The Guanahani was a 1st class experience. Each room is more like an individual villa. It was very clean, excellent service, on site spa, tennis courts, private beach, and a short drive to the downtown harbor.

If you want a relaxing stay this is the place. You may also run into some celebrities if you pay close attention.

Recently stayed at the Hotel Guanahani and Spa, and was very impressed with the beauty of the hotel grounds, friendliness of staff and locals, and the excellence of food. We stayed in the off-season, mid-July, and the beach and hotel restaurants weren't very busy at all. The service can be very slow at times, afterall you're in the caribbean,but the staff went far and beyond to satisfy your needs. Thehotel beach was fairly small, but not very crowded, and there are non-motorized and motorized watersports to be rented on the beach. There is a restaurant located on the beach, L'Indigo, which serves extravagant french cuisines and desserts. There is also a dinner restaurant on the hotel grounds, Bartolemo, which is famous for it's French menu. Also, try other restaurants around the island, which are all very pricey- if you're converting US Dollars to Euros, but are well worth the price and scenic views. I would recommend Messei, Eden Rock-the food was great and cant beat the view overlooking the caribbean sea, La Marine which has a Caribbean BBQ every tuesday, serving lobster and creole and west indian specialties while overlooking the beautiful Gustavia Harbor. The locals and staff at the Hotel will help you with any questions, and made you feel at home. The main language is French but English is widely spoken. Many of the vacationers at the Guanahani are from European countries, mainly France, but came acorss Italian and Portuguese guests as well.

Only downside is when we first checked in our air conditioning was working, it took a few hours to turn the generator on and our room was sweltering. Also, our room had alot of ants but there is bug spray in the room just in case it gets out of hand. And if you have cat allergies, there are many cats that roam freely on the hotel grounds, even in the outdoor restaurants. The hotel and St.Barth's is extremely expensive and is an upscale and very classy island, so expect to spend some money. I would recommend renting a car, because Taxi's are very expensive, you will spend 50-60 Euros a day on taxi, not including tips. For beautiful beaches I would recommed Saline and Flamands. The white long stretch of sand and the turquoise waters are the best I seen in the caribbean. The beaches are very private and the closest person may be 100 yards or further away, and don't be suprised to see locals and Europeans sunbathing topless, it seems very custom at the Hotel and around the island beaches.

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!