Five reasons to enjoy the Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France Palace hotel

Acquired by LVMH Hotel Management in July 2013, the former Hôtel Saint-Barth Isle de France reopened under the Cheval Blanc banner a year later. Awarded ‘Palace’ luxury hotel status in July 2016, it boasts an idyllic location and one of the best beaches anywhere in the Caribbean. Its 40 rooms, suites and villas are surrounded by tropical gardens or have breathtaking panoramic views over the Baie des Flamands.

Every part of the Palace has been redesigned, including the bedrooms, suites and villas, to give them their unique individual personality. This renaissance has been designed as a tribute to the iconic style of the property itself, which marries Caribbean charm with the laid-back style typical of the south of France. The quest for excellence that flows through the decorative style to the personalised service offered has made this one of the most sought-after destinations in the region, ever since it opened in 1991.

Flanking the pool with views of the ocean beyond, the hotel’s signature restaurant La Case de l’Isle has a huge reputation for its French cuisine interpreted with a Caribbean touch. The menu is complemented by a list of 200 carefully selected wines. Chef Yann Vinsot has headed up the fine dining team here since 2010, having learned his craft alongside great French chefs including Marc Meneau and Antoine Westermann. This ‘Palace’ also offers guests the opportunity to take lunch on the beach at the Cabane de l’Isle. In the evening, this oasis can be booked privately for a special dinner with friends or cocktails for two.

Located at the heart of the hotel, the Cheval Blanc spa is a peaceful, calm retreat where everything is designed for quietude and relaxation. It boasts four treatment rooms, a hammam, a sauna, an outdoor pavilion and a terrace. Offered here for the first time anywhere in the Caribbean, guests can enjoy Guerlain treatments specially designed for this hotel. When you feel like something more energetic, the hotel fitness centre provides a full range of facilities with the option of a personal fitness coach.

The activity leaders at this ‘Palace’ hotel are here to help families organise a diverse range of activities: from a mysterious encounter with a mermaid to an introduction to art through a painting session with a local artist, island excursions or diving and snorkelling to explore the underwater world. And, of course, children can enjoy the endless fun of the hotel pool.