On Saint-Jean Beach, in Saint-Barth, Gyp Sea has quickly made a name for itself. Hotel, beach club, restaurant: the place combines all three, with a laid-back style all its own. Born from the vision of the Sibuet family, already behind several acclaimed addresses in the French Alps, Gyp Sea marks their first foray into the Caribbean, and the result speaks for itself. BARNES Saint-Barthélemy takes you behind the scenes of this one-of-a-kind address.
The story of the place goes back a while. Perched on the green hills of Colombier, overlooking the ocean and the distant silhouette of neighbouring islands, the property was originally known as the François Plantation Hotel and Restaurant. For years, it was one of Saint-Barth's best-kept secrets, a colonial-style retreat where guests came for the intimacy and the sweeping views. When it closed its doors in 2008, the hill fell silent.
It took the arrival of Jocelyne and Jean-Louis Sibuet, founders of Maisons et Hôtels Sibuet, to breathe new life into the place. The family, known for their intimate, design-led addresses in Megève, Val d'Isère and Lyon, saw in this Caribbean hilltop the perfect place to apply the same formula: warm spaces, careful design, zero formality. In 2016, the property reopened as Villa Marie Saint-Barth, with 21 individually decorated rooms wrapped in tropical gardens. Then came the beach club on Saint-Jean Bay, a bohemian-chic outpost that quickly became the talk of the island. By 2023, the entire property was rechristened Gyp Sea, a nod to travel and the barefoot life.
Today, the Gyp Sea universe spans three distinct spaces: the hillside hotel in Colombier with its infinity pool and panoramic terraces, the legendary beach club on Pelican Beach, and since 2024, a collection of beach houses nestled directly on the waterfront. Each space has its own personality, yet all share the same DNA: a place where luxury never takes itself too seriously.
If Gyp Sea has earned a reputation that extends well beyond the shores of Saint-Barth, it is largely thanks to what happens on its plates. The culinary philosophy here is disarmingly simple: take the finest ingredients, cook them over an open flame, and serve them with your feet in the sand. Almost everything, from starter to dessert, passes through the barbecue. Grilled lobster with preserved lemon, smoked catch of the day, watermelon seared until caramelised, pineapple roasted with rum. Even the cookies are baked in the coals.
The Raw Bar, set right on the beach with nothing but open sky and the sound of waves, offers a lighter counterpoint. Here, tartares, ceviches, and crudos arrive kissed by citrus and sea salt, perfect for those long afternoons when you happily lose track of time. For something more intimate, the Chef's Table at the hotel proposes bespoke menus crafted around premium ingredients like Wagyu beef and black truffle, tailored to each guest's preferences.
The food matters, but where you eat it does the rest. There is no stiff formality, no dress code to speak of. The plates are handmade, the wine list is thoughtfully curated, and the setting does the rest. Here, a three-hour lunch and nobody bats an eye.
If Gyp Sea has built such a reputation, it is first and foremost thanks to its beach club. Set on Pelican Beach, at the eastern end of Saint-Jean Beach, it occupies one of the best spots on the island. Design-wise, it is all in the details: mismatched cushions in every shade of blue, coral-patterned fabrics, driftwood accents, all put together with a mix of care and nonchalance that defines the place.
During the day, the atmosphere is languorous. Guests stretch out on sunbeds, order another round of fresh ceviche from the Raw Bar, and watch the small planes descend over the beach towards the famously short runway of Gustaf III Airport, one of Saint-Barth's most spectacular sights. Between dips, you order a cocktail at the bar or a plate from the Raw Bar, without ever leaving your towel.
By late afternoon, the beach club changes pace. The DJ turns up the volume, the cocktails shift gear. This is Gyp Sea Luna, the after-dark version of the beach club. On the menu: dinner in the sand, DJ sets blending deep house and Caribbean rhythms, and a chic but laid-back atmosphere. For many visitors, this is the memory they take home from Saint-Barth.
Breakfast on the terrace at Gyp Sea in Colombier, a long seafood lunch at the beach club, a Gyp Sea Luna evening barefoot in the sand: it quickly becomes clear why no one wants to leave.
To enjoy all of this for as long as you like, our agency offers an exclusive selection of vacation rentals in Saint-Barthélemy across the entire island. Imagine a villa on the heights of Colombier, minutes from Gyp Sea, with views that stretch all the way to Saint Martin. Or a beachfront property in Saint-Jean, where your morning swim is followed by a stroll to the beach club for lunch.
Our concierge services in St Barth take care of every detail: reservations at the Chef's Table, a Seabob waiting for you at the beach club, a private sunset cruise along the coast. For those who decide that the Gyp Sea life is not just a holiday but a way of living, discover our exceptional properties for sale in Saint-Barthélemy.
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