Five Star Luxury + Barefoot Chic – Review of the Hotel Manapany St Barth

Saint Barthélemy, also known as St Barth or St Bart, is a French gem in the Caribbean that is perhaps best known as the playground of the rich and famous. With the Atlantic Ocean to the West and the Caribbean Sea to the East, beautiful beaches nestled against lush, tropical greenery, and tantalizing high-end boutiques, it’s easy to see why this posh yet low-key island is popular with the jet set.



While a vacation to St Barth is attainable for a “regular person,” the price tag and the somewhat remote location place it firmly in most people’s bucket list category. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone anniversary, birthday, or a special event like a promotion, engagement, or retirement, St Barth has that unique vibe you wish you could bottle.



This was quite a welcome and it set the tone for my entire trip. Photo credit: Jill Robbins



I recently returned from St Barth, and after five days on the island, I did not want to leave. I have all the details on how to plan the best trip: staying at the Five-Star Hotel Manapany . Located a short, five-minute drive from the airport and the town of Gustavia (hello shopping) on the Anse des Cayes, Hotel Manapany is a peaceful haven close to everything you want to be close to. The island is relatively small, just over 8 square miles, so getting anywhere is pretty uncomplicated. No matter what you’re celebrating, or if you’re celebrating nothing, here’s the scoop on how to have the dream trip you won’t want to come home from, either.



This Caribbean paradise is a little challenging to reach but this view makes the long travel day worth it. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Getting to St Barth + Getting Around


I flew on Delta Airlines from San Antonio to San Juan, Puerto Rico, connecting through Atlanta. Most travelers from the United States pass through Puerto Rico, while most European travelers pass through Saint Martin. From San Juan, I flew on Tradewind, which offers private charters and scheduled flights from San Juan to St Barth.



The Tradewind counter is at Terminal A at San Juan airport. Check-in is an easy process, and after you’re issued your boarding pass, you’ll proceed to the lounge directly upstairs, where you’ll be called for your flight. The lounge is well-stocked with snacks and drinks and has lots of seating. The only downside to the lounge was that there wasn’t a dedicated restroom. Guests must leave the lounge and go downstairs to use the facilities. Otherwise, flying on Tradewind to St Barth was a seamless and luxurious experience.



The flight takes about an hour. Book a stay at the Hotel Manapany, and transfer from the airport is included. Within just a few minutes of landing, you’ll be sitting beside their sparkling pool with a drink in hand. If you’re familiar with the vacation mantra, “Let your cares melt away,” I’m convinced it started here.



To get around St Barth, I recommend renting a car.



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My roundtrip flight with Tradewind Aviation was about $600 to get me from San Juan to St Barth. Tradewind’s service was excellent. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Guest Rooms at Hotel Manapany


The hotel has 43 rooms, suites, and villas, all facing the ocean. The room décor is chic, cheerful, and airy, with unique artwork—the theme of which is carried throughout the property—and lots of space.



I stayed in an Ocean Prestige Junior Suite. It had a cozy king-sized bed, two wardrobes that would hold many more clothes than I’d ever bring on vacation to St Barth, a desk, a minibar area, a fridge, and a little sitting area with a couch, chair, and coffee table. I got one bottle of water in a sustainable, non-plastic container each night with my turndown service. Upon check-in, I was asked what time I wanted daily housekeeping and turndown service, which I loved. I appreciated being on my own timetable and enjoying top-notch housekeeping.



My room has cheery yellow accents, wood furniture, and lots of floor space. I also appreciated the full-length mirror. Photo credit: Jill Robbins



The bathroom had a lighted magnifying mirror, eco-friendly bath amenities, and a walk-in shower. I also had outside patio furniture.



I always appreciate a double sink in a hotel. Photo credit: Jill Robbins



What I loved most about the room was the German-style rolladen blackout blinds – the room stayed nice and dark and I wasn’t disturbed by the morning sun, so make sure to set an alarm if you need to be up and out by a specific time. The blinds are great for sleeping late if you can swing a lazy morning during your trip.



My own little private haven. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Inclusions:



Daily breakfast buffet



Yoga/Pilates Classes



Fast Wi-Fi



Robe and flip-flops



Mini bar



Nespresso machine with coffee and tea pods



Turndown service



Transportation to and from the airport



Luggage delivery and pickup



Use of two pools, lounge chairs, and towel service included



Outdoor games, such as a chess table and Pétanque, which is sort of like bocce ball




I had a tour of the hotel and saw some smaller and larger rooms. St Barth is hilly, and the buildings at Hotel Manapany are built into the hillsides to give maximum gorgeous ocean views, so be prepared for lots of inclines and stairs. If you need an accessible room, many of the rooms on the beach level are ADA-compliant.



If you need more space, many rooms can connect to provide that.



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This larger room has cool blue accents and has a separate living area, primary bedroom, plus a smaller bedroom suited for kids or a single adult. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Pricing


The Ocean Prestige Junior Suite I stayed in starts at 1,077 Euros per night. Smaller rooms start at 728 Euros; more luxe suites and villas are in the 1400-1500 Euros per night neighborhood. Hotel Manapany’s home page  lists special offers, such as getting a fourth night free with a three-night booking.



Also, keep in mind that breakfast, fitness classes, and airport transfers are all included, and that the hotel doesn’t charge for towel service and beach lounge chairs, as other luxury resorts might do.



While I would call this splurge vacation pricing, a splurge is exactly what a trip to St Barth is, and there was a lot of value in a stay here.



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Beach chairs and towels are included – no add-on fees and lots of little extras. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Other Hotel Amenities


The Hotel Manapany has two pools, one for everyone and one adult-only pool in the spa area. There are ample loungers by both pools and beachfront seating if you want to wiggle your toes in the sand and gaze upon the ocean.



This circular pool is the center of all the action at Hotel Manapany. It’s a nice, deep pool, five feet at the deepest, with built-in bench seating on the sides. Photo credit: Jill Robbins



The stretch of beach in front of the hotel is tranquil and scenic, but it is not an appropriate swimming beach due to the strong current. If you want the perfect swimming beach, it is nearby Saint Jean. The beach adjacent to the Nikki Beach  Bar is lovely. If you want a sunbed and someone to bring you drinks, make a reservation with Nikki Beach; otherwise, just put your towel on the sand and enjoy the sparkling, clear, water.



This rectangular pool outside the spa is for adults only. Photo credit: Jill Robbins



Hotel Manapany has a full spa with a tempting menu of face and body treatments, hair and nail services, a fitness center, and yoga and Pilates classes with a view. The fitness classes are included in the room fee.



There are rooms and villas with direct beach access at the Hotel Manapany. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Dining at Hotel Manapany


The Hotel Manapany serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its bar serves a variety of cocktails, beer, wine, and nonalcoholic drinks throughout the day. Whether you’re looking for a Planter’s Punch poolside or fine French wines to accompany dinner, there’s a libation to suit your needs.



The breakfast buffet offers a variety of hot and cold items, from pastries to yogurt parfaits to bacon and eggs. A La Carte breakfast dishes, such as Eggs Benedict, avocado toast, and Acai bowls, are also available.



The lunch and dinner menus offer a little bit of everything. Curated by Chef Anthony Martel, they feature Caribbean and Mediterranean-inspired items with Asian and Indian notes that reflect Chef Martel’s experiences.



I especially recommend the yellowfin tuna poke bowl, the lobster salad, and the mahi mahi dinner. The selection of starters is also very tempting. If you’re hungry, order one of the flatbread pizzas as a starter – they’re great for sharing. However, what I liked best about dining at the Hotel Manapany is the sense of approachable barefoot chic. Breakfast is very casual, so feel comfortable having that early morning swim or yoga session, then throwing on a coverup and enjoying breakfast on the patio outside the restaurant.



I would never, ever get tired of eating this salad with tender greens, lobster tail, avocados, and mango. Photo credit: Jill Robbins



Dinner feels more elevated but without the obligation to break out the evening finery. There’s a glamorous element to St Barth that makes it… well , St Barth, but an evening at the hotel restaurant is warm and intimate. And, if you want to dress for dinner, you won’t feel out of place, but you’ll be just as comfortable in a simple sundress or a pair of linen pants and a tee shirt.



Planter’s punch poolside. Yes, please. Photo credit: Jill Robbins



The hotel also offers beach barbecues on Sundays and upscale picnic baskets to be enjoyed on the beach.


Explore St Barth


While hanging out at the Hotel Manapany is pretty dreamy, you’ll want to see the rest of the island, too. St Barth has two shopping and dining areas, Gustiva and Saint Jean. Both have places to eat, shop, and enjoy the beautiful beaches.



The hotel can make recommendations and assist with booking any activities you’re interested in. Don’t miss a visit to  Ti Corail . This casual beachfront restaurant has elevated small bites served up in a very approachable and delicious way. There are only five tables, so this one is a must-book in advance, but if you have to wait a bit for your table, it’s worth it.



The beach adjacent to Ti Corail is also lovely. If you’ve heard about seeing sea turtles on St Barth, this is the place to catch them. Ti Corail also rents kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkeling equipment.



Hotel Manapany can also set up extraordinary excursions for their guests. We had lunch and swam on a private catamaran that was perfect for our medium-sized group – we had a total of seven people. The crew of two spoiled us with a simple and delicious lunch and cold drinks as we spent the day on the water. Prices for this type of experience can vary – our sailing was around 1,000 Euros for half a day, so while a bit of a splurge, it is not entirely out of reach if you want something special to do.



My room was at the top of these stairs. There are more stairs and more rooms above that have truly stunning ocean views. I loved the playful use of color throughout the decor and for me, it was part of what gave Hotel Manapany such a welcoming vibe, while still maintaining that certain level of elevation. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


The Hotel Manapany is an Eco Hotel


It’s easy for hoteliers to throw around buzzwords like “Sustainable” and “Green,” but the Hotel Manapany walks the talk.



Their most impressive environmental initiative is restricting the use of gas-powered cars on the property. All of the service vehicles used by the hotel are electric.



Other eco-friendly initiatives include:




Water recycling;



Bamboo fiber towels and bathrobes;



Onsite vegetable and herb garden;



Solar-heated hot water and partial solar lighting;



Eco-friendly in-room bath products and spa products.




My room was up this steep drive! I definitely got my steps in here. If you can’t manage stairs or inclines, request a lower room near the beach. Photo credit: Jill Robbins


Other things to know about visiting St Barth



French is the official language but English is widely spoken;



The Euro is the official currency but some stores will accept the US Dollar. US Dollars are also OK for tips;



The high season is December through April.



St Barth is a popular cruise ship terminal and the town of Gustavia gets quite congested when there’s a ship in port. If you want to shop, try to go when there’s no ship in port.



It’s 1000 percent worth the effort to get there and I’d absolutely go again.




From my first sip of coconut water to the moment I checked out, this trip was effortless, relaxing, and high-end without pretension. Photo credit: Jill Robbins The post Five Star Luxury + Barefoot Chic – Review of the Hotel Manapany St Barth appeared first on She Buys Travel .