On December 26, Heidi Klum posted a video on Instagram of herself sunbathing topless on a semi-deserted beach on the island of Saint-Barthélemy. This was just one of many videos the German supermodel posted during her Christmas vacation on this Caribbean island, a popular winter destination for the rich and famous. Certainly, she's not the only celebrity to come to the island. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have been spotted driving an electric car, shopping for jewelry, and swimming on a private beach. Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos' fiance, chose this location to celebrate her 54th birthday with her future husband and friends. Sports legends Mike Tyson and Michael Jordan also visit here to cruise on yachts. Other celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyoncé, Jerry Seinfeld, Paris Hilton, Paul McCartney, Ivanka Trump and Mariah Carey have also been spotted enjoying the island's charms. Why is St. Barts so attractive to wealthy people? An attractive combination of seclusion and prestige.
St. Barts is where Hollywood comes to relax and unwind. This small French-speaking island east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands is just 9 square miles (24 square kilometers) in area. Boasting 22 white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, it has only 10,289 permanent residents (according to the 2019 census). Seven luxury hotels and numerous private villas provide enough privacy for supermodels to sunbathe topless without being noticed by the tabloids. But it wasn't always like this in this little hideaway in the French Antilles. “Fortune struck the island in 1957 when a besotted David Rockefeller built a seaside residence on the island. Soon wealthy Americans flocked to this haven in search of paradise. ” wrote journalist Mónica Montero in a 2020 article in EL PAÍS. a new york times A 2022 article describes the island as a modest place until 40 years ago. Due to lack of work, residents of St. Thomas were forced to migrate to the island of St. Barts, where workers from St. Barts formed a fishing village in the 19th century. St. Barts did not have an electrical system until 1980.
Nearly 70 years later, St. Barts is a very different place, and the internet is full of information on hotspots where you might spot a celebrity. J. Lo is known to be staying at the luxurious Cheval Blanc Hotel, which has also hosted Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Sean Diddy Combs, Ryan Seacrest, Madonna, and Marc Jacobs. Flamands, Eden Roc and Saint-Jean are among his top-rated beaches, with Saint-Jean especially famous for the famous Nikki Beach Club. Gustavia's port is a lively hub for actors, entertainers, and big names aboard luxury yachts. The town is a popular spot for shopping and dining, with charming cafes and fine-dining restaurants that combine French and Caribbean cuisine, such as Bonito, Le Ti Saint Bath and Maya's.
One of St. Barts' big draws is its duty-free status, which means you can buy luxury goods at fairly affordable prices. The island is home to famous brands such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana and Prada (in unique colonial-style boutiques), as well as famous jewelers such as Cartier. St. Barts is also known for its beauty, health, and wellness treatments. The Guanahani Hotel is home to the acclaimed Clarins, one of the top spas in the Caribbean. Nightlife is also a draw, with several exclusive clubs where the likes of Leo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire can party without worrying about paparazzi.
Besides being an earthly paradise and a small tax haven, the island's appeal lies in its privacy, and that starts with the challenge of getting there. The easiest way is to travel by yacht or private plane. Those unfortunates on commercial flights must first fly to neighboring St. Maarten and then take a small plane ($250) or ferry ($70) to St. Barts. Hotels and resorts can be very discouraging for travelers on a budget. Room rates are hefty, starting at $800 per night, and often require a minimum one-week reservation. Future Hall of Fame pitcher Justin Verlander and his wife, swimsuit model Kate Upton, once made headlines for renting an 11,000-square-foot vacation home for a staggering $450,000 a week.
But in paradise, problems arise.as new york times The article reported that ongoing legal disputes have left a dwindling number of local residents fighting for environmental protection and seeking to expand land holdings for the wealthy 1 percent. The conflict with the billionaire hotel magnate continues. Although the local government claims that 60% of the island is designated as a non-buildable green zone, there are numerous reports of the rich and famous purchasing property in these protected areas. Islanders sarcastically joke that the US dollar is a true green zone, and suggest that the national symbol could be a construction crane.
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