The natural beauty of the protected Grand Cul de Sac beach originally drew hotelier Luis Contreras to take over the old Sereno Beach Hotel in 2002. When Hurricane Irma ravaged St. Barts in 2017, he seized the opportunity not only to rebuild, but to redesign the resort and make it even better.
The property recently emerged from a year-long renovation led by Liaigre, who created a serene waterfront oasis composed of 39 suites and four villas, an open-air Mediterranean restaurant next to the turquoise sea and an intimate spa with the island’s only beachfront treatment room.
On an island known for its see-and-be-seen sensibility, Le Sereno is a stylish hideaway.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- Le Sereno sits in a protected marine reserve that’s home to a colony of sea turtles. No new developments are allowed in the area, so its natural beauty will be preserved for years to come.
- The St. Barts hotel has stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear and glass-bottom kayaks for you to borrow so you can get a closer glimpse of the aforementioned turtles. The concierge also can arrange kite-surfing, jet-skiing, yachting trips around the island, and just about anything else you can dream up.
- The spa offers a variety of services using Valmont skincare products in three treatment rooms. If you book an appointment, request the standalone spa cabin overlooking the beach.
- The oceanfront pool might be the property’s most Instagrammable area. It’s reserved for hotel guests, so you won’t find crowds using day passes.
- The island may be French, but the restaurant (and most of its staff, including executive chef Alex Simone) is Italian, so this is the place to indulge in decadent pastas and Aperol spritzes.
Things to Know
- If you want to come to the luxury hotel for Christmas or New Year’s, prepare to book a year in advance.
- St. Barts has one of the shortest runways in the world. It’s too short for jets, so you’ll have to take a propeller plane or boat from St. Martin or another nearby island to get there.
- Uber and Lyft don’t operate on St. Barts, so taxis are the best way to get around.
The Rooms
- Most suites in the boutique hotel boast gorgeous views of the Grand Cul de Sac, but all have private patios.
- The design feels fresh and contemporary, with ipe wood floors, granite sinks in the bathrooms and neutral colors throughout.
- For the ultimate in indoor/outdoor living, book the Grand Suite Plage Sud. The 1,200-square-foot space comes with a furnished patio, a garden and an outdoor bathtub enclosed by privacy walls.
- The black amber-scented bathroom amenities by French skincare brand Ex Voto Paris are worth stashing in your suitcase.
- The waterfront Villa du Pecher is St. Barts beach chic at its finest. The one-bedroom bungalow is decked out in Christian Liaigre furnishings (the canopied four-poster bed is a standout) and complemented by lush gardens, a spacious terrace and its own sea-facing pool.
Nearby Attractions
- The beachfront hotel is about 20 minutes away from Gustavia, St. Barts’ capital, whose streets are lined with designer shops, small boutiques, restaurants, nightlife and the island’s port.
- For dinner in the capital, try La Guérite for fresh Mediterranean fare, then head to Bagatelle or Le Ti to experience the island’s famous nightlife.
- Much of the culture revolves around beach clubs like Shellona, which has a swish restaurant upstairs and a toes-in-the-sand lounge just steps from the sea.
- When in St. Barts, a yachting trip is a must. Charter a catamaran to take you to Colombier Beach, which is only accessible by boat or foot.
Amenities
Bar
Outdoor pool
Restaurants
Spa
Getting There
Grand Cul de Sac, St. Barts, 97133, GP
TEL888-537-3736
TEL888-537-3736
TEL590-590-29-83-00
NEARBY AIRPORT(S)
SBH (14 min)
Additional Details
You also can fly into Princess Juliana International Airport (SMX) in St. Maarten and take a ferry over to St. Barts.
