Within a shouting distance of Gustavia’s shops and restaurants—yet wonderfully secluded—Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf offers 5-star accommodations in St. Barts’ port hub.
Unlike many St. Barts hotels, the Carl Gustaf doesn’t sit directly on its own private beachfront, but one of the top island beaches is mere minutes away.
Upon acquiring it post-Hurricane Irma, the Barriere Group completely reimagined the old Le Carl Gustaf hotel.
The transformed property opened in 2020, immediately positioning itself among the top luxury hotels on the island.
© Hotel Barriere Carl Gustaf
Rooms, suites, and bungalows with private terraces, a sloping tropical garden for the grounds, and all-out dazzling views over the harbor: Le Carl Gustaf embodies that magical sweet spot of laidback elegance for which St. Barts is renowned.
In this guide, we’ll help you determine whether Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf is the St. Barts hotel for you. You’ll find details on its location, amenities, accommodations, and a few insider tips. Let’s get started!
Nuts & Bolts: 21 rooms and suites, including a villa; fitness rooms; 2 restaurants (1 on property); spa; $$$$
Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf sits in Gustavia, the easily walkable capital and chief port of St. Barts. This puts its guests within strolling distance of many attractions, including restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and boutiques.
The harborfront itself, lined with top Gustavia establishments such as Bagatelle and La Petite Plage, is close by.
Bagatelle, St Barth © Laurent Benoit
The hotel also happens to be a short walk from one of the island’s go-to beaches: Shell Beach. This uniquely seashell-strewn shorefront is the closest beach to Gustavia’s town center, and it includes Hotel Barriere Carl Gustaf’s very own beach club: Shellona.
Shell Beach, St Barth © Access SB
Hotel Barriere Carl Gustaf offers a bevy of on-site amenities and services as well as off-site excursions. The lushly-clad grounds include the small, intimate, and lovingly maintained Spa Diane Barriere, with only a few treatment rooms and an emphasis on personalized sessions.
There’s also a fitness center stocked with Technogym machines and a studio for yoga and Pilates classes.
Speaking of wellness, Aquabikes can be installed in your private suite or villa pool for an introductory workout or on-demand courses.
© Cate Brown
An array of off-property activities are also possible, including beach-hopping catamaran cruising (complete with a chef-prepared picnic) and saltwater angling (you can bring your catch back to the hotel for the chef to cook!).
It’s also possible to arrange for various watersports fun, from surfing to jet-skiing to flyboarding. Hotel Barrier Carl Gustaf St-Barth also offers electric bikes to its guests: these are great for Gustavia tours!
The 5-star accommodations at the Carl Gustaf include wonderfully private and scenery-drenched rooms, suites, and bungalows as well as a villa. A breezy stylishness and tropical décor within these premium abodes are matched by the hotel’s immersive lush landscaping.
A remarkable sense of union between indoors and out—with layouts capitalizing on sunlight, shade, and the sea breeze—pervades these spaces.
Enhanced by their Gilles & Boissier design, the rooms and suites offer private terraces; many have Jacuzzis or plunge pools.
The Caribbean views and luxury amenities are fabulous from the “Prestige” bungalow suites as well as the decked-out Loft Royal Terrace on the top of the main building.
Prestige Suite © Hotel Barriere Carl Gustaf
Lucien Suite © Hotel Barriere Carl Gustaf
Villa Diane © Hotel Barriere Carl Gustaf
Villa Diane Bedroom View © Hotel Barriere Carl Gustaf
And, just when you thought the accommodations couldn’t get more sophisticated, there’s Villa Diane, a colonial-style hillside villa with five double bedrooms, an expansive private terrace, a large swimming pool, and a personal butler.
Price Range: Please inquire for the best pricing
St. Barts comes chockablock with excellent restaurants, and the dining options affiliated with Hotel Barriere Le Carl Gustaf rank among the very best!
At the hotel itself, Fouquet’s Saint-Barth delivers a brasserie-style menu and a perfect blend of the Parisian and the Caribbean vibes.
Fouquet’s Saint-Bart © Access SB
The refined menu, starring poached spiny-lobster tail, classic beef tartare, and prawn linguine, stems from a high-powered culinary collaboration.
Famed French chef Pierre Gagnaire, who boasts three Michelin stars, helped devise the Fouquet’s dishes.
And Chef Sidney Gordon helps the on-site team bring the cuisine to life day in and day out, from breakfast to dinner.
Fouquet’s Bar is its own destination, regarded by some as one of the best cocktail lounges in St. Barts.
Fouquet’s Saint-Bart Bar © Access SB
Meanwhile, over at Shell Beach, Shellona is one of the island’s highest-profile eateries and beach clubs. Its Mediterranean-inspired repast reflects the Greek roots of Chef Yiannis Kioroglou.
Shellona Restaurant, St Barth © Shellona
Main courses—from meat and seafood dishes to the chef’s signature truffle pasta—are excellent but don’t skip the mezze: from pita pizzas to octopus croquette and fish carpaccio.
The see-and-be-seen vibe here is evocative of Ibiza and Mykonos, so the coastal Mediterranean effect extends well beyond the food itself.
Villa Diane View © Hotel Barriere Carl Gustaf
Le Carl Gustaf offers some of the most distinctive and rewarding hotel accommodations in St. Barts.
The elevated position, screening tropical garden scape, and far-reaching views over the port and out to sea give it the feel of a secluded private world, mere steps from Gustavia’s hustle-and-bustle.
The placement of the hotel brings knockout sunset views, whether from your own private terrace or a plunge pool (and the Fouquet’s balcony seating).
Shell Beach, so close by, is another no-brainer choice for the evening show.
Landing yourself a coveted room, suite, bungalow, or villa at Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf is that much easier with WIMCO Villas on your side!
We can help with all aspects of booking, transportation, and other logistical details, and also support you with 24-7 concierge services throughout your stay.
Reach out if you have a question or if you’re ready to have us arrange your reservation at the Carl Gustaf right here.
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