Review: Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

A few weeks ago, I enjoyed a holiday in St Barths, the Caribbean’s most exclusive island. You can read my trip reports here:

Review: Air France Business Class Airbus A330 from Paris to St Martin
Review: Winair Twin Otter flight from St Martin to St Barts
Review: Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth (today)
Review: Le Sereno St Barths
Review: Cheval Blanc St Barths
Review: Air France Business Class Airbus A330 from St Martin to Paris

Today: Review of Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth

Hotel website: Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth
Location: Google maps
Tips: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso

Facing a peaceful lagoon and the sparkling Caribbean, Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth is a vision of bougainvillea, coconut groves, and vibrantly colored cottages. In keeping with its exclusive St Barts’ location, this enclave feels more like an intimate retreat than a full-service hotel. Each of the 66 air-conditioned, Creole-style cottages features accents of rare wood, a wide terrace, and a private garden with nearly all rooms and suites offering ocean views, and many feature pools. Be as active as you wish; choose between the world-class spa and the many water sports, from kayaking and snorkeling to an exclusive hiking trail on the Morne.

Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth features in my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in St Barts.

Have you ever stayed at Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Where French elegance meets Caribbean exuberance, the island of St Barts – also known as St Barth or Saint Barthelemy – has long been considered one of the most coveted vacation destinations among the world’s most chic and affluent travelers. Influenced by its deeply layered history, St Barts’ predominantly French culture informs every detail of the island experience, from the local language, to its world-class restaurants and shops, to the sophisticated yet vibrant energy that runs through it all. Whether in quest of exotic scenery or seeking exclusive travel, this prestigious Caribbean jewel is much more than a secret island of a temple of laid back refinement; it offers a luxury lifestyle beyond compare. The main way to travel to St Barts is to fly to nearby St Maarten Island, followed by a 15-min flight to St Barth’s airstrip, which is located a short 10-minute drive away from the Rosewood Hotel.

Named in tribute to the island’s culture – “guanahani” means “welcome” in the destination’s native Arawak language – the beloved Le Guanahani Hotel has been a mainstay of local hospitality since it opened in 1986. Its enviable setting across 18 lush and secluded acres on a private peninsula overlooking the beautiful beaches of Maréchal Bay and Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon, complemented by its cosmopolitan design, made the resort instantly appealing to artists, designers and other discerning travelers worldwide. Le Guanahani remained one of the world’s most iconic island escapes and was rebranded in 2021 as a Rosewood property following a 4 year extensive renovation and refurbishment. The comprehensive reimagination preserved the unique spirit of the fabled resort while infusing contemporary amenities and design details, as well as Rosewood’s illustrious style of service and guiding.

Drawing inspiration from its pristine setting, rich with French flair and the festive spirit of the Caribbean, the architecture and design of Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth have been conducted by David M Schwartz Architects and Luis Pons Design Lab. From the accommodations to the dining areas to the spa, each space has been carefully conceived to immerse guests in the local culture and style. The natural beauty of St Barts is highlighted through smart design details that incorporate indigenous crafts and artisanship. Vibrant design hues of turquoise, inspired by the island’s waters; yellow, reflecting the tropical sun; and, lavender as a nod to the South of France, add pops of color and character throughout the property. The palette is complemented by refined and modern interiors filled with natural sunlight and boasting exclusive furnishings designed by Luis Pons.

Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth offers 66 beautiful accommodations which reflect the unique history, heritage and style of the French Caribbean. Designed as residential, freestanding spaces showcasing colorful exteriors and either ocean or garden views, the 29 guestrooms, 27 suites and 9 signature suites provide the utmost in privacy to facilitate total relaxation. Interiors are characterized by a modern and clean sense of style that is differentiated through playful design details and pops of color, creating an environment that is at once calming and invigorating. Natural light floods each room through floor-to-ceiling French windows, contrasting with the dark wooden floors and travel-inspired furniture by Luis Pons. Guestrooms, for example, feature pieces reminiscent of the vintage luggage chests used by explorers on their journeys.

During my holiday, I was upgraded to an Ocean View Suite with Private Pool, one of the resort’s highest room categories, located on the upper level of the hillside (facing east). The beautiful villa, whose exterior was painted in a pastel green color, featured a spacious and luxurious bedroom with a four-poster kingsize bed – dressed in the finest linens – as well as a separate living room with a convertible sofa bed. The villa’s ensuite bathroom was equipped with double sinks, a walk-in rain shower, and a toilet. A covered terrace (with plush lounge seats and a dining table) and an extended sundeck (with private plunge pool and two comfortable sun beds) offered a view of the Caribbean Sea & Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon, and was the perfect place to watch the sunrise early in the morning and to relax during the day.

Serving as the social hub of the resort and heart of Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth is the Beach House, which is located on the small land-strip between Maréchal Bay and Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon. Occupying a newly built, Caribbean-style pavilion, the Beach House is home to the resort’s only restaurant, which is comprised of separate spaces that welcome guests for the different mealtimes, dependent on the time of day. Also housing a boutique and high- end bar (Bar Mélangé), the Beach House emanates the new luxury resort’s French-Caribbean spirit through thoughtful design details such as hand-painted wall coverings, woven panels, sheer draperies, mahogany wood and marbled stone. Set along the Beach House is an open-air bar as well as magnificent infinity pool, which overlooks the beach of Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon.

A sanctuary of simplicity and purity, and the largest wellness facility on the island, Rosewood Le Guanahani’s Sense, A Rosewood Spa invites guests on a holistic journey. An extensive menu of treatments and therapies is on offer, each fusing age-old practices unique to St Barth’s local community with cutting-edge technologies and sustainable amenities. Highlights include The Ouanalao Ritual, inviting guests to achieve deep relaxation through a warm foot bath and exfoliation followed by a soothing facial cleanse and full body massage. Located between the beach and the hillside, the spa further incorporates the island ethos and natural surroundings in its design for a uniquely immersive journey from start to finish. The facility features four treatment rooms, two couples’ suites, hydrotherapy area, an adults-only pool, a state-of-the-art gym, blow-dry bar, nail salon and full-service tennis facility.

Due to the resort’s unique location on a private peninsula, Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barths has the advantage of offering its guest not one but two beautiful beaches. Separated by a small land strip lush with palm trees, both beaches are absolutely beautiful. The main beach – below the infinity pool and the Beach House – overlooks the sunrise and the turquoise waters of Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon, while the other beach faces Maréchal Bay, offering a view of the sunset. Guests may spend the day swimming or sunbathing at the resort’s main pool or the fully serviced beaches, which come complete with food and beverage offerings from the Beach House. Complimentary non-motorized watersports on property include kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling. Also highly recommended is to hike up the rocky promontory at the far end of the beach, which offers one of the best views in St Barths.

For beyond-the-resort island exploration, Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth’s dedicated Clefs d’Or Concierge is on offer to provide expert assistance in planning meaningful and immersive adventures. From hiking the island’s rolling hills, rocky reefs and natural pools, to shopping St Barts’ designer boutiques in search for bespoke clothing and crafts, to discovering the works of local and international artists, the island’s robust array of activities caters to all types of travelers. For those looking to maximize their time on the sand through sunbathing, sailing, sportfishing or scuba diving, St. Barts’ 14 beaches provide ample opportunity, each radiating with its own character and charm.

Younger guests are invited to embark on their own adventures at Rosewood Explorers, the resort’s forward-thinking children’s club concept that combines entertainment with education for an impactful experience. Helmed out of an indoor-outdoor space set directly adjacent to the beach, and featuring a custom mosaic mural by iconic local artist Veronique Vandernoot, the program offers a variety of locally inspired activities that aim to cultivate children’s creativity, cultural appreciation and social responsibility through adventure. Highlights include cooking and gardening classes, arts and crafts sessions and lessons on the local wildlife.

Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth is managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s most exclusive hotel brands. The Rosewood story began in 1979 when a historic mansion in Dallas, Texas was transformed into an acclaimed world-class hotel – The Mansion on Turtle Creek – whose success was the blueprint for all subsequent Rosewood properties. Today, the group manages a distinctive collection of residential-style hotels across the globe, including famous properties such as The Carlyle (New York) and Las Ventanas al Paraíso (Mexico). Each property delivers a one-of-a-kind ambience and style, in which location, culture, history and geography are part of the fabric of the hotel, reflecting the company’s “Sense of Place” philosophy. I have previously reviewed the following Rosewood Hotels & Resorts:

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth’s beautiful swimming pool is located at The Beach House. Unfortunately, the pool area is not exclusively reserved to hotel guests as non-guests can also buy a day pass to get access to the hotel’s beach facilities (this pass includes a lunch, day bed, and towel). This is a common practise in St Barts where travelers can buy a day pass to spend their leisure time at the pool of a luxury hotel. As a consequence, things can get a bit crowded at the pool – especially in the high season – and it may be difficult to find a lounger on the pool deck by late morning.

Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth’s main pool is open to both adults and children, and this may pose a problem if you are in search of blissful moments along the pool. For example, during my stay, a large family with young (and not so well behaved) children took over the entire pool area, and since they made so much noise, most other guests left the pool area after a while, hoping to find a quieter spot on the beach. Of course, there’s always the adults-only spa pool where guests can retreat to, but that pool is located up the hill and not along the beach. IMHO, while Rosewood Le Guanahani – and by extension St Barts Island – is family-friendly, it’s definitely more tailored toward couples or adults looking for a relaxing, romantic getaway.

The food at Rosewood Le Guanahani is top-tier, but the property features only one restaurant (although a second pop-up restaurant is sometimes open as well). So, if you are planning on staying at the resort for your dinners during your holiday, you may find yourself returning to the same spot every night, and for foodies who love variety, this could feel a little repetitive. But in St Barts, things are a bit different, since most hotels – including the Rosewood – actually encourage guests to venture off-property to explore the island’s thrilling dining scene (the island is home to several high-end restaurants, so it would be a shame if you would stay at the hotel for your dinners).

The layout of the Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, set across a hilly landscape, can be quite challenging for guests with mobility issues or those who simply don’t want to exert too much effort. Many of the rooms, restaurants, and amenities are scattered across the property, and some require a significant amount of walking or using shuttles to get around.

The beach can be rough for swimming due to strong winds and currents, making it less ideal for families with young children. Also, a notable issue at times, particularly in the warmer months, is the presence of seaweed (specifically sargassum) that can wash up on the beaches. This can affect the beauty of the beach and your overall beach experience. While the resort staff works hard to clear it away, there are times when the accumulation can be significant, affecting the quality of the water and the aesthetic of the beach.

MY VERDICT

Location: 9/10
Design: 9/10
Pool: 9/10
Rooms: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 9/10
Service: 8/10
Wow factor: 8/10
Value for money: 8/10
Overall experience: very good 8.7/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Save money: get complimentary VIP perks at Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth when booking via Virtuoso:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Buffet breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant
- $100 USD equivalent hotel credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
- Bookings in Signature Suites (2 and 3 bedrooms) will receive an additional $100 Hotel credit (for a total of $200 during stay)
- Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-F

Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth (and/or receive many free perks).

Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

St Barts has a pleasant tropical climate with average highs that hover in the 80s °F (around 28 °C), usually tempered by cooling trade winds. December to March are the most popular months to visit, characterized by warm, generally dry but also windy days, whilst the summer months between June and November tend to be more humid, with regular showers and the possibility of tropical storms and hurricanes. The best time to visit the island is April and May, a sweet spot featuring lower prices and fewer crowds.

HOW TO GET THERE

The main way to travel to St Barts is to fly to nearby St Maarten Island, followed by a 15-min flight to St Barts’ airstrip, which is located a short 10-minute drive away from Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth. The hotel provides complimentary road transfers to and from the airport.