Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf’s Exquisite sunsets, a gentle ocean breeze, enticing cuisine and tropical gardens are just a few of the countless experiences you will encounter when you explore the hidden gems of the Caribbean at Hôtel BarrièreLe Carl Gustaf St Barth. Located Southeast of Anguilla, St Barth not only offers a unique location but also an opportunity to reconnect with nature and disconnect from the distractions of daily life.
A unique historic address nestled on a hillside overlooking the island, between Caribbean land and sea, this getaway offers the story of a vibrant and iconic 80s hotel that is reinventing itself and writing a new page in its legendary history, enhanced by the prestigious interior design firm Gilles & Boissier. The intimate Le Carl Gustaf offers 21 keys to its guests. Bungalows, suites, loft, and villa. On a gentle bluff that gives it the look of an anchored yacht’s prow and bridge, the Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf’s rooms, suites, and bungalows spread across a colonial-chic property overlooking the buzzing city. An elegant colonial house where you’re doing more than just visiting, you’re taking endless pleasure in making yourself at home. Whether you’d like a sea view, a quiet terrace, or both, you will not be disappointed upon arrival at the luxurious suites and villas.
What better way to enjoy a vacation than partaking in fine cuisine and smooth wine? At Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf, guests are offered two unique dining options as well as a separate bar. At the Le Fouquet’s Brasserie, Chef Pierre Gagnaire has three Michelin stars with his only Parisian restaurant on Balzac Street. He was elected Best Chef of the World by his starred peers. The menu has a wide variety of options including starters such as Duck Foie Gras Terrine, Grilled Octopus in Sauce Chien, and vegetables with spring flowers and shoots accompanied by sweet wine jelly.
Main dishes include pasta options, seafood, Prime Beef Filet, Grilled Lamb, and even a Cheeseburger. Finish off your meal with a selection of homemade sorbets and ice creams, a chocolate tart or if you would like to be adventurous, perhaps the Pineapple Carpaccio with basil, champagne, and Vodka granita. Whatever your pallet, Le Fouquet’s is sure to satisfy. Just across the sandy pathway, Greek head chef Yiannis Kioroglou offers a whole range of tasty dishes that will give you a glimpse of a new culinary culture; simple, light, and generous recipes at Shellona. Dishes with attractive colors and flavors, ballets of cold and warm mezzes served on big turquoise-blue plates, all while enjoying the discreet refinement of a table in the shade. From the sweetness of Amalfi’s lemon trees to the rich flavors of the Cyclades and the iconic grills and marinades, the thoughtful cuisine is delicious, healthy, and flavourful.
The Bar is no ordinary place to be, offering exclusive Signature Cocktails. A saffron Caipiroska, a sage Margarita, a chamomile Negroni, a Bloody Majestic. With a unique view of the serene lights of Gustavia’s little port, Fouquet’s Bar and its Signature Cocktails by Emanuele Balestra set the scene for the night, facing the Caribbean Sea where the jet-set sail their yachts. No need to fret, if cocktails are not your fancy, Caipiroska also offers delicious tapas. Caipiroska offers an intimate setting accompanied by the gentle ocean breeze and the sound of palm trees fluttering in the quiet evening. Named in honor of the woman who embodied French beauty: lovely, elegant, refined, at the Spa Diane Barrière the stage is set. You’ll enjoy a haven of refined wellness for a new experience of natural, pure and innovative treatments. Multi-sensory stimulation, personalized holistic care, or custom sculpting massage: take advantage of excellent care to soothe body and mind. Enjoy the benefits of products from the cosmetics brand Biologique Recherche. These pure, raw products are unlike those used in traditional cosmetology, featuring high concentrations of active ingredients obtained through high-quality extraction. After a visit to this charming spa, one is sure to leave feeling renewed and refreshed.
Many vacation with a deep desire to see the world with fresh eyes, discover the untouched beauty and nature our world beholds, and at Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf, there are plentiful options for the adventurous and docile. Peddle to wild beaches or the iconic cobbled streets of Gustavia. Discover the island just the way you like while staying close to nature. The hotel offers guests free electric bikes to explore the island with ease. Perhaps planning a romantic day date is not your forte. Golden Key Head Concierge is available to organize your perfect day, picnic baskets are arranged so that you can enjoy a beautiful day on one of the many heavenly beaches dotted along the island’s coast, under the exclusive guidance of our Golden Key Head Concierge. Our Chef will be on hand to help you design your menu, based on your tastes and the season’s finest products. Saline, Gouverneur and Colombier beaches can also be discovered from the sea with the rental of a sailboat, catamaran, or motorboat.
Guests are welcome to explore more of the island outside of the hotel grounds, as the island of St. Barths is a haven for some spectacular marine fauna, such as the turtles that can be seen in Colombier Cove. Stunning plants blossom there too, as seen in Carl Gustaf’s gorgeous garden, and the brilliant flowers and verdant palm trees that line the island’s roads. The deceptively chaotic-seeming architecture in Gustavia’s streets is just as beautiful to behold, as are the strong yet simultaneously delicate lines of the Carl Gustaf’s façade (now over a hundred years old, and a survivor of the 2017 hurricane and many more before it). A colonial aesthetic seems to have seeped into the stone itself here, a sense of ancestral tradition spectacularly preserved. No guide is needed to enjoy these lovely sights, so be sure to bring a camera to capture a glimpse of it to take home.
Natural pools are within reach on the island as well. Go hiking to discover more, explore the wild paths, and admire the natural rocks. Hidden from the tourist routes, they are well-preserved gems. Accompanied by a guide, you will go for a bucolic walk along the wild coast, exploring its beaches and coves before climbing to reach the ideal spot with the perfect view. A few meters below you’ll see fifty shades of blue, where you can enjoy a swim in the welcoming, translucent waters. It is a breathtaking spot surrounded by rocky walls and gentle waves.
Often it is uncomplicated to book a vacation to your favorite spot or arrange travel plans for a quick weekend getaway, but this year, dare to explore the Caribbean in a whole new way. Indulge in the finer things at Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf where relaxation, adventure, and new experiences await.
By Leslie Stevenson