Luxury holidays in St Barths
It’s not just about ladies who lunch on flip-flop leave from their Louboutins; this safe, friendly island has plenty of appeal for the athletic beach bunny and the foodie, as well as party people and celeb-watchers. The French influence makes it a unique Caribbean experience, with brasseries instead of beach shacks, and chanson crooners more popular than soca singers on the radio; the locals are mainly of European descent. It’s OK, though – there’s that gorgeous turquoise ocean and uncrowded beaches to remind you where you are.
When to go
Try visiting at the tail end of high season (December–April), when room rates drop and the beaches really empty out.