The Carl Gustaf is comprised of around 17 lovely villas, there are a lot of stairs to climb though and not for those not fit. The property is on a cliffside. Each has at least a bedroom and a livingroom, plus an exquisitely appointed small kitchen and a gorgeous marble clad bath ensuite. The decor is tasteful and very luxurious. Each villa has a terrace and a plunge pool with 4 lounges. You have utmost privacy , surrounded by the lush flora and fauna of St Barts and the terrace looks out over the beautiful harbor of Gustavia. A curious but very large iguana visited us one morning but quickly left. I kept hoping he would return. The entire property has an incredibly luxurious feel. The staff is very nice and polite and make you feel very welcome. Breakfast arrived every morning on time and was well represented with fresh juice, fruits, and a basket of pastries as well as great french baguettes and coffee. Dinner and lunch at the restaurant was very expensive but worth it. The service and the food were impeccable and the views breathtaking. Our opinion of the Carl Gustaf was marred by the personnel at the front desk. They said oui to all of our requests but unfortunately they say yes to everything but rarely follow through. My husband waited around in his terry robe for a massage that never came, they said it was never confirmed. That was not what we had been told when we made it upon checking in. The same for a request for a dinner reservation at a local place and for them to reconfirm our flights home. It became comical and they swore nobody by that name even worked there. We had made the request in person. These incidents did not spoil outr stay because the beauty of the villas and the surroundings wouldn't allow it, but after a while we just did not believe anything. Part of the problem was that the hotel seemed to be run by trainees, we never did see an adult. It was a very expensive stay and we expected the staff to be better trained, also housekeeping was very parsimonious with the toiletries in the bathroom. We had to keep asking for more shampoo. I think next time we will try another of the great hotels in St Barts, perhaps the Eden Roc. Still it is a beautiful property, and we had a relaxing time .

Kara and I checked into Room #21 of the Carl Gustaf on Saturday February 3, 2007. That same evening, there was an Electrical Fire in our room. We immediately unplugged the electrical converter provided by the Carl Gustaf, but toxic fumes (burning plastic, metal, wire, etc..) and smoke continued to fill the room. We called the reception desk and alerted them of the Fire and asked for them to call the Fire Department as well as immediately move us to another room. The attendant at the front desk said, "as long as there was no longer a fire and it was just smoke coming out, that they did not want to call the Fire Department because it would disturb other guests". Because of the heavy smoke and fumes of burning plastic and metal, we needed to leave the room because we could no longer breathe. Given that the initial call to the reception desk was of little help, we walked to the reception desk to explain the severity of the issue in person. The reception desk said that there were no other rooms available, that they were sorry for the fire, that we could not open any windows because of the misquito situation around the hotel, and that we should turn on our ceiling fan in the room and they will try to get housekeeping to alleviate the smell of the toxic fumes.

Kara and I left the hotel for several hours and upon our return, we were saddened to re-enter the room with the same smell of smoke and toxic fumes. We re-approached the front desk and again explained the severity of the issue in Room #21, but there were no other rooms available. Immediately, the following morning Kara and I checked out of Carl Gustaf and politely asked to speak to a supervisor to express our disappointment with the service as well as demand a full refund of all charges. The attendant at the reception area said that there was not a supervisor or manager available. Additionally, without my approval, the attendant went behind my back and charged my MasterCard for the room even though I expressly asked for nothing to be charged until I spoke to a supervisor.

Kara and I are still seeking a full reimbursement of the charges to our credit cards. Please see the the amounts below as well as the attached charges from our credit card statements. Additionally, please see the attached photos of the burnt electrical converter (covered in spots of grey soot) as a result of the Electrical Fire

CitiBank MasterCard 12/14/2006 $3,933.76

Chase MasterCard 02/04/2007 $879.73

This place is beautiful. Great breakfast each morning delivered to our room with wonderful pastries, fresh juices, and coffee. Friendly service. Clean, spacious rooms. We loved the plunge pool. It was the perfect temperature everytime we used it and it was also spotless. The hotel is within walking distance to all the great shopping and dining in Gustavia. Turn down service was nice.

My wife and I arrive to St. Barts after a long trip. The Carl Gustaf shoufer was in the airport to receive us. He as well as the rest of the staff was very profesional and corteous. At the hotel arrival they receive us with a class of Champain. I have never check-in in a hotel while drinking Champain. The room was fantastic. Very beutifull room, spacious, very private balcony with a small pool and an oustanding view of Gustavia and its bay. The staff was very helpfull helping us arrange our activities. The restaurant is beatifull, friendly staff, great music and the food quality was good, though not superb. The beach nearby, Shell Beach, was better and closer than we expected. Unfortunately my wife book another hotel with its beach for the next day. That hotel eventhough with its own beach, it turn out not to be as good. I hope to be able to return one day and stay in this pearl.