With a harbor skyline of towering mega-yachts and airport packed with queasy holiday revelers, the winter jet set makes its winter arrival to St. Barth's by air and sea. This year they’ll find no new hotel additions but a few renovations that include starry Hotel Isle de France that was recently acquired by LVMH. Its new management has wrapped-up a complete upgrade of all guest areas with villa interiors revamped by Brit designer Bee Osborn. Further upgrades include a pop-up champagne lounge La Case de L’Isle and tented beachfront cabana available for party bookings.
New Year musings on the restaurant scene include Restaurant Le Sereno that recently recruited the owners of Bonito into the kitchen to redirect its poolside formal eatery. At Taiwana Hotel, Pa Cri has moved in from its space formerly along Salines beach for a respectable Italian eatery removed from the harbor madness. Also making waves is Ocean Club that’s transformed the former B4 Lounge into a gastro-sanctuary of French dishes and fresh seafood that’s one of our favorite additions of the season.
In terms of parties, look for Carole Gruson to open up new First Floor above her Le Yacht Club in a space formerly known as Voyaguer Lounge. A perfect pre-club boite before the dance floor debauchery below that includes Paris’s DJ Magnum spinning on on holiday weekends.
