For nearly two decades now, Tradewind Aviation has undertaken the safe and reliable transport of thousands of passengers to St. Barths – the eight-square-mile spit of land in the French West Indies, famous for its luxurious white sand beaches and A-list nightlife.
Easily our most popular route, it would be an understatement to say our pilots are well-acquainted with the Caribbean destination, who must undergo extensive individual training and certification by island-approved instructors to land at St. Barths’ notoriously challenging Rémy de Haenen Airport (a name that belies its sole runway, one of the shortest in the world at just over 2,100 feet.)
As it happens, Tradewind has two such island-approved instructors, including our Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Eric Zipkin. Thanks to our in-house expertise compounded by Tradewind’s years of flight service to the island, we not only excel at training our pilots bound for St. Barths, but also know our way around all of its best hotspots once we’re there.
Indeed, Tradewind’s relationship with St. Barths’ luxury hospitality purveyors has been pivotal in our company’s growth, dating as far back as the early 2000s when the island was still a blossoming tourism destination. Back then, many of the hotels on St. Barths were apprehensive about partnering with aviation companies, because frankly, most of those operating in the Caribbean at the time were nothing special and didn’t bring much to the table. With this in mind, we decided to take a more strategic plan of action by approaching a local villa rental company whose owner believed that better transportation was the key to increasing their profits and client base. When the owner subsequently told their agents to promote Tradewind’s ability to access St. Barths, our business took off. We’ve been one of the major players on the island ever since – and fans of it, too.
While it may be too late to celebrate the holidays in St. Barths, high season is just getting started in the Caribbean. Here are some of our tried and true recommendations for having an unforgettable time on one of our own personal favorite island destinations:
Where to Stay
Whether you’re bound to St. Barths for a quick trip, weeklong vacation, or a tropical ‘remote office’ sojourn, there are many incredible properties on the island to book your stay.
On the villa side of the accommodation spectrum, there are more than 300 properties on St. Barths with first-class, personalized concierge service to cater to your every whim. Last year, Nocturne Luxury Villas purchased two of the island’s premier villa rental companies, WIMCO and St. Barth Properties, and merged them to create “a new Caribbean villa power” as described by the Caribbean Journal. Other exceptional options include Eden Rock Villa Rental, whose properties span from one to nine bedroom units, and the second-generation family-owned SiBarth Bespoke Villa Rentals, which boasts an expansive portfolio including a breathtaking seven-bedroom address at Flamands Beach complete with a butler, chef, and daily housekeeping.
As for hotels, you can’t go wrong with the iconic Eden Rock St Barths, perched on a rocky promontory surrounded by white-sand beaches, ‘gin clear’ water, and amazing reefs. On the eastern side of the island, Rosewood Le Guanahani overlooks Grand Cul-de-Sac beach from its own private peninsula, and also features a new pool and restaurant areas culminating in what I believe to be the most-full service luxury hotel experience on the island. And Hôtel Le Toiny, a Relais & Chateaux property on Toiny Bay, has ultra-comfortable suites individually outfitted with private pools and large terraces, as well as a new Beach Club that has quickly become one of my favorite lunch spots on the island.
Other hotel options to keep top-of-mind: Le Sereno Hotel, a chic, super-exclusive boutique property with a handsome pool deck on Grand Cul-De-Sac; Cheval Blanc on Flamands Bay, the only hotel in the Caribbean with Palace distinction; Le Barthélemy, a timelessly elegant five-star hideaway on Baie de Grand Cul-de-Sac; Hôtel Barriére – Le Carl Gustaf, a luxurious historic address on the western side of the island famed for its serene location and bespoke wellness programming; and Hotel Manapany, a first-rate eco-retreat in Anse de Cayes with one of the best-hidden beaches on the island. Thoroughly modern Hotel Christopher is an intimate, more affordable luxury property near Pointe Milou, with a wide choice of rooms, suites, and villas, in addition to an excellent pool area, while Hôtel Villa Marie is enchanting for its romantic setting high in the hills, 14 acres of gardens, and superb Italian restaurant, with Colombier Beach just a short hike away.
Where to Dine
Between time at the beach and perusing the island’s many shops and galleries, it’s easy to work up an appetite in St. Barths – and there are plenty of restaurants to satisfy it. Among my favorites is Bonito in the bustling harbor of Gustavia, which in my own humble opinion, serves hands-down the best dinner experience on the island. The team, led by General Manager/Owner “Nico” Gicquel, goes above and beyond in taking care of their guests, while Chef/Owner Laurent Cantineaux’s signature French Pan-American cuisine is reason enough to plan your next return trip.
I’ll also trumpet Le Papillon Ivre in Saint Jean, my favorite casual dinner spot with an endless wine list and excellent, authentic French cuisine; Le Rivage, a new beach club restaurant on Grand Cul-De-Sac serving Italian fare and a surprisingly tasteful ‘Bohemian chic’ vibe; and Gyp Sea, a chic, relaxed setting near vibrant Nikki beach that is the best beach club for those desiring a true party scene.
Where to Drink
When in Rome, do as the Romans do, and when in St. Barths, drink at Rémy Bar & Salon at Eden Rock – named after the hotel’s original owner, it stands out as one of the trendiest watering holes on the island and a place to ‘see and be seen.’ The Rhum Room in Gustavia is another must-visit destination, with the most extensive collection of rare rums anywhere in the world, including some 650 plus selections from across the Caribbean lovingly assembled by proprietor Christopher Davis, whose knowledge of the spirit knows no bounds. And for a fun and casual outdoor spot, head to Arawak Café in Gustavia, which has great all-day food and cocktails, live music, and a setting next to Space Gallery, the best contemporary art gallery on the island.
Where to Play
Lastly, while all kinds of watersports are available to visitors on St. Barths, I highly recommend giving kitesurfing a go. Grand Cul-de-Sac is the perfect setting to get started – especially when the wind is up – with Le Sereno’s beach renowned as a premier kitesurfing destination with nice shallow water ideal for learning.
Travelers can also bid adieu to the hotel pool and dip in natural pools found throughout the island, including Grand-Fond, Toiny, and the tip of Petit Cul de Sac beach. Accessible only on foot, the natural pools are not very well known, but rewarding for those who reach them. Just remember to be safe and exercise caution, and only go when the sea is calm and the wind is low.
With plenty of offerings for every type of traveler (and easily accessible via our year-round flight service), St. Barths is a truly unmissable destination that will always a hold a special place for us at Tradewind. Hope we have the pleasure of taking you there, and seeing you in St. Barths soon!
