Elite Traveler Spring 2019

EXPLORE ST BARTHS

GETTING THERE After landing in St Maarten or Puerto Rico, take a puddle jumper to St Barths’ Gustaf III Airport (no large passenger planes, private planes included, can land on its 2,170-ft runway — one of the shortest runways possible). It's touted as one of the most hair-raising landings on the planet: As the pilot turns off the engine as you coast through two peaks, the propellers guiding you down to safety just feet from St Jean Beach. tradewind.com, stbarthscommuter.com, winair.com

HAUTE HOTELS

LA VILLA Hotel Le Toiny

VILLA AQUA AND VILLA BLEU Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa Le Barthélemy calls the nearly uninhabited nature reserve of Grand Cul du Sac home, trading splashy crowds for beachside seclusion. The hotel is one of the newer on the island, and after the hurricane, it revealed refreshed interiors, a new spa and Villas Aqua and Bleu. You can rent the villas separately, or combine them to create a dreamy compound. Each villa has two master suites on the top level (each with its own staircase) and four bedrooms on the main floor. An entertainment area, kitchen and living room face out to each villa’s terrace and 55-ft lap pool. From $121,000 per week for exclusive use. Contact Claire Hillau, director of sales and marketing, chillau@lebarth.com, +590 590 774 848, lebarthelemyhotel.com

BEACH SUITE Cheval Blanc St Barth - Isle de France From the moment you arrive at Cheval Blanc on Flamands Beach tranquility sets in. French designer Jacques Grange reimagined the property after Irma’s devastating damage with 41 rooms and suites (another 20 suites will open later this year). The 1,300-sq-ft Beach Suite is awash in neutral woods, and it mimics the surrounding island scenery with rattan furniture, breezy cottons and hints of blue the exact color of the sea. Lounge on your private terrace near tropical flora or in your infinity pool while gazing at panoramic ocean views. The suite opens directly onto the beach and is ideal for those seeking complete privacy. From $9,080 per night. Contact info.stbarth@chevalblanc.com, +590 590 27 61 81, chevalblanc.com

Opened in 1992, Hotel Le Toiny, a Relais & Châteaux property, is a St Barths favorite for those who seek a more relaxed visit to this energetic island. Continually reinventing itself, the hotel underwent a renovation post-hurricane that welcomed an eight suite expansion and brand-new beach restaurant, while still keeping the same simplistic elegance for which the property is so revered. Offering the seclusion of a private villa, but with access to the hotel’s luxe amenities, La Villa is replete with neutral wood, stark white linens and views of Toiny Beach. From $4,630 per night. Contact Magali

Act like a local Watch the planes land and take off every 15 minutes from your post on St Jean Beach Watch the Les Voiles de St Barth and the St Barths Bucket regattas in March and April — the island's most sought-after sailing events each year Visit Villa Marie’s colonial-style restaurant, François Plantation , which has one of the best wine lists on the island Hike the mile-long Washing Machine trail off Grand Fond alongside the churning surf on a cliff’s edge. A dip in a natural tidal pool is your reward at the end Stop by Le Select for an ice-cold Carib beer and a burger after a stroll around the marina Indulge in Le Sereno ’s outdoor spa treatment room that faces the ocean Spend a day at Gouverneur Beach , an untouched haven that’s a favorite among locals No morning is complete without a boulangerie trip for an espresso and baguette with nutella —we love Gustavia's Boulangerie Choisy Sip a mojito at Shell Beach’s Shellona for sunset happy hour Go cliff jumping by swimming five minutes along Shell Beach’s rocky cliffs until you reach a rope ladder — the swim is as exhilarating as the jump Enjoy light bites from Chef Nicolas Tissier's menu at Hotel Christopher's Mango Restaurant , the hotel's chic lunch option

Marin, reservation manager, reservations@letoiny.com, +590 590 278 888, letoiny.com

Clockwise Breathtaking views from La Villa at Hotel Le Toiny; beachside living at the villas at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa; the chic living area of the Beach Suite at Cheval Blanc

Photo laurentbenoit.com, V.MATI