Hotel Guanahani & Spa

If you’re rather be sur la plage at this time of the year, head to France’s Caribbean outpost St. Barths. The Caribbean doesn’t get more exclusive than St. Barths. This idyllic island is also surprisingly lush and hilly with beautiful beaches, but there’s just as much beauty underneath the water.

For living the Caribbean way in a beach bungalow, check out Hotel Guanahani & Spa. The rainbow cottages from this resort, from yellow to indigo or purple to bright green, are scattered amongst bougainvilleas, hibiscus and a coconut grove stretching between the ocean and the lagoon.

This resort is wedged on an isolated peninsula between two beaches, Marigot and Grand Cul-de-Sac and the nearest town is only 10 minute drive away. Make sure you rent a car, because it’s quite far from Gustavia and cabs are ”ching ching’’.

Pastel shades, rare woods and lovely cotton fabrics give each of the 68 rooms (including 35 suites) a colonial atmosphere. Each room has a sitting area, terrace and some have a private swimming pool surrounded by its own garden. All rooms at Hotel Guanahani & Spa vary in size and style. Style wise our favorites are: La Villa, Garden House, Marigot Suite, Welness Suite, Pelican Suite, Beach House and the Family Suites.

Days are spent swimming in the crystal clear waters, showing off your body catching sun at the beach, a barefoot lunch, and at the end of the day swap the beach for the soul-reviving Clarins Spa, fitness-room or challenge your lover for a Nadal Federer classic. Finish your ultimate day in Caribbean style with sunset cocktails at Indigo On The Beach, and dinner at Le Bartolomeo.

Wanna challenge yourself? Find out what the Watersportscentre from Hotel Guanahani has to offer from kite-surfing to jet-skiing. Dive junkies can spent their days under the surface between hundreds of reef sharks and turtles, and if you’re only a wannabe water babe become Padi qualified here.

Bon voyage!