Relaunching under the Rosewood flag following a four-year redesign, the Rosewood Le Guanahai reveals new and inspired services designed to immerse guests in the spirit of St. Barth.
Four years after closing its doors as the iconic Le Guanahai for a resort-wide reimagination, Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth debuts as the island’s most highly anticipated haven of laidback luxury.
The ultimate expression of French joie de vivre, infused with the lively and vibrant character of the Caribbean, the resort has been an icon of hospitality since it originally opened in 1986, remaining one of the world’s most discerning island escapes.
Having since undergone a comprehensive reimagination that preserves the unique spirit of the fabled resort while infusing contemporary amenities and design details, as well as Rosewood’s illustrious style of service and guiding A Sense of Place philosophy, the property is poised to quickly reaffirm itself as the destination of choice for new and legacy guests alike.
The Spirit of St Barth
Where French elegance meets Caribbean exuberance, the island of St. Barth has long been considered one of the most coveted vacation destinations among the world’s most chic and affluent travelers. Influenced by its deeply layered history, St Barth’s predominantly French culture informs every detail of the island experience, from the local language, to its world-class restaurants and shops, to the sophisticated yet vibrant energy that runs through it all.
Named in tribute to the island’s culture – “guanahani” means “welcome” in the destination’s native Arawak language – the beloved Rosewood Le Guanahani has been a mainstay of local hospitality since it opened nearly 40 years ago. Its enviable setting across 18 lush and secluded acres on a private peninsula overlooking the beautiful beaches of Maréchal Bay and Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon, complemented by its cosmopolitan design, made the resort instantly appealing to artists, designers and other discerning travelers worldwide.
Now, as it reopens with new amenities and experiences ranging from the innovative culinary concept Beach House St. Barth, to the immersive and educational children’s club Rosewood Explorers, to the locally inspired Sense, A Rosewood Spa, the property embarks on the next chapter of its illustrious history, encouraging a refreshed appetite among guests to explore all St. Barth has to offer.
Inspired Design
Drawing inspiration from its pristine setting, rich with French flair and the festive spirit of the Caribbean, the architecture and design of Rosewood Le Guanahani have been conducted by David M Schwartz Architects and Luis Pons Design Lab. From the accommodations to the dining areas to the spa, each space has been carefully conceived to immerse guests in the local culture and style while simultaneously making them feel as if they are at home.
The abundant natural beauty of the island is highlighted through smart design details that subtly direct attention to the surrounding environment, as well as incorporate indigenous crafts and artisanship at every turn. Vibrant design hues of turquoise, inspired by the island’s waters; yellow, reflecting the tropical sun; and, lavender as a nod to the South of France, add pops of color and character throughout the property. The palette is complemented by refined and modern interiors filled with natural sunlight and boasting exclusive furnishings designed by Luis Pons himself. Guestrooms, for example, feature pieces modeled after the luggage chests used by explorers on their journeys across the neighboring colonies.
Residential Style Stays
In keeping with Rosewood’s guiding A Sense of Place philosophy, wherein the local sensibilities of the destination inspire the resort’s many offerings, Rosewood Le Guanahani’s 66 expertly appointed accommodations reflect the unique history, heritage and style of the French Caribbean. Designed as residential, freestanding spaces showcasing colorful exteriors and either ocean or garden views, the 29 guestrooms, 27 suites and ten signature suites provide the utmost in privacy to facilitate total relaxation.
Interiors are characterized by a modern and clean sense of style that is differentiated through playful design details and pops of color, creating an environment that is at once calming and invigorating. Natural light floods each room through floor-to-ceiling French windows, contrasting with the dark wooden floors and travel-inspired furniture by Luis Pons. Also present are plush, king-size beds dressed in the finest linens; personal, in-room bars adorned with local libations; and spacious bathrooms complete with luxurious walk-in showers and double sinks.
In addition to a refreshed sense of style and inspired enhancements, each guestroom, suite and signature suite features its own private outdoor space ranging from covered verandas, open-air sun decks and dedicated dining alcoves. Twenty further offer all new private swimming pools, creating an entirely private oasis.
New developments also include a selection of the resort’s signature suites. Ideal for families and groups of friends, special occasions or simply a more elevated stay, these special suites range from one- to three-bedrooms and include a dedicated bulter to optimize the guest experience. Highlights are the Marechal Suite, situated at the heart of the resort and overlooking the Anse Marechal and Grand Cul-de-Sac lagoons; the Bougainvillea Suite, offering plentiful outdoor gathering spaces including a wet bar, private outdoor pool and covered terrace, all nestled in an enchanting garden oasis; and the Lagoon Suite, with direct access to the beach just yards away.
Unique Culinary Experiences
Serving as the social hub of the resort and heart of Rosewood Le Guanahani’s new culinary concept is Beach House St. Barth, a brand new facility that invites travelers on an immersive, multi-sensory journey that draws inspiration from the island’s French and Caribbean influences. Helmed by Executive Chef Riccardo Schievano and Beverage Manager Bob Louison, Beach House and its accompanying cocktail bar and lounge, Bar Mélangé, showcase local and regional traditions in food and beverage to foster deepened connection with the destination’s distinctive heritage.
Occupying a newly built, open-air enclave, Beach House delivers an array of unique dining experiences, each of which offers breathtaking views of the neighboring Grand Cul-de-Sac and Marechal lagoons to further connect travelers with the enviable island locale.
Taking inspiration from the way in which one would dine when visiting the private home of a dear friend or family member, Beach House is comprised of five separate spaces that welcome guests for the different mealtimes, dependent on the time of day. Ranging from a cluster of tables atop the sand for relaxing lunches in the sun to an indoor lounge that offers a chic, sophisticated environment for post-dinner drinks, each area emanates the new luxury resort’s French-Caribbean spirit through thoughtful design details such as vinyl woven panels, sheer draperies, mahogany wood and marbled stone.
Across each venue, guests are invited to enjoy an array of light, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Mezze-style sharing plates showcase regional specialties from France, Italy and Greece, with subtle nods to those of Morocco, Tunisia and Lebanon, all leveraging the freshest ingredients sourced from the robust natural bounties of St. Barth.
Menu highlights include BBQ octopus paired with sundried tomatoes, watermelon and burrata cheese; marinated sardines served with roasted bread, bresaola and cream cheese; and mahi mahi cooked in a Caribbean tandoori style. Dishes are complemented by Bar Mélangé’s refined menu of wines, barrel-aged cocktails and vintage spirits. The food and beverage program further features a delightful range of private dining options, from a carefully curated picnic lunch to a family-style supper on the beach, and 24 hour in-room service.
Regenerative Wellness
A sanctuary of simplicity and purity, and the largest dedicated wellness facility on the island, Rosewood Le Guanahani’s new Sense, A Rosewood Spa invites guests to unlock a heightened state of serenity. In keeping with the rest of the resort, the unique identity of St. Barth informs the holistic experience on offer here. A robust menu of treatments and therapies has been thoughtfully designed to celebrate the island’s rich bounties and highlight the property’s overall commitment to living in harmony with its environment.
To this end, each fuses age-old practices unique to the local community with cutting-edge technologies and sustainable amenity products to ensure a meaningful experience yielding the most optimal results. Highlights include The Ouanalao Ritual, inviting guests to achieve deep relaxation through a warm foot bath and exfoliation followed by a soothing facial cleanse and full body massage.
Located between the beach and the hillside, the new Sense Spa further incorporates the island ethos and natural surroundings in its design for a uniquely immersive journey from start to finish. Guests are immediately transported to an oasis of tranquility upon arrival to the spa’s refined reception area, an aura that continues across the facility’s four treatment rooms, two couples’ suites, hydrotherapy area and adults-only pool. Further equipped with a state-of-the-art gym, blow-dry bar, nail salon and full-service tennis facility, Sense Spa allows guests nurture the mind, body and soul and thereby achieve an elevated level of wellness from every angle
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