If you haven’t entered any dates, the rate shown is provided directly by the hotel and represents the cheapest double room (including tax) available in the next 60 days.
Prices have been converted from the hotel’s local currency (EUR1,200.00), via openexchangerates.org, using today’s exchange rate.
Space is hard to come by in glitzy St Barths, but Rosewood Le Guanahani has it in acres – 18 of them to be precise, spread across a secluded private peninsula on the island’s north east tip. French finesse meets care-free Caribbean spirit at this blissed-out retreat, entirely unencumbered by the stresses of daily life; guests are invited to push the proverbial reset button at Rosewood Senses Spa, take a dip with the darling dole of resident turtles, or prop-up poolside with a special something from Bar Mélangé’s team of expert mixologists as the infinity edge melds with the glistening ocean beyond.
3pm, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 12pm.
Prices
Double rooms from £1078.61 (€1,260), including tax at 5 per cent.
More details
Rates include breakfast, water sport activities and roundtrip airport transfers.
Also
Keep an eye out for the painted ceramic signage throughout the resort; they’re the handy-work of local artist Veronique Vandernoot.
Hotel closed
The hotel closes annually from the end of August until the end of October.
At the hotel
Free roundtrip transfers, two pools, spa, fitness centre, two private beaches, tennis court, boutique, kids club, non-motorised water sport activities (kayak, paddle-boarding, snorkelling), free WiFi throughout. In rooms: private terrace, personal bar, 49-inch TV, Nespresso Machine, bathrobes and flip-flops.
Our favourite rooms
Thanks to the keen eye of Luis Pons Design Lab, all rooms and suites radiate a residential beach house feel with soft, earthy tones punctuated by bright pops of colour. For Brits who can’t say no to a bath, the Ocean Cove Junior Suite is just a two-minute walk from the beach and is one of the few residences with a tub, though the Garden Pool Suite does one better with its own private pool secluded by tropical gardens. The two- and three-bedroom Signature Suites are best for larger families and groups; individually designed, each offers a unique perspective of the Island – we’re especially fond of the loft-style Wellness Suite, the only upper-floor residence in the resort, with a curved private terrace overlooking Turtle Island and direct access to the spa.
Poolside
Poolside pampering is serious business at Rosewood Le Guanahani, with a choice of two, equally gorgeous dipping spots to choose from. The infinity edge of the family-friendly Beach House Pool blends seamlessly into the turquoise expanse of the lagoon, with an indulgent drinks and snack menu to accompany your splash. Elsewhere, the Senses spa pool is an adults-only affair where the swaying of palms, trickling pond, secluded shaded spots and a selection of good-for-you pick-me-ups make for seriously serene afternoons.
Spa
Align your chakras at Rosewood Senses Spa, the hotel’s ocean-gazing wellness centre where terracotta tones, natural wooden finishes and traditional Caribbean touches warrant just as much oohing and ahhing as the signature full-body massage. Choose from bespoke facials and body wraps to rediscovered ancestral rituals, all undertaken with biotech EviDenS de Beautè and sustainable Haeckels products as well as varieties of local fauna and carefully cultivated sea ingredients. In the fitness centre, you’ll find state-of-the-art fitness equipment, personal training options and a daily rotation of wellness classes from yoga and pilates to guided meditation. There’s an adults-only spa pool, detoxifying hammam, and a beauty salon, too.
Packing tips
Save some space in your suitcase for prime Prada pickings without the price tag – this spend-happy island has no sales tax. A trusty pair of walking shoes will also come in handy for the bespoke hiking tours on offer.
Also
For guests with accessibility needs, there is one Beach room and one Ocean View Pool Suite which are ADA compliant. Please inquire about availability ahead of booking.
Pet‐friendly
Four-legged companions under 7kg are welcome at an additional €35 per night so long as they’re kept out of the pool, spa and beach areas. See more pet-friendly hotels in St Barths.
Children
Children of all ages are welcome. Baby cots are available upon request and the Rosewood Explorers programme will keep little Smiths aged 4-11 entertained throughout the day. Babysitting can be arranged with 24-hours notice starting from €40 per hour.
Best for
Children aged four to 11.
Recommended rooms
The Ocean View Suite, Ocean View Pool Suite, Garden Pool Suite and Beach Pool Suite each contain a sofa bed making them ideal for families with little ones. For older kids, the two- and three-bedroom Signature Suites offer parents a little extra privacy.
Activities
Parents rejoice: the free Rosewood Explorers club has plenty to keep little Smiths aged four to 11 busy. With a treasure island concept, the hotels kid’s programme has a focus on sustainability, incorporating a range of indoor and outdoor activities that encourage children’s appreciation of diverse cultures and the natural world. From 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm each day, explorers can take part in plant and wildlife discovery, gardening activities, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and cooking lessons. It’s first come, first serve, so be sure to get there early.
Swimming pool
Kids are welcome at the main Beach House Pool, always, of course, under the supervision of a grown-up.
Meals
Little ones get their own menu at the Beach House restaurant. Fret not if you’re fledgling is on the finicky side; dishes are unfussy but well-balanced. Choose from the likes of penne with Bolognese or pomodoro sauce, grilled chicken with sweet potato fries or a classic toasted sandwich with ham and gruyere cheese.
Babysitting
Babysitting can be arranged with 24-hours notice starting from €40 per hour.
Sustainability efforts
Located within the nature reserve of Grand Cul-de-Sac, Rosewood Le Guanahani is perfectly placed for sustainable living, surrounded by seagrass that offsets a jaw-dropping 60,812 tons of carbon a year. To ensure the continued wellbeing of the landscape, the hotel drives a number of local initiatives each year, supporting both guests and the local community in their shared environmental responsibility. All water is recycled, all vehicles electric and even uttering the phrase ‘single-use plastic’ will undoubtedly earn you a slap on the wrist.
By day, pinch a pew on the beach for an ocean-breeze feast. Come evening, book a table near the open doors of the Beach House to ogle the sun as it scatters into the night.
Dress Code
Effortless elegance with a Caribbean pop of colour; sarong numbers suffice for breakfast, but come dinner, pair cool-as-you-like cocktail dresses with a fresh face and statement rouge à lèvres.
Hotel restaurant
You’ll never get bored at Le Guanahani’s Beach House, a restaurant where ambience and offerings are renewed throughout the day. Start indoors with the American-style buffet breakfast or opt for avocado toast or oeufs cocotte à la carte; move to the beach for a toe-in-sand lunch of elevated poke bowls and sharing plates of hummus, babaganoush, panisse, ceviche and stracciatella, then onto the living room for dinner where teal blue accents mirror the star-studded skies outside. The Mediterranean-inspired menu touts dishes like truffle and pan-fried foie gras poêlé risotto, aubergine parmigiana and roasted lamb racks with provençal tian and garlic lamb jus, and for seafood aficionados, there’s also a grill restaurant open five nights a week.
Hotel bar
There are two. During the daytime, the beach bar is the place to be, an easy-going tropical pop-up slinging ice cold beers and coconut concoctions to enjoy as the ocean laps at your feet. The second, more formal Bar Melange is elegantly epicurean, where bon viveurs can sip barrel-aged cocktails and antique spirits from the salmon-pink bar stools or cluster of tables set out on the deck. Got something special in mind? Tell the bartender what your taste buds are craving and let them work their magic.
Last orders
Breakfast runs from 7.30am to 10.30am; lunch from noon to 3pm and dinner from 6.30 to 10.30pm, while Bar Mélangé gets mixing from 6pm till 11pm.
Room service
Set the table – round-the-clock room service has everything you need for private, al-fresco dining on the terrace.
Tucked away on the north-eastern curve of the island, the hotel occupies a rich sprawl of natural beauty, surrounded by the shores of Grand Cul-de-Sac and the lush hillsides of Marigot Bay.
Planes
Flights from the USA and Europe arrive at St Maarten Juliana airport. From here, the hotel can arrange free seaplane transfers to the island’s Remy de Haenen, a 15-minute drive from the hotel.
Automobiles
The hotel has an on-site car rental desk should you wish to venture around the island at your own pace. Park up at the free resort car park, where a valet service can be arranged upon request.
Other
Take the boat to Gustavia Marina, from St Maarten the journey takes around one hour and 45 minutes, though be warned, the sea can be choppy.
Worth getting out of bed for
Whether it’s solitude or snorkelling you’re after, St Barths has a beach for every occasion, and two of them – coincidentally – are right on your doorstep. The powder white shores of Grand Cul-de-Sac are ideal for sun dozing, while the lagoon’s calm waters make it a prime location for kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkelling, all of which are included in the rate. Marechal Beach is similarly tranquil, with sea turtles swimming lazily along. When you’ve grown tired of lounging, the hotel can organise hikes in the verdant hills of Marigot Bay and there’s a championship-size tennis court to get in a serve or two in between Margaritas. Save your hard-earned pennies at the duty-free designer boutiques of Gustavia, where the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton and Hermes peddle their glitzy garms at a 20 per cent discount. And, depending on the season, there’s a rotating cast of festivals to attend, too. Come Christmas, the island’s busiest season, keep an eye out for Mr and Mrs Carter pulling in at the harbour; stay till January and you’ll catch the island’s annual St Barth’s Music Festivalwhere opera singers, jazz musicians and ballet dancers do their thing. Though the headline has to be the eight-day sailing race Les Voiles de St Barth where no less than 80 boats skate across the waters like seabound supermodels.
Local restaurants
Expect lily ponds, back-lit palms, banana trees and oh-so-adorable baby turtles at Tamarin, an exotic garden where chef Jérôme Lebeau brings French savoir faire to global dishes inspired by his travels from the Arctic to the Amazon. Start with the smoked burrata with parmesan crumble, tomatoes and arugula coulis, lead with the roasted scallops and finish with a citrus pavlova made from Swiss meringue, zest and vanilla cream, Timur pepper and mandarin sorbet. For a taste of Latin America, head to Bonito, a chic hillside restaurant overlooking the harbour of Gustavia. Opt for the ceviche, tiraditos or Anticuchos prepared the Pervuvian way.
Local cafés
There’s no pretence at Le Select, a loved-by-locals joint which describes itself as a ‘snack bar, not much else’. The oldest bar on the island, Le Select has been rolling out Ti punch since 1949, and is rumoured to have inspired Jimmy Buffett’s ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’.
Local bars
If it’s good enough for Di Caprio, it’s good enough for us; the world-renowned Nikki Beach club makes for all-day fizz-fuelled hedonism in the heart of St Jean. More mellow vibes can be found at Quarter Kitchen & Cocktail Lab where creative concoctions are served alongside Japanese bites. Make sure to try the Zarparan, a tropical take on the Negroni enhanced with saffron and green cardamom. While you’re there, pop into their Rhum Room, a speakeasy-style spot home to the largest Agricole Vieux collection in the world.
Every hotel featured is visited personally by members of our team, given the Smith seal of approval, and then anonymously reviewed. As soon as our reviewers have returned from this Blissed-out beachside hotel in Barth’s Grand Cul-de-Sac and unpacked their tax-free designer dresses and boutique cosmetics, a full account of their toe-in-sand wellness break will be with you. In the meantime, to whet your wanderlust, here's a quick peek inside Rosewood Le Guanahani in St. Barths…
With more French influence than Creole, St Barths is somewhat of an outlier among the Caribbean islands. Rather, it feels like the tropical sister of Provence, the Caribbean Côte d’Azur. And while the island has a reputation for frills and frippery – a place of glitzy beach clubs and year-round pleasure-seeking – Rosewood Le Guanahani understands this to be merely a distraction; the real allure of this bountiful island is precisely the island herself. Set across 18 acres of lush, tropical greenery, the hotel celebrates nature and encourages barefoot living at every turn – a fairly easy task, considering the two private beaches on site. Accommodation takes the form of yellow, turquoise and lavender clapboard cottages, each with an indoor-outdoor beach-hut feel, elegant interiors and a private terrace overlooking either the lagoon, ocean, or lush gardens. Poolside, drinks are served from Bar Melange’s extensive cocktail menu, while the infinity edge with never-ending ocean views makes for oh-so-romantic afternoons. And listen up, parents, you won’t be left out; while the kids make mosaics at the Rosewood Explorers kids’ club, busy mums and dads can take a whirl round the Senses Spa, where a hammam, adults-only pool, beauty salon and fitness centre are accompanied by a relaxing roster of treatments.
