Looking forward to our return to St. Barth on November 20!

[MDC]

We are looking forward to our return on November 20! We’ll take our usual route—JFK to SJU, then Tradewind to SBH—and pick up our rental car from Odile at Gumbs. Thank you to the forum for the recommendation; Odile has been our go-to for our last three visits!
Since making the switch, we’ve been delighted on every visit with the service, quality of the cars, and Odile’s personal touch.

As usual, we’ll be staying at Les Ilets de la Plage. We love the simple charm of the waterfront cottages and, especially, the care of the entire team, including Laurie, Julia, and Aurelie. After 20+ years, it remains our very special place on the island.

Now I’m beginning to think about restaurants! L’Esprit and Grain de Sel are definitely on our list, along with La Langouste and Eddy’s. We don’t typically go out for lunch—you can usually find us enjoying a beach picnic or picking up a plat du jour—but this trip I’d like to try Ti Corail (if we can find parking!) and the Beach Club at Le Toiny.

We’re also looking for a replacement for Maya’s for Thanksgiving dinner and would welcome any suggestions!

I’m also looking forward to having a private chef for lunch at the cottage. On our last visit, Chef Jacques from Villa Chef St Barth made us a fabulous grilled lobster lunch. We’ll definitely do that again and highly recommend the experience!

We’ll do our best to report back, although I have to admit it becomes difficult once we slip into relaxation mode and start enjoying, once again, all the beauty that is St. Barths. And DavesMom, I’ll make time for shopping too!!

Thanks, forum friends, for all the years of wonderful recommendations and for sharing your experiences. It’s so nice to share this special place with people who love St. Barths as much as we do! Fondly, MDC

 

[dadto6]

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[davesmom]

We are looking forward to our return on November 20! We’ll take our usual route—JFK to SJU, then Tradewind to SBH—and pick up our rental car from Odile at Gumbs. Thank you to the forum for the recommendation; Odile has been our go-to for our last three visits!
Since making the switch, we’ve been delighted on every visit with the service, quality of the cars, and Odile’s personal touch.

As usual, we’ll be staying at Les Ilets de la Plage. We love the simple charm of the waterfront cottages and, especially, the care of the entire team, including Laurie, Julia, and Aurelie. After 20+ years, it remains our very special place on the island.

Now I’m beginning to think about restaurants! L’Esprit and Grain de Sel are definitely on our list, along with La Langouste and Eddy’s. We don’t typically go out for lunch—you can usually find us enjoying a beach picnic or picking up a plat du jour—but this trip I’d like to try Ti Corail (if we can find parking!) and the Beach Club at Le Toiny.

We’re also looking for a replacement for Maya’s for Thanksgiving dinner and would welcome any suggestions!

I’m also looking forward to having a private chef for lunch at the cottage. On our last visit, Chef Jacques from Villa Chef St Barth made us a fabulous grilled lobster lunch. We’ll definitely do that again and highly recommend the experience!

We’ll do our best to report back, although I have to admit it becomes difficult once we slip into relaxation mode and start enjoying, once again, all the beauty that is St. Barths. And DavesMom, I’ll make time for shopping too!!

Thanks, forum friends, for all the years of wonderful recommendations and for sharing your experiences. It’s so nice to share this special place with people who love St. Barths as much as we do! Fondly, MDC

Oh, so excited for you!! You have listed all the restos I would want, and your plan is exquisite! I think you can do really well shopping there, even on a budget, (check out our dear Sandra at L'Original St Barth at Villa Créole behind the Drugstore des Caraïbes for fun, inexpensive St-Barth style clothes-see if they still are doing the silky Toile de Jouy pattern shorts and shirt..I have them in 2 colors) and don't forget our beautiful Océanne in her little shop, Brin d'Île-so cute, right?! by the Oasis gas station strip mall. Get loafers in every color and you will not be sorry! (I have so many pair of the original Tod's and these are just as good and comfortable.) Can't forget the lady on the corner of that strip mall who has some fun things, too, and I think she has had some men's polos that are perfect for the beach, but not sure if they are still there?) These are all local people who have dedicated their lives to SBH, so let's keep them in business! (PM me if you want other suggestions and have a talk with your banker before you leave ) Bon voyage and send us all every detail!

 

[cassidain]

so, what is current practice regarding accessing the other-side-of-the-runway sectors of Saint-Jean plage from Les Îlets ?

 

[MDC]

When we last visited in February 2026, there was only a rope across the beach crossing. If one chose to cross and the tide was right, it was possible to walk across—while, of course, keeping a careful eye on both the sky and the runway for any approaching planes!