St Barts, is St Barths short for St Barthelemy in the French West Indies and a St Barts Vacation staying at the Eden Rock Hotel is just about as good as it gets, always provided you have very deep pockets. The Eden rock sits on a rock that sticks out into St Jean Bay and has 33 rooms and suites, of which 20 are on the rock and eight suites and five houses stand on the white sand beach next door.

St Barts is not an easy place to arrive at, because the twenty seater aircraft has to land on a tiny runway. As a passenger you will be too focused on the proximity of the aircraft to the ground, and even motor cars as it swoops in to land, to notice the jumble of roofs covering a large circular rock that sticks out from a white sand beach.

Be comforted by two things, the first of which is that the pilot has special qualifications to land here, and the second is that the little island or the villas on the white sand beach are the Eden Rock Hotel, and a more beautiful setting you couldn’t wish for.

For most ordinary mortals the Eden Rock will remain the stuff of dreams, and a good reason to continue to buy lottery tickets, because not only Eden Rock but the entire island of St Barths is a playground for the rich and famous. It’s important to discover more about places like Eden Rock because there is always the chance you’ll be able to spoil yourself one day, and if you don’t know what you might be missing that would be sad.

What is so special about taking a St Barts Vacation and staying at the Eden Rock Hotel, is really best summed up by fine cuisine, lots of activity, and very much French, in fact very definitely a French Experience. The food is exquisite, and without a doubts the best on St Barts, there is nowhere to compare, from the breakfast buffet to the evening extravaganza either in the Sand Bar, or the On the Rocks restaurant, where you will be spoilt by the food, and by the attention of the staff, and the attention to detail.

When it comes to accommodation, then the hotel’s main building which has the style of a French farmhouse has the most luxurious accommodation and the best and most stunning views. The cottages on the beach also have great views from their private terraces. The rooms are cleaned twice every day, and the quality of the furnishings and even the sheets is of the very best.

There is no hotel pool as such at Eden Rock, only pools included with certain suites, although it is great fun swimming to the free floating Eden Rock docks.

You will find that the staff are extremely good at what they do, kind attentive and yet unobtrusive. The beachside staff bring you buckets of water, fruit and sorbets just when you have got to the point of really fancying something!!

Another plus point is the two minute transfer from the small airport, and you will have stopped shaking by the time you arrive. Shopping and restaurants are also that close which means Eden Rock is really central for most things, but be aware that Amex isn’t good VISA is better, and a must take. Conversational French is almost a must, because you will have difficulties communicating other wise.

Be prepared for your St Barts vacation to be different. This isn’t a typical Caribbean Island, so no reggae, this is just France in the tropics, absolutely gorgeous with incredible views, narrow roads, hairpin bends and tiny cars. You will love it if you can afford it, and if you can afford it stay at Eden Rock.

For more information about Caribbean Hotel Hideaways go to http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Caribbean-Hotel-Hideaways/

About the Author: Peter Stewart writes about in Kenya Safaris as well as authoring several articles about Worldwide Vacation Spots and he recommends Caribbean Vacation Spots

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Known by many names, the island of St. Bart is a paradise of luxury. Many of the world’s rich and famous flock to the charming isle because of its relatively low-profile and stunningly exquisite locales. Here are five things sure to make your holiday in St. Barts a memorable experience.

1. One of the most interesting options for entertainment that St. Bart offers is its art galleries. Although the island has been buffeted unmercifully by the vagrant winds and storms on the sea, it has managed to carve an identity for itself in the field of art. Not as prolific as larger nations, it has nevertheless held its own ground. Art galleries abound in the French Caribbean, and the Galerie Asie showcases treasures from the continent of Asia. It contains relics that range widely from Tibetan ritual objects, ancient Buddha sculptures, to Japanese rare tansus, among many others.

2. Continuing to delve into the cultural delights of St. Bart, the next item on the agenda is to explore the rather unique museums that it boasts of. The Inter Oceans Museum stocks a staggering collection of 9000 seashells that have been gathered from every corner of the globe, of which 1600 are from the Caribbean region itself. This magnificent private collection is located is Corossol, a small fishing village.

3. Shopping can be one of the best activities on the island. Here Armani rubs shoulders with other high-profile designers in the streets of St. Bart. The shopping in this small island rivals the bustling metropolises in terms of variety, style, and the latest fashions. Gustavia is home to this opulent belt of boutiques, whereas St. Jean is where those with a slightly more modest budget may indulge in retail therapy. Celebrities like Mariah Carey and Sir Elton John have been espied in St. Bart, and while solicitation of autographs is strictly frowned upon, it is nevertheless exciting.

4. Another fun thing to do on the island is to enjoy the nightlife. Although the nightlife in St. Bart is not particularly vibrant, as the entire island caters to relaxation and a luxuriant escape from mundane existence, there is still plenty of fun to be had. Live music from the locals enlivens the night and lounges and bars stay open till 1 a.m., although the preferred form of nightlife and entertainment is an elegant dinner, partaken at leisure.

5. Water sports are exceedingly popular in St Bart, with an exhaustive variety on offer. Divers will have found their paradise when exploring the underwater depths of St. Bart, as the reefs, Gros Islet and Les Saintes, are sights to behold. Reservations are recommended, especially if a guide is required during these diving expeditions.

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Holiday Rentals in St-Barts and Vacation and holiday rentals.

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The first frost of winter often brings about dreams of Caribbean vacations, and the desire to get away to a sun drenched desert isle can start to play on the mind. There are a large number of Caribbean island’s, many of which have a strong British, Dutch or French flavor, left over from their colonial past.

Many people have their own personal favorite Caribbean getaway retreat, many choose there island because of the slick Madison Ave advertising campaigns, that promote them as the ultimate Caribbean getaway destinations.

Perhaps because of its very strong French influence the tiny Caribbean nation of St Barts has avoided such brash invitations to visit this tropical paradise. St Barts is the kind of place that has grown steadily in popularity almost entirely due to positive word of mouth from past visitors.

The islanders have avoided mass tourism by avoiding mass advertising; they are far more interested in quality when it comes to tourists, rather than quantity. Many return home from the island singing enthusiastic praises about this incredible vacation location. Then these are the same people who complain when other visitors want to enjoy their hidden, little piece of paradise.

St. Barts is sometimes referred to as the Monte Carlo or St. Tropez in the Caribbean, this is possibly an insult to this stunningly picturesque eight square mile slice of another world. The truth is that St. Barts probably has far more to offer than its Mediterranean sisters.

Unlike these bustling and overdeveloped French cities, growth on St. Barts has been strictly controlled in an eco-friendly manor, for many years. Even before anyone had every heard the phrase. Construction has been strictly limited, with a distinct lack of unattractive condo complexes, and mega hotels.

All of the accommodations to be found on the island including villas defiantly fall under the bracket of luxury class. With no prefabricated build em cheap- sell em fast ugly high rise construction, permitted anywhere on the island.

Even the normal life blood of most Caribbean islands, the cruise ship, is allowed only limited access, with numbers very strictly controlled to avoid the day trip feel that changes the face of tourism on many of the West Indian islands.

St. Barts has chosen instead to offer the highest quality vacation to a smaller number of lucky visitors. These privileged few can partake of the 20 stunning beaches that circle the island, separating the land from the crystal clear, azure blue tropical warm seas.

Many people visit the island just to experience its incredible scuba diving opportunities along the Coral reefs located just off shore. Others want to laze the day away on the snow white beach, sipping on a fruit cocktail. Many come for the huge variety of designer goods available at bargain prices on this duty free island.

What ever your reasons for wanting to visit this undiscovered paradise island, it is sure not to disappoint even the most jaded traveler. St. Barts has so much to offer any visitor that demands quality, and the best that money can buy, in an exotic tropical playground.

Blue Ocean Villas offers an extraordinary selection of private villas on the islands of Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Maartin. Search for vacation villas In St Barth and St Maarten as well as vacation villas for rent in St Martin.

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The eight-square-mile island of St. Barts is not overdeveloped with large chain hotels. In St. Barts you will find pristine, crystal blue waters with some of the most beautiful white-sand beaches in the Caribbean. There are only twenty-five hotels on St. Barts and most are small with fewer than fifteen rooms. Many visitors choose to rent one of many private villas located along the beach or in the hillside throughout the island.

St. Bart’s largest property is the Hotel Guanahani, with sixty-eight rooms situated on a 16-acre private peninsula. For an ultra-stylish hotel there is the Le Sereno. This hotel is located on Grand Cul-de-Sac, named “one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world,” by the Travel Channel.

In Gustavia, the main town, you will find a mix of exclusive boutiques and upscale designer stores along the yacht-lined waterfront. French is the official language, with English being widely spoken. The look and feel of the island is Mediterranean and the locals are warm and hospitable.

St. Barts offers many nautical activities. Visitors can enjoy kayaks, peddle-boats, sunset cruises, catamarans, sailboats, jetskiing, fishing and waterskiing. Some of the best diving and snorkeling is in St. Barts. Visitors can also hike to Mount Vitet. At 938 feet it is the highest point in St. Barts with a perfect view of the island.

Dining options include everything from beachside cafes to elegant dining rooms. A local favorite is Maya’s. This waterfront restaurant is on the outskirts of Gustavia but reservations are hard to come by for this restaurants freshest local seafood inspirational dishes.

Sophisticated and unhurried St. Barts is a little oasis of France in the Caribbean.

Cruise and Travel expert specializing in Honeymoon Vacations.

http://www.allaboutthehoneymoon.com

http://www.honeymoonforums.com

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