Fouquet's Saint-Barth Hotel

Fouquet's Saint-Barth is a five star hotel on the heights of Gustavia, looking down over Shell Beach. The address is small and intimate, with 21 suites, lofts and a villa in a Colonial inspired style. Every accommodation has an outdoor terrace, a private pool, or both, so your stay can be shaped around privacy and Caribbean views. It suits couples and small groups who prefer a boutique address to a large resort.

Ten categories run from the Junior Suite Terrace and Sea View on the first floor to the Royal Loft Terrace with Sea View, which sleeps up to seven across three interconnecting suites. Accommodation faces west for sunset views over Gustavia Bay, and the suites have air conditioning, a coffee and tea maker, a minibar and an outdoor terrace or private pool. Two bedroom suites sleep up to five, while Villa Diane has five double bedrooms and a personal butler.

The hotel arranges a private speed boat to an island of your choice, catamaran day trips, daytime fishing with local fishermen, diving, snorkelling, jet ski tours, flyboarding, Seabob sessions and a gourmet picnic on a wild beach. Walkers can hike to Colombier, a cove reached only on foot or by boat within a nature reserve. Snorkelling equipment can be borrowed at reception.

Many suites have a private pool, the larger ones add a private plunge pool, and Villa Diane has a large swimming pool of its own. The spa works exclusively with Biologique Recherche and offers facials, signature massages, slimming rituals, a prenatal treatment, manicures and pedicures, with a duo room for couples. The fitness centre has Technogym machines, and private yoga, Pilates and Reiki sessions can take place there or on a suite terrace.

Beefbar St Barth sits on the first floor with a sea view terrace and serves sharing dishes built around premium cuts of meat, with vegetarian, pescatarian and vegan choices too. Bar at Beefbar is the place for signature cocktails, bespoke creations and street food bites as the sun goes down, with armchairs facing the sunset. La Guérite Beach is a partner beach club on Saint Jean, and room service is also available.

Shell Beach lies directly beneath the hotel, so the sea is a short stroll away. Gustavia harbour, with its boutiques and turquoise water, is close by on the island's heights. Sunbeds at La Guérite Beach on Saint Jean are complimentary each day, with round trip transport or valet service, giving you a second stretch of sand when you want a change of scene.