Monocle 25/25 St Barths Caribbean
Transcription
Monocle 25/25 St Barths Caribbean
Monocle 25/25 St Barths Caribbean Between Christmas and New Year, the tiny French island of St Barths hosts a phalanx of movie stars, models, and music moguls who enjoy a fast-paced social whirl set between fabulous yachts and windswept villas.Things slow down the rest of the year when the island revels in both the relaxed charm of the Caribbean and the sophistication of France, with miles of unspoiled beaches, clear azure waters, and breathtaking views. Essentials 01 02 03 04 05 Getting there – don’t even think about taking the ferry from St Martin. Take the puddle jumpers: WinAir and the St Barth Commuter. St Barths is polyglot, with French as the official language, but English is widely spoken. The local currency is the euro but dollars are accepted everywhere. Modern Mini Coopers and and classic Mini Mokes are popular and better for the narrow roads. Take a walking tour of Gustavia (named after King Gustav III of Sweden). For more Monocle travel guides visit monocle.com/25-25 Guide/Info Hotels Independent and easy La Banane Baie de Lorient +590 590 520 300 labanane.com Dependable chain Hotel Guanahani & Spa Grand Cul de Sac +590 590 529 000 leguanahani.com Premium Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France Baie des Flamands +590 590 276 181 isle-de-france.com Dining Fast breakfast Maya’s To Go Les Galeries du Commerce, St Jean +590 590 298 370 mayastogo.com Leisurely breakfast La Plage Tom Beach Hotel, St Jean +590 590 528 133 tombeach.com Mid-morning coffee Bar de l’Oublie Rue du Roi Oscar II, Gustavia +590 590 277 006 Beachfront lunch with friends O’Corail Grand Cul de Sac +590 590 293 327 st-barths.com/ocorail Authentic Creole lunch Au Regal Sports bar with real Creole food, Corossol +590 590 278 526 Dinner on your own La Saintoise Classic pizza spot offering delivery across the island Corossol +590 590 276 870 Sunset cocktail Head to the beach in Corossol with a cold bottle of bubbly from La Cave du Port Franc in Public. Dinner with friends Victoria’s at Carl Gustaf Hotel Rue des Normands, Gustavia +590 590 297 900 hotelcarlgustaf.com Dinner for two Black Ginger Rue Samuel Fahlberg, Gustavia +590 590 292 103 Big dinner with friends Bonito Rue Lubin Brin, Gustavia +590 590 279 696 ilovebonito.com Drink after dinner Dõ Brazil Shell Beach, Gustavia +590 590 290 666 dobrazil.com Late drinks Yacht Club 6 Rue Jeanne d'Arc, Gustavia +590 590 511 580 caroleplaces.com Reading Newsstand Oasis International newspapers, books and stationery. Lorient +590 590 297 246 Basics Pharmacie de la Savane St Jean (across from the airport) +590 590 276 661 Shopping Something you can’t get anywhere else Check out the straw hats and baskets made from palm fronds and sold in the fishing village of Corossol. Lost luggage – where to buy shirts, socks and underwear The Pelican Shops Boutiques near the beach, St Jean Something for the kids Beach toys from Dimanche à la Mer Vaval Shopping Centre, St Jean +590 590 275 613 Something for someone you love Beautiful contemporary photography from Clic Gallery Rue de la République, Gustavia +590 590 297 017 clicgallery.com Something for yourself Relaxing massage or facial at The Spa at the Guanahani hotel Grand Cul de Sac +590 590 297 017 Two-hour tour Classic wooden sailboat to charter for sunset cruises Lone Fox Owner/skipper Ira Epstein +590 690 332 685 lonefoxcharters.com Limousine/car Premium IV concierge service +590 590 290 007 premiumiv.com Transport Minivans Grab one at the port in Gustavia for around-theisland tours in an air-conditioned minivan. +590 590 277 059 Fitness Hiking +590 690 634 609 stbartheasytime.com Gym Form Fitness Everything from workout machines and pilates to yoga and salsa classes. +590 590 275 123 formfitness-stbarth.com