St. Barts is named a complicated, tropical playground the place the sybaritic set slips into sandals (or forgo sneakers totally) and trades actual life for a sun-dappled fantasy of sprawling on sandy seashores, swimming in turquoise tides, and savoring gourmand delicacies. The right combine of stylish and easygoing, it’s a vacation spot that might have simply invented the phrase “barefoot luxurious.”
Price range? Effectively, that’s simply not a typical phrase uttered by the holidayers wearing designer kaftans. Discerning vacationers for whom cash is not any object have many decisions on the French-speaking Caribbean island. However none match the status or panache of Eden Rock – St Barths.
The unique iteration of the now legendary lodge was constructed by intrepid explorer RĂ©my de Haenen again within the Nineteen Fifties. Over the higher a part of the previous 75 years, the high-end retreat has continued to develop and broaden. It unveiled a two-year renovation in 2019 and launched new suites in 2021. At present, Eden Rock, which is a part of the Oetker Assortment, contains essentially the most coveted actual property on the island. In fact, it isn’t simply the historical past and privileged perch that makes it such a rare keep. The seaside setting can’t be beat. The service is extraordinary. And the design and environment are unparalleled.
If in case you have the money to splurge on a rare five-star keep in St. Barts, it simply doesn’t get any higher. Learn on to seek out out why Eden Rock – St. Barths lives as much as the hype.
Eden Rock – St. Barths
- Company get assigned devoted concierges who will fortunately (and in some way immediately) deal with the whole lot from securing restaurant reservations to coordinating seashore picnics.
- In-room check-in makes the arrival course of seamless.
- The splurge-worthy suites have personal plunge swimming pools, jacuzzi tubs, and sea views.
- Grasp mixologists shake up signature cocktails on the glamorous, toile-covered RĂ©my Bar & Salon.
- The placement on Plage St. Jean means direct entry to one of the best seashore on the island.
The Rooms
Eden Rock has 37 individually embellished rooms, suites, and villas both on the rock, alongside the seashore, or within the verdant gardens. All the search quarters wow — it’s only a matter of which vantage level and the way a lot privateness you favor.
On a current journey, I had the immense pleasure of staying within the Diamond Suite – Waterlily. From the second I entered by the Eden Rock–purple arched gate and the patio plunge pool backed by the rock and turquoise sea took form, I used to be in awe. That is the magic of St. Barts (or, extra precisely, essentially the most iconic property on the island). The interiors had been no much less spectacular. The whole lot felt crisp and vibrant with shades of white and sand. The intensive artwork assortment and ornamental objects imbue Caribbean character. The mattress faces the ocean for essentially the most gorgeous rise-and-shine views. The spa-like lavatory was outfitted with twin sinks, a rainfall bathe, a soaking tub, Dr. Barbara Storm merchandise, and an unique fragrance spray specifically created for Eden Rock by Parisian perfumery Diptyque. The lounge and galley kitchen made it really feel even homier. As if all that weren’t sufficient, the rear terrace beckoned with a scorching tub and solar mattress.
Meals and Drink
The Sand Bar, the signature restaurant that includes a menu conceptualized by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an open-air house cooled by sea breezes.
For breakfast, there’s a curated buffet unfold of housemade yogurt, fruit, and pastries, plus a wide range of scrumptious a la carte choices. I may fortunately have began the day with fresh-pressed juice and banana toast for every week straight.
Company can take pleasure in lunch on the Sand Bar or get ever nearer to the waves with a noon meal of hamachi crudo in a zippy ardour fruit sauce and frosé on the beachfront loungers.
Dinner blends lavish and native (a recurring theme all through the lodge). Even the proficient crew executing the imaginative and prescient of the world-famous gastronome isn’t above getting inventive to accommodate diners. I used to be instructed by a number of folks to order the caviar egg toast, however because it turned out that didn’t jive with my dairy allergy. So the kitchen whipped up a divine uncooked tuna creation topped with caviar, so I may get my caviar repair. The kitchen would fortunately customise any dish on the child’s menu, too. Nonetheless, it by no means got here to that as a result of our tykes had been loopy concerning the rooster fingers and fries and grilled mahi-mahi with mashed potatoes.
The most effective — and positively essentially the most glamorous — spots on the island to sip and savor, Remy Bar & Salon, provides a menu of signature tipples just like the Eden Colada, with rum and Champagne, in addition to expertly blended classics.
Experiences and Facilities
Eden Rock boasts a spate of first-class facilities. In addition to the bar and restaurant, there’s a shocking spa, a big resort pool, and a classy boutique to choose up Missoni kaftans, Zimmerman clothes, and hand-crafted Maison Michel hats.
Though most individuals will, little question, want to get their coronary heart fee going by swimming, the absolutely outfitted gymnasium supplies an indoor various. There are additionally day by day yoga lessons on the deck atop the rock, and the spa crew can coordinate personal movement periods.
The lodge can organize loads of actions, from water sports activities to personal yacht charters. And the property not too long ago partnered with Island Nature Experiences (INE) and the Territorial Atmosphere Company (ATE) on a coral reef restoration undertaking. Company can dive into the sustainable aspect of issues by snorkeling across the Eden Reef, taking part in coral planting, or adopting a coral.
The Spa
The Eden Rock spa is a halcyon hideaway constructed into the rocks. Whereas it is arduous to be careworn at Eden Rock, with services and coverings this good, why not use the chance to eliminate each final lingering knot? Blissful physique rituals and massages use a heavenly artisanal line referred to as Ligne St Barth. Dr. Barbara Sturm formulation energy the facials. Hydrafacials are additionally accessible in addition to cutting-edge medi-spa therapies, in partnership with Dr. Pierre-Michel Havet.
Household-friendly Choices
One would possibly assume {that a} lodge recognized for its glamorous environs and toile-splashed bar won’t be a haven for teenagers. However anybody making assumptions about Eden Rock – St Barths will certainly discover that each one preconceived notions fall to the wayside upon arriving. I discovered the property to be one of the welcoming locations I’ve introduced my youngsters to this point. First off, the in-suite check-in is a savior for households after a protracted journey day. Our little guys performed with cute stuffed whales, ate do-it-yourself Madelines, and drank apple juice whereas our devoted concierge collected our passport info. In addition to plush toys, our suite was stocked with mini robes and slippers, coloring books and pencils, goggles and floaties, and Dr. Barbara Sturm youngsters’ merchandise.
Having fun with household meals was straightforward because the bar and eating places supply youngsters’ menus (and the kitchen was even comfortable to whip up one thing for our hungry gents earlier than dinner service formally began).
Whereas Eden Rock doesn’t have a devoted youngsters’ membership, the pool and pristine seashore are the proper playground for littles. The employees was all too comfortable to offer shovels and buckets — actually, the employees was all too comfortable to do nearly something to please the children. The Eden Youngsters Program, for kids ages 5 and up, consists of artwork, pottery, meditation, yoga, swimming classes, sandcastle constructing, and water sports activities. Our boys had been too younger to take part on this journey — simply one more reason to return sooner or later.
Accessibility and Sustainability
Sustainability and environmental accountability are a part of the day by day operations. Eden Rock places practices in place to reduce meals and water waste. The meals menu highlights domestically sourced produce and freshly caught fish. The property works with native environmental organizations — particularly Island Nature Experiences and the Territorial Atmosphere Company — to protect the pure atmosphere. The coral restoration undertaking is a superb instance of how the lodge works environmental accountability into the visitor expertise. The initiative has led to a resurgence of marine life, serving to greater than 200 coral fragments develop considerably and rising the fish inhabitants.
Eden Rock’s frequent areas, public areas, and rooms and suites — together with the over-the-top, six-bedroom Villa Rockstar — are wheelchair accessible.
Location
The Eden Rock – St Barths advantages each from its enviable perch on picture-perfect Plage St. Denims (the comfortable sand and turquoise water appear to be a postcard) and its central location. It’s one of many only a few luxurious lodges on the island that affords friends walkability to retailers, eating places, and seashore golf equipment.
The right way to Get the Most Worth From Your Keep
Charges begin at $950, plus a 5-percent native tax. Included within the worth are heaps of VIP perks — together with a complimentary bottle of Krug Champagne upon arrival (Eden Rock – St Barths is the first-ever lodge to accomplice with the long-lasting bubbly model) and Dr. Barbara Sturm skincare minis. Whereas the model would not have a loyalty program, it usually broadcasts promotional offers on the web site. The property is a part of each Virtuoso and the Main Accommodations of the World networks, giving vacationers entry to resort credit and room upgrades.