Aside from the refined haute fashion shops of Gustavia, the windsurfing waves of Grand Cul-de-Sac, and the enticing fine-dining degustation of the island’s Francophone bistros, there’s a whole other reason why so many people love the sparkling Caribbean retreat of St Barts: Romance.
Yep, from the sunsets glowing pinkish-red over the cerulean waves of Shell Beach and the bobbing yachts of Gustavia harbor, to the secluded sands of Gouverneur and dune-backed Flamands, this West Indian jewel oozes romance and passion from each of its tropical pores.
But where are the best places to stay for honeymooners? Which hotels can pull the heart strings and fuel the fondness? Well, this list of Booking.com’s top St Barts hotels as reviewed by traveling couples is sure to hold some answers. It’s got opulent clifftop resorts with timber villas and infinity pools overlooking the sea; it’s got cozy suites with plush king-sized beds; it’s got secluded beach hotels with panoramic decks and frangipani-scented gardens. Enjoy…
Hotel Les Ondines Sur La Plage (overall Booking.com rating: Exceptional 9.8)
Intimate and remote and boasting just six suites that spill directly out onto the sun-kissed sands of handsome Grand Cul-de-Sac, it’s easy to see how the Hotel Les Ondines Sur La Plage comes up trumps as the single hottest pick for traveling couples in St Barts. Shrouded by a grove of bulbous queen palms and flowering tropical shrubs, the whitewashed building melds elegantly with its seaside surroundings.
The best suites open directly to the lapping ocean, enjoying their own shaded terrace where bubbling hot tubs give way to relaxing sitting spots. Meanwhile, the internal rooms have Romeo-and-Juliet balconies that overlook the teardrop pool in the central courtyard. You can opt to kick-back and enjoy gourmet dishes from breakfast to dinner, all cooked up by the on-site chef; hit the waters of turquoise-blue Grand Cul-de-Sac on a paddleboard, or sip meticulously-mixed Caribes and Mojitos at the bar.
Reviews from couples consistently champion the service of the front-of-house team at Les Ondines. Manager Raphael is the star, dedicated to soothing out any bumps in travel itineraries and going out of his way to meet guests at the ferry terminals or airport. The result is a service that perfectly balances those unforgettable personal touches with the importance of privacy on a romantic holiday.
Tom Beach Hotel (overall Booking.com rating: Superb 9.2)
Whether you opt for one of the opulent superior rooms, with their Balinese-style private decking areas, black marble-clad bathrooms and sprawling four-poster beds, or the 40-square-meters of plush luxury that is the honeymoon suite, its French doors opening wide to let in the salty scents of the Caribbean Sea, you can rest assured that Toms Beach Hotel will impress.
A neat pool sparkles in the garden, open-top two-seaters can be rented from the front desk, and champagne bubbles in wine coolers atop your private couples’ lounger. And it’s not just about what’s inside either, because the location is perfect. Just a short walk past the coconut palms to the sands of iconic St. Jean Beach, it’s within striking distance to exquisite Creole seafood restaurants like La Plage and the lively cocktail shacks of Nikki Beach – just in case you fancied sharing Caipirinhas and fruity cocktails well past sunset!
Reviewers love the in-house car rental options, and the staff’s dedication to revealing the best romantic spots on the island to explore once you’ve got your wheels. The location just meters from one of St Bart’s most idyllic bays is also mentioned, allowing late-night antics in the beach bars and candlelit dinners of haute French cuisine, all set to the sound of the lapping Caribbean Sea.
Eden Rock (overall Booking.com rating: Superb 9.4)
Ah, the Eden Rock: a hotel that perhaps needs no introduction. Luxury travel awards and accolades have been drifting into this one’s private jetties and washing up between its collections of sun-kissed loungers on Baie de St. Jean for years. And with good reason too!
Just check out that variety of suites; ranging from the beach shack-styled De Haenen, charmingly decorated like a North Sea cabana with exposed stone walls and panoramic views over the aquamarine bay, or the opulent Howard Hughes Loft – a medley of sculpted timber walls and copper-clad bathrooms. And that’s not even mentioning the “ultraluxe” villas, topped by the all-new Rockstar option – think private recording studios, sprawling gardens, your very own dedicated housekeeping and more. Add on the acclaimed fine-dining legend that is the On the Rocks restaurant (headed by none other than Jean-Georges Vongerichten), and it’s easy to see how Eden Rock makes for a honeymoon to remember!
Booking.com couples who’ve been here talk about the perfect service offered by the staff at Eden Rock. Recurring adjectives are ‘paradise’ and ‘exceptional’, while that breathtaking location atop a quartzite headland is capable of creating the most romantic sunset-viewing memories, it seems.
Le Guanahani (overall Booking.com rating: Superb 9.2)
Taking the very meaning of ‘luxury’ to whole new and dizzying heights, the Le Guanahani of Grand Cul-de-Sac really is a hotel like no other. Its thatched umbrellas can be seen peppering a soft sandbank between the island and uber-secluded Anse Marechal, occupying a narrow headland all of their own (shared only with sea turtles that nest in the long sea grasses on the shore).
Meanwhile, the gardens behind are a verdant forest of palm trees, hiding a large pool and whitewashed beach bar. And then there are the suites, which are primed for those in search of romance. Take the ocean view options, whose decks and French doors offer sweeping panoramas of the Caribbean Sea from the comfort of the King-sized beds inside. And then there are the ocean cove rooms, which have private viewing platforms and hidden terraces in their own little crevice of the northern St Bart’s coast. There’s plenty to keep the honeymoon ticking over here too, from romantic breakfasts on the beach to fine-dining in the acclaimed Indigo restaurant. Or, you could unwind with a couples’ package in the Clarins spa, a spot of yoga together, or Ayurvedic treatments from the clinic.
The attentive staff at Le Guanahani proves a regular highlight with couples who’ve enjoyed this luxurious hotel, while others love the medley of mouthwatering burrata, organic salmon and Mediterranean mezze that’s on offer at Indigo – you’ll also be able to get some tasty sharing platters for that romantic evening dining next to the pool and the bay.
Hotel Taiwana (overall Booking.com rating: Superb 9.1)
The remote and uber-romantic arc of shimmering golden sand that is Plage des Flamands is the picture-perfect setting for the acclaimed Taiwana, meaning the suites and rooms at this 5-star hotel enjoy easy access to one of St Bart’s most laid-back and secluded seaside spots.
Just imagine hitting your private deck, set just above the swaying tops of the coconut trees on the dunes, to watch as the Caribbean glows green and blue in the sunset. Think about a spot of paddle boarding with your partner, before a long lunch of salty Creole langoustes or perfectly-made seafood tapa in the nearby bistros. Look forward to breakfasting in your plush private lounge area before sprawling out on a bouncy king-sized bed with the sounds of the waves in the background. Or, hit the walking routes and get lost together amidst the grassy hills that rise to the sides of the beach, weaving all the way to the top of impossibly-gorgeous and romantic Anse Colombier – the home of the famed green flash evening sun.
Guest reviews from couples on Booking.com talk about the pristine nature of the interior décor, the modern amenities and the personal yet hands-off professionalism of the staff here. Other reviews are odes to the beautiful appearance of the rugged Ile Chevreau, which soars from the Caribbean Sea opposite Flamands Beach in a glorious display of rugged cliffs and reef-ringed bays.
Have you had your very own romantic sojourn between the shimmering golden beaches and the soaring volcanic mounts of St Barts? Have you discovered a real couples’ gem of a hotel between the well-to-do streets of Gustavia and the cotton-white and sky-blue bays of Anse Cul-de-Sac? If so, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
