Carl Gustaf
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The best view on the island
Saint Barth is a little postage stamp island completely cut off from a corner of Paradise. Dry with no farmland, it’s a miracle it’s become a good-life haven; no objections and everybody’s happy with that. You reach it in a tiny plane or by boat, and huge sailing boats and superb yachts are moored all along the quayside. Up on the hill overlooking the natural port of Gustavia, this Boutique Hotel is a pure delight. Flanking the hillside, there are twelve suites for 2 or 4 people, in pastel or bright colours with the furniture a mix of Antilles and Louisiana style, each one with its own pool and veranda. Plus one suite adjoining the Carita Spa, the only one in the Caribbean; ideal for making the most of your stay and being pampered. And last but not least, one supersize suite with four bedrooms above reception. The living room is enormous, as is the terrace with its legendary sunsets, and the jacuzzi and overflowing pool have a view straight down onto Shell Beach, a little bay perfect for a swim only five minutes walk from the hotel. The finishing touch to this complex, a villa sleeping thirteen is opposite on the other side of the road, with full hotel service, pool and 3 jacuzzis; and that breathtaking view too. The lounge area next to the bar and gastronomic restaurant also has a panorama of the port and neighbouring islands. You can settle in here and slowly sip one of Jacky the barman’s famous cocktails, with such a following that people come from all over the island. The restaurant isn’t slacking either and chef Emmanuel Motte does two menus. Lunchtime and evenings, the lounge menu has a very modern fixed-price menu where everything comes in threes in small themed portions: refreshing & light, chilled and salads; the classics and fancy produce; the World, Asia and Antilles; the sea; the earth and desserts. You pick at them, share and, depending on your appetite, order one, two, three trios or more even. In the evening, Victoria's Restaurant is one of the Caribbean’s finest and does classic dishes well done and local produce not overcooked. Their cellar is also well stocked with 300 wines listed and not just top Bordeaux. The hotel’s boat will take you diving out to sea or just for a spin, and the chef and his team will prepare a picnic basket if you want to spend the day on the beach. The bah-humbuggers will complain there’s nothing to do on this island. Of course not, that’s the whole point of it; you just have to admire how beautiful it is everywhere and relax, enjoy the luxury without pretensions and fussy attention from the bilingual staff. Deciding on being pampered really is a good idea, and the Carl Gustaf is the perfect hotel for this. Actually, if you go away at the drop of a hat with no luggage; don’t panic, all the top-notch designer stores have set up shop on Gustavia’s main street.
Agnès Lascève
Carl Gustaf
Rue des Normands BP 700 Gustavia
97099 Saint-Barthélemy F.W.I.
Tel. +33 (0)590 29 79 00.
Suite for 2 from €600 in summer and €990 in winter, plus various set-price deals.
Fly direct with Caribbean Air from Paris-Orly from €429. Change aircraft at Pointe-à-Pitre.
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