Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa Review: This Is One of the Best Places to Stay on St. Barts — Here's Why
"Le Barthélemy is a beautiful hotel that's sophisticated yet unstuffy, with a staff that provides unmatched service — set on one of the best beaches on the entire island. The hotel's design is upscale yet comfortable, creating a welcoming environment. The hotel's Couture Hospitality truly makes any wish possible or any problem disappear. The hotel leads sustainability in the entire Caribbean. Each room includes a private patio or balcony with a privacy shield. Le Barthélemy has 44 rooms and two luxury suites, offering a wide selection of guest accommodations. Even entry-level options have ample space and upscale amenities. The rooms start at 538 square feet and provide private patios with views of the ocean or a private deck with a jacuzzi. A few rooms face the garden instead of the ocean, creating a more private, jungle-like oasis. The next level would be the junior suites with private balconies and an option for a private plunge pool. Then there are the Plage Suites, which provide guests with beachfront access. Connecting rooms are available for larger parties, and the La Suite Barthélemy has options for up to three bedrooms. Le Barthélemy also has private villas with three to six bedrooms for extra-large groups or those just wanting more privacy. The villas have unique amenities like daily seaside buffet breakfasts, a villa-exclusive pool, dedicated beach chairs, fully equipped kitchens, and a wine cellar. The hotel has one all-day restaurant, Amis, led by Michelin-pedigreed Jérémy Czaplicki, who focuses on having a zero-waste kitchen and using seasonal ingredients to keep the French and Mediterranean menu fresh. Daily breakfast is complimentary with every stay and includes an a la carte menu and a buffet of French pastries, fresh juices, and parfaits. Amis serves at beachfront tables for lunch, and by beachfront, I mean your toes will be in the sand. The lunch menu sticks to casual classics like burgers, tacos, pizzas, and more. Dinner is a more upscale experience with live music and experiences like cheese and Champagne trolleys. Le Barthélemy is a part of a hotel group called Champagne Hospitality. With that kind of moniker, you know the wine list will be impressive, and it is. Cocktails here are also inventive, served in fun glassware and garnished with fresh herbs. Le Turquoise pool bar is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the rooftop bar W.T.F. (Whiskey Foxtrot Tango) is open every Tuesday and Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., with themed parties and live music. Le Barthélemy is located on Anse de Grand Cul-de-Sac, considered one of the best beaches on St. Bart’s due to its calm, clear waters. Guests at Le Barthélemy have full access to a water sports center, with free usage of non-motorized equipment and motorized items available for a fee. One of my favorite activities available to guests is the coral adoption program, where Le Barthélemy partners with local activists to restore the coral reef in the lagoon. There is also a beautiful strip of beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas dedicated to Le Barthélemy guests, as well as one pool at the resort that overlooks the beach. The gym is sleek, modern, and open 24 hours a day, offering classes like yoga or private coaching sessions. The spa at Le Barthélemy is the epitome of luxury. As the only spa in the Caribbean that uses La Mer products, it includes multiple treatment rooms, a sauna, a hammam, and Nordic baths — one hot and two cold. Le Barthélemy takes sustainability incredibly seriously, "aspiring to create the most environmentally friendly and sustainable luxury hotel in the Caribbean, if not the world.” The list of green projects the resort has begun is lengthy and impressive, from the previously-mentioned coral restoration project and zero-waste kitchen to solar panels and electric vehicles. Le Barthélemy also desalinates and purifies ocean water for use around the resort, making it safe and sustainable. Le Barthélemy is located in Grand Cul-de-Sac, just 13 minutes from the airport. Airport transfers are available with the resort’s Mercedes electric vans, which have Wi-Fi, chargers, snacks, drinks, and chilled towels. The concierge is also at guests’ disposal, even before their stay, by helping plan flights and inter-island transfers." - Travel + Leisure Editors
