St Barts
The Caribbean's most exclusive island, where European taste meets tropical luxury.
Price Range
£3,000 - £10,000
per night
Best Months
December, January, February, March, April
Best For
Couples, Groups, Entertaining, New Year celebrations
Properties
3 listed
St Barts is the Caribbean for people who find the Caribbean too casual. This 25-square-kilometre French territory combines tropical beaches with Parisian boutiques, Caribbean warmth with Michelin-quality dining, and island scale with a concentration of wealth that makes Monaco look democratic.
The villa market here is the most expensive in the Caribbean and arguably the most competitive. Christmas and New Year (the "festive season") sees GBP 30,000-100,000+/week for top properties, and these book 12-18 months ahead. The island's 600-metre runway limits access to turboprops and small jets, which functions as a natural filter on visitor type.
Outside festive season, the value proposition changes significantly. March through May, properties that commanded GBP 40,000/week in December drop to GBP 15,000-20,000. The weather is equally good, the restaurants are open, the beaches are emptier, and the overall experience is arguably better. The repeat visitors - and St Barts has the highest repeat-visit rate of any Caribbean island - know this.
St Barts
Highlights
French-Caribbean fusion culture with world-class dining
Short runway limits access - natural exclusivity filter
Beach quality rivals anywhere in the Caribbean
Spring shoulder season offers 50-60% savings on peak rates
Highest repeat-visit rate of any Caribbean luxury destination
Getting There
St Barts has no direct long-haul flights. Access is via St Maarten (SXM), a 10-minute puddle-jumper flight or 45-minute ferry. St Maarten receives direct flights from New York (JFK), Miami, Paris, and Amsterdam. Private jet passengers typically clear customs in St Maarten and transfer by small aircraft. The short runway (650m) is famous and limits aircraft to turboprops and specific small jet types.
Insider Tip
The week after New Year (early to mid-January) is the island's best-kept value window. The festive season premium drops immediately after 6 January, but the weather and atmosphere remain peak season. You can save 40-50% compared to Christmas week while the island is still buzzing.
St Barts
Available properties
3 luxury villas from £3,000/night
Villa Gouverneur
A hillside compound above Gouverneur Beach with 180-degree Caribbean panorama.
Villa Colombier
A minimalist white villa on the Colombier hillside, overlooking the island's most secluded bay.
Villa Flamands
A beachfront villa on Flamands Beach with direct sand access and sunset orientation.
Vetted Agents
St Barts specialists
Agents who know the local market, have inspected properties, and provide concierge-level service.
FAQ
St Barts villa rental FAQs
Why is St Barts so much more expensive than other Caribbean islands?
Scarcity and demand. The island is 25 square kilometres with limited building land, the runway restricts visitor volume, and French building regulations prevent overdevelopment. The result is a fixed supply of high-quality villas facing unlimited demand from a global wealthy clientele. St Barts is also duty-free (no VAT), which makes shopping and dining slightly less painful than the villa rates suggest.
When should I book a St Barts villa for Christmas and New Year?
Ideally, 12-18 months ahead. Many top villas are held by repeat guests who confirm year-on-year. The best properties for festive season 2026/27 will be largely committed by March 2026. If you haven't booked by June, your options narrow considerably. Agents with long-standing relationships occasionally access cancellations, but this is not a reliable strategy.
Is St Barts family-friendly?
Yes, more so than its reputation suggests. The beaches are safe, the island is compact enough that nothing is far away, and several villas are specifically designed for families with pools, children's rooms, and flat gardens. The main limitation is that dining is adult-oriented and expensive - a family dinner for four at a top restaurant runs EUR 400-600+. Many families hire a private chef instead.