St. Barths — January 2010
St. Barths and I really hit it off on our first date. This boutique island in the Caribbean creates an idyllic atmosphere of fine food, spectacular scenery, and just enough shopping in case you get board. It’s duty free but you’ll cry Hermès tears when you see the prices!
We spent the week at Villa Mango, a private 3 bedroom home perched in the hills overlooking Gustavia Harbor. The lifestyle of St. Barths encourages you to get out, explore different beaches and try a new restaurant every day and in our case, twice daily. Much is said about the glitz and glamour of this sexy island “where the rich and famous run free” but I saw another side of life here. You can totally lay back and choose how much you want to be in the fire. From the hipster’s Eden Rock to the uber discreet Hotel Le Toiny one thing is agreeed, you will need a suitcase full of Euros to foot the bill.
My good friend Anne Sides loving all those same things has been coming to St. Barths for 20 years. She and her husband Allen own Ocean Way Recording Studios and finally realized their dream of opening a studio here partnering with Eden Rock.
Clockwork Orange Flashback!
Ocean Way Studio, St. Barths
The studio is part of the 16,000 square foot Villa “Rockstar.” The modern white decor gave me Clockwork Orange flashbacks. The “Freddy Mercury Suite” looked like someone took a bedazzler to it covering it in silver moacis tiles. Simply wild! David Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust days would have been right at home here. Extraordinarily decadent! It’s quite a contrast to the other French casual inspired accommodations on the island. I can’t wait until we return in June to take it for a spin.
St Barthelemy is located in the French West Indies near the Caribbean islands of St. Martin and Anguilla. Contact me for reservations.