10 Best Hotels in St. Barts | Condé Nast Traveler
"Over the past few years, this Caribbean island has returned from Hurricane Irma, emerging with a fresh kick in its stride—and it’s taken more than a lick of whitewash on those verandas. Take the former Isle de France, now part of LVMH’s Cheval Blanc stable and always the grande dame of St. Barts. The hotel sprawls along Flamands beach with ocean-facing and garden rooms, as well as penthouse-style suites that are a little removed from the central hub—all of them fashioned by the careful hand of French interior-design whizz Jacques Grange with linen, teak, and ikat accents. Recent additions include The Villa de France, a five-bedroom private residence with its pool and spa, and La Case restaurant, directed by chef Jean Imbert (Encore in New York, Swan in Miami). But the main story has always been about the sheer, elegant insouciance of the place—think old-school, F Scott Fitzgerald Riviera style—along with the sort of supersonic service from staff who would put most events organizers in the shade. The beach is the main character, the rolling surf providing the soundtrack on the sunbeds and in the reimagined seaside La Cabane restaurant. Lunchtime is easygoing party time over gazpacho, frites, and sole meunière, while the candlelit dinners are more serious. It’s a masterpiece of scene-setting and elegant restraint."
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