EXQUISITE ISLE

More than 70 years ago, British adventurer Rémy de Haenen made Saint Barthélemy history by landing the first airplane in a field there. Utterly taken with St. Jean Bay’s turquoise waters and striking palm-lined cliffs, he built a forever home on the Caribbean island (known familiarly as St. Barts in English and St. Barths in French.)

In 1953, de Haenen expanded his residence into a bed-and-breakfast that offered Hollywood celebrities and intellectuals a barefoot respite from the paparazzi. The Rothschilds and the Rockefellers, Greta Garbo, Gore Vidal, and Howard Hughes alighted on the beaches and terraces or spent windswept days swimming among vibrant coral reefs, lounging aboard yachts, or just taking in the tranquility of the beach on a perfect morning.

Today, Eden Rock - St. Barths, the lavish property that grew from de Haenen’s unique vision, continues that legacy—offering guests the peace and inspiration to play, deeply relax, replenish, and reconnect.

“When you step into Eden Rock, you don’t feel like you’re coming to a hotel,” says Head of Guest Experience Pauline Moriceau. “You just arrived at your home away from home, and everything comes naturally.”

Guests can choose from 37 ultraluxe and ultra-unique rooms, suites, or private villas set on the beach, planted within verdant gardens, or perched on the dramatic rocky promontory overlooking the sea below. Each represents the perfect combination of retro charm and contemporary ease.

Every accommodation option offers something unforgettable, whether it’s the Greta Garbo Suite channeling 1930s Hollywood glamor, where the star stayed when she “wished to be alone,’ or the Diamond Suites with their private infinity pools and open-plan yacht-inspired décor. Or you might prefer one of three newly appointed Eden Rooms with private ocean view terraces, centrally located above the Sand Bar & Rémy Bar & Salon, where guests gather at golden hour. “Wait until 4 to 5 p.m. to come to the Rémy Bar for sunset cocktails,” Moriceau suggests. “The light at that time is just incredible.”

For those celebrating milestones or bringing together family and friends, Eden Rock also offers a collection of remarkable, fully-staffed villas, either on the property or elsewhere on the island. Among them is the aptly named Rockstar Villa, a 17,222-square-foot beachfront house for up to 12 guests described as “a two hundred-million-dollar yacht on land” that consistently makes lists of the world’s top greatest beach houses.

Part of the remarkable Eden Rock experience is getting out on the sea, whether snorkeling with a guide or chartering a private yacht from the hotel’s fleet to make everlasting memories. Spend your time poolside, at the beachfront, shopping at charming boutiques, or participating in a wellness ritual with a personal wellbeing coach or nutritionist, including everything from yoga and reiki massage to a private Pilates session.

Enjoy treatment journeys with local Ligne St. Barths products at Eden Spa, where three yacht-inspired cabins promise a chance to catch your breath with a remarkable variety of holistic massages, facials, body scrubs, or medical spa offerings.

But make sure also to leave the property to explore the volcanic island renowned for its nature and wildlife. The hotel will pack you a picnic hamper for a visit to Gouverneur on the opposite side of the island, known for its coral-sand beaches and remarkable reef snorkeling. Stop by Gustavia, a neighborhood offering tax-free luxury shopping with all the top labels and excellent restaurants, or embark on a seaside hike along Grand Fond, picking up shells along the way. To see the island from a different perspective, book a day cruise by catamaran and alight on Colombier, Shell Beach, and Flamands bays, spotting marine wildlife in the waves.

Dining at Eden Rock is a ritual of its own. The cuisine is imagined by world-renowned Chef Jean-George Vongerichten, who has crafted Michelin-starred venues in jet-setting capitals around the world.

Food and Beverage Manager Vanessa Glain always advises guests to try a consummate St. Barths dish at the Sand Bar restaurant: “Locally caught tuna tartare, followed by mahi mahi with Asian dressing and mashed potatoes.” Or, for something more casual, order a truffle pizza with crispy salmon and dance under the stars to a live DJ and the gentle accompaniment of the Caribbean waves lapping onto the beach just a few feet away.

François Grisor, Front-of-House Manager, says, “It is remarkable how we stay close to our guests and also come to think of them as our friends. We see them year after year, and yet we always manage to surprise them with something new.”

One thing’s for sure. It’s impossible to visit Eden Rock – St. Barths and not yearn to return again and again.