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A SENSE OF PLACE Le Guanahani returns with Rosewood at the helm
A Sense of PLACE
THE FAMED LE GUANAHANI REOPENS FOUR YEARS AFTER IRMA WITH A BRAND-NEW PARTNER IN ROSEWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS
The long-anticipated return of Le Guanahani to the St. Barths hotel scene is finally here. Having undergone extensive renovations post-damage from 2017’s Hurricane Irma, Le Guanahani, the island’s sole resort, has found a new luxury partner in Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and will relaunch as Rosewood Le Guanahani with 29 rooms and 37 suites.
Situated in Grand Cul-de-Sac, on a serene 18-acre peninsula lush with hibiscus and bougainvillea, with iridescent cove waters on either side, the resort benefits from almost 270-degree water views and a calm-water beach ideal for families. Known for its colorful gingerbread cottage exteriors, which thankfully remain, Le Guanahani has long been a favorite spot among visiting families, not just because of the reef-protected beach, but also for its spacious resort-like grounds, multiple dining options and renowned kids club—all of which will also remain.
Each of the resort’s five distinct dining areas, including the pool and sundeck, offers ocean views, sophisticated French fare with a Mediterranean influence and kid-friendly options. The Beach House St. Barth, the prescribed community hub of the resort, will set the tone for the rest of the resort with its shared mezze-styled menu with paired cocktails from expert mixologists and partnership with local artisans such as Le Café de Saint Barth and premium distilled spirits from Longueteau Distillery in Guadeloupe.
The new Sense Spa will feature four treatment rooms and two spa suites for couples plus a fitness center, salon and adults-only pool. Partners include Haeckels, EviDenS de Beauté and Soleil Toujours. The 66 guest rooms will see perhaps the most notable upgrade with fresh linens from Rivolta, toiletries from Maison Caulières and terraces in each and every room category. The resort’s pre-Irma interiors have been upgraded to sleeker contemporary interpretations of colonial furnishings such as cane seating, four-poster beds and mahogany desks. We asked longtime General Manager Martein van Wagenberg what he felt was the biggest improvement in the new iteration of Le Guanahani. “Since the beginning of our renovation project four years ago, the most important element has always been maintaining the essence of the resort whilst introducing an elevated guest experience,” he said. “Our team had to find a way to enhance the original property while developing completely new concepts for our guests, which was a difficult task given our affinity for the original Le Guanahani.”
Given the loyalty of the Guanahani customer, it’s no surprise that any changes to the beloved property would come as a shock to the customer base. When asked how he was prepared to handle that inevitable reaction, van Wagenberg explained that throughout the renovation process they consulted their past guests and travel partners to understand what they valued most. As he put it, “I am proud to say that we have achieved this vision of staying true to the spirit of the resort and its unique Sense of Place,
and further, in addition to the overall enhancements to the resort, we have brought a more residential feeling to the property, allowing us to create unique bonds and memories with our guests to be shared and relived for years to come.” Given that Le Guanahani’s location on an 18-acre peninsula is unlike any other on the island, van Wagenberg feels that this, along with a new dining concept and Rosewood’s high level of service, will ensure its distinction among other St. Barths luxury offerings. Of course, being under construction over the past four years has been a challenge—between COVID and the Suez crisis, there were significant delays in construction and materials—however, van Wagenberg credits his team with being able to pivot. He also points to the brand alignment between Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and Le Guanahani as being an evident success, noting that the two brands focus on creating a Sense of Place. We look forward to stepping back onto the grounds of such a beloved spot on the island.
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VILLAS RENTAL SALES MEGA YACHTS VIP CONCIERGE: CARS & BOATS PRIVATE SERVICES ACTIVITIES KIDS SERVICES GROUP EVENTS WEDDINGS
