PRESS RELEASES
Redesigned resort combines bold colors with clean and modern touches to create an effortlessly sophisticated environment
November 16, 2021
Known to be one of the most iconic island destinations, the newly reimagined Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth combines the best of luxurious, residential style living with the festive spirit of the Caribbean through its unique design ethos. First opened in 1986 as Le Guanahani, the resort’s four-year reimagination was carefully conceived to preserve the unique spirit of the original property while incorporating Rosewood’s signature A Sense of Place® philosophy, which seeks to immerse guests in the unique nuances of the destination. Thoughtfully designed to reflect the distinctive history, heritage and style of the French Caribbean, the resort’s new design embraces the property’s commitment to sustainability and the colors of the island to create a welcoming environment with a residential feel for guests.
Architectural firm David M Schwartz Architects and interior designer Luis Pons Design Lab worked hand in hand to develop an elegant yet unexpected design scheme that captures the authentic heritage of the island. Three hues are heavily featured throughout the property, each paying homage to a core element of the resort and destination: turquoise, inspired by the Caribbean water; yellow, reflecting the tropical sun; and lavender, a nod to the South of France.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth’s Elegant Design Infuses Colorful Caribbean Style to Reinvent the Island Aesthetic
“Over the past four years, our dedicated teams from David M Schwartz Architects and Luis Pons Design Lab have worked tirelessly to set the stage for the next chapter of Le Guanahani’s illustrious story,” said Martein van Wagenberg, managing director of Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth. “What they have created is an environment that immerses guests in the rich heritage of the French Caribbean while simultaneously making them feel at home. Perhaps even more impressive, they have managed to beautifully modernize the property while retaining the quintessential charm and signature spirit of the original resort, which has captured the hearts of so many over its 35-year history. We are extremely proud to reopen our doors and cannot wait to see the reception of our redesign from heritage guests and first-time visitors alike.”
Residential-Style Accommodations
Ideally situated over eighteen lush and secluded acres on a private peninsula overlooking two stunning beaches, the resort’s 29 guestrooms, 27 suites and 10 signature suites showcase stunningly modern and refined décor. Designed as residential, freestanding spaces with colorful exteriors, a majority of the elegant accommodations are centered around their unparalleled ocean views, to be admired from both inside and while enjoying each room’s private outdoor areas.
Steps away from the ocean, three spacious, 535 square-foot Beach Rooms offer stunning views of the lagoon. Natural light floods each accommodation through floor-to-ceiling French windows, contrasting with the dark wooden floors and travel-inspired furniture commissioned exclusively for the resort, including a luggage-inspired private bar. A covered veranda and private sun deck adorn all three rooms for an alfresco area from which to take in the sparkling turquoise waters. The adjacent three 600 square-foot Beach Pool Suites exude a similar contemporary design scheme and open up to a covered outdoor dining space and a stunning private pool.
Located on the Grand Cul-de-Sac side of the island, seven Ocean Cove Rooms are punctuated by bright, colorful interiors and boast a backdrop of the endless ocean. The neighboring three Ocean Cove Junior Suites feature the same bright ambience, with a covered private patio offering an ideal space to relax while listening to the calming crash of the waves.
At the top of the hill, the 17 Ocean Bay Rooms showcase views of Marigot Bay and the surrounding natural landscape, from a higher vantage point. The colorful modern interiors are flooded with natural light, with the bedroom leading out to a covered deck inclusive of a chic outdoor dining alcove. Creating the ultimate relaxation area, a semi-private sculpted garden is directly accessible from the patio. Also on the upper part of the property are the two Ocean Bay Pool Rooms, offering guests ample airy environments primed for pure relaxation, from the indoor living space to the private outdoor pool and sun deck, surrounded by local flora and fauna for the utmost in privacy.
Several expansive one-bedroom suites, most with separate interior living spaces, are situated throughout the property including nine Ocean View Suites with direct views of the turquoise lagoon; seven Ocean View Pool Suites with individual sun decks complete with their own pools; three Garden Suites with dedicated outdoor areas surrounded by sculpted gardens; and two Garden Pool Suites with private pools amidst lush tropical vegetation and sweeping views of the resort’s greenery.
Ten signature suites provide for the ultimate in island living. Ranging from one- to three-bedrooms, they are ideal for families and groups of friends, special occasions or simply a more elevated stay. The Wellness Suite affords panoramic views of the resort and ocean and is located directly above the stunning Sense®, A Rosewood Spa. Guests of the wellness suite are granted private entry to the spa, as well as exclusive and unlimited after-hours access to its relaxation areas and adults-only pool. A short walk from Sense is the Marigot Suite, offering a haven of tranquility with views across Marigot Bay. Large French windows in each room provide plenty of natural light, and the main bedroom features its own private entrance. Living spaces open up to a covered veranda with direct access to a private pool and outdoor shower. The style-forward Hibiscus Suite is set in the resort’s tropical gardens and features two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a long, covered veranda leading out to a private pool. Found in the gardens overlooking the Grand Cul-de-Sac is the Pelican Suite, with a private entrance and large sun deck, which features a jacuzzi. At the heart of the resort is the Marechal Suite, overlooking both the Anse Marechal and Grand Cul-de-Sac lagoon. The colorful two-bedroom accommodation includes an exterior space accessible by both bedrooms, with a covered dining area, extended sun deck, private swimming pool and outdoor shower.
Nestled in the resort’s hillside is the Serenity Suite, boasting an expansive covered terrace and extended sun deck with breathtaking views of the ocean from the private pool. The main bedroom further features a private entrance, four-poster king bed and two-person sunken Balneo bathtub, as well as its own private covered veranda and dining space. Tucked away in a secluded garden is the three-bedroom Garden House, which features two detached connecting guest bedrooms and three separate entrances. The covered veranda and outdoor dining space leads to a private pool and sun deck afforded full privacy from the surrounding greenery. Dedicated to Christopher Columbus, who earned his admiralty on his second return from the Caribbean islands, the two-bedroom Admiral Suite offers panoramic views overlooking the Grand Cul-de-Sac from the outdoor private deck, with two spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a Balneo bathtub. The three-bedroom Bougainvillea Suite, with its private location amidst breathtaking flora and fauna atop a hill just off the beach, offers guests a gorgeous vantage point of the peninsula. Guests can enjoy a wet bar and private outdoor pool and covered terrace all enclosed in an enchanting garden oasis. Steps away from the water’s edge, the Lagoon Suite provides direct beach access and views of the turquoise waters. The two-bedroom suite features stone flooring, large French windows and both a covered veranda and sun deck with outdoor showers.
Recreational Spaces
Located between the beach and the hillside, Sense, A Rosewood Spa incorporates its natural surroundings both in its design and offerings for a uniquely immersive experience. Guests are immediately transported to an oasis of serenity upon arrival to the spa’s refined reception area. The calming atmosphere continues into the salon and through each treatment room. The attached adults-only pool is surrounded by lush tropical flora and fauna, creating a secluded environment from which to savor the natural landscape. The facility further features a state-of-the-art fitness center outfitted with Panetta cardiovascular and weight training equipment, as well as a blow-dry bar, nail salon and full-service tennis center.
Adjacent to the beach is the Rosewood Explorer’s Club, an indoor-outdoor space for children to build awareness and understanding of the local culture and community through a variety of immersive activities that are at once educational and entertaining. Children are welcomed to the Explorer’s Club by a custom mosaic mural by iconic local artist Veronique Vandernoot, who is known for her ceramic painted tiles scattered around the island and depicting its unique offerings.
Elegant Dining Destinations
The social hub of Rosewood Le Guanahani, and home to the resort’s new culinary program is Beach House St. Barth, an indoor-outdoor gathering space, pool and sun deck. Designed with the ocean as its focus, Beach House boasts several distinctive guest spaces that underscore the island’s evolving mood and ambiance throughout the day. The optimal spot for breakfast and dinner takes its inspiration from the blues of the ocean and the tans of the sands to create an elevated beach-chic atmosphere. A separate indoor venue is intended as the dining destination of choice for more elevated evening meals, which brings in coral and turquoise accents to emphasize the brightness and energy of the island. At lunchtime, travelers are invited to take in the sunshine and spectacular views that Rosewood Le Guanahani’s location affords from a toes-in-the-sand setting. Beach House is complemented by Bar Mélangé, a casual and vibrant destination for guests to enjoy sophisticated cocktails and libations. Throughout the day, Bar Mélangé serves as an accent to the pool and beach environment before transforming into a lively outdoor craft cocktail bar once the sun sets. For after dinner drinks, the bar is brought indoors to create a bespoke, low-key lounge, defined by mahogany and white oak wood furniture and paneling accented by colorful yellows, blues and greens.
For more information: rosewoodhotels.com
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