St. Barth – Timeless experience with new culinary and wellness offerings

Nestled above the rocky shoreline on the magnificent bay of Pointe Milou, The Christopher Hotel has long been a refuge for those in-the-know on St. Barth for its understated elegance and amazing sunset views. One of the last remaining family-owned properties on the island, it continues to exude true St. Barth charm and personality. The Christopher, with its lasting connection to the French Riviera, is preparing for another unforgettable season with new creations by France’s two Michelin starred Chef, Arnaud Faye, and elevated on-site wellness experiences at the Caribbean’s only Sisley Spa. Its commitment to guest excellence is matched only by its sustainability efforts as the island’s only Green Globe Certified Hotel and its commitment to preserving its coral reef.

Culinary

Arnaud Faye, a two-Michelin-starred chef and a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (the designation for France’s top craftsmen), shares his love for the Côte d’Azur through his Mediterranean menu and relaxed European vibe at the hotel’s RIVYERA restaurant. For the 2023 season, Chef Faye has designed a new experience, Mezzé & Mediterranée, offered every Friday at 7 pm with live music and a special menu including hummus, octopus harissa, smoked eggplant, and more. Chef Faye’s passion for the South of France, as well as keeping things fresh can be found in the locally caught Mahi Mahi, herbs grown on a nearby farm, and select items such as lamb and seabass from France. The menu itself was hand-designed by Nice-based artist Haydée Otero and features ingredients like figs, lemon, rose, and bergamot. The restaurant has a signature scent enjoyed on the hand towels that arrive before your meal and is adorned with hand-painted plates beautifully displayed on each table.​

Meanwhile, the RIVYERA bar offers a signature cocktail menu, created by Victor Delpierre, winner of the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship. Each cocktail is designed to take guests on a journey through eight magical cities in the form of eight inspired Signature Cocktails with natural essences and infused spirits, which pairs perfectly with the island’s most popular sunset views, and reservations are highly recommended. ​

Also new is the hotel’s Cinema Club, which hosts a movie night under the stars for guests to enjoy the ocean breeze and ambiance. Projected on a large screen, the Christopher will feature classic musical films such as the new West Side Story. Guests can enjoy the film with an array of elevated savory and sweet gourmet snacks such as homemade buns with confit lamb shoulder, Croque monsieur with black truffle, and sweet desserts like puff pastry choux with pralines and caramelized cashew nuts.

Wellness

Awarded the Caribbean’s Best Hotel Spa and St. Barth’s Best Hotel Spa by the renowned World Spa Awards, the Sisley Spa is a favorite of both locals and visitors on the island. Guests can listen to the sound of the waves and overlook the sea in one of the five treatment rooms. Sisley Phyto-Aromatic Treatments combine massage rituals from all over the world, created with respect to French traditions and the power of aromatherapy, to reunify body and mind. Sisley, one of the most prestigious French cosmetics brands, offers personalized care associated with the best natural extracts and essential oils. The Spa’s Signature Treatment is a hot shell massage that utilizes real shells filled with hot oil to reduce muscle tension and inflammation. ​

Couples can take advantage of the Spa’s extended hours, from 8-10 pm for Late-Night Treatments which include a tropical bath under the stars. As the only spa on St. Barth to offer oceanfront treatment rooms, guests are encouraged to book well in advance. ​

For early risers, the new Core & Body program taught by instructor Geoffrey Pain is a great way to start the day to boost your energy and inspire good health and increased mobility. Guests can also indulge in a private yoga class complemented by a deep tissue massage designed to release tension and add flexibility to muscular tissue. 

Preservation

For the second year in a row, The Christopher is the first and only hotel on St. Barth to be awarded the Green Globe Environmental Certification, recognizing its commitment to the environment, local community, and well-being of its employees. A tenement of the hotel, efforts to make green choices is implemented throughout with a focus on reducing water and energy consumption, decreasing pollution, contributing to local development, as well as preserving local biodiversity. 

The hotel continues to contribute to the development of the ARTIREEF project, which strives to protect the 38 different species of coral at Pointe Milou’s reef. Located a few dozen meters offshore from The Christopher, the project utilizes the Biorock Process which uses metal structures with electric currents coming from the hotel to grow new coral life. This new coral growth will flourish into beautiful underwater artwork with structures designed after the likes of the Eiffel Tower and Egyptian pyramids. By planting species that are endemic to the Lesser Antilles and protecting the coral against invasive exotic species, they hope to preserve the biodiversity of the local flora.