Bay breezes

Rosewood Le Guanahani (St. Barthélemy)

GETAWAYS • St. Barths

Spanning 18 acres on a northeastern cove of St. Barths called Marigot Bay, the Rosewood Le Guanahani is a collection of 66 private-cottage-like accommodations overlooking a sandy spit of peninsula, buffeted by rolling green hills.

The cottages’ pastel-painted clapboard facades with gingerbread latticework feel particularly at home in the Caribbean, a vibe that extends to white-washed interiors with pops of color, hardwood floors, and vaulted cathedral ceilings. With floorplans spanning studios to three-bedroom suites, each cottage features a private outdoor deck or backyard with ocean views, and many include private swimming pools. (On my dips, I was often treated to visits by small turtles amidst the hedges and flowers of my suite.)

Lush and tropical, my backyard patio wasn’t the only place I spotted wildlife. Turtles were on the beach and in the water. There were plenty of wading birds and lizards basking in the sun. The resort’s main infinity pool and the beach are excellent places to spend the day enjoying chill music and a nonstop breeze. There’s also an activity center to grab snorkel equipment.

The Sense spa has lilypad-filled ponds, a deck with a relaxation cabana, and an adults-only pool. A variety of massages, facials, and rituals are on offer.

The resort’s restaurant changes throughout the day to provide different dining experiences. At lunch, it’s a toes-in-the-sand beach club where the mahi mahi aguachile with warm tortillas pairs nicely with a glass of rosé. Come dinner, it’s chateaubriand, pommes de terre au four, and an ice-cold martini. The breakfast buffet is an array of pastries and cold dishes, plus a crepe station and made-to-order eggs.

But above all: No matter where on the resort you happen to be, there’s always that warm ocean breeze. –Amber Love Bond

→ Rosewood Le Guanahani (St. Barthélemy) • Rates from $2307/weekend night.