideal for couples and the staff is absolutely fabulous. There are two restaurants on the property, one of which is a pool side grill, with some of the best lunches and midday snacks on the island. Enjoy coffee and eggs as you watch the day come alive with a complimentary breakfast buffet served every morning with tables looking out at the beauty surrounding you.
Le Christopher has a relaxing & intimate atmosphere that leaves guests plotting when they can again escape reality and return to paradise.
Interested in staying at Le Christopher? Contact us! hello@everafterhoneymoons.com
Continuing on with our St. Barths week, I am thrilled to share the wonderful hotel we stayed at, Hotel Le Toiny. Located on 38 acres of luscious green hillside, Le Toiny consists of only 15 private villas, all overlooking the Bay of Toiny & the Caribbean Sea. The hotel is truly one of the most exclusive and private on the island of St. Barths and each villa is complete with its own gated entrance and private pool.
Our private pool!
We had an absolutely incredible stay at this hotel! It felt like we were staying at our own private villa, but we still had great service just a phone call away. This hotel is perfect for couples that want to feel really secluded. Then just a short drive away you can reach the many restaurants, shops and beaches of St Barths.
Breakfast every morning was a real treat as well! You can either have breakfast in their restaurant or brought to your villa served pool side! Love that!
Looking for more to do? The hotel staff is “entirely at [the guests] disposal to arrange any kind of activity,” including everything from snorkeling and surfing to sail boat excursions and big game fishing. They put together a picnic for us to take to the gorgeous Gouverneur Beach, allowing us a full day of snorkeling and relaxing in the sun on one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The water was as clear as could be!! Check back in on Friday for more breathtaking beach details.
Right now there is a special offer for this hotel too! The package is for a 6 night stay in one of the hotel villas with an ocean view and includes a three course candlelight dinner, lunch, champagne and flowers upon arrival, breakfast served daily in the privacy of your villa suite, arrival and departure transportation from the airport or harbor, a 1/2 day with a professional photographer (photos provided on a CD and underwater pictures possible), a convertible Mini Cooper rental car and a 60 minute relaxing couples massage during your stay at Hotel Le Toiny.
Um, yes please! If you are interested in this special or have any questions, send us an email at hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com
