Your Ultimate Guide to Unforgettable Travel to St. Barths

We at The Shameless Tourist have explored numerous Caribbean destinations, and without a doubt, Saint Barths stands out as the crown jewel. From its exceptional restaurants and exquisite shops to the finest hotels and the pristine cleanliness that defines the island – St. Barths offers an unparalleled island escape. For those seeking more than the confines of a resort, where the entire island becomes a personal playground, St. Barths is the ultimate destination.

Our Founder, Kaleigh, frequently visits St. Barth’s, sometimes upwards of 3 times a year, allowing for in-depth exploration, including visits to some of the island’s premier hotels and indulging in the culinary delights of many favored hot spots. This destination guide aims to encapsulate the island’s magnificence, however you choose to embrace it!

Getting to St. Barths

A wise perspective once reminded us, “you can’t get to paradise on a 747,” and this holds true for St. Barths!

There are four ways to arrive – via a hopper flight from San Juan, St. Maarten, or Antigua, or through a ferry from St. Maarten. Our preferred mode is the Tradewinds flight from San Juan, an outstanding airline with well-appointed planes, ensuring a delightful 45-minute flight.

Pro Tip: Elevate your journey by adding the VIP service to your Tradewinds flight for a seamless travel experience!

Our Curated Selection of the Best Accommodations in St. Barth

Eden Rock

Why Stay Here? For travelers seeking a stay in the midst of vibrant action, Eden Rock St. Barths is the epitome of perfection. Nestled in the heart of St. Jean beach, it is an ideal choice for those desiring a “fun and lively” experience in the best location. The vibrant red and white aesthetic adds an extra touch of allure to this exceptional destination.

• The Shameless Tourist Perks
  • Daily Full Breakfast for two people per bedroom, including buffets
  • Access to the best room booked in your particular category
  • One Category Room Upgrade at Time of Booking, based on availability
  • Complimentary High Speed Internet Access
  • Priority access to the hotel courtesy car
  • $100 USD Food and Beverage Credit once per stay for single night stay, $200 Credit for stays over 2 nights

Cheval Blanc

Why Stay Here? To me, Cheval Blanc is perfect for those wanting something distinctively French with understated elegance, in a superb location (right next to the action, but not quite in the heart of it), and someone who wants a beautiful, expansive beach to spend time on. Cheval Blanc is located on Flamands Beach, which is one of the largest beaches in St. Barths and is right next to St. Jean (where Eden Rock is located).

• The Shameless Tourist Perks
  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily Full or A La Carte Breakfast for two guests per bedroom, served at the restaurant.
  • $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay
  • Early check-in / Late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

Villa Marie

Why Stay Here? Design lovers will rejoice in this beautiful mix of plantation style architecture with fun patterns and eclectic accessories. Plus the views from this resort are simply the best. Perched on top of the hills above Colombier beach, don’t expect beach access from the resort directly, but coming mid-December 2020 guests will have access to Villa Marie’s all new beach club in the heart of St. Jean Beach.

• The Shameless Tourist Perks:
  • Roundtrip Transfers
  • Daily Breakfast

Hotel Le Toiny

Why Stay Here? For those looking to be out of the hustle and bustle but still have access to some amazing on site restaurants and a beach club, Le Toiny is the perfect choice. Every room at this stunning hotel has its own private pool and with the hotel perched on the hillside, most of the rooms also have amazing views of the ocean. I would describe this as the most romantic choice on the island!

• The Shameless Tourist Perks
  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Continental breakfast daily via room service
  • $100 USD Equivalent Food & Beverage credit, to be utilized during stay
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

Le Barthelemy

Why Stay Here? For guests wanting a fun ambience, with a beautiful hotel infinity pool, rooftop bar, and one of the best spas on the island, Le Barthelemy might be for you!

• The Shameless Tourist Perks
  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Daily Buffet Breakfast for two guests per bedroom
  • $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay
  • Complimentary roundtrip private airport transfers
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

Le Sereno

Why Stay Here? Guests looking for a vibe that isn’t quite as lively as Eden Rock but a little more lively than Le Toiny will love Le Sereno. From the gorgeous views from the restaurant and pool to the modern & clean decor of the rooms, its hard to think of a traveler who wouldn’t love this hotel. I also love this property for families with young children because the beach in this area is very shallow for quite a ways out. It’s also located on a Turtle Reserve, which makes for such fun while paddle boarding and kite surfing!

• The Shameless Tourist Perks:
  • Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
  • Daily full breakfast, for two guests per bedroom
  • $100 USD Equivalent Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
  • Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

Best Places to Dine in St. Barth’s

Bonito St Barths- for the best fine dining in the Caribbean, this is a restaurant you cannot miss. My favorite dishes are the Ceviche Bonito and the Mahi Mahi!

Le Tamarin- the gardens alone are a reason to visit this popular St Barths dining location. This is a great choice for families looking for a nice dining experience where the kids will be happy too. With lots of room to run and play (quietly) and a small kids room with toys and fun, everyone will be happy dining at Le Tamarin.

Black Ginger- for those who love Thai food, this is a gem on the island!

L’isoletta and L’isola- travelers looking to have a taste of Italy on St Barths will love these pair of restaurants! L’isoletta is a very moderately priced casual pizzeria owned by the famous L’isola, their fine dining sister restaurant.

Fish Corner– if you like ceviche, try Fish Corner for a casual lunch!

Bagatelle – For those looking for a lively night, look no further than Bagatelle.

Beach Bars/Restaurants:

Nikki Beach- perfect to see and be seen and for the travelers that want to have a little more party in their beach club atmosphere.

Shellona Restaurant- I loved the ambience here. It is a bit more quiet than Nikki Beach but still has a fun vibe with beautiful sunset views.

The Beach Club at Le Toiny- for a more sophisticated and quiet beach club vibe.

GypSea– The New Beach Club by Villa Marie, located right next door to Nikki Beach with a more “hippy” vibe than it’s modern neighbor!

La Cabane at Cheval Blanc– For Great Tequila Cocktails and a beautiful beach with a more mellow ambience, La Cabane is a great option!

Al Mare at Le Sereno- If you are looking for the ultimate in a very relaxed ambience with little to no crowds but excellent scenery and food, Al Mare is a perfect place. Make sure to swim with the Turtles post lunch!

Top Things to Do While in St. Barth’s

Shopping- the shopping on St Barths is the best in the Caribbean. Some of my favorite stores included Terra (for fun bright colored dresses and cover ups!), Pati de St Barths (for high quality souvenirs), Linge St Barth (for locally made perfumes), and KIWI St Barths (for moderately priced swimwear and cover ups).

Surfing- there is some good surfing on this island and some great instructors if you are looking to learn!

Kite Surfing, Paddle boarding, Snorkeling

Beach Hop! There are 14 beaches on the island and they all offer something unique. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Colombier– this is a hike to/boat to only beach and it is worth the trouble of getting to. The hike begins at Flamands beach and takes about 25 minutes. Easy hike, but I recommend wearing good shoes!
• Flamands Beach– one of the largest and most expansive beaches on the island. Cheval Blanc is located on this beach if you want a refreshment!
• St Jean Beach– this is the most “happening” beach on the island. Nikki Beach and Eden Rock are located on this famous beach, so you will not run out of things to do here. You can also spend hours watching the planes take off and land from the sand– it is an incredible thing to watch!
• Lorient Beach– is perfect for surfers!
• Grand Cul de Sac– this is a very unique beach– it is the windiest part of the island, so great kite surfing, but it is also a Turtle Reserve so guests looking to spot some wildlife will love this beach! I also love this beach for families as the water is quite shallow! (Visit Le Sereno or Le Barthelemy here!)
• Toiny– another great surfing spot or a great beach to visit the Beach Club at Le Toiny and just enjoy the afternoon!
• Gouvernor and Saline– these two beaches are local favorites. Choose between Saline which is a much larger beach with two sides– one better for families and the other for adults; or Gouvenor which is a bit more quiet but has very easy parking access- a rare find on this small island!
• Shell Beach– located right in downtown Gustavia, Shell beach is fun for families looking to collect seashells or for guests looking to enjoy one of the best beach clubs (Shellona) on the island!

At The Shameless Tourist, our affinity for St. Barth’s runs deep, and we’re thrilled to share our expertise with you. Whether you’re dreaming of sun-kissed beaches, chic boutiques, or gourmet dining, we’re here to make it happen.

Let us be your guides as you embark on your journey to this paradise island. We’re committed to crafting personalized travel experiences that exceed your expectations. Every detail of your trip is important to us, and we promise to treat it with the utmost care and attention, just as if it were our own.

Get in touch with us today, and let’s turn your St. Barth’s dreams into unforgettable memories. Your adventure awaits!