Villa Marie

Situated high in the hills of Colombier and overlooking Flamands Beach, Villa Marie is a tropical hideaway with a boho-chic feel.

• The uniquely appointed bungalows and villa options, all of which have large terraces.
• The hotel’s close proximity to Colombier beach, which is one of the most untouched stretches of sand on the island and accessible only by foot or by sea.
• The hotel’s restaurant, Francois Plantation, where diners can enjoy sophisticated French cuisine with Caribbean flair in a relaxed setting.
• The gracious and well-trained staff, who are welcoming and aim to put guests at ease throughout their stay.

Just 10 minutes from the airport by car, the effortlessly chic and bohemian property is nestled among the Colombier hills. Opened in late 2016 and reopened following Irma, it is the first hotel outside France in the renowned Maisons et Hôtels Sibuet collection. It has been designed and decorated by the brand’s matriarch, Jocelyne Sibuet, in a combination of Indonesian-inspired textiles and colonial woodwork that fosters an upscale but low-key Caribbean vibe.

Villa Marie comprises 17 individual bungalows plus two two-bedroom villas complete with private pools. Each of the accommodations has a different look, featuring bright colors and patterns that echo the vibrant energy of the island. Canopy beds come with patterned headboards and plush pillows, while wicker furnishings and bamboo lamps hit an eco-chic note. Beaded mirrors and dream catchers adorn the walls, adding a playfulness that is rare on an island where most of the five-star hotels are more contemporary and modern.

Villa Marie’s restaurant, Francois Plantation, draws outsiders as well as guests with its Caribbean-inflected French-inspired fare, served all day in an airy space with shutters open to the outdoors. Dinner might begin at the rum bar and be capped off with espresso and dessert in one of the cozy lounges. Additional onsite amenities include a spa, pool, boutique and fitness center. Hotel guests can also opt to head off-property to linger over a long lunch or spend a day at the beach at Villa Marie’s Gyp Sea beach club just down from Nikki Beach, Pearl Beach and Eden Rock, in St. Jean.

The property’s location—on the blustery far western side of the island overlooking Colombier and Flamands far below—gives guests the best of both worlds: the opportunity to relax in quiet away from the bustle of Gustavia plus easy access to the town, by car or taxi, should they wish to shop or eat out.

Couples and groups of friends looking for a luxurious but unpretentious island getaway with a sophisticated restaurant.