I use the words above unsure if they correctly convey how I want to describe it, as it isn't really a hotel, or even a resort, it is a home from home for those that desire the best of service without intrusion and without pomp and grandeur. That isn't to say it isn't luxurious, as it most certainly is. That doesn't mean it isn't expensive, for it is unashamedly so. It is simply the best place in the Caribbean to put your feet up and not be bothered by urchins, both the types that hurt your feet and try to sell you things you have no desire for. It is the best place to swim in a genuinely picturesque West Indian colonial style Caribbean bay. You would be extremely hard pressed to find better food anywhere in the world. When you arrive, they say 'welcome home'. There are bigger places, more famous places and places that are easier to get to (StB requires a short hop in a private, or semi private plane from a more accesdsible island, like St Maarten ) but you will not find a better one, I guarantee it... Note that most of those who post bad reviews, actually haven't been to the hotel, but were simply visiting the island and wanted to use the equipment or services of the hotel for free. That is kind of like strangers wanting to use your garden barbeque and you saying no and them getting offended.

i can't express myself how nasty the staff can be, we have visiting the island and we said let's stop by looks like a great location, we sat on the beach & ask for two bottle of water the waiter tell us is 10 euros for the water & 20 euros for the chairs, we didnt ask how much cost i just need two bottle of water, after 10 min on the beach we take off my wife try to use the outside shower then the staff turn off the water saying the water is too expensive on the island. I almost black out, i can tell you was he's lucky day

We came there with my Fiancee' at around 11am to eat some food. The girl attending at the beach club entrance declined our entry since we are not staying at this particular hotel. This has never happened to us in our world travels ever. I find it very bizarre and strange to encounter this. Coming from Miami Beach we never treat people the way we got treated as if we were second class citizens. In our stay at St. Barth which we have been many times this time we stayed at a private villa overlooking the ocean. We went to great places where we got treated the way we were supposed to, like the Guanahani Hotel and Hotel Isle de France..Everywhere, we were welcomed and encouraged to enjoy ourselves and use the beach and eat at their restaurant. Eden Rock turned us away and we will never go back and have told all our friends about this. It was third class and we were doing them a favor by even going there to spend our money--so we learned there are much better places to go and give our business to.

My wife and I spent two weeks in the Caribbean in July 2011. One week at Eden Rock (St. Barts), and one week at CJ (Anguilla).

We got married on Anguilla and spent our honeymoon on St. Bart. It was an amazing experience. Each hotel provides a unique, luxurious experience in an amazing setting.

Note to travelers from the United States. As you probably know by now, St. Bart is not cheap due to the Euro exchange rate. But it was our honeymoon and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Comparison of the Islands

St. Bart provides a sharp contrast to Anguilla. Although St. Bart is French, and Anguilla is British, the two islands have a vastly different infrastructure and "feel." St. Bart feels like a small French province got dropped into the Caribbean. French is the dominant language (although we didn't have a problem communicating in English). Someone has made a commitment to invest in the infrastructure (good roads, for example). The population appears to be predominantly European and poverty was not obvious.

The people on Anguilla were warm, but the infrastructure is underdeveloped and poverty is more obvious. I won't get into politics, but someone has made different choices in terms of resource allocation to Anguilla and St. Bart, respectively.

That said, we enjoyed the beaches and water on Anguilla slightly more than the beaches and water on St. Bart. Anguilla was an A+, and St. Bart was an A. We spent most of our beach time at the Eden Rock, and the beach and water is not the best on the island. More below.

We enjoyed the food on both islands. Again, we'd probably give an A+ to Anguilla and an A- to St. Bart. But great restaurants in both places.

Comments on Eden Rock

Room. We stayed in one of the more affordable rooms, despite an upgrade from my travel agency. The room was small but very comfortable, with 5-star furnishings. My wife had some issues with the bed (in contrast to the bed at CJ/Anguilla, which she loved). The bathroom was spacious and the shower was great. The room was clean and stocked, although we bought some snacks at the grocery store across from the airport. We were right by the beach and breakfast/lunch cafe. That was convenient, but high traffic. (The traffic was never a problem and noise was never a problem.)

Food. The breakfast was included with our room. It was *amazing* and definitely a highlight of the trip. My wife still raves about the quiche. Lunch and dinner were also terrific. Overall, the food at the Eden Rock was first class. We ate good food at a couple other restaraunts on the island.

Beach. We loved the beach chairs and service. We also loved access to the Eden Rock's kayaks and paddleboards. The beach itself is not the nicest on the island, and pales in comparison to the beach at CJ/Anguilla. The water still feels amazing, but it's a harbor so cloudier on shore. We had a mix of people including honeymooners and families with children.

Service. The service was consistently good. The hotel staff were friendly and helpful when we needed assistance or items for the room. It's a chic hotel, but the staff were pretty down to earth overall.

Mosquitos. The mosquitos were really bad, although worse for my wife than me. It rained at night a couple times, and the mosquitos swarmed around our room. The hotel sprayed and killed legions, but a few survived and chomped us during the night. Part of the hazards of a Caribbean vacation.

Overall, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us. The water is incredible and the food is delicious. However, not for the budget traveler.