Hotel Villa Marie
Colombier, Saint-Barthélemy, French West Indies
Hotel Villa Marie sits high above Colombier, looking over the Flamands side of the island, and the official description emphasises its quiet hillside setting and bohemian-chic character. With just 18 rooms, it is one of the more intimate hotels on the island, with a very different mood from the large beachfront resorts. Its elevated position gives it privacy, views and a more retreat-like feel while still keeping guests within a reasonable drive of both Gustavia and the western beaches. It places eighth because the experience is more secluded and stylistically specific than the higher-ranked classics, but it remains a compelling St Barts stay for travellers who want calm, design and a sense of place. The combination of hillside outlook, compact size and a strong personality makes it a worthwhile alternative to the island’s more famous beachfront names.