Grey isn't the color of St. Barth. Or is it? At one very chic hotel on the island, La Banane, grey is the very conscious color of choice. Along with white, deep brown & the occasional sensuous green of a ripe coconut on a table. Like a still-life painting.
La Banane's pallete also includes turquoise blue of the swimming pools. And the lush green of palm trees all around. To complete the picture, there's just a drop of typical-tropical color. Like gingerbread pink in the Lychee bungalow. Lime green in the Kiwi bungalow. These are the colors of St. Barths, according to four very savvy hoteliers, who have reinvented this island landmark.
For many years, La Banane offered a little bit of "gay Paree" under an eccentric French couple. Moulin Rouge-style entertainment was part of the quirky La Banane back then.
Fast forward to December 2000 when the new La Banane made its debut. This time under the style direction of young Belgian owners, with a background in design. Not satisfied with revamping the place, with a style looking back, the new La Banane had to be different. But with respect for the architectural integrity of the place.
Delightfully different it is. It's truly modern. La Banane has a spare look & lean colors you don't expect in the tropics. But while it offers a cool respite from the heat, it's very warm in its appeal. Everyone involved with La Banane is so friendly, that the atmosphere is delightfully "homey," with lots of French character.
Joyce greeted us every morning with a delicious breakfast, including a great cup of coffee. Sophie answered our questions whenever we needed help. And Phillipe, one of the owners and "host with the most," made sure we were content, while offering restaurant suggestions.
The nine small bungalows are discreetly tucked in near the pool area (request one away from the pools for the most privacy). Each has the same type of modern, tropical-colonial décor. Four poster beds outfitted with Belgian linens & swathed in mosquito netting...for the romance of it all. Big squishy armchairs covered in white cotton. Japanese inspired wardrobes. Sisal rugs. And many louvered windows for the breeze. The bathroom fittings keep the simple, modern theme. The towels are large & luxuriant. And the showers are roomy & unenclosed.
Outside every bungalow is a shaded private terrace. Wooden walkways join it altogether, and lead you to the open central area, with reception, library, bar and 2 swimming pools.
La Banane, Hotel de Charme, is just that. A charming place among the sea of St. Barth's accommodations. It's located near busy St. Jean, within a short walk to Lorient Beach. We didn't mind not staying on the beach, since part of St. Barth's fun is to beach-hop. More importantly, what we traded for beachfront was La Banane's small, quiet & intimate ambience. There's no other hotel on the island that offers all that quite as good as La Banane. This creative "still-life with coconut" is the kind of islandstyle we wish we could have taken back home. And is another reason why St. Barth continues to be one of the most stylish islands anywhere.