Eden Rock is unquestionably in reach of Caribbean ‘grande dame’ status but seems however to respectfully decline such pomp, preferring instead to trade on a playful fusion of midcentury seaside vintage vibes with an evolving avant-garde sensibility and, above all, a timeless sense of fun.
Eden Rock in St Barths is a resort that leans heavily into its over seven decades of experience and authenticity, today under the auspices of owner David and Jane Matthews, in partnership with luxury hospitality doyenne, Oetker Collection.
Eden Rock oozes swagger – but never overeggs its flamboyance or its unique pedigree. The resort’s aesthetic compass is the Eden Rock Design Group, which counts the Martin Brudnizki Design Studio and Architectonik St Barths among its members. In the wake of Hurricane Irma in 2017, they holistically reimagined the property’s iconic red and white candy-cane beachfront, restaurant area and premium villas. Its gallery-worthy art collection has also been refreshed, while out front the rainbow-coloured fleet of electric Mini Mokes let the resort’s cheeky side out of the bag.
Built around a rocky outcrop, the suites and bungalows at Eden Rock are individually constructed and designed. Classic Eden Rooms come with breezy timber terraces, sparkling sea views and elegant design, and from there, guests can choose from a huge menu of luxury add-ons, from private pools to private gyms to private piano bars in units up through suites, beach houses and villas.
Signature suites are christened for a motley crew of St. Barths-linked names, from controversial coloniser Christopher Columbus (who rebranded St Barths – for his kid brother Bartholomew – from its original Arawak name Ouanalao, without ever setting foot on the island), to Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes. More recently, the Matthews’ close-family connections have inspired Signature Suite Pippa, named for the British Middleton royal-in-law.
This Basecamp review is an extract from a longer feature article, first published in print. To read the full article, click here.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Hedonist | SBH | GMT -4 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Take the opportunity to experience St Barths’ natural beauty on a drive around the island. This place is picture postcard Caribbean with piercing blue waters, lush green jungles (most of St. Barths’ land mass is designated green belt), and powder sand beaches. A must-visit is Anse de Grande Saline. The Liliputian harbour of Gustavia with its old Swedish street signs is also a cute pit stop. Pop down to Shell Beach and dine at the infamous Shellona. Just be sure to make a reservation. |
All are clean-lined, bright, colourful and modern, always with views and decks (more often than not with a plunge pool or hot tub) looking out to sea, and each is designed with a splash more brio than the average super-luxe palette.
We had the pleasure of staying in the lavish and aptly named Villa Rockstar and the adjoining Villa Nina, which combined offer some 2,100 sqm/22,500 sqft of luxurious living space (the former, with six bedrooms and a 20m-long private pool being the largest at 1,600 sqm/17,200 sqft. The latter has three bedrooms and a large infinity plunge pool, with direct access to the beach and its iconic (and Insta-tastic) floating pontoon. Both villas have been rebuilt to be able to withstand Category 5 hurricanes.
Rockstar is a phenomenal villa that’s like a superyacht on land. Sleeping up to 12, this millionaire’s playpen has its own gym and wellness facilities, open kitchen and bar, 12-seater designer dining table, pool table, jacuzzi and white baby grand. The super comfortable communal areas are Dubai-esque ‘bling’ as expected, while each bedroom offers a characterful, individually designed and elegantly appointed retreat. Our opulent bathroom, complete with a centrepiece polished teak bathtub, was generously stocked with age-defying Barbara Sturm products.
The seafront Villa Nina is far more homely and understated in a way that almost evokes Malibu chic, with pale-pastel décor, Missoni soft furnishings and impressive artworks, not to mention stately bedrooms.
Both come with a squad of young, fun French ‘butlers’ who, like the rest of the hotel’s nattily presented team combine attentive service with an infectious relish for island life. They couldn’t do enough for us and ensured that there were libations in our hands at all times.
Executive chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten presided over all food and beverage here at Eden Rock. His all-day-dining Sand Bar offers elevated island-style informal dining – avocado pizza, crispy salmon nigiri and watermelon and goats-cheese salad for light bites. Heartier diners can choose the freshest grilled mahi-mahi from local waters or wagyu beef and caviar, fresh off the cute gunmetal Tradewind planes that connect the resort to the world.
Eden Rock has a coherent vision that curates and integrates all its elements in a harmonious, symphonic fashion. A stay here naturally comes with a premium price tag, but there is a confident and laid-back approach to exclusivity here that never allows it to feel inaccessible, exclusionary, or manufactured. It’s not about who you are or what you wear. You belong, simply by letting Eden Rock’s inherent lust for life happen to you.
Photography courtesy of Eden Rock St. Barths
