Originally opened in 1986 and expanded in 1991, Le Guanahani has established itself as a haven of casual luxury, comfort and elegance. An authentic reflection of St. Barth, the hotel has evolved into the island’s finest destination for active travelers, providing an unsurpassed array of leisure activities. In 2004, Le Guanahani added an indulgent Spa My Blend by Clarins, and it has continued to refine the guest experience through a series of extensive and thoughtful interior design updates over the past few years.
Hotel Fact Sheet Resort MapThe Caribbean island of St. Barth lies in the French West Indies near St. Maarten. This little outpost of France, colonized in the 17th century, possesses a gentle way of life and rich heritage. Known for its pure white-sand beaches, exceptional gastronomy and fashionable boutiques, the isle offers an unprecedented blend of relaxed glamour, social activity and privacy.
Situated towards the northern end of the chain of islands that make up the Lesser Antilles, St. Barth was named by Christopher Columbus in 1493 after his brother, Bartolomeo, and is considered by many to be the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. The go-to destination for luxury travel in the West Indies, this nine-square-mile island offers visitors 14 pristine white-sand beaches, a heavenly average temperature of 28°C (82° F) in winter and 30°C (86 °F) in summer, and an environment as peaceful, welcoming and private as it is beautiful.
When it comes to shopping, St. Barth is on the cutting edge, keeping up with the latest trends from Europe in fashion and art. The duty-free island overflows with luxury fashion, jewelry, apothecary and home décor boutiques; alongside shops filled with the most coveted brands, are wares from local artisans and designers.
Much like in France, gastronomy is one of St. Barth’s greatest passions; the island’s restaurants are a draw for visitors and locals alike. Culinary and performing art festivals punctuate island life throughout each calendar year, as do sailing regattas and other sports tournaments. And, for those who like to hit the town, St. Barth provides nightlife like no other island with a variety of bars and clubs to choose from including favorites like Le Ti St Barth in Pointe Milou, Nikki Beach in St. Jean, and Bagatelle and the Saint Barth Yacht Club in Gustavia. Whether enjoying dinner, music or a party on the beach with friends, a night in St. Barth is always magical.
CONNECTING VIA ST. MAARTEN
By Plane
The main way to travel to St. Barth from the United States and Europe is by a connecting flight through nearby St. Maarten via Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). The 12-minute connecting flight arrives into St. Barth’s Gustave III Airport (SBH), which is located a short 10-minute drive away from the hotel.
United Airlines, Air France, KLM, Air Caraibes, Corsair and Copa Airlines have affiliations with Winair and St Barth Commuter (the local airlines offering the connection between St. Maarten and St. Barth), allowing baggage to be checked through to St. Barth. Upon arrival into St. Maarten, you can proceed directly to the Transfer Information Desk prior to Immigration where local airline representatives will advise you on how to proceed.
For those traveling into St. Maarten on a non-affiliated carrier such as American Airlines, US Airways, Jet Blue, Air Canada or West Jet, Le Guanahani can arrange a meet-and-greet service to ensure a better connection. A transfer agent will greet you on arrival at the Transfer Information Desk, accompany you through Immigration, collect your baggage for transfer to the inter-island carrier and escort you to the departure lounge. Please contact concierge@leguanahani.com for assistance with transfer arrangements.
Winair and St Barth Commuter offer scheduled inter-island flights into St. Barth. The flight duration is approximately 15 minutes. The airport in St. Barth operates from 7 a.m. to sunset.
Private jets cannot land in St. Barth; the closest airport for jet landings is in St. Maarten.
Private Charters: Fly private from anywhere in the world and connect seamlessly at a nearby island. Le Guanahani can arrange everything from aircraft selection to catering to ground transportation.
By Boat
Via Voyager Ferry: from Marigot or Oyster Pond to Gustavia, St. Barth.
Via Great Bay Express: from Philipsburg (Bobby’s Marina) to Gustavia, St. Barth.
Via private boat: 45 minutes in duration; five luxury boats are available. Please contact the concierge for details.
CONNECTING VIA SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
By Plane
San Juan International Airport (SJU) offers daily non-stop service to/from New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Houston, Dallas, Toronto, Baltimore, Hartford, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Washington, D.C., Caracas and Panama City.
Carriers include Copa Airlines, Avianca and a number of U.S.-based airlines.
Tradewind Aviation offers scheduled service and private charters from San Juan into St. Barth in modern, turbo-powered Pilatus PC-12 and Cessna Grand Caravan aircrafts. The dual-piloted planes offer air-conditioning and complimentary snack and beverage service. This connection allows for seamless transfer without double processing through customs.
CONNECTING VIA ANTIGUA
By Plane
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and a number of U.S.-based airlines offer regularly scheduled flights into Antigua’s V. C. Bird International Airport (ANU).
Tradewind Aviation and St Barth Commuter offer scheduled service and private charters from Antigua. Tradewind Aviation’s scheduled flights run from Oct. 15-Apr 10. St Barth Commuter’s scheduled flights operate from Dec. 1-Apr. 30.
CONNECTING VIA ST. THOMAS
By Plane
Tradewind Aviation offers scheduled service and private charters from St. Thomas.
A valid passport without VISA is required for the following countries: United States, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Panama and the European Union (this list is not exhaustive). For all the others countries, please verify with your state department as to whether a visa D.F.A. (Departement Francais d’Amerique) is required to enter St. Barth.
A pair of crossed keys, worn on the lapels of one’s uniform, identifies a Clefs d’Or Golden Keys concierge. This distinguished honor is earned by a rigorous process of training and experience. The keys symbolize high-quality service and confirm the professionalism and expertise of the concierge. At Le Guanahani, the concierge staff proudly represents this tradition with creativity, promptness and reliability. Whether guests are in the mood to relax, curious to discover the island’s hidden gems or looking for memorable one-of-a-kind encounters, the hotel’s concierge team is ready to provide exceptional insight and handle the finer details of all arrangements. concierge@leguanahani.com
Located near the main pool, the hotel’s boutique offers a curated selection of swimwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children as well as a variety of beach vacation necessities and toiletries.
Le Guanahani offers convenient on-site car rentals. A terrific means for exploring the island, the vehicles feature automatic transmission, air-conditioning and seating for two to five persons. Makes include Mini Cooper, Fiat, Wrangler and Viatra, as well as electronic cars from Renault.
Front Desk • 24-hour in-room dining service • Twice-daily maid service • Laundry service • Babysitting and complimentary children’s programs • Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel • Book library • Daily international newspapers • Currency exchange • Shipping and receiving services • Airport/port transfers
Le Guanahani is committed to creating a unique, luxurious and natural experience that helps to sustain the planet, conserve wildlife and habitats, and reduce carbon emissions. Working with internationally recognized biologist Dr. Deborah Brosnan, the hotel has developed a long-range plan for preserving and protecting the land and sea surrounding the hotel. The initiative will also create programs that allow guests to get up-close-and-personal with the natural surroundings – from wildlife viewing and monitoring to educational and restoration-oriented activities.
Le Guanahani makes every effort to decrease its impact on the environment. The hotel employs green products and processes such as: paints and cleaning products chosen for their ecological value; papers produced from sustainably managed forests; low energy lighting; low-carbon products; and selective sorting. For laundry, the hotel brings in desalinated seawater to use with ecological detergents, which is then reused to irrigate the hotel gardens. And, significant hardware upgrades have been made to minimize air and water pollution. St. Barth is a “dry” island with no natural resource for drinking water; it desalinates seawater to address the island’s needs. Le Guanahani is equipped with two desalination plants; after fresh water is produced, it remains to reject residual brine into the sea without disrupting the ecosystem. The hotel invites guests to join in the conservation effort by reusing towels and linens.
Green Globe Certification
Le Guanahani’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism is earnest and long-term. In 2013, it became the first hotel on the island to clearly define its sustainability intentions by associating with Green Globe, and its certification process—which covers areas of Sustainable Management, Social Economic, Cultural Heritage and Environment—was completed in December 2016.
Established in 1996, the Réserve Naturelle Saint-Barthelemy marine park comprises 2,500 acres divided into five zones throughout the island. Le Guanahani is located within the reserves of Grand Cul-de-Sac, Marigot Bay and Marechal Beach. In this tropical landscape and coastal environment, protected flora and fauna can be observed including pelicans, iguanas, turtles, heron, Pic Boeuf and many more.
Le Guanahani features hiking paths that can be accessed directly from the hotel. Each month, on nights of the full moon, the hotel offers special kayaking tours around the property. This amazing experience provides a unique perspective on Le Guanahani’s marine wonderland.
The enchanting marine life surrounding Le Guanahani is easy to explore on a self-guided snorkel tour around Marigot Bay and Grand Cul-de-Sac. Depending on the time of the year, snorkelers can see Green and Hawksbill sea turtles, schools of Blue Tang, Nurse Sharks, Elkhorn Coral, conch, lobster, reef squid and Pufferfish.
Le Guanahani offers exceptional night-sky viewing. Don’t miss the full moon when moonrise over the lagoon bathes the waters in shimmering light. The Milky Way, star constellations, planets, meteorite showers and, at times, the International Space Station can be seen from the hotel.
The valuable seagrass meadows found in the shallows of Grand Cul-de-Sac are home to a host of marine life including sea turtles, conch, lobsters and fish. The meadows decrease wave energy, making the waters calmer and allowing more sand to stay on the beaches for guests to enjoy. They also reduce the carbon footprint and help to protect our planet.
From late January until early April, Humpback Whales travel 2,000 miles from southern breeding sites to their summer feeding grounds off the northeast American coast. For many, their journey takes them past Le Guanahani. At times, they can be seen blowing and breaching outside the reef. Mothers will sometimes lead their newborn calves into the waters just beyond the reef where they pause on their journey. Underwater, one can often hear whales singing their haunting song.
During the nesting period for the Green Sea Turtle, staff and guests at the hotel help monitor the beaches for nests and hatchlings. Grand Cul-de-Sac and Marigot Bay are home to Hawksbill and Green sea turtles year-round. Although they were in serious decline, the marine reserve status of the lagoon and bay has contributed to their recovery. At Le Guanahani, we are maintaining the seagrass meadows and protecting the coastal dune vegetation on the property, both of which are critical feeding and resting habitat for sea turtles. The tiny hatchlings use the shallow coral reef habitat in Marigot Bay as a refuge from predators–its vital to their survival while they are small and vulnerable. As they get larger they migrate onto the seagrass beds on which they feed.
St. Barth boasts 14 gorgeous white-sand beaches, all open to the public. Saline Beach, accessed by a short but tricky path, is well worth a visit, especially for those who enjoy nude sunbathing. Colombier Beach tends to be one of the island’s more deserted stretches of sand as it can only be reached by boat from Gustavia or via a hike from Flamands Beach. Also known as Rockefeller Beach, Colombier is worlds away from the island's bustling capital, with calm waters, good snorkeling and privacy.
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