A review of the Christmas New Year scene

[Rene]

My take...This is the first time we have been here for festive season. We have been here for a couple months, and heard lots of chatter leading up to it, talk about how crazy busy it is (traffic, lack of parking, hard to get reservations...). I must say after experiencing it, it wasn't as bad as we thought. Yes lots of yachts, lots of people, traffic is worse, but we had a great time. We always found a parking spot in town and didn't have trouble finding places to eat. One day we dropped by Sand Bar for lunch, they got us right in. Called Ti' Corail one morning, got us in for lunch, same with Grain de Sel another day. Also popped by Le Cafe and asked if they had a cancelation and they gave us their last table (early seating) on the spot. While I don't doubt Bethenny's experience at all, I believe her experience was because of her choices. Yes, you see lots of people decked out, but also people dressed casual at places like Ti' Corail and Grain de Sel. The beach at Cheval Blanc and Eden Roc has a laid back feel, lots of families. Early bookings at Nikki Beach and Le Cafe are fun but not crazy. I guess my point is, St Barth has it all, it can be whatever you want it to be. That is why we love it!

 

[cassidain]

While I don't doubt Bethenny's experience at all, I believe her experience was because of her choices.

Exactly my take on it.

 

[elgreaux]

if you have a problem with St. Barth, consider the possibility that you might be the problem. Or else, it was just so much better in 2023. Or 2007. Or 1996. Or 1974.

Everyone's "good old days" vary with mileage ....

 

[Jim A]

Let's start a Go Fund me to get these poor billionaires back home!!!

Charter-jet travelers may be stuck in the Caribbean longer than everyone else after Maduro capture — and they’re melting down over it

The fallout of the Maduro extradition created a massive backlog of fliers during the busiest time in posh St. Barth’s.

nypost.com

 

[Jim A]

My take...This is the first time we have been here for festive season. We have been here for a couple months, and heard lots of chatter leading up to it, talk about how crazy busy it is (traffic, lack of parking, hard to get reservations...). I must say after experiencing it, it wasn't as bad as we thought. Yes lots of yachts, lots of people, traffic is worse, but we had a great time. We always found a parking spot in town and didn't have trouble finding places to eat. One day we dropped by Sand Bar for lunch, they got us right in. Called Ti' Corail one morning, got us in for lunch, same with Grain de Sel another day. Also popped by Le Cafe and asked if they had a cancelation and they gave us their last table (early seating) on the spot. While I don't doubt Bethenny's experience at all, I believe her experience was because of her choices. Yes, you see lots of people decked out, but also people dressed casual at places like Ti' Corail and Grain de Sel. The beach at Cheval Blanc and Eden Roc has a laid back feel, lots of families. Early bookings at Nikki Beach and Le Cafe are fun but not crazy. I guess my point is, St Barth has it all, it can be whatever you want it to be. That is why we love it!

Great post

 

[Trinigerl]

We have been going to SBH for the past 15 plus years for NYE and have had reservation and found parking every night we went to town. We usually eat at Eddy’s , Le Repaire, Bonito, Les Bananiers , L'Isola and of course a burger or two at Le Select. This year a ½ pizza at L'isoletta was 45 euros. We do enjoy our visit each year but it’s getting difficult to find accommodation in our price range and a bottle of wine with dinner

 

[Beachcomber]

Exactly my take on it.

Agreed. It sounds like she didn’t get invited to the right parties for her photo op and is experiencing a bad case of sour grapes.

 

[hydraaa]

I wrote a big post on this site...you can find it...I think in the end, you can find your spots...NYE is out of control if you go to the pretty people places...what I really don't like are the out of control waitstaff...aggressive on tips and their expectations...but they've got pay their bills too...but I don't put up with bad behavior even though I can afford everything the billionaires buy...but refuse to burn my $$$.

A lot easier to find your spots in the off season...or quieter spots during high season...unfortunately, it is a sign of the times...

We need a good Bear market in the financial sector to root out this behavior...it will never be what it was in 1991 when I first stepped on the island with my new wife of 2 years...Lafayette Club, Hideaway, Wall House...most importantly the good local people...but maybe we can get back to some type of balance down the road...

Buy gold my friends...

 

[Jim A]

I wrote a big post on this site...you can find it...I think in the end, you can find your spots...NYE is out of control if you go to the pretty people places...what I really don't like are the out of control waitstaff...aggressive on tips and their expectations...but they've got pay their bills too...but I don't put up with bad behavior even though I can afford everything the billionaires buy...but refuse to burn my $$$.

A lot easier to find your spots in the off season...or quieter spots during high season...unfortunately, it is a sign of the times...

We need a good Bear market in the financial sector to root out this behavior...it will never be what it was in 1991 when I first stepped on the island with my new wife of 2 years...Lafayette Club, Hideaway, Wall House...most importantly the good local people...but maybe we can get back to some type of balance down the road...

Buy gold my friends...

I never went, but having read about it on here, I wonder what a Lafayette club lunch adjusted for 35 years of inflation and rent increases would cost today!!!

Seemed like one of the more universally, positively reviewed places from years gone by. Sad I missed it.

 

[cec1]

I never went, but having read about it on here, I wonder what a Lafayette club lunch adjusted for 35 years of inflation and rent increases would cost today!!!

Seemed like one of the more universally, positively reviewed places from years gone by. Sad I missed it.

One funny aspect of being at Lafayette Club, Jim, was that food delivery appeared to be deliberately slow in order to sell more wine (particularly champagne!). Sales of clothing from the fashion shows, of course, notably also proportionately increased with wine sales.

 

[cassidain]

One funny aspect of being at Lafayette Club, Jim, was that food delivery appeared to be deliberately slow in order to sell more wine (particularly champagne!). Sales of clothing from the fashion shows, of course, notably also proportionately increased with wine sales.

hmm. strange people seem to have fond memories of such an establishment

 

[amyb]

I never went, but having read about it on here, I wonder what a Lafayette club lunch adjusted for 35 years of inflation and rent increases would cost today!!!

Seemed like one of the more universally, positively reviewed places from years gone by. Sad I missed it.
[/QUOT

We enjoyed many lunches there. George had a professional team working in a very special seaside setting. Often the lunch experience was a trip highlight.

 

[bobrosen]

We generally tilted towards that side of the island and over the years the Lafayette Club was a favorite. We'd go for lunch, often with the kids, and lunch would include a couple hours with our feet in the sand as well..... Since our first trip in 1989 was to El Sereno (before it was Le Sereno), the Lafayette Club was like a hop and a skip away. Brings back sweet memories!

 

[cec1]

We generally tilted towards that side of the island and over the years the Lafayette Club was a favorite. We'd go for lunch, often with the kids, and lunch would include a couple hours with our feet in the sand as well..... Since our first trip in 1989 was to El Sereno (before it was Le Sereno), the Lafayette Club was like a hop and a skip away. Brings back sweet memories!

“Sweet,” for sure . . . a different, early time.

 

[amyb]

“Sweet,” for sure . . . a different, early time.

dem good ole days!

 

[Max1030]

So we have done a quite few festive seasons , including this one and to be honest it can be quite enjoyable if you plan accordingly. The lack of villa construction and road works is truly magical. We avoid the crowds and still have an amazing time. Just avoid the bling bling St Tropez wannabe locations.

 

[Max1030]

We have been going to SBH for the past 15 plus years for NYE and have had reservation and found parking every night we went to town. We usually eat at Eddy’s , Le Repaire, Bonito, Les Bananiers , L'Isola and of course a burger or two at Le Select. This year a ½ pizza at L'isoletta was 45 euros. We do enjoy our visit each year but it’s getting difficult to find accommodation in our price range and a bottle of wine with dinner

Agree the rental rates have increased significantly. Some of our favorites actually doubled within a few years. We also avoided the bling bling and had a peaceful end of year.