Luxury Hotels & Resorts » Hotel Eden Rock

HOTEL EDEN ROCK – WEST INDIES
WHEN CHRISTOPHER Columbus discovered the tiny island of St. Barts (named after his brother Bartholomew) it would become one of the most sought-after destination on the planet. This is a sunburned piece of St. Tropez in the middle of the Caribbean. French-owned. and the visitors are mainly European and American, who think of it as home away from home and tend to return to their island year after year to mingle with the who’s who of the world and indulge in a bit of topophilia.

Once you are here there isn’t a better place to stay than the iconic Eden Rock hotel. It is exquisitely situated. pendant like, on a coral reef flanked by white sands on the northern side of the island in St. Jean, with the ocean views of a lighthouse.

Water is everywhere. Lapping its beachfront; on the tables of the Sand Bar; and crashing below onto the coral as you dine at ‘On the Rocks’ restaurant and bar. It appears at every window, and you’d be hard pressed to find a room that doesn’t overlook the aquamarine of the vast Caribbean.

In the evenings, you’re likely to encounter Ellie, the photographer buzzing about with his flashbulb crowned camera. He’s hoping to make a name for himself by clicking dozens of celebrities each season, a shortcut to Helmut-Newton’s fame. Staying at the Eden Rock, you are likely to see more celebrities than at the Oscars: Tom Cruise, Meg Ryan, Claudia Schiffer all think of it as their pied-A-terre. But the place still feels like home throughout your stay. The owner, David Matthews, and his team make a point of that. The rooms vary from singles to enormous villas with private pools. Two new villas have just been added, Nina and Rock Star, which come with every amenity known to us, even recording studios!

The casual Sand Bar is a great place to start the day, with brunch. Guests often explore the eight-square mile island during the day, and return to dinner at On the Rocks, built on a rocky outcrop steps away from the villas. Chef Jean-Claude Dufour’s open kitchen prepares all manner of cuisine from comfort foods such as hamburgers and French fries to international favourites, such as seafood soup with lemongrass, watercress and squid ravioli and roast rack of veal with tarragon.

The concierge can help set you up with boat hires should you wish to explore wrecks, or have a private floating party. For those who wish to recharge, the well being centre beckons with massages, yoga and pilates.