I stared this stay on St Barts at the Carl Gustaf which was miserable! But had the great foirtune to move to the Guanahani Hotel. What a difference. Everyone from the Bellman, Beach staff, to the maids, were extra cordial and very accomadating. What a difference. I have to commend the management team! The breeze there was unbelievable. Great view. The restuarnts were very nice and were willing to change menu items. The spa was first class. I wholly reccommend this place!

We have been to the Guanahani several times and this time I have fewer pleasantries to offer.

1) ROOM: Our room was dusty, showing it's age and the most distant bungalow at the resort. Up hills, around bends, down a dark walkway and connected (for the first time) to another bungalow and THIS was considered an upgrade since we were frequent visitors of Le Guanahani. Only Guanahani considered this room an upgrade; how are a worse view and a terrible location from previous visits an upgrade. Hmmm

2) HOUSEKEEPING: The "morning/a.m." housekeeper was less than gracious the one day (ONE) that we were trying to get our things together to go to Governeur's Beach. We hurried out of her way yet returned to the same dusty, sandy room from whence we come. Also, our room and bath smelled as if they were cleaned with strong alcohol. The odor was terrible. Housekeeper also stole the stupidest things from our room. I guess they need closet-sized safes now.

3) RESTAURANTS: Breakfasts were always a comedy of errors. The staff was confused and the food was fair; worse than past years, for certain. The ditsy, thin blond inevitably got our order wrong and she never returned to correct the order. The lunch staff as just as disorganized and food preparation were horrible. Once the staff KNOWS you are using your package for lunch, be prepared for smaller portions and under- or over-cooked meals. It happened every time.

4) SPA and SALON: The Guanahani offers packages that come with the options for two spa treatments (not massages!) but it's nearly impossible to get an appointment unless you book weeks beofre your trip. Once you arrive for a treatment though you will notice many spa employees milling for hours around NOT servicing guests with treatments. It's all very confusing.

5) FRONT DESK: The front desk is staffed with indifferent robots who just smile and then grumble you as you walk away. The chill even is felt when calling the front desk. Ask them to follow-through or check on something, be prepared to ask several times! The staff is more concerned with their evening dinner and dancing plans. Be certain to check for random charges on your bill that you did not make and then be prepared to fight to get them removed. Three charges magically appeared on our bill, but when asked to show the signed receipt, there wasn't one to be had (3 times).

6) OTHER: Irons are NOT allowed in rooms/suites. The resort won't allow them in case of fire BUT there are ashtrays and smoking IS allowed in all rooms and throughout the resort. Go figure! Better yet, it's about $10-$15 to have each item ironed for you. Plus, there's a 50% upcharge for same day delivery.

We are not hard-to-please people/travelers and we noticed the significant negative changes at the Guanahani, so I think the management needs to sit up and listen to their guests for once!!!Establishments can't last forever based on past performance. With the Guanahani, the potential is there, the service is not!

We had booked a room with 'garden view' and got a small patio surrounded by a fence adjacent to a car park. From this room (54) we had a 6 minute walk along concrete roads and down two slopes to breakfast, pool and beach. The beach faces the prevailling wind and has been invaded by sea grass which makes the sea look green not blue.
Now the upside. Whilst inconvenient to walk back up to the room for a forgotten book say, and a pity there are not lawns and gardens to walk through, the location for breakfast is superb. Making for an excellent start each day. The beach facilities are fine and include wooden garden seats with cushions around the bar. So on balance we liked the place but would have preferred Eden Rock and put up with the small aircraft taking off close by. It is on the calmest beach.
Be aware that St Barths is now dual-price and accepts US$ and there is a Shuttle Bus that goes around the island at regular intervals. Two delightful 'finds' to share,- Sante Fe resturant, and Hotel Baie des Anges.

We stayed there ten years ago and returned in early March. It's just as beautiful, tranquil, and relaxed. Here's my beef: We arrived at 4:15 p.m. on a Sunday after traveling all day. The room was not ready (3:00 p.m. is check in) and we were told to go to the beach bar and get a drink while we wait. Why was the room not ready? Who knew other than it was a "housekeeping problem." I gave the receptionist my cell and she said she'd call in 20 minutes to tell me when the room was ready. At 5:00 p.m. I hiked back up to the front desk and the woman looked surprised about the room and then had to call housekeeping. Yes, the room was ready...finally after 45 minutes. There was no offer to buy us a drink or any other welcoming experience. For the amount one spends on a hotel room at the Guanahani they should make sure the room is ready. I complained the following day to the on-duty manager who said that they should have offered to buy the drinks and would take it off our bill. That afternoon I saw two people at the beach bar telling the bartender that their room wasn't ready. Get on it housekeeping! The front desk, while pleasant, is a bit rigid and doesn't seem to have any authority on how to make decisions with unhappy guests.