Bethany Ludwick Talks St Barths

BETHANY LUDWICK TALKS

ST. BARTHS

BETHANY LUDWICK

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TOP VILLA PICKS FOR ST. BARTHS Additional Options Available

V I L L A B E L L E B AG U E Colombier, St. Barths 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms

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C A S A T UA Lorient, St. Barths 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms

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W VIEW St. Jean, St. Barths 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms

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C A P AU V E N T Pointe Milou, St. Barths 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms

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UNIK St. Jean, St. Barths 10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms

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VILLA NEO St. Jean, St. Barths 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms

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VITTI Lurin, St. Barths 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms

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V I L L A WA KE U P Flamands, St. Barths 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms

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BETHANY’S

PERFECT TRIP TO ST. BARTHS

U

neventful trip from SJU to SBH on Tradewind, arriving 4:00 pm. Pick up the car at the airport and go straight to the

villa, which has been pre-stocked with cold beverages and light snacks. Quick check of emails, check out the villa, and unpack. Take a deep breathe, take in the view, and think about how wonderful it is to be back on St Barths.

“LES BANANIERS IS NOW THE FIRST NIGHT TRADITION. AFTER TRAVELING ALL DAY AND PREFERRING AN EARLY NIGHT, THE VERSATILE MENU, FRIENDLY SERVICE, AND LACK OF FANFARE AND THEATER MAKES FOR A RELAXING MEAL AT A REASONABLE PRICE” thereabouts, Les Bananiers is now the first night tradition. After traveling all day and preferring an early night, the versatile menu, friendly service,

and

lack of fanfare and theater makes for a relaxing meal at a reasonable price.

Trust me when I suggest ordering duck nems for the table and then the thai St. Barths Aerial View

shrimp salad as an entree. The right

I love tradition and for many years,

for this tasty and light meal.

amount of cilantro is the perfect touch

the first night’s dinner was at Paradiso, where L’Isola is now. Bernard was the chef, Alain was the front man and the warm welcome from them both was a true homecoming. The meal was always the same on the first night, gazepacho to start followed by beef carpaccio with frites. Creme Brulee was the dessert of choice, unless we decided to pass on dessert in anticipation of profiteroles later in trip. Fast forward to 2018 or

Les Bananiers

The first morning waking up on St Barths

caipirinha while waiting to order and

requires a walk on St Jean beach from

people watch. The menu offers plenty of

end to end. It’s a perfect time to collect

shareable options which is conducive for

your thoughts, plan the day, soak up

a long lunch with many different tastes.

some sun, and go for a swim. Head back

If you’re not in the mood to share, then

to the villa via your favorite boulangerie,

ordering something “solo” is fine too. I

(my favorite is Petite Colombe) and it’s

highly recommend the wahoo ceviche

time to start the day.

Another first day “must” is the stop at Passion Beaute

in

St

Jean,

between the bank and Eden to Go.

I buy my

supply

Esthederm

of

tanning products and I am ready to take on the

“NAO BEACH IS A GREAT IDEA FOR THE FIRST LUNCH OF THE TRIP. ENJOY A DELICIOUS CAIPIRINHA WHILE WAITING TO ORDER AND PEOPLE WATCH”

Caribbean sun. If you’ve not experienced these products, you

with fennel, or the white beet carpaccio; you can easily share these but you won’t want to! The shrimp tempura is the best I’ve had in recent memory, and the cold cucumber

soup

was

delicious and refreshing!

L’Atelier

de

Joel

Robuchon was a new discovery for me

don’t know what you’ve been missing.

This blonde, blue eyed sun worshipper has tried numerous tanning products and nothing compares. Say good bye sun burn and hello healthy tan! Plus the fragrance is soft and encourages you to lather up all day long. And don’t forget the all important lip balm!

A busy morning of beach walking, swimming, and armed with suntan

Eden Rock, St. Jean Beach

products, it’s time to think about lunch

last March. The atmosphere, attentive

and Nao Beach is a great idea for the

staff, and the rooftop terrace - all very

first lunch of the trip. Enjoy a delicious

pleasing. The smoked salmon was

delicious! I wanted to return on that trip but ran out of time. It will certainly be on my list when I return in early November.

One interesting surprise was how easy it was to find parking at lunch time. Many people who work in town leave at lunch to go home so don’t hesitate to try it, if you haven’t already!

lunches

in the sand” vibe, and great food. If the waves offer good surfing, watching

Lunch on St Barths is epic for sure but Sundays…Sunday

“LUNCH ON ST BARTHS IS EPIC FOR SURE BUT SUNDAYS…SUNDAY LUNCHES ARE IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN”

are

in

a

league of their own. Mention “Sunday Lunch” to a veteran traveler to the island and it’s a trigger for an instant smile.

There have been many favorites over the years but right now The Beach Club at Le Toiny is my “go to” for a long Sunday lunch. The setting is so beautiful with its multitude of palm trees, glistening sea of diamonds as the sun dances on the

(and judging) those who know the local waters, is added entertainment as you are lulled into thoughts of nothingness…

The other option for Sunday lunch, which is equally as memorable, is lunch at the villa.

If you have chosen the right villa, the allure of the epic Sunday lunch is an obvious choice. It’s also a versatile option as you might have someone who loves to cook a meal for friends

Sunday Brunch

waves,

overall

spaciousness,

music

that’s suitable for a elegant yet “toes

Lunch at the Villa

and family, there are options for buying

Some of my other favorite shopping

prepared foods requiring very little effort,

stops are Clic in Gustavia. There’s always

or you can have a chef come and cook for

something interesting here whether it’s their

you.

books, artwork, pocketbooks, or clothing.

Hermes, of course, is a must and since it’s

I have often used Romain Villaret from

near Clic, there’s no reason not to see what’s

Fabulous Feasts. He and his staff provide

new, and the same is true for Longchamp.

outstanding

service

and the food has been some of my favorite meals on recent trips.

For shopping, I like to head

into

Gustavia

about an hour before the shops open and have breakfast. This is so much fun and the complete opposite of starting with a walk on the beach. Talk about great people

I also enjoy stopping

“HERMES, OF COURSE, IS A MUST AND SINCE IT’S NEAR CLIC, THERE’S NO REASON NOT TO SEE WHAT’S NEW, AND THE SAME IS TRUE FOR LONGCHAMP. I ALSO ENJOY STOPPING AT THE DIFFERENT SHOPS WITHOUT A SPECIFIC PLAN, WHICH HAS PRODUCED SOME FINE SPONTANEOUS PURCHASES”

watching!

There are the shopkeepers heading to their boutiques, the crews from the yachts running

their

errands,

delivery

trucks

making their local rounds, and of course, the tourists heading the the beach or bakery.

The idea of having breakfast first allows easy parking and then once breakfast is finished, you can take your time and shop until you heart is content.

Shopping in Gustavia

at the different shops without

a

plan,

which

produced fine

specific has some

spontaneous

purchases.

Another very enjoyable evening starts at the Ocean Club for sunset cocktails. The room is beautifully decorated and its elevation offers memorable views of

the harbor, the yachts, and surrounding

skin is a treat to look forward to, as is a

islands. The staff is as knowledgeable

massage. For a spa treatment, I enjoyed

and they are friendly.

We thought

about dining there but with the sun disappearing, we thought it would be nice to stroll through Gustavia and go to L’Entracte for dinner. The steak and frites were as exactly as you’d expect in a French bistro and the party like atmosphere was endearing. I also enjoy an establishment that has a perfect blend of locals and tourists alike.

If you’re looking for a water related activity, I highly recommend a half day snorkeling trip to Colombier. The waters are typically very calm and conducive to most swimming abilities. The snorkeling is amazing and the I find the morning trip is long enough, returning to Gustavia just in time for lunch! You can continue to Shellona for your day in the sun and salt.

The feta in filo pastry with honey and a pita pizza with tomato, truffle, and caviar are great starters for the table and keep the rose wine coming. Shellona’s menu

Snorkeling

“I HIGHLY RECOMMEND A HALF DAY SNORKELING TRIP TO COLOMBIER. THE WATERS ARE TYPICALLY VERY CALM AND CONDUCIVE TO MOST SWIMMING ABILITIES”

is original and versatile with every item

Le Spa La Mer at Le Barthelemy Hotel. As

a home run. A swim at Shell Beach after

you make your way down the stairs to the

and you’ll be surprised how quickly this

spa, the zen that envelops you, and the

glorious day is winding down.

fragrances, puts you in relaxation mode before you even reach the check in desk.

Last but not least, a spa service towards

Another favorite for a facial in Tanagra

the end of the trip to rejuvenate your

Esthetique in Gustavia. Francoise has

been offering facials, body treatments,

champagne and soak in the whole

manicures and pedicures for 30 years.

experience.

Francoise works alone so one has to plan well in advance and make an appointment early.

I think the best massage goes hand in hand with having the right villa. I prefer to have someone come to the villa because of the convenience and being able to set the atmosphere - a

Massage at the Villa

Spa Services

massage by the pool, or overlooking an amazing view, or in the privacy of an air-conditioned master suite.

When

finished,

open

a

bottle

of

“I THINK THE BEST MASSAGE GOES HAND IN HAND WITH HAVING THE RIGHT VILLA. I PREFER TO HAVE SOMEONE COME TO THE VILLA BECAUSE OF THE CONVENIENCE AND BEING ABLE TO SET THE ATMOSPHERE”

CONTACT Bethany@propcostbarths.com +1 (207) 837-5857

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