HOTEL INSIDER: A Stay at Villa Marie St. Barths
Set on the hilltop of Colombier, Hotel Villa Marie brings a warm West Indian vibe to a luxe hotel setting. With lush tropical flair and vibrant yellow pops, you’re immediately welcomed with an islandy sense of place. I chatted with a frequent visitor to St. Barths who described Villa Marie this way: ‘it’s the way St. Barths used to be’, bringing refined touches to a beachy escape. And the views? They don’t hurt.
DESTINATION: ST. BARTHS ??
I used to describe St. Barths as glitzy, but lovers of the island who’ve frequented it for years will tell you it slants more towards glam than glitz and that it delivers on its own brand of chic. There’s no doubt, you’ll feel more like you’re in Europe than in the Caribbean. In St. Barths you’ll be spoiled with sun, sand, sea, and shopping in equal measure with a hearty dose of fabulous dining. Be prepared to splurge a bit – you’re paying for exclusivity in an upmarket destination.
Villa Marie St. Barths, once François Plantation, has kept the beautiful dark wood and lush landscape that delivers on the West Indian vibe. It’s secluded, tucked up onto the hill in Colombier which means guests are spoiled with the luxury of elevation as far as views go. There are a range of rooms and suites to cater to a variety of budgets. We stayed in the Prestige Caribbean Bungalow, a suite with a sitting space, stunning view and equally wow-worthy bathroom. The touches set it apart, with carefully curated sea-inspired pieces that tie the hotel and rooms together. The hotel has a lovely pool with drink service, and with only 20 or so rooms, it never feels crowded. If you’re more of a beach person, take a couple of towels and head down to one of SBH’s beaches for the day. Worth noting: due to the hotel’s location, you’ll want a car so you can jet around at your leisure.
Don’t let Villa Marie’s petite size fool you. It manages to cram in a beautiful breakfast space by the pool, a cool bar/lounge and a full dining space into its grounds. People spoke highly of the dinner, but we confined ourselves to breakfast and drinks, both of which we thoroughly enjoyed. The breakfast, which was included in the rate, had a bunch of splurge-worthy options (e.g. the requisite pain perdu), but also had a lovely healthy list with options like avocado toast and an acai bowl. For the record, both were great! And, just because St. Barths likes to mess with you, they’ll bring you a big bowl of croissants and pain au chocolate as a first course to pair with your coffee or juice of the day, because nothing’s better than eating some chocolate before putting on a bikini, right? (Also for the record, the pain au chocolate is great and I totally couldn’t help myself). For drinks, mosey on down to the bar before dinner for a lovely cocktail selection in an old-world setting. They offer a classic selection of rum cocktails along with other favorites.
Planning your getaway to St. Barths? Here’s some inspiration for your trip:
- A Perfect Day in St. Barths
- 5 Perfect Places for Lunch in St. Barths
- Hosting a Bachelorette Party in St. Barths
- Caribbean Getaway: Anguilla or St. Barths
?? Book a Stay at Hotel Villa Marie in St. Barths
Number of Rooms: 21 rooms and suites
Cost Per Night: From €450 – €2800 (closed September – October)
Must-Try Eats & Drinks: The healthy breakfast options are superb – don’t miss the avocado toast!
Hotel Highlights: The views (the hilltop location is hard to beat for stunning vistas!) plus attention to detail with décor bring a warm vibe to a luxe island escape.
Worth the Investment? Yes, especially good choice for those in search of a more tranquil West Indian vibe vs. the trendy side of St. Barths. Be aware that a car is required to get around – you’re a 10 minute drive to St. Jean or Gustavia from Villa Marie St. Barths.
