We were fortunate enough to spend 6 nights at Francois Plantation and it is one of our favorite places anywhere. It is located high in the hills of Colombier with fantastic views in all the ocean view rooms. There are also several garden view cottages. Each cottage has a private porch and is nicely furnished with a 4 poster queen bed, tv/stereo, fridge, and a nice bathroom. The place has a small inn feel to it. The reception and restaurant area are located within a lush garden and the setting is very quiet and relaxing. The hotel provides beach chairs, umbrellas and towels. I have stayed on the beach at the Guanahani but much prefer FP because of its relaxed, quiet atmosphere and tremendous views. The best beaches on the island are a drive from anywhere you are so it is nice to stay somewhere like FP to enjoy the views. The staff, led by Séverine and her husband Frederick, are wonderful. The restaurant is one of the best on the island but is closed off season. Nevertheless, continental breakfast is served off season and is quiet nice. In summary, you can't go wrong here.

Couple of ps notes: There is a wonderful bakery, Le Petite Colombe, on the road to the hotel on the left with great pastries and lunch. The hike to Colombier beach, which could be too steep for some, is at the end of the road past the hotel. If a car is included with the hotel package, check first to see what insurance coverage there is. St Barts is a treacherous place to drive. If you are not very comfortable with a stick, request an automatic car.

We have just returned from five glorious nights in our private garden cottage. Well designed and furnished with a generous, well thought out bathroom, we received a much needed rest and escape. A terrific and well organized staff provided great service and food. Preferring to do our own thing it was a perfect location with pleasure for the eye everywhere we looked. Petite dejeuner served either in your room, on your patio, or in the open air dining room was delicious and beautifully prepared. And the hot chocolate and pancakes!! The infinity pool with incredible views was rarely used by others. We felt as if is was our own! Dinner was a real event and our first but not last experience with a Michelin starred chef.

Having just returned yesterday, we still long for the comfort, the champagne with liche nut, the mushrooms in a cappucino sauce, the comfortable and relaxed elegance.

Just a few minutes from St. Jean, Gustavia, and Colombier beach we enjoyed a perfect holiday. Our needs were fully met and we give Francois five stars!

Francoise Plantation is under new ownership with apparent great improvement to the restaurant. The entire place is quiet, peaceful and lovely; perched on a hillside with lush tropical gardens and great views of the ocean. The pool is at hilltop which offers the best view overall. The food was truly exceptional but quite pricey as is expected for that quality.

This is gentile bungelow living; expect attentive, but low-key service. Do not expect to be pampered here, it's not that kind of place.

All rooms are free standing and decorated in a simple, elegant French West Indies cottage style. Rooms are sweet with small terrace containing two basic deck chairs and a small dining table which can be lovely for breakfast. All ocean views are not created equal, as the cottages are scattered in a smallish cluster on a hillside heavy with foliage, many are in reality partial views and some even overlook the driveway. Room 6 has relatively decent views, good privacy, and private parking space. The pool is in the best location on the property - high up the hill with stunning views of surrounding islands, and a constant, welcome breeze. It is also deserted 99% of the time due to 0% pool service - no bar, no staff, no pool towels (obtainable only at reception), no bathroom. The hotel was working on a room located virtually at pool level in Dec 2004, which will definitely have the best views on the property.

The service is a bit too relaxed at over 800 Euros/night in high season, although the hotel seems to offer great value outside of this period. Not one of my favourite places to stay in St Barths but the oceanview rooms will do in a pinch for a few days at the beginning or end of your stay if your villa company cannot accommodate your full range of travel dates. A nice touch is that they are very accomodating about late checkouts if nobody is checking into your room the same day (we left at 430pm due to a late departure without any issues). The restaurant is average but perfectly adequate for a relaxed meal if a quiet evening in the hotel is desired.

Excellent alternatives are Isle de France or Eden Rock for overall ambiance, service and quality, but the latter option only if proximity to airport is not an issue.