Making the Most Out of Gustavia - St. Barts
Gustavia is the heart, soul, and capital of St. Barth or St. Barts, and we love it! Whether traveling by speed boat, ferry, or yacht to St. Barts, you will reach the harbor in Gustavia and will no doubt head straight into town to get refreshed after your travels.
When looking for a vacation rental on St. Barts, if you are interested in staying where the action is (or where celebrities such as the Kardashians have centered their St. Barth vacations), then you will want to stay in Gustavia.
Gustavia is bursting with small boutiques (duty-free) and restaurants, all adorning the quiet cobblestone streets of the town. If this is your first time or even your 10th, you will enjoy getting lost in the delight of this up-scale and historic Caribbean Island!
Discovered by Columbus in 1493, St. Barth was named after his brother, Bartolomeo, and the island was first settled in 1648 by French colonists from the nearby island of St. Kitts. Fast forward to 1946, St. Bart was given the legal status of a Department of France. All citizens were given French passports and were expected to pay French taxes. In 1957, American millionaire David Rockefeller bought a property, and the island's notoriety quickly spread by word-of-mouth as it transitioned into an upscale and French-speaking tourist destination.
As you head into town, you will notice classic designer shops such as Hermes, Chopard, and Louis Vuitton. Popular among the rich and famous, as well as US Francophiles who want a taste of the South of France during winter, St. Barth is truly a chic destination offering a quiet retreat for families and couples alike.
This gorgeous little island is home to an array of stunning beaches (some quieter ones clothing optional), quaint local restaurants (read further to learn our favorites), and an abundance of designer boutiques, for the more adventurous, jet ski rentals can provide a full island tour while floating along the crystal blue waters of the warm Caribbean Sea.
A Day in Gustavia
During our recent villa tours and inspections trip to St. Barth, we had the pleasure of spending time in Gustavia. As no day in the Caribbean should start without café and macarons, we started our morning at the local La Petite Colombe in downtown Gustavia. If you are staying in the area, it would be an easy walk; otherwise, it's generally about a 10-15-minute drive.
Tip—If you are looking for an American-style coffee, ask for an Americano and let them know if you would like cream beforehand. They do not leave it out on counters like you would usually see at home at your local Starbucks. In fact, they heat the milk and add it to your coffee to maintain the heat! Sugar is generally left on the counter, and they will also warm up your French treats!
Once our appetites were satisfied, we set off for our St. Barth villa tours!
Favorite Gustavia Villas
Although all of our St. Barth villas are AMAZING, we picked our two favorites in the Gustavia area and would love to take you on a quick tour...
Tropicalia Villa
This gorgeous little villa overlooks Shell Beach (one of our favorite beaches) and features a large and modern space with a huge kitchen and living area, great for family gatherings. There is also a multilevel area with a great view and a nice outdoor bar, perfect for guest entertaining. Beware of the stairs if you are traveling with a group of older folks or kids.
Axel Rocks
This home has been rented by L.A. and NYC A-listers and is a great option for "partying" adults. Boasting incredible unobstructed views of the Caribbean, it also features an infinity pool with an "underground" window to peek at the swimmers—guaranteed fun! We would not suggest bringing kids to this home, as it's much more suited to adults.
Time for Refreshments
We get it. You are on vacation, and that's why we set out to find the best spot to refresh yourself with fresh food and beverages. For lunch, we stopped at The Fish Corner for the catch of the day, and oh my goodness, it was probably the best fish I have ever had! The shop is relatively small, so arrive early as they run out of fresh catch. This is perfect for dining couples but most likely too small for large family dining. If you're with a large group, might we suggest sneaking away to experience this special spot.
Tip – If you find yourself struggling to understand the French menu, keep looking, as there is usually an English version at the end. If not, ask the waiter.
Le Select
Finally, it's late afternoon, and we are ready for a beer! After touring a few local shops serving drinks, we always ended up at our favorite, Le Select.
This is a great bar with outdoor seating and excellent service. Besides the good selection of drinks, the atmosphere alone is worth the stop. There's an island vibe, and you will usually catch the locals hanging out here as well. It's the perfect juxtaposition of Jimmy Buffet meets upscale St. Barth.
Fine Dining in Gustavia
Gustavia features many fine-dining options to please any palate, from sushi to Italian to local seafood, so you will have difficulty choosing where to enjoy island cuisine! We had the opportunity to dine at Bonito, a beautiful French restaurant featuring fresh seafood and contemporary options. It is also vegetarian-friendly.
The ambiance is just as incredible as the food and offers panoramic views of the harbor and the sparkling lights of Gustavia below. Trust us, this is a fine dining experience you don't want to miss!
Local Customs
St. Bart is incredibly safe. In fact, we often left our car doors unlocked, as many locals tend to do (yet we always suggest leaving any valuables locked and out of sight). Please always be polite to locals and tourists; a friendly "Bonjour" can go a long way. We were also told that honking your horn is considered very rude, and you will notice a lack of this sound while visiting, so enjoy.
Exotic Estates – St. Barth Expertise
At Exotic Estates, we are genuinely Luxuriously Local and have gone above and beyond to prepare you for a carefree trip to the island. St. Barth and Gustavia are exceptional, and you will feel the local love almost immediately upon arrival.
To ensure that you will enjoy everything this beautiful island has to offer, we have toured St. Barth from North to South and East to West and we cannot wait to share these stunning Caribbean vacation villas with you! Stay tuned for our trip to the other side of the island, where we visit Flamands, St. Jean, and Grand Cul de Sac!
If you have any questions about St. Barts or where to stay in Gustavia, you can reach us at 888-628-4896 or reservations@exoticestates.com.
