This time is a Goodbye and not an Arrivederci.

[dsrc]

We do not think we will go back to St Barth again. The island is becoming like a living city with all the infrastructure that a big city needs to have for its inhabitants to live but in a space which is too limited. The gigantic manicured villas are built everywhere, it is the main financial resource for the sant barthians to let them to the mega rich people of the world. I do not blame them it is the only financial resource they have. The roads are built and the traffic is colossal. The young generation move in scooters and that adds more chaos on the tiny but manicured roads. Everything is built to look pristine but nature and beauty of the island are slowly vanishing. So this time after twenty years was a real Goodbye and not an Arrivederci to Saint Barthélemy. I would not mention here the ugly and greedy behaviour of certain restaurants or dreadful beach clubs…

 

[cec1]

We do not think we will go back to St Barth again. The island is becoming like a living city with all the infrastructure that a big city needs to have for its inhabitants to live but in a space which is too limited. The gigantic manicured villas are built everywhere, it is the main financial resource for the sant barthians to let them to the mega rich people of the world. I do not blame them it is the only financial resource they have. The roads are built and the traffic is colossal. The young generation move in scooters and that adds more chaos on the tiny but manicured roads. Everything is built to look pristine but nature and beauty of the island are slowly vanishing. So this time after twenty years was a real Goodbye and not an Arrivederci to Saint Barthélemy. I would not mention here the ugly and greedy behaviour of certain restaurants or dreadful beach clubs…

. . . very sorry to read of the feelings that you have — too bad to end a 20 year relationship As you close this chapter, please let us know if you find another “happy place” that checks the “like” boxes about SBH.

 

[le_reve]

Sorry to hear... although we all know the island has changed, the old St Barth is still here if you spend the time to look for it. We had friends visiting last week, and outside of one or two high-end dining excursions, we took them to smaller, local spots and they loved it. In fact, at the last place that we went that was one of our higher end days, my friends were confused when they did not bring the rhum vanille at the end. You have to make the effort to find these places now, but the effort is worth it, IMO.

 

[cassidain]

. . . please let us know if you find another “happy place” that checks the “like” boxes about SBH.

Yes, I’m always eager to discover another « happy place » too. Although, we already have three « happy places » on our annual rotation and not sure I can afford a fourth

I love the beautiful villas personally. The traffic not so much. For me, maybe #1 irritants are entitled, selfish, inconsiderate driving and parking practices of two-wheel drivers (and some four-wheel drivers).
In St-Jean and in town, scooters parked blocking sidewalks forcing pedestrians into the path of vehicular traffic and cars parked in roadway forcing two way traffic to negotiate 1.5 lanes

 

[noel]

For a little perspective, my in-laws were long time visitors to St. Barth and built a small house there in the late 70s. When the Manapany was built they thought it was the end, the island was going to hell.

 

[JEK]

For a little perspective, my in-laws were long time visitors to St. Barth and built a small house there in the late 70s. When the Manapany was built they thought it was the end, the island was going to hell.

It is all relative to the "norm", but it seems this new normal is very abnormal. I can't get Susie interested in ever going back. I'm interested in a farewell tour

 

[noel]

It is all relative to the "norm", but it seems this new normal is very abnormal. I can't get Susie interested in ever going back. I'm interested in a farewell tour

Didi is not interested in going back either. We are planning to go to Isle des Saintes sometime soon. And I may get back to St. Barth on my own.

 

[Dennis]

Boys Trip!

 

[pks]

I completely agree with dsrc. We started going to the island in 2004 and returned every year once or twice a year until 2023. Never to return I don't want to look to try to find the" old St Barth" I have a second home on the coast of NC.The beach is as good if not better than those of SBH, no sargasum, no crowds or ridicules traffic. No reservations required 2 months in advance at grossly overpriced restaurants. It was great while it lasted!

 

[didier]

Bye-Bye....island moves on. its not for everyone, a good thing in my opinion.

perhaps you are looking in the wrong place for the old st. barths. saline still the same since I moved here 25 years ago. ( not developed) perhaps you did not visit the beach? lots of places still the same. are there new things, of course, they come and go, but most things stay the same. I can say this about no other place that I have lived or visited.

 

[Cwater]

Sorry to hear... although we all know the island has changed, the old St Barth is still here if you spend the time to look for it. We had friends visiting last week, and outside of one or two high-end dining excursions, we took them to smaller, local spots and they loved it. In fact, at the last place that we went that was one of our higher end days, my friends were confused when they did not bring the rhum vanille at the end. You have to make the effort to find these places now, but the effort is worth it, IMO.

Agreed

 

[TERP37]

Bye-Bye....island moves on. its not for everyone, a good thing in my opinion.

perhaps you are looking in the wrong place for the old st. barths. saline still the same since I moved here 25 years ago. ( not developed) perhaps you did not visit the beach? lots of places still the same. are there new things, of course, they come and go, but most things stay the same. I can say this about no other place that I have lived or visited.

agree!!--as the years go by-changes always occur-some good and some bad-for us the Good still far outweighs the bad-we are already looking forward to Jan of 2027-God willing!!

 

[le_reve]

I completely agree with dsrc. We started going to the island in 2004 and returned every year once or twice a year until 2023. Never to return I don't want to look to try to find the" old St Barth" I have a second home on the coast of NC.The beach is as good if not better than those of SBH, no sargasum, no crowds or ridicules traffic. No reservations required 2 months in advance at grossly overpriced restaurants. It was great while it lasted!

2004 was my first time, too. Has it changed? Yes, of course. But, I will tell you that SBH checks many boxes even today that no place else in the Caribbean does, for me anyway.

I'm curious how you were forced to make a reservations 2 months in a advance at grossly overpriced restaurants? Was someone blackmailing you?

I think everyone wants their favorite place to stop evolving in any way the day after the arrive for the first time and fall in love with it. But, as we know - time marches on and things change. Some people still love it here (like me) and some move on for whatever reason. It's called life.

 

[cassidain]

I'm curious how you were forced to make a reservations 2 months in a advance at grossly overpriced restaurants?

Ditto. I had no problem making any reservations within reasonable time frame. few days to couple of weeks.
Not at IG influencer places (), but at top, top dining destinations on island.

 

[cec1]

. . . I may get back to St. Barth on my own.

I certainly hope so! & would dearly miss a— possibly — farewell visit with Didi!

 

[cec1]

I completely agree with dsrc. We started going to the island in 2004 and returned every year once or twice a year until 2023. Never to return I don't want to look to try to find the" old St Barth" I have a second home on the coast of NC.The beach is as good if not better than those of SBH, no sargasum, no crowds or ridicules traffic. No reservations required 2 months in advance at grossly overpriced restaurants. It was great while it lasted!

“It” isn’t gone . . . but it sounds like you’ve found enjoyment elsewhere. Cheers to you in your pleasure.

 

[Karen]

We do not think we will go back to St Barth again. The island is becoming like a living city with all the infrastructure that a big city needs to have for its inhabitants to live but in a space which is too limited. The gigantic manicured villas are built everywhere, it is the main financial resource for the sant barthians to let them to the mega rich people of the world. I do not blame them it is the only financial resource they have. The roads are built and the traffic is colossal. The young generation move in scooters and that adds more chaos on the tiny but manicured roads. Everything is built to look pristine but nature and beauty of the island are slowly vanishing. So this time after twenty years was a real Goodbye and not an Arrivederci to Saint Barthélemy. I would not mention here the ugly and greedy behaviour of certain restaurants or dreadful beach clubs…

I have been waiting for someone to put into words, what I didn’t know how to explain. While we enjoyed our many visits, the last one was just okay. The food was ehh, the parking was crazy and, as we sat at our lovely villa on our last night, we looked at each other and agreed that we had exhausted our time on the beautiful island.

 

[PeterLynn]

While we've definitely noticed the changes, I wonder if they are more extreme in the high season rather than in May when we visit.

 

[dadto6]

I travel every few months the year to St. Barth. My last visit was the first week of January and we enjoyed a lovely time. Weather was great, everyone we encountered were friendly, restaurant and service was excellent. No complaints from me excepting the Dollar could be stronger…

 

[etx]

While we've definitely noticed the changes, I wonder if they are more extreme in the high season rather than in May when we visit.

My thoughts as well - low season seems much different than the New York socialite months. I’ve only been in July, going May this year, but from what I read the low season comes across as much sleepier in a good way.