Evaluate: Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth

May 21, 2025

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Wednesday newsletters at all times function a resort or flight assessment.

Just a few weeks in the past, I loved a vacation in St Barths, the Caribbean’s most unique island. You possibly can learn my journey stories right here:

At this time: Evaluate of Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth

Dealing with a peaceable lagoon and the glowing Caribbean, Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth is a imaginative and prescient of bougainvillea, coconut groves, and vibrantly coloured cottages. In line with its unique St Barts’ location, this enclave feels extra like an intimate retreat than a full-service resort. Every of the 66 air-conditioned, Creole-style cottages options accents of uncommon wooden, a large terrace, and a personal backyard with practically all rooms and suites providing ocean views, and lots of function swimming pools. Be as lively as you want; select between the world-class spa and the numerous water sports activities, from kayaking and snorkeling to an unique mountain climbing path on the Morne.

Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth options in my prime 10 checklist of the finest luxurious inns in St Barts.

Have you ever ever stayed at Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth? In that case, what was your expertise? Depart a remark.

On this assessment (extra data and photographs under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

The place French magnificence meets Caribbean exuberance, the island of St Barts – also called St Barth or Saint Barthelemy – has lengthy been thought-about some of the coveted trip locations among the many world’s most stylish and prosperous vacationers. Influenced by its deeply layered historical past, St Barts’ predominantly French tradition informs each element of the island expertise, from the native language, to its world-class eating places and retailers, to the subtle but vibrant power that runs by means of all of it. Whether or not in quest of unique surroundings or looking for unique journey, this prestigious Caribbean jewel is far more than a secret island of a temple of laid again refinement; it gives a luxurious way of life past examine. The primary approach to journey to St Barts is to fly to close by St Maarten Island, adopted by a 15-min flight to St Barth’s airstrip, which is situated a brief 10-minute drive away from the Rosewood Lodge.

Named in tribute to the island’s tradition – “guanahani” means “welcome” within the vacation spot’s native Arawak language – the beloved Le Guanahani Lodge has been a mainstay of native hospitality because it opened in 1986. Its enviable setting throughout 18 lush and secluded acres on a personal peninsula overlooking the gorgeous seashores of Maréchal Bay and Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon, complemented by its cosmopolitan design, made the resort immediately interesting to artists, designers and different discerning vacationers worldwide. Le Guanahani remained one of many world’s most iconic island escapes and was rebranded in 2021 as a Rosewood property following a 4 12 months in depth renovation and refurbishment. The excellent reimagination preserved the distinctive spirit of the fabled resort whereas infusing modern facilities and design particulars, in addition to Rosewood’s illustrious model of service and guiding.

Drawing inspiration from its pristine setting, wealthy with French aptitude and the festive spirit of the Caribbean, the structure and design of Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth have been carried out by David M Schwartz Architects and Luis Pons Design Lab. From the lodging to the eating areas to the spa, every house has been fastidiously conceived to immerse company within the native tradition and magnificence. The pure fantastic thing about St Barts is highlighted by means of sensible design particulars that incorporate indigenous crafts and artisanship. Vibrant design hues of turquoise, impressed by the island’s waters; yellow, reflecting the tropical solar; and, lavender as a nod to the South of France, add pops of shade and character all through the property. The palette is complemented by refined and trendy interiors crammed with pure daylight and boasting unique furnishings designed by Luis Pons.

Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth gives 66 lovely lodging which mirror the distinctive historical past, heritage and magnificence of the French Caribbean. Designed as residential, freestanding areas showcasing colourful exteriors and both ocean or backyard views, the 29 guestrooms, 27 suites and 9 signature suites present the utmost in privateness to facilitate whole leisure. Interiors are characterised by a contemporary and clear sense of favor that’s differentiated by means of playful design particulars and pops of shade, creating an setting that’s directly calming and invigorating. Pure mild floods every room by means of floor-to-ceiling French home windows, contrasting with the darkish wood flooring and travel-inspired furnishings by Luis Pons. Guestrooms, for instance, function items harking back to the classic baggage chests utilized by explorers on their journeys.

Throughout my vacation, I used to be upgraded to an Ocean View Suite with Personal Pool, one of many resort’s highest room classes, situated on the higher stage of the hillside (going through east). The gorgeous villa, whose exterior was painted in a pastel inexperienced shade, featured a spacious and splendid bed room with a four-poster kingsize mattress – dressed within the best linens – in addition to a separate front room with a convertible couch mattress. The villa’s ensuite lavatory was geared up with double sinks, a walk-in rain bathe, and a bathroom. A coated terrace (with plush lounge seats and a eating desk) and an prolonged sundeck (with non-public plunge pool and two comfy solar beds) supplied a view of the Caribbean Sea & Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon, and was the proper place to look at the dawn early within the morning and to calm down throughout the day.

Serving because the social hub of the resort and coronary heart of Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth is the Seaside Home, which is situated on the small land-strip between Maréchal Bay and Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon. Occupying a newly constructed, Caribbean-style pavilion, the Seaside Home is house to the resort’s solely restaurant, which is comprised of separate areas that welcome company for the completely different mealtimes, depending on the time of day. Additionally housing a boutique and high- finish bar (Bar Mélangé), the Seaside Home emanates the brand new luxurious resort’s French-Caribbean spirit by means of considerate design particulars akin to hand-painted wall coverings, woven panels, sheer draperies, mahogany wooden and marbled stone. Set alongside the Seaside Home is an open-air bar in addition to magnificent infinity pool, which overlooks the seashore of Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon.

A sanctuary of simplicity and purity, and the most important wellness facility on the island, Rosewood Le Guanahani’s Sense, A Rosewood Spa invitations company on a holistic journey. An intensive menu of remedies and therapies is on supply, every fusing age-old practices distinctive to St Barth’s area people with cutting-edge applied sciences and sustainable facilities. Highlights embody The Ouanalao Ritual, inviting company to attain deep leisure by means of a heat foot tub and exfoliation adopted by a soothing facial cleanse and full physique therapeutic massage. Situated between the seashore and the hillside, the spa additional incorporates the island ethos and pure environment in its design for a uniquely immersive journey from begin to end. The ability options 4 remedy rooms, two {couples}’ suites, hydrotherapy space, an adults-only pool, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, blow-dry bar, nail salon and full-service tennis facility.

Because of the resort’s distinctive location on a personal peninsula, Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barths has the benefit of providing its visitor not one however two lovely seashores. Separated by a small land strip lush with palm bushes, each seashores are completely lovely. The primary seashore – under the infinity pool and the Seaside Home – overlooks the dawn and the turquoise waters of Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon, whereas the opposite seashore faces Maréchal Bay, providing a view of the sundown. Company might spend the day swimming or sunbathing on the resort’s essential pool or the totally serviced seashores, which come full with meals and beverage choices from the Seaside Home. Complimentary non-motorized watersports on property embody kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling. Additionally extremely really helpful is to hike up the rocky promontory on the far finish of the seashore, which gives the most effective views in St Barths.

For beyond-the-resort island exploration, Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth’s devoted Clefs d’Or Concierge is on supply to supply knowledgeable help in planning significant and immersive adventures. From mountain climbing the island’s rolling hills, rocky reefs and pure swimming pools, to purchasing St Barts’ designer boutiques in seek for bespoke clothes and crafts, to discovering the works of native and worldwide artists, the island’s strong array of actions caters to all forms of vacationers. For these trying to maximize their time on the sand by means of sunbathing, crusing, sportfishing or scuba diving, St. Barts’ 14 seashores present ample alternative, every radiating with its personal character and allure.

Youthful company are invited to embark on their very own adventures at Rosewood Explorers, the resort’s forward-thinking youngsters’s membership idea that mixes leisure with schooling for an impactful expertise. Helmed out of an indoor-outdoor house set instantly adjoining to the seashore, and that includes a customized mosaic mural by iconic native artist Veronique Vandernoot, this system gives a wide range of regionally impressed actions that intention to domesticate youngsters’s creativity, cultural appreciation and social duty by means of journey. Highlights embody cooking and gardening lessons, arts and crafts classes and classes on the native wildlife.

Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth is managed by Rosewood Lodges & Resorts, one of many world’s most unique resort manufacturers. The Rosewood story started in 1979 when a historic mansion in Dallas, Texas was reworked into an acclaimed world-class resort – The Mansion on Turtle Creek – whose success was the blueprint for all subsequent Rosewood properties. At this time, the group manages a particular assortment of residential-style inns throughout the globe, together with well-known properties akin to The Carlyle (New York) and Las Ventanas al Paraíso (Mexico). Every property delivers a one-of-a-kind atmosphere and magnificence, by which location, tradition, historical past and geography are a part of the material of the resort, reflecting the corporate’s “Sense of Place” philosophy. I’ve beforehand reviewed the next Rosewood Lodges & Resorts:

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth’s lovely swimming pool is situated at The Seaside Home. Sadly, the pool space is just not solely reserved to resort company as non-guests may purchase a day move to get entry to the resort’s seashore amenities (this move features a lunch, day mattress, and towel). It is a widespread practise in St Barts the place vacationers can purchase a day move to spend their leisure time on the pool of a luxurious resort. As a consequence, issues can get a bit crowded on the pool – particularly within the excessive season – and it might be troublesome to discover a lounger on the pool deck by late morning.

Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth’s essential pool is open to each adults and youngsters, and this may increasingly pose an issue if you’re looking for blissful moments alongside the pool. For instance, throughout my keep, a big household with younger (and never so nicely behaved) youngsters took over your entire pool space, and since they made a lot noise, most different company left the pool space after some time, hoping to discover a quieter spot on the seashore. In fact, there’s at all times the adults-only spa pool the place company can retreat to, however that pool is situated up the hill and never alongside the seashore. IMHO, whereas Rosewood Le Guanahani – and by extension St Barts Island – is family-friendly, it’s undoubtedly extra tailor-made towards {couples} or adults on the lookout for a calming, romantic getaway.

The meals at Rosewood Le Guanahani is top-tier, however the property options just one restaurant (though a second pop-up eating places is typically open as nicely). So, if you’re planning on staying on the resort to your dinners throughout your vacation, chances are you’ll end up returning to the identical spot each evening, and for foodies who love selection, this might really feel a bit repetitive. However in St Barts, issues are a bit completely different, since most inns – together with the Rosewood – truly encourage company to enterprise off-property to discover the island’s thrilling eating scene (the island is house to a number of high-end eating places, so it will be a disgrace in case you would keep on the resort to your dinners).

The structure of the Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, set throughout a hilly panorama, will be fairly difficult for company with mobility points or those that merely don’t need to exert an excessive amount of effort. Most of the rooms, eating places, and facilities are scattered throughout the property, and a few require a big quantity of strolling or utilizing shuttles to get round.

The seashore will be tough for swimming attributable to robust winds and currents, making it much less excellent for households with younger youngsters. Additionally, a notable problem at instances, significantly within the hotter months, is the presence of seaweed (particularly sargassum) that may wash up on the seashores. This may have an effect on the great thing about the seashore and your total seashore expertise. Whereas the resort employees works exhausting to clear it away, there are occasions when the buildup will be vital, affecting the standard of the water and the aesthetic of the seashore.

MY VERDICT

Location: 9/10
Design: 9/10
Pool: 9/10
Rooms: 9/10
Meals: 9/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Wow issue: 8/10
Worth for cash: 8/10
General expertise: excellent 8.7/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Get monetary savings: get complimentary VIP perks at Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth when reserving by way of Virtuoso:
- Improve on arrival, topic to availability
- Day by day Buffet breakfast for as much as two company per bed room, served within the restaurant
- $100 USD equal resort credit score to be utilized throughout keep (not combinable, not legitimate on room charge, no money worth if not redeemed in full)
- Bookings in Signature Suites (2 and three bedrooms) will obtain an extra $100 Lodge credit score (for a complete of $200 throughout keep)
- Early check-in and late check-out, topic to availability
- Complimentary Wi-F

Get monetary savings: learn right here my suggestions for getting the very best deal at a luxurious resort like Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth (and/or obtain many free perks).

Learn my suggestions for making ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

St Barts has a nice tropical local weather with common highs that hover within the 80s °F (round 28 °C), normally tempered by cooling commerce winds. December to March are the preferred months to go to, characterised by heat, typically dry but additionally windy days, while the summer season months between June and November are typically extra humid, with common showers and the opportunity of tropical storms and hurricanes. The most effective time to go to the island is April and Might, a candy spot that includes decrease costs and fewer crowds.

HOW TO GET THERE

The primary approach to journey to St Barts is to fly to close by St Maarten Island, adopted by a 15-min flight to St Barts’ airstrip, which is situated a brief 10-minute drive away from Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth. The resort supplies complimentary street transfers to and from the airport.

PHOTOS

Right here’s a number of my photographs of Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth. To view extra photographs (together with breakfast and dinner), click on right here.