St Barts, is St Barths short for St Barthelemy in the French West Indies and a St Barts Vacation staying at the Eden Rock Hotel is just about as good as it gets, always provided you have very deep pockets. The Eden rock sits on a rock that sticks out into St Jean Bay and has 33 rooms and suites, of which 20 are on the rock and eight suites and five houses stand on the white sand beach next door.

St Barts is not an easy place to arrive at, because the twenty seater aircraft has to land on a tiny runway. As a passenger you will be too focused on the proximity of the aircraft to the ground, and even motor cars as it swoops in to land, to notice the jumble of roofs covering a large circular rock that sticks out from a white sand beach.

Be comforted by two things, the first of which is that the pilot has special qualifications to land here, and the second is that the little island or the villas on the white sand beach are the Eden Rock Hotel, and a more beautiful setting you couldn’t wish for.

For most ordinary mortals the Eden Rock will remain the stuff of dreams, and a good reason to continue to buy lottery tickets, because not only Eden Rock but the entire island of St Barths is a playground for the rich and famous. It’s important to discover more about places like Eden Rock because there is always the chance you’ll be able to spoil yourself one day, and if you don’t know what you might be missing that would be sad.

What is so special about taking a St Barts Vacation and staying at the Eden Rock Hotel, is really best summed up by fine cuisine, lots of activity, and very much French, in fact very definitely a French Experience. The food is exquisite, and without a doubts the best on St Barts, there is nowhere to compare, from the breakfast buffet  to the evening extravaganza either in the Sand Bar, or the On the Rocks restaurant, where you will be spoilt by the food, and by the attention of the staff, and the attention to detail.

When it comes to accommodation, then the hotel’s main building which has the style of a French farmhouse has the most luxurious accommodation and the best and most stunning views. The cottages on the beach also have great views from their private terraces. The rooms are cleaned twice every day, and the quality of the furnishings and even the sheets is of the very best.

There is no hotel pool as such at Eden Rock, only pools included with certain suites, although it is great fun swimming to the free floating Eden Rock docks.

You will find that the staff are extremely good at what they do, kind attentive and yet unobtrusive. The beachside staff bring you buckets of water, fruit and sorbets just when you have got to the point of really fancying something!!

Another plus point is the two minute transfer from the small airport, and you will have stopped shaking by the time you arrive. Shopping and restaurants are also that close which means Eden Rock is really central for most things, but be aware that Amex isn’t good VISA is better, and a must take. Conversational French is almost a must, because you will have difficulties communicating other wise.

Be prepared for your St Barts vacation to be different. This isn’t a typical Caribbean Island, so no reggae, this is just France in the tropics, absolutely gorgeous with incredible views, narrow roads, hairpin bends and tiny cars. You will love it if you can afford it, and if you can afford it stay at Eden Rock.