There is something for everyone on St. Barts, and Eden Rock is the perfect retreat for anyone in search of hip, contemporary glamour.  Its signature experience is a stay in Villa Rockstar – an enormous and secluded property, featuring its own state-of-the-art recording studio, screening room, and private beach.  Another of its villas offers a private art gallery with original paintings by contemporary artists, and lithographs by Miro and Matisse among other luminaries.  I stayed in one of the resort’s rooms, which was fun and eclectic -- and the enormous rock around which my bathroom had been built made me feel just a little bit bohemian.  I loved all of the art work, the crisp painted tables, and of course the views.  Eden Rock is centrally located in St. Jean, right next to Nikki Beach and Gustavia, but a stay on the rock feels secluded and private, and the restaurant is well worth a visit.
 

Inevitably every time I travel, there are places and people that I don’t get to visit.  Although I am sorry to miss them, it gives me a reason to start planning a return trip.  On my most recent visit to St. Barts, I did not have a chance to stay at the Christopher, although I was lucky enough to have lunch there with the hotel’s GM, Sebastian.  We had lunch poolside at the hotel’s Mango Restaurant.  The pool itself is worth a visit; and if you are a little more adventurous, the Christopher gets some of the best surfing waves on the island.  In truth, I am more likely to stop at the spa than to watch the waves – and the Christopher is renowned for having one of the best spas on the island.  They feature Sisley products and their signature phyto-aromatic treatments.  Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to book a treatment on this visit, but I loved spending the afternoon talking with Sebastian about St. Barts, watching the waves break, and planning my return.

Not everyone who visits St. Barts stays in a hotel; a lot of people choose to rent one of the many privately owned villas on the island.  The draw of the private villa is powerful:  it is utterly secluded – your own beach, your own pool, even your own private chef if you like. Everything about a villa stay can be tailor made.  A case in point, I recently asked a very understanding concierge at SiBarth if he would measure guest beds for me in a few villas that my clients were interested in renting.  Tape measure in hand, he called me when he found the California King my clients were hoping for.  Success:  a personal chef, a chartered yacht, and a good night’s sleep!