I visited La Banane with my partner to celebrate my 40th birthday. Once decided on SBH I did a lot of research online and asking friends and La Banane seemed the best option, however I decided to contact a couple of hotels aside from them. The team at La Banane was the first to reply, almost immediately. From that initial contact I realized the level of service I would get was going to be different.
I will always remember our arrival. It was blissfully quiet and serene. Don't be fooled by the pictures on their website, the terrace and pool deck are much larger than what you can see in the pictures and videos, the site is just a teaser. The property not only looks exactly like the pictures, it looks better. Spotless clean and tidy. Impeccable gardening and landscaping. Furniture and objects arranged to the millimeter. If you are passionate about design this is the hotel for you. If you look for a quiet evening under the stars sipping a cocktail by the pool, this is also the hotel for you.
It is a small property, I think it has only 9 rooms. This guarantees you will get service tailored to your needs and at your beckon. The staff is super discrete, unobtrusive and they will charm you with a warm smile. They were quick to bring drinks, coffee, water, towels, whatever we wanted.
Breakfast is short of a feast and the variety of cheeses and pastries will transport you to Paris. Homemade jams, excellent coffee and there is someone always around glancing just in case you lift your hand or turn your gaze looking for help, you won't need to call them, they come to your table as if they are guessing when you will need them.
There were a few other guests staying there the same weekend, we barely crossed paths or shared the deck at breakfast and happy hour, the rooms are arranged in a way to give as much privacy as possible, and I promise you, you will be able to nap in silence in the afternoon in the quiet of your room. Speaking of the room, we were speechless for a couple of seconds upon entering. A white four poster bed with white net floats in the middle of the bedroom. The shower in the bathroom opens up to a small private sun filled deck, you shower looking up to the sky. Acqua di Parma toiletries, impeccably white towels and white sheets, spotless clean floors and surfaces and turn down service happens while you are sipping cocktails at the bar. If you go out to dinner, when you return, the net has been drawn over the bed. I can only compare this bed to the all-white poster beds of the Continentale hotel in Firenze, it feels like you are floating in it. I normally use earplugs to sleep, I did not use them for the 5 nights we stayed at La Banane.
On Thursdays there is a happy hour from 7 to 9 with a local singer/guitar player. For 2 hours the coolest people in SBH swing by to hang out by the pool, try the concoctions prepared by the bartender and mingle with the guests and the owners of the hotel. It was totally unexpected, totally Caribbean cool, totally chic. One evening of that was just the perfect dose of social life we would need that weekend. The rest of the evenings were quiet, blissful, listening to a singing frog here and there.
Some reviews on here mention mosquitoes. Come on...it's the Caribbean, there are mosquitoes even in SBH. You will also find frogs and lizards almost anywhere you walk, La Banane does a good job keeping them at bay in the property, but to me, that's part of the charm of the island, and no matter where I go, I use plenty of bugs spray.
The staff and Ben, one of the owners; helped us with dinner tips and reservations. We dined each night at a different place and the food of SBH is yet another reason we will keep on going back. There's no culinary destination like it in the Caribbean. We dined at some of the best places we've ever been, comparable to top notch restaurants in Europe, Asia and NY.
We had to extend our stay due to hurricane Irene, we spent that day sipping coffee then cocktails in the covered deck chatting with other guests, we went out for a short drive to get some take out lunch but returned to the refuge of La Banane to wait for the storm to pass by. It made our stay even more unforgettable rather than causing stress.
La Banane surpassed all my expectations. I wanted something special to celebrate my 40s. Something I would always remember. This team made it possible with a smile and an array of options that made this vacation one of the best I ever took in my life. My partner and I are completely enamored with the hotel and will make it our destination when we return to SBH. I know it will feel like home, like it felt after the first night we spent there.
La Banane is not inexpensive. But it's worth every penny. It's not for everyone because it's unique, like no other boutique hotel in the world. And it's in Saint Barths, like no other place in the world.

We stayed in La Banane for a full week in May 09. Next to that St Barts is the best place in the Caribbean, La Banane is the best on St Barts. Best if you like smaller, more intimate places with modern design. Breakfast is served every morning, the bar is open every evening and for lunch and dinner there are plenty of places around the island. We were travelling with 2 small childeren en would buy lunch at the supermarket next door and eat at the patio of our bungalow before taking a siesta. We would definitely go back and recommend this to all friends and family.

I stayed with my husband and two children at this hotel for 3 nights of a 6 night trip to St. Barths/St. Martin. As soon as we arrived via their hotel transfer we were warmly greeted by the hotel manager with some water. Since the hotel is very small, we were literally treated like royalty. Every morning the manager would come over to us to ask us if we were enjoying our stay, also suggesting excursions to take and restaurants to frequent. The library and bar area overlook the pool so you can sit on a couch and read a book or play on your laptop while your children swim for hours in the pool. The pool has a deep end that the kids can jump in. The pool is covered with palm trees so you don't have to worry about getting a wicked sunburn during your stay. The actual rooms are cottages that are decorated with simplistic yet sophisticated charm.

I highly recommend this hotel for the sophisticated traveler. It is a small boutique hotel that caters to its clientelle.

Well, its St. Barts right? Everything has to be wonderful! When we last went in 2005 we stayed in a villa in 2005 at Pointe Milou. This time we said we will try a hotel, but stay away from the more expensive ones - e.g. Eden Rock. We discovered the review on Trip Advisor on La Banane, and I can tell you the hotel is wonderful.

First let's discuss location - located in L'Orient, it is well positioned for all the beaches. You can get to Governeur (one of, if not, the best beaches in the world) within 5 minutes. St. Jean is right next door, and the main town and port within another 5 minutes drive. Superbly placed.

Next - the hotel. Not set on the water; who cares? You have to drive to get to the best beaches anyway. It is set in a tropical and lush environment - that almost seems like a rain forest. The entry and lobby reminded us of the hotel styles in the Sechelles - open air & beautiful. Sophie and team and delightful - every care was attended to - from tennis lessons, dinners, rentals, etc etc. Our favourite aspect of the services was the breakfast in the morning - get the fruit plate - it is just "to die for"!

Lastly - the rooms. We had the small cottage to the left of the entry area and the room was fantastic. Large bed, seating area. Double wash basins and shower. Terrace etc etc. No desk for working and they made the furniture so cool that I had to find a weird contruction to make a little desk in order to work!!!! Great job La Banane you did a great job at making it as uncomfortable as possible for me to do even the smallest amount of work.

Overall - a winner. My recommendation for this hotel would be for couples who return on their own to SB. If you have friends and can do a villa, probably a better bet for the money. If you want to come back with your partner on a quite get away without spending your entire yearly paycheck on the hotel (you have to save something for the restaurants right?) then go here.