When was the last time you pined for hotel staff uniforms?
Well, that’s exactly what I found myself doing at Hotel Manapany, which was rebuilt from the ground up after Hurricane Irma devastated much of the island of Saint Barthelemy (St. Barts).
B Signature Hotels & Resorts oversees this stylish eco-resort of 43 rooms and suites. Staff wear striped designer shirts, colorful shorts and chic espadrilles made locally. So, it should come as no surprise that guests can even schedule a private consultation with an on-site fashion designer to create bespoke garments to take home.
Hungry upon arrival, I headed for Manapany’s all-day Mediterranean-style restaurant, which serves an inventive menu using local, organic ingredients — many from the resort’s own garden. In true French fashion, crispy baguettes and viennoiseries (French for baked goods) line the breakfast buffet, which is complimentary for hotel guests. The toes-in-the-sand-style dining was perhaps my favorite part, aside from the plates of al dente pasta and beautiful salads that I devoured each day of my visit.
Additionally, a weekly beach barbecue with live entertainment was especially impressive with piles of roasted beef, freshly caught lobster and other seafood. Since my visit, a new beachfront rotisserie restaurant with a slightly more formal menu has opened, thus adding to the dining variety.
Clients have two pools to choose from at the property, including an adults-only, infinity-edge pool that is located near the on-site spa (where I enjoyed a deep-tissue massage). A fitness center offers yoga and Pilates sessions, and a brand-new library features an international selection of books and newspapers when guests tire of the sun.
The property features two pools set outdoors.
Credit: 2019 Leroi/Hotel ManapanyAn eco-friendly focus winds its way throughout Manapany: The hotel produces its own solar energy and water filtration, and bathrooms are stocked with bamboo-fiber towels. Electric cars are used to shuttle guests around the area; in fact, Manapany doesn’t allow non-electric cars past its entryway.
My beach bungalow impressed with its dreamy four-poster bed wrapped in flowing linens, and a separate living area included a refrigerator and French press coffee maker. Although many guests may prefer the panoramic views afforded by the guestrooms and suites perched on the hillside, my doors slid open and led directly to the beach.
Manapany’s furniture is all handmade and individually chosen by its doting owners. Even the “do not disturb” signs — crafted from either bamboo or teak wood — are stylish and specially made for the hotel. Thoughtful extras include both American and European power outlets as well as convenient USB ports, and the free Wi-Fi access worked well even when I sat on the beach.
Each evening, turndown service delivered glass bottles of water infused with ingredients such as lemongrass from the garden.
On an island that feels more like the French Riviera than the Caribbean, the impressive and chic attention to detail is undoubtedly French.
The Details
Hotel Manapany
www.hotelmanapany-stbarth.com
