Rainy grey damp California day, my last cloud filled 75-degree afternoon was a delightful December week spent on St. Barth. Perusing my photographs of the pastel village and turquoise blue seas inspires me to stir and sip a sublime Domaine de Canton cocktail and reminisce my Journey.Despite the dainty proportions of the nine square mile island, there are a few exceptional five star properties. My hotel mantra, the perfect property exists for each and every unique client. Moods may motivate a particular property; craving privacy and exclusivity and don’t desire a sandy beach at your footsteps, and passionate for proper gourmet French cuisine? Then, Hotel Le Toiny could possibly be your perfect paradise.

Situated in the area of the island referred to as the “Côte Sauvage”, the fifteen pastel-colored colonial style bungalows, noted as Villa Suites, are set on a gentle slope overlooking the azure Bay of Toiny, its beach, and the sparkling blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Each fully detached villa suite is encircled by lush tropical foliage distinctive to St. Barth and each has its own-gated entrance and a red mailbox flag that serves as your very own “Do Not Disturb” sign. Le Toiny, a four-star Relais & Chateaux hotel is the ultimate hideaway – we have a few clients who require this level of privacy – one could roost in at a Villa suite and not fly from the nest for a week.

Read a novel cover-to-cover undisturbed, write a screenplay, design your fall collection, develop a new app, this is the Holy Grail privacy location.

Villa interiors are intimately designed in a casually elegant comfy style, encouraging a retreat from civilization. Hotel Le Toiny St Barth has three different types of Villa Suites that are characterized by size and number of rooms:

• Junior Suite with private pool and partial ocean view
• One-bedroom Villa Suites with private pool, terrace and ocean view
• “La Villa” a three-bedroom Villa Suite

All villas have their own entrances, parking, private terraces and gardens – safe from the eyes of neighbors or staff – with ocean views of the Caribbean Sea.  Every morning, your breakfast is served on the terrace and can be delivered at a time of your choosing – it can be even arranged such that you do not see it arrive.  Your privacy and intimacy completely assured. In addition, each unit has its own private pool.  You can sunbathe, curl up with a book, swim, or relax in an environment where the only sight is the blue sea; and the only sound is the crashing of the waves of Toiny Beach.If you must have a change of scenery enjoy a workout in the fitness facility, or treat yourself to a marvelous massage at the Serenity Spa Cottage. More activities described below.

DINING: Oh my – now this is a significant reason to saunter uphill to the terrace restaurant. Situated on the edge of the small infinity pool, Restaurant Le Gaiac St Barth is a shining star. I enjoyed a decadent lazy afternoon lunch and I was so enchanted by the atmosphere, the service and oh did I mention the cuisine? I felt compelled to mosey out again for dinner.

This is one property, which frankly exudes France. VV chic, VV French Style; glasses of chilled Chablis, bright white wooden colonial style chairs dotted with pale blue cushions, shimmering pool and singing cicadas. Background music, a temperate background beat of old pop standards, jazzy Sinatra, mixed with club music – channeling the South of France. Impeccable service, silver domed Voila presentation of pan-fried Mahi Mahi, plantain bananas, emulsion of banana. Classic cuisine, light, creative and memorable meals are to be savored on the breezy terrace.

Le Gaïac’s restaurant manager Marion Norca, who has been with the hotel for three years is the ultimate professional. Elegant and happy to please but remaining unobtrusively attentive on the sidelines, silently knowing just when you need menu advice and suggestions, she is an absolute delight.

At the beginning of each course, the server shared a brief description of what would be appearing from the kitchen. Lingering over a perfectly chilled glass of Champers, and savoring the mouth watering menu descriptions, I was presented with tasty amuses bouche followed by more savory delicacies.

Dinner menu suggested memorables: truffle season did not go unnoticed on the island, the French adore their truffles. I shared the black truffle spaghetti with Parmesan cheese prepared in proper maître d’hôtel grand theatre style, gleaming copper pan stirred atop a rolling trolly table-side. Utilizing a massive cheese round in which the pasta is tossed and gently fussed over, the table is infused with fragrant whiffs of fresh grated truffle, wafting from the trolley. Magnifique!

The pause between courses, a delicate chilled sorbet to cleanse the palate.Quite simply: impeccable theatre, impeccable cuisine!

Dinner Menu Memorables

Black truffle spaghetti with parmesan cheese prepared at your table appetizers or main course

Appetizers Semi-cooked duck Foie Gras, pineapple chutney, toasted brioche

Roasted big prawns, with soft sheep’s cheese & fresh herbs stuffed ravioli, jus foam

Carpaccio and ceviche of Mahi-Mahi, stacked pickled vegetables

Fricassee of fresh seasonal vegetables, croutons of tomato pesto and Colombo spice

Velvety soup of porcini mushrooms, chestnut puree and rabbit Cromesquis

Le Gaïac’s fresh-mixed salad served in a crispy shell with balsamic, grapefruit and ginger vinaigrette

Sea Braised sea bass, artichoke mousseline, zucchini, Christophine potatoes and confit tomatoes

Grilled sea scallops with lemongrass, shellfish marinara, buckwheat crepes and snow peas

Roasted red snapper, lemon crust, fricassee of broad beans and chanterelle mushrooms

Grilled Caribbean lobster thermidor, vegetable risotto, lemongrass emulsion

Land Roasted rack of lamb, ravioli of lamb shoulder preserve, tomato and fresh herbs, eggplant foccacia

Duck breast sautéed with mango, declination of celery, tangy jus

Chop of suckling pig infused with West Indian leafs, smoke-bacon-polenta, seasonal vegetables

Sports and Recreation The reception team is at your service to arrange any kind of activity for you and to make your experience a most enjoyable one.

Snorkel This is an inescapable activity in Saint Barthelemy. You can discover and observe the seabed by swimming on the surface of the water. All the equipment (mask, fin and snorkel) is provided within your Villa Suite. At any beach of your choice, you can view the coral reefs as well as numerous tropical fish and tortoises just a few inches under the turquoise water.

Surfing at Toiny Beach Toiny Beach is one of the most appreciated surfing spots on the Island. Waves are present almost all year round and offer some great surf sessions from sunrise to sunset. For our guests we have at disposal a long board of 9″0′, a 7″3′, as well an SUP Paddle Board.

Windsurfing and Kite Surfing The two beaches where you can rent boards are Saint Jean and Grand Cul-de-Sac. These two places have exceptional weather conditions for these sports. Beginner or advanced, you will be supervised by internationally recognized professionals.

Big Game Deep Sea Fishing St. Barth has become the Mecca of big game fishing in the Caribbean and competitions are organized year round. The most well known “open fishing tournament St Barth” takes place in July. During your stay, we can organize half and full day fishing trips.

Sailboat Excursions A tour around the island by sailboat is very pleasant and several companies offer you a choice of day trips with a fully manned crew, to discover St Barths and neighboring islands. The sunset cruise with cocktails on board is a classic!

Hiking St. Barth is great for walking, but don’t forget the sun! Always arm yourself with a bottle of water and start early in the morning when the temperature is coolest. The most frequent stroll is from Petite Anse to Columbier Beach which is only accessible by foot or by boat. You can also climb the mountain Vitet which is 286 meters or take a tour around the point of Toiny. We can provide a guide who can help you discover St. Barths’off the beaten track’.

Golf There is unfortunately no Golf in St Bart. However if you seek a true golfing experience, we can easily arrange a day trip to either Anguilla or Nevis which are known for their golf courses.

Tennis Just a five minute car ride from the hotel you can play tennis free of charge at the Flamboyants Tennis Club, and we can provide you with the equipment. If you wish to learn or improve we can arrange lessons with a professional coach.

Scuba Diving St. Barths is the only place in the world where you can dive without any danger. To reach the sites can take between 5 and 20 minutes by boat. There is a choice of 15 marine nature reserves with a maximum depth of 30 meters, as the island rests on a continental shelf. The high angle dives are adapted for beginners. For divers level 1 and above there are more remote sites, which take 20 minutes to 35 minutes by boat.

Ready to Plan a Secluded Warm Weather Journey?