Eden Rock

St. Barth's
The Carribean

The Experience

Occupying the catbird seat in one of the Caribbean’s most luxurious drawing rooms--St-Jean Bay--Eden Rock is St. Barth's oldest hotel, but also its most youthful. It’s a former mayor’s residence dating to the 1950s, which then evolved into a very casual inn and the island’s social hub. English couple David and Jane Matthews bought the quartzite promontory in 1995 and rebuilt and upgraded the entire facility, respecting original architectural lines. The result is a world-class operation primped with sumptuous whims. One drawback for some: The location stays busy from dawn to dusk. Then again, here, “busy” also describes a daily parade of young, blonde and bronzed.

The Rooms

Ranging from cozy cottages set just in from the beach to multi-room villas, there’s something for almost every taste and budget. Idiosyncratic rooms on the rock are the most popular, including two tributes to past guests: The 1,500-square-foot Howard Hughes Loft Suite sits atop the rock with views up and down the bay from three separate balconies, and the voluptuous, circular Greta Garbo Suite with the swankiest bed in the Caribbean. Others have private plunge pools, bathrooms with sunken tub, private gardens with outdoor shower, and quirky nuances abound. Debuting in January 2009 is Rockstar, a 16,000-square-foot, four-bedroom beachfront villa with an underground recording studio, screening room, private pool and Jacuzzi, dedicated butler and a bathroom tiled in pure white gold. The nightly rate in winter? Approximately $30,000

The Service

Ministrations are smoothly efficient, handled by a young, attractive staff, including a night butler. In high season the hotel runs full and reception works overtime to keep up with special requests from a demanding clientele. The concierge desk is bright, in tune with the island’s best dining venues, and adept at arranging off-site activities like fishing, scuba and sailing.

The Highlights

With its farcically curt airstrip ending in the sand, St-Jean is St. Barth's essential beach and the island’s nucleus. It’s also the favored jogging strand. The hotel has no gym or shared pool, but snorkel gear and kayaks are available. Two restaurants serve rewarding meals: the Sand Bar by day, where one may almost dine pied dans l’eau (“feet in the water”) and On the Rock at night, a terrace jutting from the outcrop that overlooks an iridescent liquid carpet. Guests tuck in to classics like sole meunière and more ambitious dishes like organic pigeon braised with quince. An art gallery and shop selling fashionable clothing round out the compact property.

 

Find Hotel Deals on Yahoo Travel»