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Set on its own small promontory and stretch of sand at the heart of St Jean Bay, St Barths’ liveliest beach, Eden Rock is the most fashionable hotel in an already fashionable island. It is small and stylish, and a passing winter home to stars, but for all its worldliness, it is also utterly charming and unexpectedly quirky, with a real sense of Caribbean magic about its miniature, extremely pretty setting. Eden Rock is one of the Caribbean’s very few Relais and Chateaux, so you can expect to hide away in suitable levels of calm and comfort, and of course you can expect fine cuisine, but the hotel is lively and it is fun to be a part of the fashionable buzz of the place.
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KEY FEATURES
| A top St Barths hotel. 33 houses, cottages, suites and rooms all with flat-screen satellite TV, DVD player, CD player with selection of CDs, mini bar, coffee/tea maker, internet access, WiFi and 24 hour room service. Non-motorised watersports. 65ft Princess motor yacht. DVD and book library. Air-conditioned fitness centre. In-room massage & beauty treatments. The Rockshop boutique. Jane’s Gallery – art gallery and studio. Lovely beach restaurant and bar, the Sand Bar (lunch) and The Pub, a gourmet restaurant (dinner) and bar, On-the-Rocks, and a glitzy atmosphere. |
STYLE
| A real sense of St Barths magic, inside the rooms a sleek combination of reproduction antiques and high style but also idiosyncracy and charm (some rooms have rocks built. Atmosphere, the rich (and often famous) getting informal |
CLIENT PROFILE
| Glitz and glamour, wealthy travellers of all sorts |
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Eden Rock has a long and illustrious history as the leading hotel on St Barths. It was the first hotel to open on the island to begin with - fifty years ago, when there was literally nothing there, and yet already it attracted an illustrious crew of stars and super-wealthy travellers. It has stuttered along the way, but in recent years it has worked its way back to the top spot. Eden Rock is St Barths’ most famous and most fashionable hotel. It is a magnet for many of the island’s visiting stars, who come either to stay at the hotel itself or, as one of the key points of the island’s extremely lively social scene, to spend the day and evenings here.
The rock of the name is a small promontory that sticks out into the middle of St Jean Bay, and it is here that the buildings are clustered, gathered tightly around its flanks. Your first view of it is likely to be from the plane on arrival, perhaps through the cockpit as the pilot lines up to land, when it appears in the bay beyond the end of the runway, or (if you cannot bear to look on approach) as the plane turns at the end of the runway to head back to the terminal.
A theme of rich ruby red and grey runs through the hotel. The traditional red of Caribbean tin roofs is offset by white borders and of course the profuse greenery which is cultivated in every spare cranny on the rock and surrounding land. The Sand Bar, their beach restaurant has adapted the scheme a little, and is now dressed in white. Add to this a certain nautical theme, with teak decks and sail-boat rigging set up around parts of the rock. In typical St Barths’ style, Eden Rock also is heart-achingly pretty.
And easy to fall in love with. Even though it has expanded recently, the hotel is still small and compact – like so much in St Barths, which itself is a tiny island – and there is a magic about the place. It also catches perfectly the dual identity of the island, the wistful paradise that is both Anglo and French. At Eden Rock there is the cuisine and sexy charm of France, but at the same time you know that it is all underpinned by no nonsense Yorkshire engineering. Eden Rock is owned and run by engineer and businessman David Matthews, and when is not at the front of house then he is behind the scenes with his sleeves rolled up, getting stuck in.
As you arrive you will be brought up to Reception at the summit of the rock. Some of the rooms and suites set on the rock itself are named for Eden Rock’s first generation of stars, invited by the man who first opened it, Rémy de Haenen. He was a pioneering aviator in the Caribbean and knew people from Hollywood. There is a Greta Garbo Suite, which looks out to sea, and a Howard Hughes Loft Suite, built into the loft of the main building on the top of the rock. The De Haenen Suite also looks out to sea from next to the Greta Garbo suite.
Down on the mainland there are rooms and suites either side of the rock looking out to sea over the beach. To the east there are suites including Michael’s Suite. On the opposite side, heading west, there are some cottages just behind the Sand Bar . These are the new suites and contemporary beach rooms in the area that was the Filao Beach Hotel.
Most of the suites are furnished individually. The decoration is sleek and stylish, using hardwoods with reproduction and modern furniture, setting a classic tone which is then slashed with bold colours. Some of the more recent rooms are a little leaner and less strong in colour. Others have a more minimal appearance, with sleek use of woods and leather.
Room service is available of course, but more likely is that you will be eating at the two main restaurants. The Sand Bar, right on the beach, is a delightful spot, which sees a good crowd at lunch time – some bathers, others who come in especially to enjoy the scene. To the side of it is an open sided, tropical English Pub and behind it is the Rockshop, which carries some beachwear and some couture, along with Eden Rock’s own private line. Close by is Jane’s, the Gallery, which is both gallery selling paintings and a studio where guests are encouraged to paint.
The main restaurant, On the Rocks, is at the top of the rock, approached by a wooden stairway clinging to the rock wall. Its tables are set on decks that look out to sea and across the bay towards the airport (if you arrive in the early evening you can watch the last of the planes landing and taking off before dusk). It is laid out over three levels and on the lower level several of the tables have a view into the working kitchen.
There is a real sense of magic about Eden Rock. The small hotel typifies St Barths’ extraordinary character, of diminutive size and prettiness that stands side by side with incredible sophistication, stylishness and extreme fashionability. During the winter season, Eden Rock is one of the places to spend time around St Barts, to see and be seen.
It is perhaps unexpected then that the hotel is very much a family affair. If the gallery is named for Jane, David Matthews’ wife, the suite called Michael’s is named after their son, who very sadly died, and the children’s room Spencer’s Cabin is named after their younger son. Interestingly the Matthews do not particularly claim to be hoteliers. Of course all the service and the cuisine is taken care of, and is anyway among the best on the island, but their formula has plenty of personal character that an overly professional hotel does not generally have.
Most interestingly, Eden Rock retains an idiosyncratic charm of the type that St Barths always used to have but which has been lost over the years as the island has become better known and more popular. You will find a certain originality, not to say eccentric playfulness that you do not find elsewhere – there are sometimes luminous buoys floating in the water at night. Some of the rooms themselves are built around rocks. A searchlight sourced from the British Admiralty lights up the waves that break on a reef out in the bay and lighthouse lamps glow in the red and green of the resort’s colours.
Eden Rock is in the gradual process of expanding, with 5 new villas (the Big Beach House, Diamond Suite and 3 Heavenly Beach Houses) and 8 contemporary beach rooms completed in December 2005. The latest additions are on land adjacent to Eden Rock and comprise of Villa Nina and The Rock Star Heaven House.
EROS
Five of the new houses (at the western section, that was formerly Filao Beach) are available for purchase under an ownership scheme called EROS (Eden Rock Owners’ Society) in which investors buy a four-week stretch of ownership. The houses are designed to be a little more self-contained than the hotel rooms, and have full kitchens, and the idea is that levels of service will be particularly high. To find out more about EROS, please contact the hotel using the telephone or direct email enquiries buttons above.
See here for more about Eden Rock and the Matthews. |
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Beach & Swimming
Eden Rock stands at the heart of St Jean Bay, a gradual curve of excellent white sand that shelves gently into fantastic sea in a multitude of blues. Some of the sand has been eroded in the bay, but there is sand either side of the rock.
To the west, the airport side, is a small stretch on which are laid out the resort’s loungers and parasols. It is backed by the Sand Bar restaurant, which is a very popular lunch stopover for visitors as well as hotel guests. There is service to your lounger and watersports can be arranged from here. On the other side is the main section of St Jean Beach. The beach is good to walk along and there is a lively and very popular beach bar there, Nikki Beach. The main town of St Jean is just behind this section of beach.
There is no central pool at Eden Rock, but some of the accommodations have their own Jacuzzi or private pool (one a plunge pool).
St Jean is excellent as a lively beach, but you will find two less active beaches within a short drive on the south coast. If you take the road south out of St Jean you will eventually get to Anse de Grande Saline and for Gouverneur you can take this road or go via Gustavia. |
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Sports & Recreation
The hotel has some kayaks and snorkelling gear if you would like to snorkel around the rock or out on the reef. A watersports shop along the beach offers windsurfers and small sail boats. No motorized watersports are permitted in St Jean Bay.
Eden Rock’s own 65ft Princess motor yacht and a 35ft picnic boat are available for private charter and excursions. In addition a wide selection of motorboats and sail boats are available on request through outside companies.
If you would like a massage, this is easily arranged through the front desk. It can take place in your room, or in a secluded spot around the hotel. There is an air-conditioned Fitness Centre built into the rock itself. There are running machines, bicycles and free weights, with screens to keep you occupied while exercising.
Guests are also encouraged to paint if they wish too. Equipment is available through Jane’s Art Gallery.
The Rockshop is just behind the Sand Bar and carries useful items as well as beach and evening wear. Eden Rock has its own line of clothing. |
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Staff
The staff at Eden Rock are a mix of French and English speakers. The hotel is run by the Matthews with Sonia Tejero, who has been there for many years, handling reservations and the front of house. Natalie Hulme is the manager of the Eros Residence Club. |
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The Rooms
The rooms at Eden Rock are ranged around the skirts of the rock, and on the mainland either side of it. The rooms (most are suites in fact) are all different in shape and aspect, many of them adapted to the position they have on the rock itself (some are actually built into it, with exposed rock walls in the bedroom or bathroom) and they are all decorated differently. Inside a theme of dark hardwood, in stained wood and antiques, runs through them, which is off-set by bold colours in the furnishings – yellows, greens and blues. There is also an ultra-modern aspect to some of them, with Philippe Starck fittings.
The suites around the rock itself include the Howard Hughes Loft Diamond Suite, which has a 360 degree view from the top of the main house, and the Greta Garbo Premium Suite , which is decorated in 1930s Hollywood style. Then there are the Classic Rock Suites, freestanding suites on the skirts of the rock that are decorated in Greek, African and Oriental style, and a couple of others looking towards the land. Other suites overlook the rock and bay from the mainland, among them Michael’s, which was named after the owners’ son. The rest of the rooms are to the south of the rock, some behind the Sand Bar (these are decorated in light colours with sandy tones) and others overlooking the beach. These last are the newest addition to the resort. Some are on two levels and have fully equipped kitchens and patios opening onto the surrounding gardens and then the sea, and in some cases pools. |
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Dining
You can expect to dine well at Eden Rock. There are two main restaurants - On the Rocks for dinner and the Sand Bar down on the beach, which is a delightful place to have a generally light lunch. Eden Rock is one of the island’s most popular places to dine and it sees a fashionable crowd both at lunch and dinner.
The kitchens are overseen by Jean-Claude Dufour, who has worked on the island for many years. Originally trained at the Aux Trois Gros in Roanne (which has three Michelin stars) and the Relais et Châteaux at Margaux near Bordeaux, his style is classical French at base, but it has a contemporary touch and, as you would expect in a Caribbean holiday resort, it has foregone a little of the ceremony of classical French cuisine. Room service is available to all the rooms (24 hours).
The Sand Bar has a delightful setting on the beach. The style and colour scheme at the Sand Bar has modern, minimal look with white off–set by black wood. The main restaurant, On the Rocks, is also one of the in-places to catch an early evening drink - if you are there just before dark then you can watch the last of the planes flying in and taking off – and then for dinner. The tables are set on multiple decks that cling to the rockface. Some look out onto the inky black of the sea, but others have a view of the kitchen, which is glassed in. There is also a chef’s table, where Jean-Claude Dufour will cook to order within view, so you can enjoy an exchange as he goes along. |
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Practical Facts
Annual Closure Dates: 01 September-14 October
Dress Code: Informal by day and elegantly casual for the evenings. Jackets and ties are not required
Facilities: Two restaurants (On-the-Rocks and The Sand Bar) and two bars. Private beach. Rockshop boutique. Jane’s Art Gallery. Air-conditioned fitness centre. 65ft Princess motorboat and 35ft picnic boat for private charter.
Complimentary: Airport transfer with private chauffeur for arrivals, kayaks and snorkelling equipment
Other Services: Concierge service. Room service and night butler service. In-room massage and beauty treatments. Watersports on the beach (Hobie cats, and windsurfing equipment down the beach). Boat trips, sailing and diving on request. Yoga and excercise classes.
Accommodation: 33 suites, rooms, cottages, and 1-3 bedroom houses
Room Types: Each room has individual decor and furnishings. All rooms are air-conditioned and have an en suite bathroom, direct dial telephone, mini-bar, in-room safe, hair dryer, flat screen satellite TV, DVD player, CD player, coffee/tea making facilities, internet access and WiFi. Big Beach House: Frangipani Villa a 3-bedroom house built around a central pool and living area, kitchen, Master bedroom suite, terrace with pool and Jacuzzi, two further bedroom suites with terraces. Maximum 6 persons. 3 x Diamond Suites: The Howard Hughes Loft Suite for 2 people, located in the loft of the main Eden Rock house with 360 degree views of reef, sea and island with handmade hardwood bed facing East for sunrises, two matching bathrooms. Waterlily House for 2 people, a 1-bedroom on the beach with infinity pool, Jacuzzi and a large terrace, garden. James’s Suite for 2 people is located near the waters edge (next to Michael’s Suite) with a large en suite bathroom with sunken tub and cascade shower, and bedroom leading out to a private deck with pool and Jacuzzi. 3 x Heavenly Houses: Orchid House is a 1-bedroom house on two levels with the bedroom upstairs, open plan living area with kitchen downstairs opening to terrace and beach, rear terrace with Jacuzzi. Jasmin and Ixora Houses for up to 4 people are 2-bedroom houses on two floors with Jacuzzi, a bedroom and bathroom at each level and terraces front and back. Kitchens are on the ground floor leading out to a terrace. 5 x Premium Rock Suites: Michael’s Suite with one bedroom, separate sitting area, small pool, large terrace with day bed and bar with views to east and west, sumptuous bathroom with bath and separate shower and easy access to beach. Harbour House for 2 people is home to David and Jane Matthews. Large hand-carved wooden king size bed, bathroom with shower and remarkable old fashioned bath, sitting area leading to large terrace overlooking St Jean Bay, private garden courtyard with plunge pool. Greta Garbo Suite for 2 persons in the style of 1930’s Hollywood with huge hand made bed of hardwood and dimpled white deer run leather, white and gold mosaic tiled bathroom with separate bath and shower. Fregate Suite in Greek style with bedroom and bathroom (shower only) upstairs and living area with large sea-facing balcony downstairs and a pergola for shade, plus private terrace with Jacuzzi. Fontaine Suite sleeps 4 and has been joined with the Case a Vent Cabin (a cottage) to create a 2-bedroom suite with walled garden terrace and private pool. A walkway leads to the beach and rock. The main bedroom has a king size bed, en suite with tub and shower, and a covered terrace formed from the rock. The second bedroom in an adjacent cottage has twin beds, bathroom with shower only and looks out to the garden terrace. 7 x Classic Rock Suites are for 2 persons and situated around the rock facing the beach. Each has an individual style and layout, all have a king size bed, terrace and bathroom en suite (most with walk-in shower). 8 x Contemporary Beach Rooms are new sea-facing suites located in two split-level plantation houses, each for 2 persons with king size bed, terrace or balcony, bedroom with sitting area and bathroom en suite. 4 x Garden Cottages: are in fresh, modern shades of beige and white, set back from the sea close to the watersports facility, each with four poster bed, a furnished terrace and bathroom with walk-in shower.
Villa Nina (6,000 sq ft) is a private residence located next door to Eden Rock and has direct access on to St Jean Beach. There are two air-conditioned bedrooms both with king-size beds and en suite bathrooms: the master bedroom is located downstairs off the living areas and has access on to the sun terrace, His & Her walk-in dressing rooms, and en suite bathroom with a double cascade shower and plunge pool. The guest suite is located upstairs and has a private sun terrace, and en suite bathroom with cascade shower and plunge bath. The villa has a large sun terrace with swimming pool and a spa pool, covered dining terrace, art gallery, home cinema and surround sound system, open-plan living and dining room with kitchen and breakfast bar. It comes with the services of a butler, use of a Mini Cooper and Land Rover, VIP meet & greet services in Antigua/St Martin and air-conditioned airport transfers. Chef available on request (extra).
Weddings: You need to be resident for over a month to marry on St Barths but the hotel will do a very personal wedding blessing on the beach to include flowers, photographer, video, champagne and witness.
Children: All ages welcome. Additional charge for children over 6 years of age. Babysitting on request at approximately €12 an hour.
Credit Cards: Visa, American Express, MasterCard |
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Rates
| Prices are in EUROS | 16 Apr- 16 Dec 2007 | 17 Dec- 02 Jan 2007-08 | 03 Jan- 06 Apr 2008 | 07 Apr- 16 Dec 2008 | | Garden Cottage | 475 | 795 | 665 | 475 | | Contemporary Beach Room | 625 | 1,290 | 985 | 625 | | Classic Rock Suite Ocean View | 760 | 1,675 | 1,265 | 760 | | Premium Rock Suite Ocean View | 1,125 | 2,015 | 1,595 | 1,125 | | Heavenly Beach House | 1,355 | 3,065 | 1,945 | 1,355 | | Diamond Suite | 1,615 | 3,250 | 2,245 | 1,615 | | Big Beach House 3 bedrooms | 2,425 | 4,425 | 3,065 | 2,425 | All rates are quoted in Euros €, per night and include a breakfast buffet, VIP airport transfers, complimentary use of a variety of beach and watersports equipment, complimentary use of video and CD libraries. Additional person(s) over six years old to be surcharged at 120 € per night. All rates are subject to 5% government tax. All rates and inclusions are subject to change without notice. Rates for Villa Nina from €49,000 per week. RESERVATIONS and CANCELLATIONS A minimum stay of 3 nights is required. A 3 night deposit is required to secure a reservation for stays of 3-6 nights and 50% deposit for stays of 7 nights or longer. This deposit is forfeit if the reservation is cancelled 10-29 days prior to arrival. Cancellations received less than 10 days of arrival will incur the full cost of the entire stay. No-shows or early check-outs will also incur a charge for the full stay. |
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Special Packages
Summer 2008 Pick me up - from € 1,155 Includes selected accommodation, VIP airport transfers, chilled wine on arrival, car hire, daily breakfast buffet and all the usual facilities and activities at Eden Rock. Includes tax and service charge Good as new – from €1,925 Includes selected accommodation, VIP airport transfers, chilled wine on arrival, car hire, daily breakfast buffet, one lunch for two in the Sand Bar on the beach (excluding drinks) and all the usual facilities and activities at Eden Rock. Includes tax and service charge Romantic Retreat – from €2,695 Includes selected accommodation, VIP airport transfers, chilled wine on arrival, car hire, daily breakfast buffet, one lunch for two in the Sand Bar on the beach and a romantic dinner at the On the Rock’s restaurant (excluding drinks), and all the usual facilities and activities at Eden Rock. Includes tax and service charge | Prices are in EUROS | Pick me up 3 nights | Good as new 5 nights | Romantic Retreat 7 nights | Extra night | | | 07 Apr-14 Nov 2008 | | Garden Cottage | 1,155 | 1,925 | 2,695 | 385 | | Contemporary Beach Room | 1,575 | 2,625 | 3,675 | 525 | | Classic Rock Suite Ocean View | 1,950 | 3,250 | 4,550 | 650 | | Premium Rock Suite Ocean View | 2,250 | 3,750 | 5,250 | 750 | | Heavenly Beach House | 2,895 | 4,825 | 6,755 | 965 | | Diamond Suite | 3,765 | 6,275 | 8,785 | 1,255 | | Big Beach House 3 bedrooms | 5,625 | 9,375 | N/A | | | |
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