Why St Barths Became the Caribbean's Most Polished Island
Saint Barthélemy, known as St Barths, is a French overseas collectivity in the Leeward Islands, about 30 kilometres south-east of St Martin, famous for graceful hospitality, small beaches and a distinctly French way of living. It covers just 25 square kilometres and had a population of 10,660 in 2023. Roughly 200,000 visitors arrive each year, drawn by the combination of food, style and privacy. The island became a separate collectivity in 2007, and its confident, small-scale identity is evident in everything from boutiques to beach clubs.
Its history adds depth. King Louis XVI traded the island to Sweden in 1784 in return for trading privileges in Gothenburg, and Sweden held it until 1878, making St Barths the only Caribbean island to have been a Swedish colony for any significant time. The capital Gustavia still carries a Swedish name, and its harbour, lined with restaurants and yachts, is the island's heart. The Musée Territorial tells the story through artefacts from the French, Swedish and British periods.
Saline, Colombier and Creole-French Tables
The beaches are small and individual rather than vast. Saline is a long, open stretch of pale sand backed by dunes; Gouverneur is one of the most secluded; Shell Beach sits just beside Gustavia; Saint-Jean is the island's social centre; and Colombier, reached by boat or a footpath, is a tranquil cove. Each has its own atmosphere, and local guides can usually recommend the right one for the morning's mood.
Food is part of the identity: French technique and fresh Caribbean seafood meet in restaurants ranging from beach cafes to destination dining rooms, and Gustavia's boutiques offer a very French style of shopping. For a hotel group, the combination of design, privacy and cuisine is a compelling story. Nearby St Martin provides the usual gateway, while Anguilla and Guadeloupe offer contrasting French and British-flavoured island experiences.
Read the full St Barths guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitStBarth.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.