From the moment guests walk through Le Sereno’s open-air lobby and get a glimpse of the sprawling oceanfront sun deck, something magical happens: the body and mind instantly enter a trance-like state of relaxation that lasts long after check out. At Le Sereno, located on the Grand Cul de Sac Beach in St. Barth’s, the hardest decision you’ll need to make is which poolside daybed to claim or whether to order the Watermelon Scrub (a vodka cocktail with fresh watermelon juice, mint and sea salt) or the Ten Tonic (with gin, coriander and kumquats). Everything else is taken care of for you, including the fancy insect repellant that’s stocked in each room, complimentary breakfast, a readily available selection of water sports equipment on the property’s private beach and a canvas beach bag with custom-made Havaianas flip flops you’ll receive as a gift at check-in. Spend time at the hotel’s restaurant or by the pool and you’ll find an interesting and international clientele—on a recent stay, the visitors ranged from a music industry executive to a group of fashion editors and several families. The mix isn’t all that surprising given that the hotel caters to every type of traveler and rooms range from studio-style suites to four-bedroom villas. We were curious as to which room guests request most often, so we asked Le Sereno’s owner, Luis Contreras, to share all the details.

The view from the Grand Suite Plage

The most requested room:

Without a doubt it’s our Grand Suite Plage, designed by French designer Christian Liaigre.

What makes it so special:

The Grand Suite Plage is special because it embodies the contradiction that is St Barth’s: a blend of simplicity and luxury, informal and friendly but exclusive, sophisticated yet relaxing. The room is over 1,200-square-feet including the private garden that is right on the lagoon and has views of the bay and the Caribbean. The interiors of the rooms are made of all-natural materials—even the bathroom and shower stalls are made of tropical wood, and the sinks are made of volcanic stone. The decoration perfectly depicts the Christian Liaigre style: simple, with rich natural materials and attention to detail. Liaigre understood that the nicest part of the room was the bright turquoise lagoon, the ocean and the nature. While staying in the room, guests will find linens and towels made specifically for Le Sereno by D. Porthault, bath amenities by Ex Voto Paris and all guests receive a custom gift bag which includes Havaianas specially made in Brazil for Le Sereno.

Inside the Grand Suite Plage

The rate:

The rate is €840 in low season and €1350 in high season—high season being from early January to a few weeks after Easter. Rates are higher during the Christmas and New Year’s period, but we usually do not have availability for first time guests during those dates.

Celebrity guests:

We get this question a lot, and we always politely decline to answer it, but in the spirit of the World Cup, we have a fun picture of a young Pelé at the entrance of the hotel. Celebrities come to Le Sereno (and, more generally, to St. Barth) because they know we will respect their privacy. Due to our secluded nature, our privacy and our design sensitivity, we get a fair share of clients that are leaders from the fashion, design, music, sports and movie industries.

Pele outside the hotel

Your personal favorite:

For me, the Le Sereno Villas, also designed by Christian Liagire.

Because…
Quite frankly, because I think it’s the best lodging option in all of St Barth. It is a very large four-bedroom villa designed by Christian Liaigre on half an acre of lush gardens, with a pool and incredible views of the ocean. Guests have access to all that, along with the impeccable service and amenities of a luxury hotel.

The pool from a distance

Fun fact:

Le Sereno is located on the coveted Grand Cul de Sac of St. Barth’s, which is a renowned spot for kite surfing due to its location on the island. The property also just introduced Le Sereno Restaurant, a stunning dining destination with a menu that blends French fare with the simplicity and ingredients of Japanese cuisine while utilizing the island’s bounty of fresh seafood.

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