Travelling through St. Barths day one: Hotel Guanahani & Spa

Two weeks before I boarded a plane to St. Barths, I started asking around about things to do. I asked friends and family if they had ever been or knew anyone that had. The resounding answer was, “Isn’t that a celebrity island?” They said it like all super glossy celebs had been banished to one special island – think Survivor – and were forced to live a life of complete decadence.  Wouldn’t be too shabby an existence, right? All any one of us need do is google the pile of words ” Celebs St Barths” and you’ll be met with thousands upon thousands of rock stars, models and actors mingling on the island. It’s no wonder the general perception is that it’s a celeb hideaway. While celebs do favor the decadent lifestyle that is found on St. Barths, it is certainly not an island that caters only for the rich and famous. Hell, they let me on.

So here I was landing in St. Barths – you’ve no doubt already read that little ditty and come away thinking you can’t wait to see what would make an island worth nearly having a heart attack 11,000 feet in the air. Perhaps some visual stimulation will help drive the point home. How’s this for a view to wake up to?

That’s my view from room 21 at the Hotel Guanahani and Spa on this island, which was what I called home for 48 hours. I know, I know. It’s a tough life for some. But I’m willing to sacrifice my life to bring the best of the best to your attention. And people, Guanahani is the best of the best when it comes to accommodation on St. Barths. But here I am putting the horse before the cart once again. Let’s back up a little.

So we land in St. Barths and make the smoothest transition in the existence of airports from plane to patio. Yes, a patio complete with an overwhelmingly beautiful view and a nice beach breeze.

And while we’re talking about the view from the room, we might as well touch on the room itself at Hotel Guanahani. The decor is more or less my dream decoration. The whole feel of the room was inspired by the panama hat. How appropriate for such a beautiful tropical island, right? The colours are bright, the layout is spacious and somehow it manages to feel like a second home within moments of arriving. Ok, in full disclosure, I like to pretend such places are my second home. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth when you compare my grey and hectic London living.

Then came an experience with what I just have to say is the best french toast I’ve ever had in my life. If there were ever a cure for jet lag, I do believe this is it. French Toast at Hotel Guanahani should come with a warning label- don’t eat this French Toast if you have a food addiction problem.

So our schedule at Guanahani Hotel and Spa was quite rigorous. Who am I kidding? The hardest thing we had to do all day was to walk from our hotel room to the spa. Oh perfect world problems, eh? The thing is, that’s the way life is supposed to be here. The place is designed to cater to your every need and to make life slow down to the pace of a turtle (which they has as sort-of mascots walking the wooden walkways of the resort).

As I was working some serious peeling skin from my Barbados trip (yell at me later about skin cancer), I went into the spa for a full body scrub. Talk about “what the doctor ordered.” I was scrubbed from head to toe – and had my first experience with a topless fondle. Ok, that sounds indelicate. Let’s just say I’ve never had a full upper body scrub experience before and it took me somewhat by surprise. I started to say, “ummm, excuse me but I don’t think that area is in need of rejuvenation as it’s never seen the sun.” Then I remembered that topless sunbathing may not be very American, but it is certainly European and so I went with the flow allowing her to do her work in the most professional manner and came out with a full body scrubbed to within an inch of its life, including my boob-a-las.

After the spa treatment it was business as usual, meaning moments in the sun as I know I won’t see a lot of it after leaving this heaven on earth. Then we were off for a tour of the island. To try and put into words what we say would be the worst kind of butchering of an experience. The beauty of this island is something that must be experience on its own. You must stand atop the hilltops of St. Barths on a day and look down into the valleys and onto the beaches and take in the absurd beauty of mother nature, and while you’re at it, the beauty of what man has made as well. The houses, the yachts, the restaurants -they’re all straight out of a Hollywood film.

Here’s a look at what we discovered on St. Barths, and a final look at our last lunch and moments on the Hotel Guanahani beach. I’ll definitely be back!!!

Fashion Foie Gras was a guest of Hotel Guanahani in St. Barths. 

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