The moment you descend on St Barth’s (descend is literal—one must take a nose dive to land on the West Indies island), you know you’re in for something spectacular. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean are perfectly broken up by a Jackson Pollock-esque splattering of yachts, often of the mega variety. The beaches are filled with sunbathers wearing Eugenia Kim hats and basket bags from Loewe. Look up, and you’ll see white villas with red roofs nestled into the hillside, with sweeping vistas ahead of them.
St Barth’s has earned a reputation as a playground for the rich and famous. If you’re on the island, it’s likely that several familiar faces will be there right alongside you. And it’s easy to see why: the town, Gustavia, is full of upscale restaurants with a focus on local seafood, the default for hotels is five stars, and the beach clubs provide quite the party. With so many options, consider this your beginner’s guide to where to stay, eat, and play on this luxurious island.
How to Get to St Barth’s
There are no direct flights to St Barth’s (unless you’re chartering a private plane). Otherwise, the most common route is via Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, followed by a roughly dozen-seat Winair puddle-jumper to the island. A word of warning: St Barth’s runway is one of the shortest in commercial aviation, making for a famously white-knuckle landing.
Another option is Tradewind Aviation, which serves St Barth’s from San Juan (SJU), Antigua (ANU), and St. Thomas (STT). While the journey is slightly longer and pricier than other routes, the experience is notably more relaxed and enjoyable. That being said, when time is of the essence, Winair remains the quickest option—because who wants to waste a single minute of island time?
Then there’s the ferry: an unglamorous but efficient option for nervous flyers. Buy your tickets in advance on either Great Bay Express or the Voyager to secure your seat for a ~45-minute ferry crossing.
Where to Stay
Perched above Gustavia with sweeping views of Shell Beach, Fouquet’s Saint-Barth brings the brand’s Parisian flair to the Caribbean. A favorite establishment of mine in New York City, their St Barth’s property features 21 suites, a loft, and a five-bedroom villa with breezy, beach-forward interiors. Days are best spent at Shellona, the seaside restaurant and beach club, which draws a stylish crowd with its Greek-inspired menu, vibey music, and pearly-white sand. Nights call for dinner at Beefbar, where prime cuts dominate the menu, alongside a handful of thoughtfully executed vegetarian dishes. Even if you’re not staying here, visiting both Shellona and Beefbar is a must.
There’s a phenomenon called Stendhal syndrome, when one feels a sense of shock when faced with great aesthetic beauty. And that’s what it feels like to enter into the Cheval Blanc, a LVMH-owned hotel that exudes French Riviera-esque glamour. Tropical greenery and flora enshroud each walkway, and walls are adorned in bougainvillea arches. The pink-and-white beach club somehow manages to be social yet relaxing—sure, you can order a bottle of magnum Whispering Angel to your cabana, or you could just as easily nap on your daybed. The rooms, dotted with pops of turquoise and globally sourced art, exude a warm, tropical feel that doesn’t seem cheesy. Then there’s the infinity pool: It’s hard to know where it stops, and the Caribbean begins. (Also worth noting? The hotel’s spa, named to Vogue’s Global Spa Guide two years in a row, is a serene oasis that perfectly balances indulgence and elegance.)
The “Rock” in Eden Rock is a nod to the hotel’s locale, but also its vibe. Brimming with a buzzy, rock n’ roll style energy, the Eden Rock is the place to be for those who want an elevated scene—which is why so many people love going to St Barth’s in the first place. It’s hard not to feel lively when lying on a brick-red sun bed next to the hotel’s rosé-sipping clientele, which has included everyone from Howard Hughes to Greta Garbo and Princess Lee Radziwill throughout its 70-plus-year history. If you can pull yourself from the bathlike waters of St. Jean beach—the Eden Rock has the most swimmable beach on the island—you’re a mere minute walk from dance-on-table beach clubs.
The rooms are often remarkably different in decor—the Howard Hughes suite, for example, has rich teak walls and a turquoise-copper bathroom wall, whereas the Diamond Suite is inspired by a yacht deck—but all are fabulous, no matter which direction you choose.
The resort Le Toiny is for those seeking discreet, romantic glamour. Located on the opposite side of the island from Gustavia, it’s surrounded by wild, rugged terrain. To reach the beach club, guests board an open-air white safari jeep that winds along steep dirt curves before arriving at a secluded, postcard-perfect stretch of sand. (Tip: order the lobster salad with a glass of Minuty rosé—and linger.) The rooms are airy and refined, each with its own private plunge pool and sweeping ocean views, making the entire experience feel blissfully removed from the rest of the island.
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For those who want St Barth’s glamour without the scene, Hotel Christopher is a quiet, cliffside escape with sweeping ocean views and an effortlessly sleek, modern design. It’s the kind of place that encourages slow mornings, long lunches, and lingering by the pool—though you’d be remiss not to order the hotel’s cult-favorite cheeseburger, which has achieved near-legendary status on the island.
Christian Liaigre designed the polished interiors of Le Sereno, a hotel tucked away on St Barths’ Grand Cul de Sac. The property features 600 feet of private waterfront—Le Sereno is one of the few hotels that only allows hotel guests to use their beach club—and children will scramble to snorkel with sea turtles, who swim freely in the bay.
If you’re traveling with a group—or simply prefer your privacy—WIMCO is the insider way to do St Barth’s. For more than 30 years, the company has quietly perfected the art of the island stay, curating everything from chic townhomes steps from Gustavia to headline-worthy estates complete with infinity pools, private chefs, and views that practically beg to be framed. WIMCO unlocks access to Nocturne Luxury Villas global portfolio of over 1,200 standout properties—but it’s the St Barth’s collection that really inspires daydreaming: wellness-forward retreats, adults-only hideaways, and grand villas made for long lunches that turn into late nights. Simply book your villa and let the concierge team handle the rest, from private flights and yacht charters to in-villa wine tastings and celebration-level planning—leaving you free to focus on the important things, like deciding which drink comes first.
Best Beaches
One thing St Barth’s regulars love most about the island is the sheer diversity of its beaches. There are 16 in total—a surprising number for an island just 11 miles long and 2.5 miles wide—each with its own distinct personality.
At Saline Beach, you’ll find topless women frolicking in the translucent, azure water and stretches of soft, white sand that feels like powdered sugar between your toes. What you won’t find: tiki-style tourist traps hawking sugary cocktails. Saline, like most other beaches on St Barth’s, is rather bare bones—no bars, no shops, no restaurants—so be sure to pack your own snacks and water.
Another local favorite is Colombier, often considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island—if not the most beautiful. Framed by lush hillsides and untouched greenery, the secluded cove feels worlds away from the rest of St Barth’s, with calm, crystal clear water and a sense of near-total serenity. Reaching it requires a bit of effort—by boat or a scenic hike—but the reward is well worth the journey.
For a livelier scene, St. Jean Beach delivers, with hot spots like NAŌ Beach, Eden Rock, Nikki Beach, La Guérite, and Gyp Sea offering prime people-watching from morning into late afternoon. Surfers gravitate toward Toiny and Lorient, while snorkelers prefer the calm waters of Gouverneur and Petite Anse. Come sunset, however, everyone makes their way to Shell Beach, famous for its millions of thumbnail-size shells.
Best Restaurants
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Led by Michelin-starred chef Assaf Granit, Sella offers a menu inspired by Jerusalem’s culinary history, reinterpreted through the lens of St Barths’ warm, festive energy. Expect bold flavors, beautifully composed plates, and a dining room that hums well into the night.
To dine at Le Tamarin is to feel like you’re in the middle of a tropical oasis—if the jungle had glamorous guests dining in sequins and feathers, as well as guests playing boozy games of backgammon on its grounds. The menu balances French-Caribbean classics, from bright ceviches to indulgent foie gras, alongside an expansive selection of fresh-caught fish. One non-negotiable: order the signature Tamarini before heading out for the night.
A sleek Japanese restaurant known for its polished setting and crowd-pleasing menu, Kinugawa is a go-to for sushi, sashimi, and elevated classics—perfect for a chic night out in Gustavia.
Mention St Barth’s and Le Ti is often the first name people bring up. A fixture on the island since 1995, the restaurant is beloved for its over-the-top, anything-goes energy. There’s even a dress-up room in the back, and guests are actively encouraged to lean in, dress up, and have fun—it’s dinner theater, in the best possible way.
A beloved St. Jean cafe and casual all-day spot just steps from the beach, Kiki-é Mo has been serving fresh, healthy fare since 1995—think organic salads, vibrant bowls, fresh juices, smoothies, sandwiches, and wraps, all made with local, seasonal ingredients. Whether you’re grabbing a nourishing breakfast, a colorful lunch to take to the sand, or a light afternoon refreshment, this is one of the island’s most welcoming and relaxed places to refuel.
Perhaps the best word to describe Bonito is the simplest one: fun. Drinks come in ridiculous glasses—like a copper bathtub complete with a rubber ducky—the music is blasting, and the entire restaurant is there to have a good time.
Just like Bonito, Bagatelle is where to go when you want a dinnertime scene. It’s always packed, and always defined by a DJ. Stay late enough, and people will start dancing on tables—Champagne bottles in hand.
Looking for a more romantic, less rambunctious dinner? Head to the L’Isola in Gustavia, which offers fine Italian cuisine in a dark, moody setting.
Best Beach Clubs
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At NAŌ, dining truly happens with your toes in the sand. The all-white, airy decor channels a Greek-islands-meets–St Barth’s aesthetic, and its prime location in the heart of Saint-Jean Bay makes it ideal for beach club-hopping—especially when you’re not quite ready for the party to end.
A perennial crowd favorite, Gyp Sea is a sun-soaked, bohemian beach club on Pelican Beach devoted to “sea, sun, rum, and BBQ.” Cocktails arrive in whimsical parrot-shaped glasses, while nearly everything on the menu—from fresh fish and sweet pineapple to corn and smoky cuts of meat—is tossed straight onto the grill.
Quite possibly the most joyful spot on the island, La Guérite has quickly become a St Barth’s mainstay since opening in spring 2023. Set in the bay of Saint-Jean, the beach club is instantly recognizable by its blue-and-white striped umbrellas and buzzy, celebratory atmosphere. Wear sandals—you’ll likely kick them off as the afternoon inevitably turns into dancing on the tables.
Things to Do
The island’s chic capital is a destination in its own right. Set between the harbor and the hills, it offers a polished mix of local favorites and designer boutiques (emphasis on designer)—Cult Gaia, Cartier, Prada, and Hermès among them—ideal for everything from vacation-ready accessories to investment-worthy jewelry.
For a break from the beach, explore St Barths’ wilder side on foot. The hike to Colombier Beach is a local favorite, delivering a secluded stretch of sand at the end of a scenic walk. For something gentler, the Gouverneur Beach trail is an easy, breezy stroll with beautiful views and minimal elevation—ideal if you want the experience without the sweat. More adventurous hikers can tackle Morne du Vitet, the island’s highest point, or the Sentier de Grand Fond, which winds along dramatic coastal cliffs and natural pools.
The St Barth’s surf scene is low-key but legit. Beaches like Toiny and Lorient are favorites for consistent waves, whether you’re standing up for the first time or fine-tuning your form. Local instructors keep things approachable, making it easy to swap a beach bed for a board—at least for the morning.
When to Visit St Barth’s
St Barths’ high season runs from late November through April, serving up sunny skies, breezy days, and picture-perfect weather—though prices do climb accordingly. The shoulder months (April–June and October–November) are a bit quieter, with fewer crowds and easier rates. Low season (June–October) is hot, rainy, and officially hurricane season—cheaper, yes, but many restaurants and shops take a break, so it’s worth bearing that in mind if you choose to visit then.