Known to many, visited by few, the island of Saint Barth

Luxe
St. Barths Luxe
St. Barths
Saint Barthelemy
Known to many, visited by few, the island of Saint Barth
welcomes the wealthy to revel in life’s pleasures – as long
as they leave their pretensions at home
WORDS: Robert La Bua
64
May 2012
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dotwnews.com
May 2012
65
Barths
Luxe
Luxe St.
St.Barts
Barths
Barts
St. Barths Luxe
11 22
33 44
Sit back, take your top off
and enjoy our summer deal.
1.1.The
TheView
ViewOne
OneofofIciIcietetLa’s
La’smagnificent
magnificentmanaged
managedproperties
properties2.2.Tropical
Tropicalretreat
retreatSublime
Sublimeviews
viewsfrom
fromtrendy
trendyHotel
HotelChristopher
Christopher
3.3.Designer
Designerdining
diningEnjoy
Enjoythe
theview
viewfrom
fromLeLeGaïac
Gaïac4.4.Caribbean
Caribbeancolours
coloursQuaint
Quainthouses
housesininthe
thecapital
capitalGustavia
Gustavia
“What
“Whatthe
thelocals
localshave
havein
incommon
commonisisaalove
loveof
oflife
life––an
anappreciation
appreciationfor
forthe
the
bonhomie
bonhomieof
ofaaday
dayat
atthe
thebeach
beachwith
withfriends,
friends,followed
followedby
byan
anevening
eveningof
of
laughter
laughterwith
withmore
morefriends”
friends”
It’s not for your parents, or kids, or anyone who wants a quiet summer!
If there’s one thing hotter than the weather this summer,
it’s the summer deal at Media One!
There’s so much to do that the tricky part is figuring out where to start!
T
he
heCollectivité
Collectivitéterritoriale
territorialede
deSaintSaintBarthelémy
Barthelémyhas
hasseveral
severalmonickers
monickers
––StStBart,
Bart,StStBart’s,
Bart’s,Saint-Barth
Saint-Barth
––used
usedinstead
insteadofofitsitsformal
formalname,
name,
which
whichisisbarely
barelyused
usedininofficialdom,
officialdom,and
andnever
never
ininconversation.
conversation.The
TheFrench
Frenchabbreviation,
abbreviation,
pronounced
pronouncedsomething
somethinglike
like‘San
‘SanBart’
Bart’, ,isisthe
theone
one
the
thelocals
localsuse,
use,and
andwhen
whenititcomes
comestotothe
theFrench,
French,itit
isisbest
besttotofollow
followthe
thelocal
localexample.
example.On
OnSaint-Barth,
Saint-Barth,
the
thelast
lastthing
thingyou
youwant
wanttotobe
beisisan
anoutsider.
outsider.
Despite
Despiteaaglamorous
glamorousreputation
reputationperpetuated
perpetuated
by
bythe
theinternational
internationalmedia,
media,Saint-Barth
Saint-Barthisisan
an
unfussy
unfussyplace,
place,aaplace
placefor
forpeople
peoplerather
ratherthan
than
objects:
objects:rich
richpeople,
people,talented
talentedpeople,
people,people
people
with
withinteresting
interestingcareers,
careers,people
peoplewith
withpower
power
and
andinfluence.
influence.Arrogance
Arrogancefinds
findsno
noshelter
shelter
here
hereexcept
exceptduring
duringaatwo-week
two-weekreprieve
reprieveover
over
Christmas
Christmasand
andNew
NewYears,
Years,when
whennervous
nervous
poseurs
poseursinundate
inundatethe
theisland
islandtotocomplain
complainabout
about
too
toomuch
muchcinnamon
cinnamoninintheir
theircappuccinos.
cappuccinos.
May2012
2012 dotwnews.com
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66
66 May
The
Thefact
factthat
thatthe
thecinnamon
cinnamoncomes
comesnot
notfrom
from
aasmall
smallvial
vialoff
offaasupermarket
supermarketshelf
shelfbut
butrather
rather
from
fromaatree
treeininthe
thegarden
gardenisislost
loston
onthem.
them.
Those
ThoseParisian
Parisianpoliticians
politiciansand
andNew
NewYork
York
bankers
bankerspersonify
personifythe
theantithesis
antithesisofofSaint-Barth’s
Saint-Barth’s
blithe
blithespirits,
spirits,some
someofofwhom
whomconsider
consideraatrip
triptoto
Saint
SaintMartin
Martinaamajor
majorexcursion,
excursion,others
otherswho
who
come
comeand
andgo
goacross
acrossthe
theworld
worldwith
witheasy
easyalacrity.
alacrity.
What
Whatthe
thelocals
localshave
haveinincommon
commonisisaalove
loveofoflife
life
––an
anappreciation
appreciationfor
forthe
thebonhomie
bonhomieofofaaday
dayatat
the
thebeach
beachwith
withfriends,
friends,followed
followedby
byan
anevening
evening
ofoflaughter
laughterwith
withmore
morefriends;
friends;between
betweenthe
the
two
twocould
couldbe
bean
anhaute
hautecuisine
cuisinedinner
dinneratatchic
chicLe
Le
Gaïac,
Gaïac,ororaahamburger
hamburgeratatraucous
raucousLe
LeSelect
Select––itit
doesn’t
doesn’tmatter
mattermuch
muchwhich.
which.
On
OnSaint-Barth,
Saint-Barth,showing
showingoff
offisisaafaux
fauxpas.
pas.
Contrary
Contrarytotopopular
popularbelief,
belief,not
noteveryone
everyoneisis
gratuitously
gratuitouslywealthy,
wealthy,and
andtotoplay
playthe
thegame
gameofof
‘I’m
‘I’mricher
richerthan
thanyou’
you’ininaaplace
placewhere
wherepeople
people
come
cometotoget
getaway
awayfrom
fromthat
thatkind
kindofofoneone-
upmanship
upmanshipatathome
homeisisseen
seenasasgauche
gaucheand
and
unnecessary.
unnecessary.Nevertheless,
Nevertheless,the
theisland
islandabounds
abounds
ininremarkable
remarkablepeople
peoplefashionably
fashionablydressed
dressedinin
flowing
flowingwhite
whiteand
andbeige
beigelinens
linenssuitable
suitabletotothe
the
climate,
climate,the
theexception
exceptionbeing
beingfashion
fashionmodels,
models,
who
whoare
arecompelled
compelledtotosport
sportsomething
somethingmore
more
provocative,
provocative,ininline
linewith
withtheir
theirprofession.
profession.
Never
Nevermind
mindthat
thatthe
thelinens
linensare
arefrom
fromComme
Comme
des
desGarçons
Garçons––on
onaaFrench
Frenchisland,
island,one’s
one’sclothes
clothes
are
areexpected
expectedtotobe
beimpeccable
impeccableregardless
regardlessofof
their
theirinformality.
informality.
Saint-Barth’s
Saint-Barth’smain
mainattraction
attractionisisits
itsabsence
absence
ofofattractions.
attractions.Beyond
Beyondpristine
pristinebeaches
beachesand
and
sublime
sublimeswimming
swimmingpools,
pools,the
theboutiques
boutiquesinin
Gustavia
Gustaviaoffer
offeraashopping
shoppingrespite
respitefrom
fromthe
the
island’s
island’srelentlessly
relentlesslybeautiful
beautifullandscapes.
landscapes.
Among
Amongthe
theboutiques
boutiquesofofCartier
Cartierand
andHermès
Hermèsare
are
the
theateliers
ateliersofoftalented
talenteddesigners
designerslike
likeÉlisa
ÉlisaBally,
Bally,
whose
whosevivacious
vivaciouspassion
passionfor
forinteriors
interiorsproduces
produces
impressively
impressivelyoriginal
originalwork.
work.
Get on the fast track with an Italian Job-style city tour, indulge in some serious
retail therapy at a world-class mall, soak in the vibrant in-house discounts or hang out
by the sea with an umbrella and ice box thrown in for good measure.
Get in touch directly with Media One or your travel agent and
you can have a lot more fun in the sun!
Media One Hotel FZ LLC. PO Box 121818, Dubai Media City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
T +971 4 427 1000 F +971 4 427 1001 E cu@mediaonehotel.com W www.mediaonehotel.com
dotwnews.com
May 2012
67
Luxe
St. Barths
St. Barths Luxe
“With no heavy industry, Saint-Barth’s
entire economy depends on tourism;
visitors come — and come back — more
for what the island does not have than
for what it does”
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May 2012
69
Luxe
Luxe St.
St.Barths
Barths
Sectiony
title
St. Barths Luxe
Private
Privatepanorama
panorama(above)
(above)
Views
Viewsacross
acrossthe
theislands
islandsofof
Bonhomme
Bonhommeand
andSaint
SaintMartin
Martin
from
fromVilla
VillaArte
Arte
Once
Onceininaalifetime
lifetime(left)
(left)
Gustavia
GustaviaHarbour
Harbourasasseen
seen
from
fromthe
theRoyal
RoyalSuite
Suiteofof
Hotel
HotelCarl
CarlGustaf
Gustaf
Those
Thosewho
whobalance
balancelanguid
languiddays
dayswith
withsocial
social
evenings
eveningscan
canthank
thankimpresario
impresarioCarole
CaroleGruson,
Gruson,
the
thedoyenne
doyenneofofSaint-Barth
Saint-Barthnights,
nights,for
foran
anarray
array
ofofclubs
clubsdotting
dottingthe
theisland.
island.One
Oneofofthe
themost
most
popular
popularofofCarole’s
Carole’sestablishments
establishmentsisisLe
LeTi,
Ti,aa
taverne
tavernede
deluxe
luxewhere
whereThursday
Thursdaynight’s
night’scabaret
cabaret
isisnot
nottotobe
bemissed.
missed.
Without
Withoutaadoubt,
doubt,Saint-Barth’s
Saint-Barth’sempress
empress
dowager
dowagerisisone
oneJeanne
JeanneAudy-Rowland.
Audy-Rowland.
Unassumingly
Unassuminglycharismatic,
charismatic,Madame
MadameAudyAudyRowland
Rowlandisisbest
bestknown
knownasasthe
theowner
ownerofofLa
La
Maison
MaisonNouréev,
Nouréev,the
theformer
formerhome
homeofofballet
ballet
legend
legendRudolf
RudolfNureyev,
Nureyev,who
whocame
cametotoSaintSaintBarth
Barthtotovisit
visitMikhail
MikhailBaryshnikov
Baryshnikovand
and
promptly
promptlyfell
fellininlove
lovewith
withthe
theisland.
island. The
The
famously
famouslymercurial
mercurialNureyev
Nureyevpurchased
purchasedaahome
home
on
onSaint-Barth’s
Saint-Barth’swild
wildsoutheast
southeastcoast
coastand
andbuilt
built
aadeck
deckon
onwhich
whichtotopractice
practicehis
hisdance
dancemoves
moves
only
onlymetres
metresabove
abovethe
thecrashing
crashingwaves.
waves. Other
Other
than
thanthe
theaddition
additionofofaafew
fewpersonal
personalitems,
items,Mme
Mme
Audy-Rowland
Audy-Rowlandhas
haschanged
changedlittle
littleininthe
thehouse
house
since
sinceshe
shepurchased
purchasedititfrom
fromthe
theNureyev
Nureyevestate
estate
after
afterthe
thedancer’s
dancer’sdeath
deathinin1993.
1993.Like
Likeits
itsformer
former
owner,
owner,and
andthe
thecurrent
currentone,
one,the
thehouse
houseitself
itselfhas
has
aapresence
presencelarger
largerthan
thanlife.
life.
May2012
2012 dotwnews.com
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70
70 May
Despite
Despiteits
itspride
prideofofplace
placeasasthe
thesole
soleproperty
property
on
onaasmall
smallpromontory
promontoryjutting
juttinginto
intothe
thesea,
sea,
few
fewpeople
peopleare
areaccorded
accordedthe
theprivilege
privilegeofofaavisit
visit
inside,
inside,where
wheremeaningful
meaningfulmementos
mementosstand
standinin
places
placesthey
theyhave
haveoccupied
occupiedfor
fordecades.
decades. Now
Now
advancing
advancingininyears,
years,the
thelady
ladyofofthe
thehouse
househas
has
put
putLa
LaMaison
MaisonNouréev
Nouréevon
onthe
themarket
marketbut,
but,true
true
totoher
hernature,
nature,ititwill
willtake
takemore
morethan
thanmoney
moneytoto
achieve
achieveaasale.
sale. Mme
MmeAudy-Rowland
Audy-Rowlandexpects
expectsthe
the
next
nextowner
ownertototake
takeover
overher
herrole
roleasascustodian
custodian
way,
way,isisnot
notan
anextravagant
extravagantfigure
figureon
onan
anisland
island
where
whereChristmas/New
Christmas/NewYear
Yearvisitors
visitorsclamour
clamourtoto
pay
pay$200,000
$200,000per
perweek
weektotorent
rentthe
thebest
bestvillas.
villas.
Though
Thoughprivate
privatevillas
villasare
arethe
thene
neplus
plusultra
ultra
ofofisland
islandaccommodation,
accommodation,most
mostfirst-timers
first-timers
start
startoff
offasasguests
guestsatatSaint-Barth’s
Saint-Barth’sfine
finehotels
hotels
before
beforemoving
movingon
ontotovilla
villaaccommodation
accommodation
on
onsubsequent
subsequentvisits.
visits.Each
Eachhotel
hotelhas
hasits
itsown
own
character,
character,sosoititisisimportant
importanttotochoose
choosethe
theone
one
most
mostsuited
suitedtotoholiday
holidayexpectations.
expectations.
“Despite
“Despite aa glamorous
glamorous reputation
reputation perpetuated
perpetuated
by
by the
the international
international media,
media, Saint-Barth
Saint-Barth isis an
an
unfussy
unfussy place”
place”
ofofLa
LaMaison
MaisonNouréev;
Nouréev;those
thosewith
withteardown
teardown
intentions
intentionsininmind
mindwill
willfind
findtheir
theirmoney
money
useless.
useless. Mme
MmeAudy-Rowland
Audy-Rowlandhas
hasalready
already
refused
refusedan
anextremely
extremelygenerous
generousoffer
offerfrom
fromaa
world-famous
world-famousbillionaire
billionairewhom
whomshe
shedeemed
deemed
unworthy
unworthyofofthe
thehome,
home,even
evenwhen
whenbearing
bearing
an
anoffer
offermore
morethan
thantwice
twicethe
theEUR28
EUR28million
million
(US$38
(US$38million)
million)asking
askingprice
price––which,
which,by
bythe
the
Those
Thoselooking
lookingfor
forstylish
stylishaccommodation
accommodationand
and
aahip
hipcrowd
crowdshould
shouldhead
headfor
forChristopher
Christopheron
on
Pointe
PointeMilou,
Milou,where
wherethe
theimpossibly
impossiblydebonair
debonair
Christian
ChristianLanglade
Langladehas
hastransformed
transformedaatired
tired
property
propertyinto
intothe
theisland’s
island’strendiest
trendiesthotel.
hotel.
Shoppers
Shopperswill
willfind
findthe
theregal
regalHotel
HotelCarl
Carl
Gustaf’s
Gustaf’slocation
locationininteensy
teensyGustavia,
Gustavia,SaintSaintBarth’s
Barth’scapital
capitaland
andhome
homeofofthe
theisland’s
island’sSwedish
Swedish
100
May 2012
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May 2012
71
Luxe
St. Barths
Le Toiny
heritage, convenient for forays from its lofty
location above the harbour down into town
for a bit of retail therapy before indulging in
physical and mental therapy in the hotel’s
outstanding spa, equipped with an essential oil
shower. To enjoy the villa experience with hotel
services in a less populated area, the peerless Le
Toiny offers seclusion and privacy on the wild
coast. Each of the 15 villas has its own pool,
next to which breakfast magically appears each
morning thanks to the hotel’s exceptionally
conscientious staff, led by general managers
Dagmar and Guy Lombard.
Le Toiny, a member of Relais & Châteaux,
is home to the wonderful Le Gaïac, the best
of Saint-Barth’s many fine restaurants, where
local produce and imported delicacies are given
equally outstanding attention in the kitchen
before being presented in a dining room with
sweeping views across a dozen shades of blue
sea and sky.
When it comes to villa rentals, Ici Et Là
manages a portfolio of magnificent homes
straight off the pages of the world’s architecture
and design magazines. Among the most
impressive are Villa Arte and The View, both of
which offer expansive vistas over the Caribbean
Sea while providing complete privacy in total
luxury, thereby satisfying the trio of demands
most often put forth by the island’s visitors.
It is possible to have personal attention
and outstanding service even when staying
in a private villa thanks to Vincent Chevalier
and James Daltrey, owners of Premium IV, an
island-wide concierge service that provides
every necessity for the perfect holiday.
Looking more like a client of his own services
than an entrepreneurial go-getter, Vincent is
the man for visitors to know on Saint-Barth,
72
May 2012
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the man who makes things happen with a
single phone call. Premium IV works closely
with Ici Et Là in creating the ultimate SaintBarth villa experiences.
Property is something of a lightning rod on
the island. As in so many other beautiful places
around the world, there are preservationists
who seek to maintain the island’s natural
integrity, and developers who seek profit above
all else.
Descendants of the original French families
to settle on Saint-Barth still own vast tracts
of land now worth many millions of dollars;
long gone are the days when struggling
peasants traded plots of land for a decent
meal. Waterfront parcels are highly sought
after by international hotel groups looking for
an in for an inn – so far, in vain. Unusually
in the Caribbean, Saint-Barth’s hotels are all
independently owned; none belongs to a chain.
One of the staunchest defenders of the land
is Hélène Bernier, whose family was among
the first to establish a community on the
island. Community spirit is vitally important
to Bernier; in addition to her work as owner of
Easy Time, an eco-tour company that provides
personalised tours of Saint-Barth’s many natural
attractions, she is also the leading voice in
the fight to keep environmental abuse off the
island. With no heavy industry, Saint-Barth’s
entire economy depends on tourism; visitors
come – and come back – more for what the
island does not have than for what it does. If
peace and quiet are sacrificed in favour of more
hotel rooms and more visitors, Saint-Barth will
become just another soulless Caribbean island
with nothing to differentiate it from those
already saturated by too much concrete and too
many people.
Hotel le Toiny
+590 590 27 88 88
www.letoiny.com
Christopher St. Barth
+590 590 27 63 63
www.hotelchristopher.com
Hotel Carl Gustav
www.hotelcarlgustaf.com
Ici&La
+590 590 27 78 78
www.icietlavillas.com
Maison Noureev
+1 617 349 0090
www.noureev.com
Premium IV
+590 690 88 22 12
www.premiumiv.com
Oh, the worries of modern life. Never
mind, it’s time for dinner. Madame AudyRowland, always a luminous figure, is at her
radiant best, dressed immaculately from
head to toe in finely tailored white linen.
That her sartorial splendour was created
from old bed sheets adds to the mischievous
delight she takes in wearing them. On SaintBarth, the fabric of life is sewn together with
threads of good fun and good fortune. Long
may they last.n