Le Guanahani – Gay Friendly Hotel St. Barths
Gay Friendly Hotel Spotlight
Le Guanahani | Grand Cul-De-Sac 97133 | St. Barthelemy, FWI | 1-800-216-3774
Originally opened in 1986 and expanded in 1991, LGBT friendly Le Guanahani has established itself as a haven of casual luxury, comfort and elegance.
An authentic reflection of St. Barth, the hotel has evolved into the island’s finest destination for active travelers, providing an unsurpassed array of leisure activities.
In 2004, Le Guanahani added an indulgent Spa by Clarins, and it has continued to refine the guest experience through a series of extensive and thoughtful interior design updates over the past few years.
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LOCATION – ST. BARTH
The Caribbean island of St. Barth lies in the French West Indies near St. Maarten. This little outpost of France, colonized in the 17th century, possesses a gentle way of life and rich heritage. Known for its pure white-sand beaches, exceptional gastronomy and fashionable boutiques, the isle offers an unprecedented blend of relaxed glamour, social activity and privacy.
Situated towards the northern end of the chain of islands that make up the Lesser Antilles, St. Barth was named by Christopher Columbus in 1493 after his brother, Bartolomeo, and is considered by many to be the most beautiful island in the Caribbean. The go-to destination for luxury travel in the West Indies, this nine-square-mile island offers visitors 14 pristine white-sand beaches, a heavenly average temperature of 28°C (82° F) in winter and 30°C (86 °F) in summer, and an environment as peaceful, welcoming and private as it is beautiful.
When it comes to shopping, St. Barth is on the cutting edge, keeping up with the latest trends from Europe in fashion and art. The duty-free island overflows with luxury fashion, jewelry, apothecary and home décor boutiques; alongside shops filled with the most coveted brands, are wares from local artisans and designers.
Much like in France, gastronomy is one of St. Barth’s greatest passions; the island’s restaurants are a draw for visitors and locals alike. Culinary and performing art festivals punctuate island life throughout each calendar year, as do sailing regattas and other sports tournaments. And, for those who like to hit the town, St. Barth provides nightlife like no other island with a variety of bars and clubs to choose from including favorites like Le Ti St Barth in Pointe Milou, Nikki Beach in St. Jean, and Bagatelle and the Saint Barth Yacht Club in Gustavia. Whether enjoying dinner, music or a party on the beach with friends, a night in St. Barth is always magical.
GETTING HERE
CONNECTING VIA ST. MAARTEN
By Plane
The main way to travel to St. Barth from the United States and Europe is by a connecting flight through nearby St. Maarten via Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). The 12-minute connecting flight arrives into St. Barth’s Gustave III Airport (SBH), which is located a short 10-minute drive away from the hotel.
United Airlines, Air France, KLM, Air Caraibes, Corsair and Copa Airlines have affiliations with Winair and St Barth Commuter (the local airlines offering the connection between St. Maarten and St. Barth), allowing baggage to be checked through to St. Barth. Upon arrival into St. Maarten, you can proceed directly to the Transfer Information Desk prior to Immigration where local airline representatives will advise you on how to proceed.
For those traveling into St. Maarten on a non-affiliated carrier such as American Airlines, US Airways, Jet Blue, Air Canada or West Jet, Le Guanahani can arrange a meet-and-greet service to ensure a better connection. A transfer agent will greet you on arrival at the Transfer Information Desk, accompany you through Immigration, collect your baggage for transfer to the inter-island carrier and escort you to the departure lounge. Please contact the concierge for assistance with transfer arrangements at concierge@leguanahani.com.
Winair and St Barth Commuter offer scheduled inter-island flights into St. Barth. The flight duration is approximately 15 minutes. The airport in St. Barth operates from 7 a.m. to sunset.
Private jets cannot land in St. Barth; the closest airport for jet landings is in St. Maarten.
Private Charters: Fly private from anywhere in the world and connect seamlessly at a nearby island. Le Guanahani can arrange everything from aircraft selection to catering to ground transportation.
By Boat
Via Voyager Ferry: from Marigot or Oyster Pond to Gustavia, St. Barth.
Via Great Bay Express: from Philipsburg (Bobby’s Marina) to Gustavia, St. Barth.
Via private boat: 45 minutes in duration; five luxury boats are available. Please contact the concierge for details.
CONNECTING VIA SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
By Plane
San Juan International Airport (SJU) offers daily non-stop service to/from New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Houston, Dallas, Toronto, Baltimore, Hartford, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Washington DC (Reagan and Dulles), Caracas and Panama City.
Carriers include Copa Airlines, Avianca and a number of U.S.-based airlines.
Tradewind Aviation offers scheduled service and private charters from San Juan into St. Barth in modern, turbo-powered Pilatus PC-12 and Cessna Grand Caravan aircrafts. The dual-piloted planes offer air-conditioning and complimentary snack and beverage service. This connection allows for seamless transfer without double processing through customs.
CONNECTING VIA ANTIGUA
By Plane
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and a number of U.S.-based airlines offer regularly scheduled flights into Antigua’s V. C. Bird International Airport (ANU).
Tradewind Aviation and St Barth Commuter offer scheduled service and private charters from Antigua. Tradewind Aviation’s scheduled flights run from Oct. 15-Apr 10. St Barth Commuter’s scheduled flights operate from Dec. 1-Apr. 30.
CONNECTING VIA ST. THOMAS
By Plane
Tradewind Aviation offers scheduled service and private charters from St. Thomas.
CUSTOMS / IMMIGRATION
A valid passport without VISA is required for the following countries: United States, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Panama and the European Union (this list is not exhaustive). For all the others countries, please verify with your state department as to whether a visa D.F.A. (Departement Francais d’Amerique) is required to enter to St. Barth.
BEACHES
St. Barth boasts 14 gorgeous white-sand beaches, all open to the public. Saline Beach, accessed by a short but tricky path, is well worth a visit, especially for those who enjoy nude sunbathing. Colombier Beach tends to be one of the island’s more deserted stretches of sand as it can only be reached by boat from Gustavia or via a hike from Flamands Beach. Also known as Rockefeller Beach, Colombier is worlds away from the island’s bustling capital, with calm waters, good snorkeling and privacy.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Spread throughout its lush tropical landscape, LGBT friendly Le Guanahani offers 30 rooms, 27 suites and 10 unique signature suites.
All accommodations offer a private terrace, ceiling fans, air-conditioning, in-room safe, telephone, stocked mini-bar, LCD flat-screen TV, iPod dock, Video On Demand, high-speed wireless Internet access and bathroom with honey-tumbled tile shower and Clarins amenities.
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DINING
Influenced by a wealth of French tradition and the exceptional culinary heritage of St. Barth itself, Le Guanahani presents refined, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with unobtrusive service in two distinct al fresco settings—within the sultry gardens of Bartolomeo or poolside at Indigo with stunning views of the reef-protected bay.
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SPA BY CLARINS
Experience unforgettable relaxation and serenity at Le Guanahani’s sophisticated Spa by Clarins. Nestled amongst the exotic tropical gardens and brightly colored Creole architecture of the hotel, the spa offers the ideal ambiance for indulging in luxurious spa treatments. Throughout the spa, water, teak, mahogany and lava stone evoke Nature’s origins from which the very essence of rejuvenation is drawn.
The spa offers an array of amenities including an adults-only swimming pool, steam room, tea pavilion, private outdoor showers, relaxation areas and a spa boutique. The extensive menu of services and treatments offered at the spa is delivered by qualified specialists using the finest products from Clarins, a leading name in prestige skincare.
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ACTIVITIES & KIDS
Le Guanahani is the only hotel on the island of St. Barth to offer a comprehensive spectrum of resort services and amenities. The hotel offers two generously sized swimming pools, two distinct beaches, an array of watersports, tennis courts and natural hiking paths, as well as complimentary children’s programs, a fitness center, a spa and a host of wellness activities.
WATERSPORTS
Offering ideal conditions, Grand Cul-de-Sac is one of the island’s premier locations for watersports. Guests of the hotel enjoy complimentary use of non-motorized watersports equipment for:
Windsurfing • Paddle-boarding • Canoeing • Kayaking • Pedal-boating • Floating • Snorkeling
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WEDDINGS & EVENTS
With its pristine sandy beaches, St. Barth offers a heavenly environment for destination weddings and bridal celebrations. Possessing an indefinable natural beauty and a distinct French flavor, it is regularly described as one of the most romantic destinations in the world.
There is no better place to exchange vows than on the water’s edge at Le Guanahani. Located between two stunning beaches—one in the protected blue lagoon of Grand Cul-de-Sac and the other opening onto Marigot Bay, the Coconut Grove provides an ideal setting for a private ceremony accommodating 60 to 120 persons seated. Additionally, a beautiful reception can be organized in the tropical atmosphere of the poolside restaurant, Indigo.
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MAKE A RESERVATION / SPECIAL PACKAGES:
For information on Le Guanahani’s special packages and to book a room click HERE.
Learn more about St. Bart’s gay friendly Le Guanahani Resort HERE.
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