Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa Awaits

THIS. S’il vous plaît.

By Gerald and Lisa Marie Burwell | Photography courtesy of Le Barthélemy

Having lived in a Florida town with a well-healed populace for several decades, we have enjoyed meeting individuals who have visited or frequently visited St. Barth. The island’s affluent population and the moniker “Billionaires Island” have always piqued our interest. However, due to various reasons, we never had the chance to explore it. Recently, VIE was extended a rare and exclusive opportunity to preview the five-star Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa at this glamorous Caribbean destination, an opportunity we eagerly embraced.

At St. Barth’s infamous Gustaf III airport, the hotel’s driver, Antoine, happily loaded our bags and whisked us off to our final destination. Stocked with refreshing sparkling water infused with exotic island citrus and fruit flavors, the comfortable Mercedes-Benz family-mover was the perfect start to shed the day’s travel anxiety. The less than ten-minute drive passed in a blink while we got acquainted with Antoine, a French native. He shared that much of the island’s hospitality workforce is French, hailing from mainland France or another French colony similar to St. Barth.

Upon our arrival at the five-star Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, we were greeted with first-class service. The staff we encountered were attentive, polite, and exuded friendly professionalism. Clad in chino shorts and polo shirts, they made us feel welcome. It’s no surprise that the resort has been recognized as one of the top five best resorts by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for seven years. The check-in process was smooth and effortless, setting the tone for a relaxing stay.

The hotel beach had relatively calm waves, thanks to the two peninsulas and reef at the mouth of the cove

Our suite was a two-story beachfront paradise, offering a stunning view of a crescent-shaped cove, which would be our sanctuary for the next three days. There was a serving tray with a welcome card, a pair of French pastries, and a bottle of Leclerc Briant Réserve Brut. Although we usually prefer Prosecco over Champagne, we decided to try it. With the soft evening sun, we popped the bottle and poured our glasses before heading to the beach. Just steps away from our private deck, we sat on the high-water line, dipping our toes into the Caribbean and taking in our beautiful surroundings. A couple dozen small to modest-sized fishing boats were moored near the water’s edge, and the hotel beach had relatively calm waves, thanks to the two peninsulas and reef at the mouth of the cove. It was perfect. As the sun set below the horizon, we raised our glasses and expressed gratitude for our safe travels that day, the incredible adventure we were having, and for each other. Wow! (Oh, and the Champagne was the best we’ve ever had.)

Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, nestled on the crescent-shaped Grand Cul de Sac in St. Barth, is a unique gem. With forty-four rooms and suites, each designed by the renowned Sybille de Margerie, the hotel seamlessly blends Parisian chic elegance with a relaxed Caribbean atmosphere. Most rooms offer a breathtaking beach view, and six of them come with private heated plunge pools. The room categories cater to all, from couples to families and large groups, including guest rooms, junior suites, and suites. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, the hotel offers two full-service villas, Villa Aqua and Villa Bleu, featuring state-of-the-art amenities and private lap pools.

Our suite was a two-story beachfront paradise, offering a stunning view of a crescent-shaped cove, which would be our sanctuary for the next three days

Located at the center of the guest rooms, you’ll discover a hidden gem—Le Spa beneath the main pool complex. This spa is one of Le Barthélemy’s most valued amenities and proudly features the renowned La Mer brand, a leader in the skincare industry. The spa’s clever underground design creates the ideal environment for private relaxation sessions when you’re in your robe and slippers. A glass atrium (resembling a small-scale Louvre at the upper pool level) brings beautiful natural light into the central area, which includes the reception, relaxation lounge, and product display. This luxurious spa experience is designed to make you feel truly indulged.

The spa features four treatment rooms designed to provide the ultimate relaxation experience. In collaboration with La Mer, a team of highly trained skincare estheticians use the healing properties of the sea to achieve radiant results. Le Spa offers detoxifying and invigorating treatments for both men and women, utilizing organic, antioxidant-rich, paraben-free essential oils from Provence, France, to promote healing, circulation, toning, and overall well-being. Additional services include a hair and nail salon, sauna, hammam, Nordic baths, a twenty-four-hour fitness center, and soothing tea service. In addition to the spa offerings, guests can enjoy transformative water healing therapies such as Janzu and Aquatic Tibetan Sound Healing, provided by the hotel’s specialists, Grégoire Bosc and Marine Delfino, in the Nature’s Reserve or various pools. The level of hospitality at Le Spa La Mer is exceptional, offering the best spa experience one could have.

Led by Michelin-starred Chef Jérémy Czaplicki, Amis St. Barth’s menu blends the carefree Caribbean with the resort’s signature French chic.

Le Barthélemy offers a fantastic beachside dining experience with breakfast, lunch, and dinner served at the Amis St. Barth restaurant, which boasts stunning views of Grand Cul de Sac. The menu, created by Michelin-star chef Jérémy Czaplicki, features a fusion of flavors from the South of France and the Mediterranean, using fresh local ingredients. During the day, guests can enjoy coffee, snacks, and fresh juices at the pool bar, Le Turquoise, or sip signature cocktails at Le Bar. In the evening, the rooftop bar offers a great selection of cocktails to be enjoyed with a sea breeze. Additionally, guests can request expertly prepared picnic hampers featuring delights such as roasted chicken and a bottle of rosé to complement their beach experience.

Le Barthélemy’s dedication to marine conservation is a testament to its commitment to sustainability. The hotel works closely with Coral Restoration St. Barth to provide guests with hands-on experiences in rehabilitating coral reefs. This commitment to environmental responsibility is deeply ingrained in the hotel’s values and serves as a call to action for everyone. As part of this dedication, the hotel hosts zero-waste cooking classes at the beachfront restaurant, promoting sustainable culinary practices and teaching guests how to minimize food waste in their own kitchens.

Le Barthélemy offers forty-four rooms and suites with terraces, several of which boast private pools, plus two full-service villas, a seaside infinity pool, and Le Spa at Le Barthélemy.

At Le Barthélemy, the team is dedicated to providing personalized hospitality, ensuring that guest services are tailored to each guest‘s preferences. This includes a flexible check-in process, car rental with an ice chest and island guide included, and various daily family activities. The hotel also offers babysitting services and has expertly trained staff to assist with water sports activities such as sunfish sailing, windsurfing, and snorkeling.

The Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa is part of Champagne Hospitality, which oversees several other fine luxury hospitality brands and properties. The word “fine” is purposeful because the term “luxury” is often overused or misused. It is essential to define the level of excellence that Champagne Hospitality represents. Other properties under Champagne Hospitality include Le Barth – Villa Rental, Royal Champagne – Resort & Spa, Château de la Commaraine – Resort, Spa & Cuverie, Le 25 Bis, and the Champagne house Leclerc Briant.

We look forward to sharing more stories about these amazing properties soon!

Getting to St. Barth

When traveling to St. Barth, planning your flights carefully is essential. If flights are not properly planned, you may have an unexpected overnight stay in one of the feeder hubs, which can be inconvenient. If you are flying commercially, you can’t fly directly to St. Barth from the continental U.S. Instead, you’ll need to stop at the primary feeder hubs, San Juan, Puerto Rico, or the island of St. Martin, with St. Martin having more than a thousand monthly flights to St. Barth. There are around a dozen major U.S. hubs with non-stop flights to/from St. Martin, taking about three to five hours, but generally, it takes at least one stop from anywhere in the continental U.S., which can take anywhere from six to twelve hours. Consider using an airport concierge or VIP service to ensure a smooth and quick transfer at the island airports. You can check with the Le Barthélemy concierge for a recommended service.

For those fortunate enough to have the means to fly privately, it’s worth noting that the 2,100-foot runway is too short for most small jets. Consequently, you may have to park your jet in St. Martin. Typically, only prop planes with fewer than twenty passengers can land at the St. Barth airport. Pilots must hold a special certification due to the airport’s proximity to roads, hills, and the sea. The St. Barth airport presents extreme challenges, so be prepared for an exhilarating landing experience unlike any you have ever had before.

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To learn more about Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, please visit LeBarthelemyHotel.com.

To learn more about Champagne Hospitality and their properties, please visit the following websites:

Champagne Hospitality (ChampagneHospitality.com)

Le Barth – Villa Rental (LeBarthVillas.com)

Royal Champagne – Resort & Spa (RoyalChampagne.com)

Château de la Commaraine – Resort, Spa & Cuverie (LaCommaraine.com)

Le 25 Bis by Leclerc Briant (Le25Bis.com)

Champagne house Leclerc Briant (LelercBriant.fr)