Beach tips for newbies?

I emailed Nikki for info on their matelas. Here is their response :
Si vous souhaitez effectuer une réservation sur la plage pour un matelas, vous devrez nous appeler le matin même à 9h00 car nous ne prenons pas de réservation à l’avance. Voici la ligne directe pour réserver : +590 590 27 64 64

Informations :


  • Un matelas peut accueillir 3 personnes allongées
  • Le prix du matelas est de 100€, ce prix inclus les serviettes et un parasol.
  • Du samedi au dimanche ainsi que pendant la période festive, un service bouteille est demandé et obligatoire (Détails fournis une semaine à l’avance)
  • Le matelas est disponible à partir de 10h30et sera gardé jusqu’à 13h00. Passé cet horaire, le matelas sera revendu.

So, call at 9h00 the day of to reserve. 100€ for a matelas accommodating three (including towels and umbrella). Reservation good from 10h30 till 13h00. On weekends and festive season a purchase of libation is obligatory.

Very funny: “On weekends and festive season a purchase of libation is obligatory.” Who is going to be there without a libation?
 
If I were you and if you decide not to get your own gear, I would think about moving the lunches to hotels where there is a very high likelihood that chairs will be available for rent. We will be there in three weeks and are doing three lunches at Guanahani, Le Barthelemy and Cheval Blanc: all three said that chairs would be available. We plan to get there early (11am). Toiny Beach Club is another great option but we're skipping it this time because you can't swim in the sea there. You might also try Sand Bar/ Eden Rock. We are also doing Nikki Beach without chairs. In the past, I had luck once at Shellona and no luck on two other occasions. It seems like worrying about it on the morning of will be stressful and take away from the fun of your vacay.
 
Happy New Year, everyone.

The "weekend libation" translates to "un service bouteille" - bottle service. A typical Nikki Beach weekend bottle service is around $500 US. During the Thanksgiving weekend in 2021, it was $850. T

On a prior trip, I asked if I could puchase a magnum or two of rose' and cocktails for my family to consume the $500. I was told it had to be spent on champagne in the $500 range or another bottle in the same range.

I think the beach bed being re-sold only applies if you reserve it in the morning, but don't show up by 1:00 p.m. Meaning - it will be held for you until 1 p.m and then re-sold. I've never seen people being asked to leave and beds re-sold.
 
I think the beach bed being re-sold only applies if you reserve it in the morning, but don't show up by 1:00 p.m. Meaning - it will be held for you until 1 p.m and then re-sold. I've never seen people being asked to leave and beds re-sold.
Yes, I see now that’s correct.
 
A typical Nikki Beach weekend bottle service is around $500 US. During the Thanksgiving weekend in 2021, it was $850. T

On a prior trip, I asked if I could puchase a magnum or two of rose' and cocktails for my family to consume the $500. I was told it had to be spent on champagne in the $500 range or another bottle in the same range.
Goodness ! Best to go on a weekday :cool:
 
Not sure about the price of bottle service but 2 bottles of Laurent Perrier rosé Champagne at Nikki will do it for you. Lunch during the week is quiet and even Sundays are way more calmed down than the past (a pity, really:cool:) , which seems that the Nikki reputation of the past is, in my opinion, out of date. People there have always been really nice, from the hostesses to the servers, as well as the guests. Their boutique is really cute, and the lovely salesperson could not have been nicer with a crowd.
 
Eve is our expert on renting chairs on St. Jean and will chime in shortly. She rents from a watersports guy right next to Pearl Beach Hotel adjacent to the runway.

Eve has arrived! Since the house next to Pearl Beach, behind Carib Watersports, was sold, he is limited to renting about 4 chairs a day, for 15€ each. You can message Lucas, Jean Mi’s son, in advance, and he will reserve them for you.
 
Eve has arrived! Since the house next to Pearl Beach, behind Carib Watersports, was sold, he is limited to renting about 4 chairs a day, for 15€ each. You can message Lucas, Jean Mi’s son, in advance, and he will reserve them for you.
yes space was limited last June. Luca is a wonderful person and of course Jean Michele. They have the best seat in the house. See you on the beach
 
Not sure about the price of bottle service but 2 bottles of Laurent Perrier rosé Champagne at Nikki will do it for you. Lunch during the week is quiet and even Sundays are way more calmed down than the past (a pity, really:cool:) , which seems that the Nikki reputation of the past is, in my opinion, out of date. People there have always been really nice, from the hostesses to the servers, as well as the guests. Their boutique is really cute, and the lovely salesperson could not have been nicer with a crowd.

I think you may have been there on an off day. Give it another try next trip. We were there for late Sunday seatings during our last two visits in Nov. 2021 and March 2022 and there was a great vibe with dancing on the tables and pure bliss.

My daugher was at Nikki Beach for her honeymoon in June and this was the scene on a Sunday afternoon. I have never, ever eperienced a crowd like this and I would not have enjoyed it.

67858104200__CA7B95FD-9D87-4118-85B7-FC7A152BD405.jpg
 
We were at the 3:30 Nikki Sunday seating a few weeks ago and it was packed. Lots of table dancing and plenty of sparkler champagne flowing.
 
Eve has arrived! Since the house next to Pearl Beach, behind Carib Watersports, was sold, he is limited to renting about 4 chairs a day, for 15€ each. You can message Lucas, Jean Mi’s son, in advance, and he will reserve them for you.

Thanks for the update! ("Expert on renting chairs on St. Jean" is my dream job description. :D )
 
Dani, FYI, Lil Rock is now Nao Beach. The link to their website, where it appears that you may submit a restaurant or lounger reservation is: https://en.naobeachclub.com/.

Enjoy your first time on the island!

Thank you! And thanks so much for the updated information. We've made reservations for Saturday! Now what to do on Sunday - is it wild everywhere or is that kind of a Nikki Beach tradition?
 
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