The Vendôme Guide to St. Barthelemy by WIMCO Villas

Vendôme Guide A PUBLICATION OF WEST INDIES MANAGEMENT COMPANY

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contents

p. 39

dinner at Tamarin “Le dîner”

p. 32

Lunch at Le Toiny “déjeuner the Island Way”

p. 92 The Pool at Casa Minotto “Idyllic Living”

features p. 25

The Sun-Sea-Sand Selection Pick a beach … any beach!

p. 30 Déjeuner the Island Way Make midday meals memorable at these by-the-sea restaurants. p. 36

p. 46

Le Dîner A new wave of both renowned and rising culinary stars reshapes dinner on the island. Save the Date Elevate your St. Barths experience by knowing what’s going on and when.

p. 50 Sharing Our Favorite Place A couple that loves St. Barths discovers how great a family destination it can be. TexT and PhoTograPhy by LuCy Cuneo

p. 56

Gustavia Villas like these are redeﬁning the “in-town” lifestyle on St. Barths. PhoTograPhy by LuCy Cuneo

p. 53 Poolside at Villa acamar “Sharing our Favorite Place”

p. 26

p. 46

Lorient beach “The Sun-Sea-Sand Collection”

a Moke as a getaway Car “Save the date”

where to stay p. 60 Idyllic Living Discover these select gems from our portfolio of vacation homes. p. 116 The Real Deal Our in-house real estate guru reveals why the St. Barths market is booming.

in every issue p. 6

Editor’s Letter Reflections on traditions and family

p. 12

Welcome to St. Barthélemy!

p. 15

In a Jiffy You know St. Barths is your destination, but do you know the best way to get here?

p. 18

As You Wish Our concierge team explains how to make your vacation perfect.

The Map

editor’s letter I

t’s morning on St. Barths and we’re all at Pearl Beach. Hubby, parents, sister, brotherin-law and three kids ages one to four, and my pregnant self. I assume the waitresses flinch when we arrive, which we do nearly every day. Honey coats the children’s fingers. Croissant flakes stick to their faces. They’re wet in their bathing suits and crusted with sand from toes to cheeks. Any moment can bring either a tantrum or total glee. When it’s just about time to leave, they appeal to their grandfather: “Can we please have one more croissant, Bompsy!?” (“Bon-papa” iterated to Bomps and now Bompsy.) And the answer is usually yes, because Bompsy loves croissants, too. This morning in St. Barths is chaotic and fun, and inherently special because it’s the middle of February, six weeks past our original departure date.

When you stay more than two weeks on St. Barths, you settle into a new level of relaxation and belonging. You nail the back roads from St. Jean to Lurin, driving onehanded. Shoeless in the grocery store somehow isn’t weird. You swim Saturdays at Saline and Sundays at Gouverneur, and when Monday comes, you wonder how time spent any other way could be this restorative. For all its challenges, one thing this past year gave us was time, and I’m thankful we had so much of it together as a family, and for the opportunity it gave me to make new friends. Looking back on this year, one friend we will remember fondly and miss deeply is David Zara, who passed away this summer. His extraordinary presence and hilarious sense of humor really reverberated throughout the island. He had a visibly loving nature. And while quiet wouldn’t be the ﬁrst word to describe him, he quietly helped this island in so many ways – from being a strong advocate, to helping clients make crucial airport connections, to translating for so many people with the many languages he spoke. We call it the WIMCO family, and David was a huge part of it.

Our morning routine of swims at St. Jean followed by bacon, eggs and honey at Pearl Beach started like all traditions do. We tried it and loved it, so we keep on doing it. The same applies to the attraction we all discover for the island itself. You tried it, you loved it, so you just kept coming back. Over this past year, many of you came back, and when it came down to it, you decided to stay, which often meant switching villas. I jumped at the chance to take anyone interested on an in-person tour. Sure, we had a few mishaps: stalling on the hill up to Camaruche; scaling about ﬁve driveways on foot in Petit Cul de Sac in search of a villa entrance. We found new favorite locations and new perspectives on the island we love. Over the course of that extended time here, I discovered a new appreciation for the human connection, the smiles and the conversations, and the chance to meet so many of you.

David Zara 1962 - 2021

As you open up the pages of this edition of The Vendôme Guide, I hope you are with your favorite people, in your favorite place. And if you can ﬁnd a way, stay a little longer than you planned. Enjoy, and I can’t wait to see you this year on St. Barths. All best,

Heather Warburton, Editor

Vendôme Guide ST barTheLeMy PUBLISHER

Tim Warburton EDITOR

ART DIRECTOR

heather Warburton

Kristin Lombardi

SENIOR WRITER

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

ILLUSTRATED TITLES

ray Parish

Lucy Cuneo

ashley begley

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Lucy Cuneo heather Warburton

hugo allard regan baroni Laurent benoit Cate brown Jen huang Jeanne LeMenn rylan Scherer Cory Silken St barths gourmet Festival St barths Tourisme gérald Tessier

Kristin Lombardi

VILLA EDITOR

david Thyssen ADVERTISING SALES

Mathieu audigier

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NEWSLETTER

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In a Jiffy

St. barths is actually one of the simplest Caribbean destinations to get to quickly and comfortably, with reliable connections through a number of international hubs. bear in mind that connecting through San Juan in Puerto rico means a longer ride (45 minutes) on a Swiss Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, while the St. Martin connection is a much shorter stint on a classic puddle-jumper. and if the youTube-famous Sbh landing is not for you, there’s always the ferry. either way, WIMCo will be there to greet you!

Coming from the East Coast of the U.S.? no problem at all. Fly from any number of airports (JFK, aTL, FLL and others) direct to Puerto rico or St. Martin, and from there it’s a short hop to Sbh. West Coast U.S.? Still simple. a red-eye from L.a. or San Francisco to Miami or Fort Lauderdale will have you poised to enjoy a sunset apero in St. barths. Jetting across the pond? brits generally fly via antigua, whereas our european guests find it best to connect through St. Martin (just a 15 minute flight over to St. barths). Visiting from South America? Fans of St. barths flying northward to reach us most conveniently connect through Panama or Miami.

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as you wish The way we see it, a key element of your St. Barths vacation is a friendly, accessible concierge service that will get things done for you. From Thibault, who handles all pre-arrival requests, to Marco, Lucas, Jo and Florian (who cover everything from arrival to goodbyes), this team is one we are proud of and one that will work tirelessly to tailor your stay exactly to your wishes.

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START OFF RIGhT Let us know how you want your ﬁrst night in your villa to go, and we will make it happen. a vacation begins better when you arrive to a fully stocked fridge, a dinner already prepared, or something as simple as knowing the baby’s crib is already delivered and set up.

BE FULLY EqUIPPED Planning on snorkeling but trying to pack light? Forgot the charger for your laptop? Whatever is missing, your WIMCo concierge will get it to you tout-suite! It’s easy to miss something when packing for a vacation, so our concierge team will provide whatever you left behind.

nAB ThAT TABLE The WIMCo concierge team has all the best contacts with all the best restaurants on the island, so let us get you the reservations you need. even last-minute we will do our best, but it’s always better if you let us help you plan in advance!

RISE AnD ShInE St. barths mornings are even more special with a breakfast spread sans the trip to the bakery and supermarket. Let your concierge take care of that part while you’re on vacation. how about chocolate croissants, fresh fruit and a baguette, delivered right to your villa? We can arrange it.

ThROW A PARTY does your St. barths vacation coincide with a special date to celebrate? We have the right connections for whatever kind of party you want to have, from the event planners to the dJs, and we can help select a private chef or full catering service to suit your needs.

REST AT EASE even the most idyllic vacations can be interrupted by unexpected complications. did a piece of luggage go astray along the way? did too much pool time give one of the kids an earache? our team knows just how to get it taken care of so you can get back to relaxing.

FILL ThE FRIDGE no need to spend your time in the supermarket. We can make sure that when you come back from the beach, your villa’s refrigerator and pantry are stocked just the way you like.

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COmE SAIL AWAY Let us arrange boat charters to add an unforgettable dimension to your island experience. Zip over to Pinel Island in a Sunseeker speed boat for a lobster lunch, or take a leisurely catamaran cruise around Colombier for a sunset apero hour. 20

q&A WITh YOUR COnCIERGE WhAT IS IT LIkE GREETInG YOUR GUESTS In ST. BARThS? It's always a great experience! I am always happy to see repeat guests, and I love taking care of new guests who don't know much about the place. It's a pleasure to make them discover this beautiful island! WhAT IS ThE hARDEST RESERVATIOn TO GET On ISLAnD? In my point of view that is the Sunday reservation at nikki beach. It’s very difficult to get “last minute,” however sometimes I succeed to make it happen, and it’s very satisfying to see my guest happy about that.

Florian

WhAT IS ThE mOST ROmAnTIC ACTIVITY YOU CAn PLAn FOR A COUPLE? For me that would be to do a private cruise and enjoy a beautiful sunset on the boat at Colombier beach with a glass of champagne and some amuse bouche. afterwards, I would recommend a nice dinner in the Tamarin restaurant at a garden table.

WhAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO COmmUnICATE WITh CLIEnTS? My favorite way to communicate with clients is face to face. It's nice to have a real conversation and talk about anything they might need and have any random conversation about life. I enjoy how this kind of interaction can help create a close relationship with my guests.

WhAT IS OnE ThInG YOU CAn ORGAnIzE ThAT CLIEnTS OFTEn DOn'T REALIzE YOU CAn DO? There isn’t one thing that I have in mind in particular. We are here to make anything they want happen during their trip, and they don't realize that we can handle any kind of request. They are here to enjoy their vacation, and I'm here to make sure they have the best vacation ever. opposite page, from left: daysail on a catamaran; the WIMCo office across from the airport This page, from left: breakfast, delivered; your concierge will escort you to your villa upon arrival

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Massage Facial TreaTMenTs Manicure & Pedicure Personalized services HoMe - YacHT - villa - HoTel +590 690 35 67 73 soraYa971.sl@gMail.coM

THE SUN-SEA-SAND SELECTION

It may be that the most common conundrum faced by visitors to St. Barths is the daily question of “Which beach shall we go to today?” The problem isn’t made any easier by the fact that the island oﬀers so many options, and each one possesses its own particular qualities and charm. 25

Clockwise from left: arriving over St. Jean beach; the soft sand at Lorient; paddleboarding at grand Cul de Sac.

aline maintains its place as perhaps the most famous and beloved spot, being both a pristinely preserved, natural setting and at the same time not too difficult to get to (as long as a short hike over a rocky path is ok with you). Gouverneur usually comes in a close second, and is especially popular for families since parking is immediately adjacent to the entrance, and the eastern end of the beach offers great exploration territory for curious young marine biologists in search of sea urchins or miniature anemones. beyond those two well-established favorites, the appeal of the other ten or so choices depends on what exactly you are looking for. If remote and calm is the plan for the day, then nothing beats Colombier, with its placid, protected waters and undeveloped and largely green-zoned hillsides. The only way to get

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there is by boat or by hiking down along the trail from the parking lot at the end of the road above, and since there are no shops or amenities, remember to bring along everything you will need for the day. That list should include a beach umbrella (not many palm trees here) and snorkeling gear if you want a good look at the starﬁsh that populate the surrounding waters. If you’re looking instead to be where the action is, then the two sides of St. Jean Beach are a good bet. on the airport side of eden rock you can go windsurﬁng or kayaking and follow it up with a beachside lunch or cocktail. over on the Pelican side, you can bask not just in the sun but in the vibes of the dJ at nikki beach or gypsea. another lively option is Shell Beach, where the the beachfront restaurant keeps

things hopping and a regular parade of boats out of gustavia makes for good yacht-spotting. Flamands Beach kind of splits the difference between quiet and lively, with the more residential area to the west providing some perfect spots for getting your beach reading done, while the hotel and restaurants at the other end make the scene a little busier. If swimming is not your top priority but peaceful relaxation under a palm tree is, then Anse des Cayes is a little-known local favorite worth a visit. The gentle breeze and amazing view will have you meditating even if you didn’t plan on it. If surﬁng is your goal, then your list includes Lorient, which is calmer and also ﬁne for swimming, or Toiny, which is for more experienced surfers and where swimming is not an option. When you have toddlers in tow, your

requirements are probably calm water and a short walk from the car to the sand, so Corossol is a good one to try, a popular place known well by local families with little ones. Petit Cul de Sac also has a special appeal for parents with small children, as there are palm trees for shade and calm waters to boot. Grand Cul de Sac is good for shallow-water splashing-around, and offers restaurants and JetSki rentals as well (so much fun if you have teenagers instead of toddlers).

Clockwise from left: a view of gouverneur; serene Saline; the Flamands shoreline; overlooking Colombier

The great thing about St. barths is that each beach is just a short drive from the next, so be sure to explore and try to get to know them all during your visit!

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THE GREAT THING ABOUT ST. BARTHS IS THAT EACH BEACH IS JUST A SHORT DRIVE FROM THE NEXT.

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opposite page: sunset at Shell beach This page from top: Colombier at dusk; surfers along Toiny

TODAY’S BEACh... … WILL PLEASE BOTh ADULTS AnD ChILDREn. Petit Cul de Sac and Corossol lean more restful, while the waves at gouverneur and Saline may be more fun.

… IS WhERE I’LL FInD A SmOOTh PIñA COLADA. St. Jean is the most obvious go-to when you’re looking for a cocktails-and-music sunshine scene, but Shell beach comes in a close second.

… IS JUST RIGhT FOR A mORnInG WALk. The early light at Saline is perfect for a walk on one of the longest stretches of white sand. Flamands is another favorite, with places to grab an espresso as well.

… WILL BRInG A SEnSE OF ROmAnCE. The southwest-facing vista at Shell beach makes it the perfect choice when you plan to spend the day and stay for the sunset.

… IS EVERY DAY’S BEACh, BECAUSE mY VILLA IS ThERE. a few of the most popular beachfront villas are eLa and Vdd in Flamands, and abV and eZe in Lorient.

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déjeuner the

An afternoon meal in the gentle sea breeze just steps from the water has to be one of the most iconic St. Barths experiences. We have a list of favorites among the many restaurants that oﬀer beachfront or on-the-beach lunch service, and then a few honorable mentions that give you that beach-y vibe without actually being at sea level. 30

island way

Gypsea Beach gypsea’s motto is “It’s all about Love Sea Sun and bbQ,” and while you can probably manage the ﬁrst three, they deﬁnitely get the bbQ right. Traditional Texan-style baby-back ribs on the beach? you’ve come to the right place. even though this restaurant boasts one of the best beachfront views on the island, the attitude is laid back, and their Pelican beach location in St. Jean cannot be beat.

The Beach Club at Le Toiny discover how this hilltop-view hotel has reinvented itself with a beachfront location that rivals the established seaside go-to spots on the island. St. barths’ “côte souvage” offers incredible Caribbean views far from the activity of gustavia and St. Jean. Watch surfers ride the waves as you enjoy locally sourced salads and ﬁsh brought in the same morning by the island’s ﬁshermen.

La Cabane on the carefully curated menu at hotel Cheval blanc’s La Cabane, every dish begins with “The” … as in “I’ll have The Seared Tuna with Zucchinis and Taggiasche olives,” which is something you should say when you want an amazing lunch on Flamands beach. Splurge on caviar or snack on the chef’s brillant truffle-infused Croq’truffe grilled cheese sandwich. If you’re staying at a nearby villa in Flamands or Colombier, La Cabane will be a regular lunchtime choice not just for the food but because the beach is arguably the most desireable daytime destination on the island.

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Le Sereno Al Mare The revamped restaurant at Le Sereno hotel is a perfect afternoon destination for anyone staying on the island’s windward side, especially Pointe Milou, Marigot or Vitet. Whether it’s just a simple Salad niçoise or the chef’s signtaure pizza truffalo, the staff at Sereno’s al Mare will make it perfect for you! The beachfront location offers unbeatable views out over the bay of grand Cul de Sac.

Nikki Beach you’ve seen plenty of nikki beach craziness on Instagram, so you’re already sold, right? no trip to St. barth is complete without a nikki experience, but trust us, you don’t need to get sprayed with Champagne for it to be an amazing toes-in-the-sand-lunch! The incredibly cool staff here will tone it down for you as you wish, and the location on St. Jean bay is unbeatable. The sushi is among the best on the island, and at nikki beach, you can be as chill or as over-the-top as you want to be.

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Aux Amis This beachfront restaurant at Le barthélemy hotel offers a lunchtime menu you can enjoy at a table on the deck or on a chaise in the sand. either way you get the gentle breeze and exquisite panoramic view of grand Cul de Sac. Start with the Tahitian style ceviche of locally sourced ﬁsh, follow that with a greek salad, and save room for the vanilla millefeuille for dessert. The calm waters of this protected bay and the kids’ menu at aux amis make this a perfect choice for families with little ones.

Shellona

St. barths’ Shell beach is renowned for its sunset atmosphere, but don’t count it out for lunchtime since Shellona is there with its Mykonos vibe and equally amazing greek cuisine. Leave your towel on the beach and take a table at Shellona for a lunch of the Kalamokos grilled chicken with a side of the pesto courgette. Chef yiannis Kiorglou has crafted a menu unlike any other on the island, recreating traditional greek plates with locally sourced ingredients.

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Where the Flavors Say “Beach” Mango aT The ChrISToPher: you’re poolside, with a gorgeous view at this exceptional Pointe Milou location. don’t miss the epic Caesar salad.

Sand Bar

When you’re looking for the most inventive and delicious dishes possible for seaside dining, there’s nothing more to say than “Jean-georges.” The breakfast and lunch menus at Vongerichten’s restaurant at the iconic eden rock will make Sand bar your go-to for everything from simple morning croissants-and-coffee to a lunchtime feast of truffle pizza and dover sole. The Jean-georges burger elevates the cheeseburger-in-paradise concept to new levels, especially paired with Sand bar’s signature ginger margarita.

SanTa Fe: The friendliest of service in the most tranquil Lurin setting, with sweeping views to St. eustatius. Leave room for the apple galette! FISh Corner: Tucked away in a gustavia alley, this unassuming spot serves up some of the best ceviches on the island. you’ll ﬁnd chefs dining here on their days off. araWaK CaFé: In the heart of town, arawak is your all-day go-to for fresh juices, smoothies, and lattes. Check out their “Love on the Toast” list, from avo to crisp veggies with feta. heIKo: Stop here for a fresh poke bowl en route to gouverneur or Shell beach. Choose from one of ten inventive blends over rice, quinoa or veggies, or build your own.

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ˆ LE DINER Since so many top chefs have recently blessed the island with their inventive cuisine and commitment to freshly sourced ingredients, we are hard-pressed to choose our faves among all the options now available on St. Barths. These deﬁnitely stand out, mostly for the food, sometimes for the location or the exceptional service, but usually for a combination of all three.

bonITo It would be easy to sit back and boast that you offer the best harbor view of any restaurant anywhere, but the team at bonito doesn’t stop there. under Manager nicolas gicquel’s watchful eye, the staff here has earned a reputation for thoughtful attentiveness you don’t often ﬁnd, and Chef Laurent Cantineaux has garnered applause with a menu of Peruvian-inspired apps and perfectly grilled meats. Johann and Jimmy round out the team as the mixologists behind the bar, so you might come just for a sunset cocktail but you’ll decide to stay for the hamachi tiradito and the lomo saltado.

KInugaWa With outposts in Paris, Saint-Tropez and Casablanca, Kinugawa is known for offering a chic sushi experience grounded in a well-versed reverence for Japanese culture and culinary arts. dishes like yellowtail carpaccio in yuzu sauce or miso black cod may be familiar standards on the menus of renowned Japanese restaurants from L.a. to Miami, but the perfectionism here will have you pining for Kinugawa when you’re back home. While the hot main dishes and tempura are tempting, do not skimp on your sushi order, and be sure to pair it with a top-shelf Junmai daïginjo sake from Kunigawa’s short but highly selective list.

La guérITe This harbor-lights location brings a vibrant greek atmosphere to gustavia, thanks to the bona-ﬁdes of the original La guerite founded in 1935 on the Mediterranean island of Sainte-Marguerite near Cannes. Chef yiannis Kioroglou’s menu speciﬁes that dishes are served “à la minute”—nothing waits under a heat lamp—so it’s a good idea to order in stages and enjoy the food perfectly cooked and straight off the grill. you might be willing to share appetizers like the zucchini croquettes with haloumi cheese or the grilled octopus, but fans say you’ll want to keep the Chef’s Signature Pasta all to yourself. They also say you will probably round out the evening dancing to music by some of the best dJs on the island, so the carbs might come in handy.

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TaMarIn If you are lucky enough to have fallen in love with St. barths decades ago, then you have seen Tamarin go through a few iterations, each of them delightful in its own way. bonus points if you ever took a dip in the short-lived above-ground pool! Tamarin’s new owners have preserved the atmosphere of the most enchanting tropical garden on the island and upped the ante with a menu that ranges from the delicious simplicity of butter-roasted cod to rich and complex dishes like slow-cooked, herb-crusted rack of lamb. The dessert specialty not to be missed is the pineapple carpaccio with sorbet made, ﬁttingly, of tamarin fruit.

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La PeTITe PLage La Petite Plage’s gustavia location is known to many St. barths fans as the old route des bouccaniers, so you might already be aware of its amazing harborfront view, but you don’t know what the restaurant’s new team has done in terms of food and atmosphere. Start with the tandoori prawns or the simple perfection of marinated sea bass carpaccio, continue with the sumptious lobster ravioli or the veal conﬁt, and ﬁnish up the way apero hour started, wth a watermelon spritz for dessert. The dJ at La Petite Plage will have you dancing by then anyway!

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L’aTeLIer de JoeL robuChon Founded by robuchon in partnership with director/ restaurateur guy Job, L’atelier boasts a menu created by the most Michelin-star awarded chef in haute-cuisine history. From the “small tasting portions” to the main courses, the wideranging choices will have you deciding between appetizers like the classic cheese soufflé or the wahoo carpaccio, and entrees such as caramelized veal cheek or grilled sea bream with artichokes. reserve a table upstairs for a view of gustavia harbor, downstairs if you want to watch the chefs at work in the classic robuchon “all around” open kitchen.

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Le ToIny If your WIMCo villa is nearer to the island’s Côte Sauvage than to gustavia, the restaurant at Le Toiny is a must, and if not, it’s worth the 15-minute excursion. The restaurant has been garnering rave reviews for its obsessive attention to detail. Wagyu beef smoked low and slow for hours is just one dish that reviewers point to as a reason to make the trip. The island’s best dJs help create the vibe here, and the gorgeous view makes Le Toiny a great choice for a romantic dinner.

Sand bar now that on The rocks is just a fond, distant memory, Sand bar at eden rock has stepped up with a Jean-georges curated dinner menu that will have you planning your second visit before you’re done with your ﬁrst. It’s hard enough to choose between the two versions of crispy salmon sushi appetizers, but why not go for the scallops in truffle-ponzu sauce, or the seared fois gras? and you haven’t even gotten to the main courses yet, which all reﬂect Vongerichten’s knack for elevating traditional dishes with the freshest ingredients and impeccable execution. despite all that, desserts are not an afterthought here, so try not to miss Sand bar’s homemade salted-caramel ice cream or dark-chocolate sorbet.

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Le FouQueT’S Pierre gagniere brings Parisian perfection to St. barths with Le Fouquet’s at the Carl gustaf, overlooking the harbor in gustavia. This latest outpost draws on culinary inspiration from its century-old namesake on the Champs-elysées, but the bright and colorful decor leans more riviera with a nod to the sunny locale. The menu opens big with an enticing caviar-and-vodka tasting option, and then goes even bigger with classic dover sole meunière and prime ﬁlet de beouf with—you guessed it—more caviar. The panoramic sunset views are not to be missed, but insiders know that this is also a great spot for a working breakfast or brunch.

The Tried & True a reaL ST. barThS VaCaTIon IS aLL abouT reVISITIng The PLaCeS ThaT Made you FaLL In LoVe The FIrST TIMe, So LeT’S gIVe SoMe CredIT To TheSe VeTeranS and Why We adore TheM.

ask for the off-menu dishes at L’ISoLa, especially if they have the Cacio e Pepe pasta.

grab the Pad Thai at bLaCK gInger when you’re looking for family-friendly comfort food.

Take time out for a game of backgammon and a plate of petit fours at VILLa MarIe.

For the St. barths standard in French-inﬂected island cuisine, see Chef Jean Claude at L’eSPrIT.

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AVE S DATE the

WeddIngS & CeLebraTIonS What better opportunity for a perfect combination than putting together your St. barths vacation and that special day? Whether you want to plan a romantic anniversary-week of sunset sails and candlelit dinners, or an elaborate waterfront wedding ceremony, there couldn’t be a better place to celebrate. get us involved in the planning so everything goes smoothly for you and all your guests. We can connect you with the right event specialist for your needs, arrange for shipping and receiving of decor and dresses, and help you make sure everything turns out just as you dreamed.

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BEI N G H ERE D U RING A SP ECI A L EV ENT, H O LI DAY, F ESTIVAL OR R EGATTA CAN AD D A WHO LE NE W DI MEN SI ON TO YOUR ST. BA RT HS VACATION.

ST. barThS IS aLWayS a good Idea, buT In CaSe you needed anoTher reaSon, here are JuST a FeW oF The eVenTS ThaT TaKe PLaCe annuaLLy.

White Party: Late december Music Festival: Mid January Carnivale: end of February St. barths bucket: Mid March Jazz Festival: early april Les Voiles: Mid april Film Festival: early May Theater Festival: Late May bastille day: July 14

regaTTa SeaSon

rum awards: early november

Is yacht-spotting on your vacation to-do list? Maybe even crewing for a race? Springtime in St. barths means sailing, from the West Indies regatta of traditional Caribbean sloops, to the bucket, which brings the most advanced superyachts to the island’s waters each year for one of the planet’s most exciting competitions.

gourmet Festival: Mid november

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gourMeT FeSTIVaL now in its eighth year, the St. barth gourmet Festival attracts a galaxy-worth of Michelin stars to the island for a long weekend of specially hosted, multi-course Chef’s dinners at select restaurants. The Caribbean rum awards, hosted by the rhum room in gustavia, is often scheduled around the same time, making an unparalleled food-and-drink vacation a real possibility.

neW year’S eVe ringing in the new year on St. barths is undeniably one of the most magical nights you can experience here. Start out with a prix ﬁxe Champagne dinner at one of your favorite restaurants, and then let the evening sweep you away from there. The island is basically one big party on this special night, so don’t be surprised if plans change as you run into old friends and make new ones along the way. on new year’s eve you can easily go from dancing on the sand to dancing on a table, so go with the ﬂow!

WIMCo.CoM

The WhITe ParTy If you’ll be on the island for the fun-ﬁlled and festive week between Christmas and new year’s, put this soirée at Lil’rock on your social calendar. hosted by WIMCo real estate, Tradewind aviation, Zion Magazine, and photographer antoine Verglas, The White Party brings together an eclectic crowd of true St. barths aﬁcionados.

SHARING OUR Lauded by the press as one of the top wedding photographers in the world, Lucy Cuneo conveys blissful romance and candid, impromptu fun in her signature aesthetic. Lucy spent a week at Villa Acamar in Toiny, exploring the island with her family, and finding inspiration by all the St. Barths beauty and charm. WIMCo.CoM

Clockwise from below: pool table at Villa acamar; Moke; walking on St. Jean beach; villa entrance; St. Jean bay; poolside overlooking Toiny; chaise lounges at gypSea beach; ice cream by the shore; Flamands beach; villa patio; champagne on the terrace; acamar’s swinging chair

FAVORITE PLACE TexT and PhoTograPhy by LUCY CUnEO PhoTograPhed aT VILLA ACAmAR / WV ACA Three bedrooMS, ToIny

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Clockwise from top: WIMCo concierge Florian; villa grounds; dinner on the terrace; sous chef; a private chef prepares dinner; lounging with views of St. eustatius. opposite page: poolside at acamar

ill and I love St. barths. We both worked in the Caribbean before we met and always spent our summers in France. When we ﬁrst traveled to the island, sans children, we actually couldn’t believe how magniﬁcent it was. heaven on earth! The beaches struck us as the most beautiful we had ever seen, and layering on the French sensibility when it comes to food (croissant runs, Maya’s To go), toes-in-thesand lunches, and buzzy nights in gustavia all made for an intoxicating time. Thanks to our introduction, we’d always felt it was the perfect romantic getaway but were keen to try it as a family trip, and WIMCo made this an incredible experience for all of us. We travel for work, and when we bring our family, we always look for a villa versus a hotel because having a kitchen and more than one bedroom really helps make life easier, especially with young children. by now we are used to lugging every piece of kiddie-equipment around the world, but this time, WIMCo took care of everything. We were scooped up upon our arrival at the airport and handed the keys to our child-ready car (already cooled down and fully equipped with car seats), our suitcases were swapped for cold water bottles and the next time we saw them, they were neatly placed in the bedrooms at our villa. We arrived to a fridge full of groceries, dinner and wine, which meant that we could hop in the pool and not worry about a thing—the vacation had already begun!

“in the late afternoon, we always retired to the house, our shoulders dropping as the afternoon breeze floated off the beach below. sometimes we were lulled into a family nap, sometimes we swam until our fingers turned to prunes.”

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opposite page, clockwise from top: under a tent at St. Jean beach; a restful moment at the villa; baguette run at Choisy boulangerie; dusk at acamar; bastille day ﬁreworks at Fouquet’s; grilled ﬁsh at gypSea This page: scenes from Villa acamar

ur villa was exceptional in every way: seamless indoor-outdoor living, an infinity pool that was not only one of the most beautiful I have ever been in but had a door next to the master bedroom so you could swim to bed, plus a movie theater, cascading views of Toiny from every room, and so much privacy. For the children, there were baskets of toys, pool floats and games to play. We had a fabulous family night with a private chef who whipped up pizza and ice cream for the children and ceviche and beautiful grilled vegetables for us. on top of that, WIMCo’s concierge makes you feel like an instant St. barths insider: from lunch and dinner reservations to even just telling you which restaurant to order takeout from—it’s like a short-cut to the best of the island so you don’t have to miss a beat or waste time researching. For us, the island’s pleasures are mostly about the beaches and the food. The perfect day starts with copious croissants and hot coffee followed by splashing around on gouverneur beach with baguette sandwiches from Maya’s or a long, lazy lunch at gypsea. In the late afternoon, we always retired to the house, our shoulders dropping with relaxation as the afternoon breeze floated off the beach below. Sometimes we were lulled into a family nap, sometimes we swam in the pool until our fingers turned to prunes. In the evening we cozied up in the theater or had dinner outside under the palm trees and the moon, dancing on the deck beneath the stars. needless to say, now the entire family has fallen in love with St. barths and can't wait to return year after year.

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WIMCo.CoM

U S T 56

mORnInGS In GUSTAVIA ARE qUIET AnD SUn DREnChED. ThE ThROnGS hAVE nOT YET ARRIVED, ThE SEA IS SPARkLY AnD PEACEFUL AnD IT IS ThE PERFECT TImE TO EnJOY A SWIm, A READ, AnD FRUIT AnD CROISSAnTS BEFORE ThE DAY’S ADVEnTURES BEGIn. LUCY CUnEO CAPTURES ThIS ESSEnCE AT VILLAS PRESTIGE AnD PRIVILEGE, OVERLOOkInG ThE hARBOR.

A 57

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This page: Villa Prestige/PTg, 3 bedrooms opposite page: Viila Privilege/PVL, 3 bedrooms

©HUGO ALLARD

idyllic living

VILLA ELLE/WV LLE, 4BR, POINTE MILOU WIMCO.COM

When visiting St. Barths, we all like to think of where we stay as a home away from home. But unless our regular, everyday residence has a view of the sunset over placid Caribbean waters, our hopes are slightly diﬀerent for the island version. Fortunately, WIMCO’s collection of villas oﬀers all kinds of features that will meet or exceed your vacation expectations, from private gyms to chef’s kitchens to idyllic locations. And if your dream house is all about simplicity and serenity, we have villas for that as well.

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silhouette

WIMCO.COM

one bedroom anse des cayes

VILLA SILHOUETTE/WV STT 63

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bel amour

WIMCO.COM

one bedroom pointe milou

VILLA BEL AMOUR/WV LOV1 65

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shell beach

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two bedrooms gustavia

VILLA SHELL BEACH/WV SBV

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golden view

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two bedrooms vitet

VILLA GOLDEN VIEW/WV GDV 69

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two bedrooms gustavia

VILLA KING GUSTAV/WV KNG WIMCO.COM

king gustav

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au paille en queue two bedrooms st. jean

AU PAILLE EN QUEUE/WV APE WIMCO.COM

two bedrooms anse des cayes

VILLA PRANA/WV ACF WIMCO.COM

prana

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coco

WIMCO.COM

three bedrooms lorient

VILLA COCO/WV REP

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lakshmi three bedrooms st. jean

VILLA LAKSHMI/WV LLA

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three bedrooms colombier

VILLA THE ONE / WV ONE

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the one

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three bedrooms colombier

VILLA ALWAYS/WV ALW WIMCO.COM

villa always

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three bedrooms pointe milou

VILLA TAINO/WV TAI

WIMCO.COM

taino

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villa k three bedrooms anse des cayes

VILLA K/WV VLK 87

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axel rocks

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four bedrooms gustavia

VILLA AXEL ROCKS/WV AXL

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cap au vent

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four bedrooms pointe milou

VILLA CAP AU VENT/WV MOZ 91

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casa minotto

four bedrooms pointe milou

VILLA MINOTTO/WV MNT

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four bedrooms pointe milou

VILLA VALENTINA/WV VIP WIMCO.COM

valentina

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villa olive four bedrooms gouverneur

VILLA OLIVE/WV ECO

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casa tua four bedrooms lorient beach

VILLA CASA TUA/WV CTL 99

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cap azur

five bedrooms pointe milou

VILLA CAP AZUR/WV CAA WIMCO.COM

100

palm beach

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102

five bedrooms lorient beach

VILLA PALM BEACH/WV ABV

1 03

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six bedrooms vitet

VILLA ANGEL/WV AVV WIMCO.COM

1 04

villa angel

105

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six bedrooms petit cul de sac

VILLA CASA DEL MAR/WV CMA

WIMCO.COM

106

casa del mar

107

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les dunes

WIMCO.COM

108

six bedrooms saline

VILLA LES DUNES/WV DUN 109

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firefly seven bedrooms anse des cayes

VILLA FIREFLY/WV FLY

WIMCO.COM

110

felicita

WIMCO.COM

112

seven bedrooms lorient

VILLA FELICITA/WV FEL 113

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clockwise from top: buildable land on lorient beachfront and below, Toiny; the pool at aUR; buildable land in lurin, the garden at mNR; Pointe milou views at ViP; poolside at BoN.

The Real Deal wimco.com/sales

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clockwise from below: the lawn at Villa New; poolside at lla; the view from BJJ; buildable land on Grand cul de sac; bedroom at Hem

Dreams of investing in real estate in St. Barths come naturally to all of us who fall in love with the island on vacation. What could be better than owning a piece of paradise, one that potentially provides a return on investment as well as a villa of your very own?

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call oUR Real esTaTe Team aT 0590 51 07 51

From left: wimco’s office across the street from the airport; the real estate team (lionel, astrid, Doug, and David); an architectural rendering on land in Toiny; the view from buildable land in Gustavia.

f you’re ready to take that leap, let the wimco Real estate team’s decades of experience guide you along the way. if you already own and are looking to sell, our vast client network is your greatest asset in ﬁnding the right buyer for your property. if you plan to buy land and build, we can pair you with the architects and designers best suited to your vision and purpose. and if you want your investment to bring you income in addition to island bliss, no one is better equipped than wimco to help you maximize your property's earning potential.

Under the leadership of lionel Garaix, President of our Real estate division, and Douglas Foregger, Director of international Real estate, wimco has developed an unparalelled ability to offer advice across the wide range of opportunities, and our U.s./st. Barths presence means we can work with clients ﬂuently in either english or French.

Douglas Foregger, Director of international Real estate for wimco, has been one of the island’s gurus for all things real estate over the past thirty years, so to get the inside perspective on market realities, we looked to him for advice.

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WHAT SETS ST. BARTHS APART IN TERMS OF REAL ESTATE INVESTING? st. Barths real estate, as an investment vehicle, is unlike any other high net-worth resort anywhere in the world, partly due to market imperfections. French law limits public visibility of real estate transactions, so only a handful of people actually know the past and current sales prices. This can create incredible investment opportunities, especially when adding an ultra-long rental season to the cocktail. HOW HAVE EVENTS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS AFFECTED THE MARKET? Hurricane irma created a massive shift in real estate on st. Barths. The local government seized the opportunity to reinvent and renovate. Power lines were buried, and a major ﬁber optic initiative was begun. The storm exposed over-development on the island, inspiring locals and visitors alike to envision a new, more sustainable future. The pandemic presented a new challenge, but st. Barths real estate has remained solid and buoyant. Normal vacations turned into self-imposed threemonth stays, leading to increased interest in investment. wimco saw voracious buying in almost all segments, with only one new property coming to market for every three sold.

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A TAKE ON THE MARKET WITH WHO ARE THE BUYERS ON THE ISLAND? many of our clients have been coming here for years and have watched prices tick up year after year, so they’ve come to the realization it’s never going to get cheaper, they’re not getting younger and if they don’t take the plunge they never will. on the flip-side, we have a lot of buyers where it’s their first or second time to the island, they immediately fall in love with it—like the rest of us—and go after a property. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES? st. Barths is one of those rare places in the world that has no property tax. The only taxes you have to pay once you purchase your property is a few hundred dollar garbage collection tax every year. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD FROM THE GROUND UP? The only really challenging part of building here is the owners’ ability to be patient. in general, building from start to finish, beginning with attaining a permit, takes three years in total. The permitting process here usually takes a little more than six months. The good thing is there’s a handful of world-class architects here who will guide you through the permitting and building process with the acumen they have from past experience. The fee for that service is usually about 15 percent of the project cost, but they handle everything, so in general it’s money well

Doug

spent. The owner that is willing to go through this relatively painless process is usually up a minimum of 25 percent the day they put their key in the door. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE VIEW ON THE ISLAND? i have so many favorite st. Barths views, all at different times of the day. looking down on the inner and outer harbor of Gustavia at night, the golden hour right before sunset on the beach in saint Jean, watching the sunrise come up on the hike past Toiny, and the sunset above the Rockefeller estate as you’re hiking down to colombier beach, those are just a few. WHAT DOES A PERFECT AFTERNOON ON ST BARTHS LOOK LIKE TO YOU? it deﬁnitely involves me and my three kids relaxing, dining and playing on the beach. i love the freedom and safety of their coming and going as they introduce me to new and old friends from all over the world. my perfect afternoon here is watching them build lifelong memories as i did, and then might as well ﬁnish the day off with a sunset sail!

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The Vendôme Guide to St. Barthelemy

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The Vendôme Guide to St. Barthelemy