Hurricane? What hurricane? St. Barth’s resilience was so great after the passage of Irma, Category 5, in September 2017, that the island is already with open arms, ready to welcome its fans to the most fashionable and cool summer of the Caribbean.
The damage was great, that is true. I have heard astonishing accounts of the people who have lived the uncontrolled nature of Mother Nature. However, Saint Barthelemy did not let itself down. It shook off the dust and turned it over. It’s brand-new, all redone. More beautiful than before and still smelling of fresh paint.
Down the narrow hillsides, the movement of cars and wasps don’t stop for a single minute. The come and go is fun. Saint Jean remains the premier beachfront spot, even if the trendy Eden Rock has been devastated by the fury of the wind. Everyone gets together at Pearl Beach and Nikki Beach to enjoy the sun and have a drink. Sometimes theres a plane that lands on the small beachfront lane and leaves everyone shivering with their precise maneuvers. My favorite beach is the hidden Colombier. To get there, you have to make a beautiful 30-minute hike. The beach has no structure at all and that’s exactly what guarantees its charm. Another nice beach is Shell Beach. Interesting that it practically has no sand, just shells. The Shellona restaurant is a good spot for lunch and to watch the sunset.
Since we are talking about restaurants, here are my favorites of St. Barth: the wonderful Italian L’Isola for dinner, the delicious French Corner for lunch, L’Isolettta for a good pizza, the Tamarin (in Salina), Bonito, Orega and Ociela.
To stay on the island, there is nothing more charming than the Villa Marie, in the neighborhood of Colombier, the French group Sibuet. The hotel is at the top of the hill, in the most beautiful part of the city, it has a beautiful view and is beyond perfect in every detail. Each of its 21 white bungalows are decorated differently, blending Caribbean color with colonial elegance. The objects of decoration mined by Jocelyne Sibuet, are the highlight. The spa is also worth a visit. It uses products specially created by Jocelyne in Megève, in the Alps. Another highlight goes to the François Plantation restaurant. AMAZING!!!
To get to St. Barth there is a ferry from St. Martin (neighboring island) at various times a day or small airplanes coming from other islands in the region such as Anguilla.
St. Barth is a little piece of France in the Caribbean. How can you not love it?
XoXo and see you all next Tuesday!
