Eden Rock – St. Barths Lodge Evaluation

St. Barts is named a fancy, tropical playground the place the sybaritic set slips into sandals (or forgo footwear totally) and trades actual life for a sun-dappled fantasy of sprawling on sandy seashores, swimming in turquoise tides, and savoring gourmand delicacies. The right combine of stylish and easygoing, it’s a vacation spot that would have simply invented the phrase “barefoot luxurious.”

Price range? Effectively, that’s simply not a standard phrase uttered by the holidayers wearing designer kaftans. Discerning vacationers for whom cash is not any object have many selections on the French-speaking Caribbean island. However none match the status or panache of Eden Rock – St Barths.

The unique iteration of the now legendary resort was constructed by intrepid explorer Rémy de Haenen again within the Nineteen Fifties. Over the higher a part of the previous 75 years, the high-end retreat has continued to develop and increase. It unveiled a two-year renovation in 2019 and launched new suites in 2021. Immediately, Eden Rock, which is a part of the Oetker Assortment, includes essentially the most coveted actual property on the island. In fact, it isn’t simply the historical past and privileged perch that makes it such a rare keep. The seaside setting can’t be beat. The service is extraordinary. And the design and environment are unparalleled.

If in case you have the money to splurge on a rare five-star keep in St. Barts, it simply doesn’t get any higher. Learn on to seek out out why Eden Rock – St. Barths lives as much as the hype.

The Rooms

Eden Rock has 37 individually embellished rooms, suites, and villas both on the rock, alongside the seaside, or within the verdant gardens. All the search quarters wow — it’s only a matter of which vantage level and the way a lot privateness you like.

On a latest journey, I had the immense pleasure of staying within the Diamond Suite – Waterlily. From the second I entered by the Eden Rock–pink arched gate and the patio plunge pool backed by the rock and turquoise sea took form, I used to be in awe. That is the magic of St. Barts (or, extra precisely, essentially the most iconic property on the island). The interiors have been no much less spectacular. All the things felt crisp and shiny with shades of white and sand. The in depth artwork assortment and ornamental objects imbue Caribbean character. The mattress faces the ocean for essentially the most beautiful rise-and-shine views. The spa-like lavatory was geared up with twin sinks, a rainfall bathe, a soaking tub, Dr. Barbara Storm merchandise, and an unique fragrance spray specifically created for Eden Rock by Parisian perfumery Diptyque. The lounge and galley kitchen made it really feel even homier. As if all that weren’t sufficient, the rear terrace beckoned with a sizzling tub and solar mattress.

Meals and Drink

The Sand Bar, the signature restaurant that includes a menu conceptualized by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in an open-air house cooled by sea breezes.

For breakfast, there’s a curated buffet unfold of housemade yogurt, fruit, and pastries, plus quite a lot of scrumptious a la carte choices. I might fortunately have began the day with fresh-pressed juice and banana toast for every week straight.

Friends can take pleasure in lunch on the Sand Bar or get ever nearer to the waves with a noon meal of hamachi crudo in a zippy ardour fruit sauce and frosé on the beachfront loungers.

Dinner blends lavish and native (a recurring theme all through the resort). Even the proficient group executing the imaginative and prescient of the world-famous gastronome isn’t above getting artistic to accommodate diners. I used to be instructed by a number of individuals to order the caviar egg toast, however because it turned out that didn’t jive with my dairy allergy. So the kitchen whipped up a divine uncooked tuna creation topped with caviar, so I might get my caviar repair. The kitchen would fortunately customise any dish on the child’s menu, too. Nevertheless, it by no means got here to that as a result of our tykes have been loopy concerning the hen fingers and fries and grilled mahi-mahi with mashed potatoes.

Among the finest — and positively essentially the most glamorous — spots on the island to sip and savor, Remy Bar & Salon, provides a menu of signature tipples just like the Eden Colada, with rum and Champagne, in addition to expertly blended classics.

Experiences and Facilities

Eden Rock boasts a spate of first-class facilities. In addition to the bar and restaurant, there’s a shocking spa, a big resort pool, and a classy boutique to select up Missoni kaftans, Zimmerman attire, and hand-crafted Maison Michel hats.

Though most individuals will, little question, favor to get their coronary heart charge going by swimming, the absolutely geared up gymnasium gives an indoor different. There are additionally each day yoga courses on the deck atop the rock, and the spa group can coordinate personal circulate periods.

The resort can prepare loads of actions, from water sports activities to personal yacht charters. And the property lately partnered with Island Nature Experiences (INE) and the Territorial Setting Company (ATE) on a coral reef restoration undertaking. Friends can dive into the sustainable facet of issues by snorkeling across the Eden Reef, collaborating in coral planting, or adopting a coral.

The Spa

The Eden Rock spa is a halcyon hideaway constructed into the rocks. Whereas it is laborious to be burdened at Eden Rock, with services and coverings this good, why not use the chance to eliminate each final lingering knot? Blissful physique rituals and massages use a heavenly artisanal line known as Ligne St Barth. Dr. Barbara Sturm formulation energy the facials. Hydrafacials are additionally accessible in addition to cutting-edge medi-spa remedies, in partnership with Dr. Pierre-Michel Havet.

Household-friendly Choices

One would possibly assume {that a} resort identified for its glamorous environs and toile-splashed bar won’t be a haven for youths. However anybody making assumptions about Eden Rock – St Barths will certainly discover that every one preconceived notions fall to the wayside upon arriving. I discovered the property to be one of the crucial welcoming locations I’ve introduced my children to this point. First off, the in-suite check-in is a savior for households after an extended journey day. Our little guys performed with cute stuffed whales, ate do-it-yourself Madelines, and drank apple juice whereas our devoted concierge collected our passport data. In addition to plush toys, our suite was stocked with mini robes and slippers, coloring books and pencils, goggles and floaties, and Dr. Barbara Sturm children’ merchandise.

Having fun with household meals was straightforward for the reason that bar and eating places provide children’ menus (and the kitchen was even comfortable to whip up one thing for our hungry gents earlier than dinner service formally began).

Whereas Eden Rock doesn’t have a devoted children’ membership, the pool and pristine seaside are the proper playground for littles. The employees was all too comfortable to offer shovels and buckets — really, the employees was all too comfortable to do nearly something to please the children. The Eden Youngsters Program, for kids ages 5 and up, contains artwork, pottery, meditation, yoga, swimming classes, sandcastle constructing, and water sports activities. Our boys have been too younger to take part on this journey — simply another excuse to return sooner or later.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Sustainability and environmental accountability are a part of the each day operations. Eden Rock places practices in place to attenuate meals and water waste. The meals menu highlights regionally sourced produce and freshly caught fish. The property works with native environmental organizations — particularly Island Nature Experiences and the Territorial Setting Company — to protect the pure surroundings. The coral restoration undertaking is an excellent instance of how the resort works environmental accountability into the visitor expertise. The initiative has led to a resurgence of marine life, serving to greater than 200 coral fragments develop considerably and rising the fish inhabitants.

Eden Rock’s widespread areas, public areas, and rooms and suites — together with the over-the-top, six-bedroom Villa Rockstar — are wheelchair accessible.

Location

The Eden Rock – St Barths advantages each from its enviable perch on picture-perfect Plage St. Denims (the gentle sand and turquoise water seem like a postcard) and its central location. It’s one of many only a few luxurious accommodations on the island that affords visitors walkability to retailers, eating places, and seaside golf equipment.

The way to Get the Most Worth From Your Keep

Charges begin at $950, plus a 5-percent native tax. Included within the worth are heaps of VIP perks — together with a complimentary bottle of Krug Champagne upon arrival (Eden Rock – St Barths is the first-ever resort to companion with the enduring bubbly model) and Dr. Barbara Sturm skincare minis. Whereas the model does not have a loyalty program, it typically proclaims promotional offers on the web site. The property is a part of each Virtuoso and the Main Inns of the World networks, giving vacationers entry to resort credit and room upgrades.