A Refined Escape to St. Barth: Design, Wellness, and Understated Luxury at Hotel Manapany
+2 A Refined Escape to St. Barth: Design, Wellness, and Understated Luxury at Hotel Manapany
A Refined Escape to St. Barth: Design, Wellness, and Understated Luxury at Hotel Manapany
A Refined Escape to St. Barth: Design, Wellness, and Understated Luxury at Hotel Manapany
A Refined Escape to St. Barth: Design, Wellness, and Understated Luxury at Hotel Manapany
A Refined Escape to St. Barth: Design, Wellness, and Understated Luxury at Hotel Manapany
by Lisa Morales
A thrilling arrival with views to remember
There are few landings in the world quite like this. After a quick 15-minute flight via St. Barth Commuter, from Grand Case airport in French St. Martin, the plane dips over emerald cliffs and crystal-clear water before touching down at Rémy de Haenen Airport (formerly Gustav III)—one of the world’s most scenic, and dramatic, arrivals. It’s a heart-pounding, head-turning descent that brings you face-to-face with the island’s natural drama, and within minutes, you feel worlds away.
For many years, I didn’t consider Saint Barthélemy (often called Saint Barts or Barth). I thought it was all about excess: yachts, champagne, and little substance. But my first visit changed everything. Beyond the glitz, there’s a commitment to nature, a refined sense of design, and a culture that protects its beauty fiercely. At the heart of it all, just five minutes from the buzz of Gustavia, sits Hotel Manapany.
Design grounded in nature
Hotel Manapany is located in the quiet, residential area of Anse des Cayes, nestled between hills and a wild beach. It feels private and relaxed, yet entirely in tune with the refined spirit of the island. Architect and designer François Champsaur led the resort’s redesign after Hurricane Irma, creating a property that blends into its surroundings with organic grace.
Reclaimed wood, open-air architecture, and breezy interiors create a rhythm that mirrors the sea and sky. There are no high-rises here; in fact, while not a formal law, it’s a well-known rule that no building in St. Barth should be taller than a palm tree—a poetic reminder that nature always comes first.
“The interiors reflect the lush nature of Saint Barth,” explains Deputy Executive Director Agathe Jousse, “combining contemporary lines with natural, sustainable materials like wood.” As part of the B Signature Hotels & Resorts collection—which includes boutique properties in Paris and Brittany—Manapany reflects the group’s signature French elegance while embracing its tropical surroundings. While most furnishings couldn’t be sourced locally due to the island’s size, the team collaborated with artists who lived on-site during construction to create original pieces inspired by Caribbean houses, iconic animals, and the island’s untamed beaches.
Throughout the property, this sense of artistry and local connection is apparent from accessories by Maison Pelican in the rooms to a surfboard gifted to the hotel by Dolce & Gabbana after its post-Irma reopening. Both are quiet reminders that Manapany is not just beautifully designed—it’s rooted in place and story. Practical details are also well considered—rooms are equipped with both U.S. and European outlets, a small yet appreciated feature that eliminates the need for adapters or added charges.
Plastic is nowhere to be found. Instead, guests are gifted beautiful, tropical-themed reusable water bottles that keep drinks cool throughout the day—just one of many thoughtful touches that reinforce Manapany’s eco-conscious approach.
Gustavia’s charm, five minutes away
Hotel Manapany may feel like a remote sanctuary, but it’s a quick five-minute drive to Gustavia, the island’s harbor town and social hub. With its red rooftops, French and Swedish street names, and pastel storefronts, the town blends Caribbean color with European charm. Lined with designer boutiques and vibrant galleries, Gustavia offers a casual yet curated shopping experience, whether you’re after linen shirts, rare wines, or fine art.
The port is its own attraction, where yachts bob beside small fishing boats and everyone from locals to celebrities mingles at cafés. Nearby, the scene at St. Jean Beach offers another kind of spectacle—watching small private planes skim low over the beach before landing is practically a sport. You can take part in the festivities, yacht-watch, or simply people-watch over a spritz at the legendary Nikki Beach. Then retreat, as many do, to the quiet elegance of Hotel Manapany.
Wellness with a sense of place
While many guests come to unplug, the hotel’s wellness program invites a deeper connection. Mornings begin with yoga led by Diana Bourel, an American-Ecuadorian wellness expert who moved from New York to St. Barth over two decades ago.
“I felt like I was losing myself in New York,” she says. “St. Barth was a radical alternative—a place to get quiet again.” Diana’s classes, held on a shaded platform overlooking the sea, are shaped by her training in transpersonal work and bioenergetics. Guests are invited to slow down, breathe deeply, and listen to their inner voice—something that becomes easier when surrounded by crashing waves and rustling palms.
For a deeper experience, guests can join her annual summer retreat or book private sessions during the season. Manapany’s spa also offers facials and body treatments using natural, island-inspired products.
If you’re craving a longer stay or a digital detox, the accommodations are designed for both comfort and contemplation. Rooms start at 270 square feet (25 square meters), with ocean or tropical views and breezy terraces. Junior Suites offer more space—up to 485 square feet (45 square meters)—with separate living areas and options like outdoor showers or private beach access. Prestige and Panoramic Suites range from 540 to 810 square feet (50 to 75 square meters), some with jacuzzis, open living rooms, and panoramic ocean views. For families, the Creole Villa includes two adult bedrooms, a children’s room, a kitchen, and 950 square feet (88 square meters) of indoor-outdoor living. The largest offering, the Nanne Villa, located in Corossol village, spans 3,390 square feet (315 square meters) and comprises a main house plus three additional homes overlooking the villa, with a 150-square-meter terrace offering a 180-degree ocean view.
Tasteful indulgence
At Manapany’s restaurant, the cuisine reflects its surroundings—elevated yet unfussy, refined but never rigid. “We bring in the best from France, but our inspiration comes from the sea right outside,” says Sarah Klumpp, Food and Beverage Manager. Originally from Marseille, Sarah helped shape a menu that balances French technique with Mediterranean warmth and local ingredients.
Guests can expect burrata from Puglia, yellowfin tuna ceviche, and grilled Mahi Mahi paired with house-made sauces and seasonal sides. “I discovered a beautiful wine from a female producer in Provence,” Sarah adds. “It’s perfect with the ceviche—or even with something heartier like beef tagliata. We like to challenge the classic pairings and do something fresh.”
Dining is typically outdoors, perched just above the rocks and waves. The bread is served on whimsical, hand-painted plates by French artisan Raphael Schmitt, featuring tropical icons like sunglasses, palm trees, and iguanas. In the guest rooms, framed sketches of coastal scenes and flora add to the hotel’s sophisticated beach house sensibility, reinforcing a French flair that feels both curated and relaxed.
Thoughtful touches begin the moment you arrive. A 100% jute beach bag, a cotton towel embroidered with my name, and a chilled bottle of La Grande Bauquière’s award-winning B Rosé greeted me upon entering the room. Crafted from Cinsault, Grenache, and a touch of Syrah, the rosé offered a delicate blend of white flowers and exotic fruits—made for sunset toasts overlooking Anse des Cayes. It’s those personal moments, both visual and sensory, that linger long after checkout.
A small boutique near the reception offers a curated selection of St. Barth-inspired essentials from stylish cotton shirts and sun hats to accessories and keepsakes that reflect the island’s laid-back elegance.
Social life, island-style
Evenings at Manapany often come with a side of music or conversation. Friday nights may feature guest chefs from the island cooking regional specialties, while Saturdays bring paella nights under the stars. These moments invite locals and visitors to mingle and reflect the property’s deeper mission.
“I just want people to feel like themselves,” says Sarah. “Luxury here is human. It’s about connection.”
A design-forward hideaway worth discovering
St. Barth may be synonymous with luxury, but its true charm lies in the tension between indulgence and restraint. Hotel Manapany embodies that balance. It’s a place where the architecture doesn’t outshine the environment, where the luxury is quiet, and where every detail—from yoga at sunrise to the plate beneath your bread—reflects a curated, conscious way of life.
Whether you come for the glamour, the nature, or the design, you’ll leave with something more: a renewed sense of calm, and maybe even a shift in what luxury really means.
Hotel Manapany
Anse des Cayes, 97133 Saint-Barthélemy
+590 590 27 66 55
reservation@hotelmanapany.com
hotelmanapany-stbarth.com
Instagram: @hotelmanapany
Nightly rates from €790 (approx. $850 USD) in low season to €1,900+ (approx. $2,050 USD) in peak season for suites and villas.
Reservations recommended for both hotel stays and dining. Breakfast and lunch day passes that include a beach bed and towel are available.
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Photos courtesy of Hotel Manapany/B Signature Hotels & Resorts
Gustavia and St. Barth Commuter (at Rémy de Haenen Airport) images by Lisa Morales
