St. Barth is as famous for its beauty as it is for its appeal to the jet set. Exclusionary pricing keeps it on the elite list of vacation destinations. On an island where the cost of a cocktail can come as a surprise (and that’s even considering the gains the US Dollar has made on the Euro), the Tom Beach Hotel is something of a rare gem to find.
Location
Situated just steps away from the beach, the boutique Tom Beach Hotel boasts an enviable position on one of the most happening strips of real estate in the ultra hip seaside village of St. Jean. As a result, it shares a stretch of beach with other notable establishments, including the legendary Eden Rock and the white hot Nikki Beach. Tom Beach Hotel is close to a number of boutique shops and eateries, as well as a grocery store, pharmacy, and the airport. Best of all, it’s also about 5-7 minutes by car or scooter to the harbor city Gustavia. (I should point out that if you come during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, traffic can add on about 30 minutes or so to your commute.) Moreover, its rather central location makes it easy to enjoy St. Barth’s active nightclub scene. If location really is everything, it’s all the more amazing that Tom Beach Hotel is affordable by St. Barth standards.
Accommodations
With only 12 rooms, “island chic” best describes the décor at Tom Beach. You can choose from garden view, sea view and beachfront rooms, or suites. Rooms are outfitted with natural materials—think “eco-sensory pleasure.” The four poster king-sized beds are made of beautiful dark woods and draped with crisp white linens. Also, some of the deluxe rooms are decorated in cooling white and blue colors, promoting a feeling of tranquility. The rooms have patio areas or decks, which is a nice area to entertain friends who may stop by.
Bathroom amenities come from the island’s own Ligne St. Barth, maker of luxury bath soaps and body lotions. The bathrooms are a good size and well-appointed.
Colorful and warm, Tom Beach Hotel attracts a younger, laid back crowd. They want to have access to the splendor of St. Barth and still have money left in their budget to enjoy some of the other pleasures the island has to offer. The staff is friendly and accommodating as well. And although it’s right on the beach, it has a small pool.
Social Scene and Attractions
In addition to affordability and location, Tom Beach Hotel’s popularity is due in part to the social community at the hotel’s beachfront eatery La Plage. With great food and drinks, it’s a perfect alternative to the “scene” at Nikki Beach. You get the beach and the eye candy without the snobbery that you sometimes find at Nikki Beach. La Plage is known for its informal daytime fashion shows and chill atmosphere. At night you might hear musicians playing live music, which adds to its bohemian vibe. On some nights the DJ spins the latest tracks while carefree patrons dance on the beach. Additionally, it’s a great place for a prelude to a night on the town. And, it’s not far from places such as Le ‘Ti St. Barth in Pointe Milou or Bagatelle in Gustavia.
Pricing
As with anything else, affordability is a relative term in St. Barth. However, it is possible to get a room for slightly under $350 a night during the low season from mid-April until December 19th.
My Experience
I first stayed at the Tom Beach Hotel back in 2009, when St. Barth found me in town for a summer music festival. I loved because it felt rustic. Although the mosquito net was necessary, it also helped me imagine myself in some far flung place in the tropics. I loved the feeling of being some place exotic, and yet with just enough modern flourishes to still feel connected.
On top of that, making friends at La Plage was easy. The staff even put up with my “awkward-American-tries-to-speak-French” accent. After a night of carousing and drinking, drinking fresh juice from their juice bar helped me maintain my balance. And I appreciated their patience as I tried not to butcher their language.
Although Tom Beach Hotel has a three star-rating compared to many of the four and five star digs on the island, everything about Tom Beach Hotel makes you feel like a super star. I’d definitely recommend a stay at Tom Beach.
