Frommer's Review
St. Barts's largest hotel would be a jewel of a small boutique hotel anywhere else. Don't let its casual good nature fool you: Guanahani defines excellence. Service is as good here as you'll get anywhere, with the staff knowing what you need before you even know it yourself.
This award-winning hotel enjoys a spectacular situation on its own peninsula bracketed by two scenic beaches, one facing the Atlantic ocean, the other, the Grand Cul-de-Sac Bay, overlooking Marigot Bay. The resort looks compact, but it spills down a lush hillside to the spacious beach. And its spa, the Clarins Spa, is a world-class facility, with an herbal tea room and a good-size swimming pool. Of the resort's 68 rooms, 35 are suites -- and 14 of those have private pools. Guanahani has six unique villas that offer the ultimate in space and privacy. Of these, the Pelican Suite is perfect for families; a pitched-roof cottage trimmed in gingergread details, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, its own private backyard (with roving chickens), sweeping views of Grand Cul-de-Sac, and an outdoor hot tub. The ocean-view Marigot Suite has two bedrooms and private access to the spa and spa pool; the Wellness Suite also has private access to the spa. (Both the Marigot and Wellness villas have built-in spa packages.) Each villa comes with private butler service, which means every day is full of little surprises. After mentioning that we were planning an island beach-hopping trip, for example, we were delighted to find a basket full of beach goodies at our door: umbrella, towels, sunscreen -- even printed directions to the St. Barts beaches.
The room interiors are a delight as well, with a bright lime-plum-and-turquoise color scheme that mirrors the surrounding gardens where butterflies and hummingbirds flit and flutter. Guanahani is not for those who have mobility problems or just don't relish huffing up and down steep slopes. There's a big variation in price, view, size, and decor, though all units have a private patio, the latest gadgetry from iPod docking stations to LCD flatscreen TVs, Bulgari and Clarins toiletries, and a brightly tiled, shower-only bathroom.
Though intimately scaled, Guanahani presents an amazing array of activities. The two restaurants, airy, alfresco Indigo and the formal (in the St. Barts sense of the word) Bar'tó, offer creative continental cuisine. Staffers are remarkably cordial and beyond competent; little luxuries include chilled Bulgari towels in the airport shuttle. And kids are welcomed throughout the resort, with two children's programs (Kindergarten and Junior's) and a big toy box on the beach.
Facilities: 2 restaurants; 3 bars; 2 outdoor pools; 2 tennis courts; fitness center; spa; Jacuzzi; boat rental; catamaran; canoes and paddleboats; fishing; sailing; scuba; windsurfing; children's programs (ages 2-12); car rental; salon; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; horseback riding; boutique.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
