Anyone who has never been to St. Barts has a view on its ethos. “It’s all about money,” “It’s way too social,” or "Oh no, it’s not for me,’ they say. Regulars don’t do much to contradict these assumptions—this is our secret place, and we want to keep it that way. It’s true: getting here can sometimes feel like a Sisyphean task—the airport shuts at sundown, so if you miss your connection you have to overnight in Antigua or St. Maarten. And it’s a magnet for the rich, particularly between Christmas and New Year, when billionaires parade their super-yachts in the port of the capital, Gustavia. Passers-by—like ornithologists spotting a rare bird—pass the time identifying which boat belongs to whom (such as Bernie Arnault’s Symphony or David Geffen’s Rising Sun). It all adds to the allure of this citronella-scented adventure playground, which curiously, despite the glitz, manages not to feel vulgar or ostentatious.
When it comes to hotels, St. Barts is home to some of the best in the Caribbean—sleek boutique stays where sustainability and luxury intertwine effortlessly. For our top picks, the below are the ultimate places to stay in St. Barts.
Charlie and Mandie Vere Nicoll, former owners of St-Barth Isle de France (sold for a mint to LVMH), couldn't sit still, so they bought another property on the island. Fun fact: Charlie is the local vicar (we kid you not). Some may refer to it as the hotel farthest from town, but for those in the know, Le Toiny is an intimate hideaway with only 22 sprawling suites nestled within 17 acres of tropical land. Private terraces and large heated pools come as standard, with each room designed by Lady Bee Osborne of Osborne Interiors (the interior designer visits every year to ensure everything is in tip-top condition). Two large villas have been recently added for even more space, ideal for large groups and families. The hotel's other drawcard is Le Toiny Restaurant, one of the best fine dining options on the island and one of the reasons the hotel is a member of Relais and Chateaux. Here, chef Brenton Styles' specialties include mahi mahi, curried cauliflower, and tuna tartar.
Perched on a rocky shoreline in Pointe Milou, with views across the uninhabited Fregate Island, Hotel Christopher could be one of the most seductive escapes in St. Barts. The family-owned hotel may ooze tropical allure—with exotic gardens cooled by trade winds—but it also radiates the va va voom spirit of the French Riviera. First is the Sisley Spa, where you can dip into both cultures. For loyal fans of the Parisian beauty brand, the spa menu is reliably packed with signature skin-plumping Phyto-Aromatic treatments, but the real magic lies in the bespoke therapies. The late-night Caribbean Ritual has
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Be it hammering down heart-thumping blacks in the ice-blue shadow of Mont Blanc, ski-touring beneath glistening saw-chiseled peaks or tree skiing through picture-book forests, France sports an unrivaled variety of skiing – for all abilities, styles and budgets.
Skipping the buzz—and the calories – has gotten much more enjoyable. Even in the past six months, the non-alcoholic wine space has improved dramatically, with new offerings showing surprising complexity. My list this year includes a couple of debuts and some old favorites. I’ve noted how these beverages were made – some start with fermented grapes – actual wine—then use complex chemistry to remove the alcohol. These might hew closer to a traditional wine to many palates. Then there are beverages that use a mixture of teas, juices, spices or other elements to give the experience of wine – mouthfeel, complex nose and palate. These alternatives are generally not meant to emulate a particular varietal, but rather give the drinker a pleasing adult beverage to enjoy in situations where you’d normally drink wine. Here are this year’s top picks.
While the big boys are continuing to expand their portfolios—with some spectacular announcements for 2024—the coming year is also shaping up to be a good one for people who prefer a bit of whimsy, a dollop of homegrown style and the one-of-a-kind feeling of an independent hotel (or at least one that’s part of a small regional group). From Aspen to Athens, Bhutan to Botswana, here are 15 new hotels that share a close attention to detail, a distinctive character and a genuine interest in sustainability.
Abu Dhabi’s bar scene, while slightly more subdued than neighboring Dubai, is certainly lively, and people in the UAE capital know how to have fun. From chic brasseries to pubs full of personality, here are the best bars in Abu Dhabi as chosen by our editors.
After the 20-minute sail across southeast Lombok's Awang Bay, stepping onto the honey-hued sands of Innit feels like arriving at a private island retreat. It's easy to be fooled into thinking you're all alone here: Mammoth boulders and steep cliffs border the shore on one side, and a string of undeveloped coves stretches out from the other. Wedged in between, Innit's seven beach houses are the only signs of life. Designed by celebrated Indonesian architects Gregorius Yolodi and Andra Matin, who took cues from Lombok's stilted lumbung barns, they all feature two terrazzo-floor bedrooms surrounded by glass walls and vertical slats made from local timber. Down at the breezy restaurant, Indonesian classics such as deconstructed gado gado with tempeh cubes and cabbage roll-ups are served with endearing fine-dining pizzazz. Innit can also organize paddleboard tours, surf lessons, and spear-fishing expeditions, followed by a bonfire on the beach, where the catch is grilled.
London’s thriving food scene is fueled by a constant influx of innovative chefs and restaurateurs and its diverse multicultural influences. Here are ten of the newest dining experiences that contribute to London’s well-deserved reputation as a global culinary destination.
The ultimate tropical getaway, the Caribbean conjures images of palm-fringed beaches, rum-fueled dancing and lush jungle excursions. Pick any of the 700-odd islands that form an arc between Florida and Venezuela and you’ll get all these things and more.