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St. Barts, Cote d’ Azur Caribbean-style
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A view from a villa at Hotel Carl Gustaf overlooking the harbor of Gustavia St. Barts.
Nestled away in the northeastern corner of the Caribbean Sea, 4400 miles from Paris, and a mere 15 miles southeast of St. Maarten is the island of St. Barts. Discovered by Columbus in 1493, and named for his brother Bartolomeo, the island was first settled by French colonist in 1648.
Today, the French savoir-faire is still prevalent throughout this relatively small eight square mile island nation. With roughly 7,000 year round residents the island is magically transformed during the months of December and January, when every hotel is fully occupied.
During this peak tourist season, it is not uncommon to run into one or more of some of the world’s most famous celebrities. David Letterman and Harrison Ford have both bought property here. Jimmy Buffet has spent so much time at Le Select; a hillside yachtsman’s bars in Gustavia, that some travelers time their stays here in hopes of seeing him perform.
Other celebrities that have graced this chic isle are said to be Sharon Stone, Claudia Schiffer, Brad Pitt, John Grisham, Buzz Aldren, Cindy Crawford, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones, Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Hurley, Maria Carey, Beyonce & Jay-Z etc. etc. Notes from Billy Joel and others grace the registers of posh hotels such as Carl Gustaf (see photo in slide show).
Of course, one need not be a Rothschild, or a relative to the Rockefeller’s to visit this sophisticated retreat. Plus, the island’s greatest attraction (even for the Celebes.) are its beaches. Totaling fourteen, they come in a choice of size, textures, even colors, and are the true stars for visitors to find and experience. Most are protected either by their geography or by a fringing reef; all, by law, are public and free.
Nearly limitless possibilities present themselves when it comes to water sports along the most popular beaches in St. Barts. Fishing, diving, windsurfing, and ocean kayaking among other aquatic endeavors are easily arranged. Some of these protected bays such as Saint-Jean and Grand Cul-de-Sac offer optimum conditions for adventuresome travelers.
A legitimate bonus for visiting a French Caribbean destination has always been the culinary delicacies available on island. Here, the premier restaurant, bar and “most amazing view,” goes to Hotel Carl Gustaf. Even visitors on cruise ships should not pass up the opportunity to visit this elegant hotel-bar-restaurant, perched precariously on the hillside overlooking Gustavia and it’s picturesque harbor.
Historically, Gustavia served as a free port under Swedish rule during the 18th & 19th Centuries. Pirates and warring naval factions would bring their captured booty to this protected harbor for trade and to resupply their ships. Today, this same protected harbor is a mecca for yachts traveling across the waters of the Cote d’ Azur.
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