Kiki Astor has been vacationing on St Barth for decades, and even spent her honeymoon there, so it has a special place in her heart. She was lucky enough to visit the tropical paradise again recently to research her steamy romance novel, Villa For Rent on St Barts, and concocted this guide to navigating this ever-charming island. Many of these spots are mentioned in the book. Enjoy!
“Indulge in this page-turning romance novel that blends passion, suspense, and the mouthwatering allure of St. Barts. ‘Villa For Rent on St Barts’ is a spellbinding tale that will leave you hungry for more.”
Best Beaches in St Barth
St Jean, of course. This beach is long and gorgeous, lined with beach clubs, with white sands and turquoise waters. Bring your own towel and umbrella, or go check out chic beach clubs such as Gypsea, Nikki Beach, Pearl, or Nao, and be waited on hand and foot. Pro tip: use the valet parking at Nikki Beach no matter where you’re going. It’s the easiest one to find and you will spare yourself a nervous breakdown trying to park along the side of the busy road.
Saline. This beach is easy access, with a generous parking lot, for once, but feels like a locals spot. there are no hotels here, and you can spot Roman Abramovich’s house, the old Rockefeller estate, near the parking area. This peninsula and beach inspired the main location in Villa For Rent on St Barts.
Colombier is quite a hike, but you’ll be rewarded with some Instagram-worthy pools (weather and tide dependent, and for heaven’s sake, be careful, darling!) if you make the trek. You’ll also see sea turtles here, but they also hang out in the much easier access Anse du Grand Cul de Sac.
Favorite Restaurants in St Barth
Nikki Beach: This is where Brooke and crew dine on the first night. A little “M’as tu vu,” a little tacky, but there is no better people watching, and their tropical take on sushi rolls is delish.
Shellona is a beach restaurant, right in town, on the other side of Gustavia (it’s called Shellona because the beach is not sand, but shell)… Antoine’s house is on this beach in Villa For Rent on St Barts.
Tamarin: This is a stunning location, anchored by an ancient tamarind tree. A perfect, romantic nighttime choice.
Gypsea is more chill than Nikki Beach, with great service, and dare I say better food? I adored this place, and would have gone back multiple times if I’d had longer than a week.
Pro tip:
You’ll probably want to skip tourist trap restaurants in Gustavia (and indeed Gustavia as a whole) during the midday period. You’ll kick yourself if you miss precious beach or exploring time here- make it a happy hour shopping and cocktails expedition instead. As for restaurants for the evening, there are a few good ones here, but there are also great ones scattered throughout the island. One the short list for restaurants: L’Esprit, Grain de Sel, Le Sereno, Ti St Barth, Le Toiny, La Petite Plage, Bagatelle, and Bonito, for starters.
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Where to Stay in St Barth
This one looks fancy, but it’s half the price of some. Le Manapany is where Auntie Kiki and her husband stayed, and would again stay there without hesitation. This is a eco-hotel, too, which makes you feel quite virtuous, darling. Pro tip: Call the hotel to arrange for pick-up at the hotel, and really pay attention to how to get there on the back roads. Also have the hotel organize your rental car- it’s no more expensive and the convenience of having your vehicle waiting for you when you check in is fabulous.
Wonder where all the Euro snobs go? Look no further than Cheval Blanc. We found it a bit glacial and unwelcoming, but perhaps we are simply too Nouveau Pauvre for the staff.
Got gobs of cash? Try the Eden Roc. Literally built on a rock once owned by legendary St Barths developer and Airport namesake Remy de Haenen, the Eden Roc is ideally located on St Jean beach. But Auntie Kiki’s tip is save your money, set up camp in more scenic and less pricey locations, and people-watch as you stroll by.
Unique St Barth Experiences
Charter a boat for the day. It doesn’t have to be a yacht, darling. Size doesn’t always matter…but there is no better way to explore some of the best swimming and snorkeling locations around the island. As for heading on day trips to other islands, you’re staying on the best. There is plenty to explore on St Barth without going to Anguilla or St Martin.
Are sea turtles your spirit animal? You’re in luck! They can be spotted all over the island, and notably at Anse Du Grand Cup de Sac and Colombier.
Do like my Villa For Rent on St Barts character Brooke and tool around the island in an electric Moke. You can make a pit stop at Le Toiny for a drink as Brooke and Antoine do, or simply drive aimlessly on the lookout for the next spectacular view.
Shopping in St Barth
Sure, there are plenty of recognizable luxury brands here, but why waste precious beach hours perusing picked-over collections of resort wear you could find in a second-rate Neiman Marcus anywhere in the States? Instead, shop local.
If you’re wondering where all those chic European girls on Saint Barth get their floral print dresses, looking further than Poupette St Barth. Buy it there, or be prepared by purchasing their pretty pieces online.
Extend your vacation with the nostalgic scent of Ligne St Barth products. From sunscreen to body wash, they’ve got you covered.
Clic St Barth is a personal favorite for jet-set basics. They carry copies of Villa For Rent on St Barts, unless they’ve sold out. Pro tip: pack plenty of books, or fill up your Kindle with reading materials- it costs a fortune to ship books to the island, so you’ll be hard pressed to find a bookstore. If you’ve already read Villa For Rent, try Low Season in St Tropez. It’s got the same Francophile vibe, and you’ll feel smug being in the tropics instead of in France in the winter.
If you didn’t snap up one of Bijoux de la Mer’s iconic pearl and leather confections, did you even go to St Barth?
*Also, don’t get drunk and buy any so-called art on the island, unless you’re one hundred percent sure it’s not the Rhum Agricole talking. There’s no worse buyer’s remorse than getting that fabulous tropical piece home in Greenwich and realizing that it will never fit your New England decor .
Le Cellier du Gouverneur is a wine snob’s heaven. Did you know that old tax laws mean that wine is dirt-cheap on Saint Barth? Now you do.
My character Antoine would kill me for mentioning this- after all, he is a Meat and Fish purveyor focused on artisanal products, but the Super U on St Barths is a true red carpet shopping experience.