St. Barths

Abramovich's 'Eclipse' Meets the 'A' in Anguilla

Having had their fill of St. Barth's and the supermodels and celebs who converged on its posh purlieus for New Year's, Russian billionaires Roman Abramovich and Andrei Melnichenko have now decamped with their megayachts to Anguilla. Abramovich, who stopped off in Barbados en route, dominates the seascape in the Eclipse (above), his $500 million, 550-ft. behemoth built by Blohm + Voss, while Melnichenko makes do with his measly $300 million Philippe Starck-designed destroyer 'A'. Abramovich also brought the Luna along for the ride to Anguilla, the 377 ft. explorer yacht he purchased last year as a sort of support yacht for the Eclipse and lent to Madonna last summer. All three of the enormous vessels were anchored off Meads Bay, allowing their owners easy access to Anguilla's posh resorts including the Viceroy, Frangipani Beach Resort, Carimar Beach Club and Malliouhana Hotel and Spa.

Tags: Andrei Melnichenko, Anguilla, Barbados, billionaire, Blohm + Voss, Eclipse, megayacht, Roman Abramovich, Russian billionaires, St. Barths, St. Barts, superyacht, yacht

Sen. John Kerry Joins the St. Barth's Superyacht Set

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

Forget about "a day late and a dollar short" – Sen. John Kerry was several days and several hundred million dollars short on a recent sojourn to the glitzy resort of St. Barths, still awash in all the money and celebs left over from Roman Abramovich's New Year's blowout. Kerry missed out on the action but still managed to make the scene in his sailing yacht Isabel (above). While completely dwarfed by the likes of Abramovich's 550-ft. Eclipse – the 75-ft. Isabel looked like one of Abramovich's tenders by comparison – Kerry's classic sailboat served as a timely reminder that style has nothing to do with size.

Though it cost a mere $7 million, a pittance compared to the megayachts like the iPad-controlled Solemates choking up the harbor, Kerry was not there to compete with the likes of P. Diddy and Simon Cowell; though the Isabel, built by Friendship last year, features plenty of luxe touches including a wet bar and wine storage in the pilothouse. The Edwardian-style interior is finished in glossy varnished teak, and the yacht can accommodate four guests in two VIP main staterooms with en-suite baths. Tenders and toys include a 13.5-ft. Zodiac and onboard there are all the bells and whistles a busy politico needs, from satellite communications to Wifi.

[via JamesList]

Gallery: John Kerry's Yacht 'Isabel'

Tags: John Kerry, politicians, politics, Roman Abramovich, senator, Solemates, St. Bart, St. Barths, yacht

Simon Cowell Plays Second Fiddle to Sean "Diddy" Combs in St. Barths

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

American Idol bigwig Simon Cowell got one-upped by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs in St. Barths over the New Year's holiday where his superyacht played second fiddle to the rap mogul's state-of-the-art iPad-controlled craft. Cowell chartered his favorite yacht, the 196-ft. Slipstream (above) built by France's CMN Shipyard, for $450,000 plus expenses. With luxe accommodation for 12 guests plus a crew of 14, Slipstream features mirrors above a giant waterbed, a Jacuzzi, an observation lounge with panoramic views, gym and a sky lounge with a retractable roof. Diddy's yacht Solemates runs to $600,000 per week plus expenses and is a critical 12 inches longer than Cowell's. In addition to the iPad concierge Solemates accommodates 12 guests in six luxurious cabins and features a sun lounge wrapped around a Jacuzzi forward; a discotheque sound and lighting system turns it into an al fresco nightclub. Cowell's cruise was also somewhat hampered by the fact that he had several warring females aboard. While Diddy's yacht is blandly luxurious, Cowell's yacht has a bit more style; take a look at the images of both below and tell us what you think.

Gallery: 'Solemates' iPad Superyacht Charter

Gallery: Simon Cowell Superyacht 'Slipstream'

[via JamesList]

Tags: American Idol, celebrity, Diddy, iPad, P. Diddy, Sean Combs, Simon Cowell, simon+cowell+yacht, simoncowellyacht, Solemates, St. Barths, superyacht, yacht

Salma Hayek & Supermodels Party on St. Barths' Sexiest Superyacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

Roman Abramovich's Eclipse is bigger, Demi Moore's Philippe Starck-designed cruiser is cooler, and P. Diddy's floating iPad-controlled palace is more expensive, but the 161-ft. Destination Fox Harb'r Too was hands-down the sexiest superyacht in St. Barths over the New Year's vacation. It's not that there's anything terribly special about the Trinity-built vessel considering the competition; rather it has to do with who was onboard: Salma Hayek and stunning supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio (above) and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Hayek's billionaire husband François-Henri Pinault of the famed French luxury goods conglomerate reportedly footed the $250,000-per-week tab for the oceangoing extravaganza.

Destination Fox Harb'r Too was launched in 2008 with luxe accommodations for 11 guests in six spacious staterooms. The yacht is manned by a crew of 10 including a 5-star chef, three hostesses and a watersports guide. The split-level owner's suite features amazing 180-degree views and dual private en-suite baths. The Patrick Knowles Design interior is modeled on a European spa resort, featuring sophisticated fabrics, hand-carved glass and stone work, and acres of Honduran mahogany paneling with redwood burl, lacewood, and Macassar ebony accents. The sexy shipmates were in St. Barths for Abramovich's lavish New Year's Eve bash featuring the Black Eyed Peas.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: 'Destination Fox Harb'r Too'

Tags: Alessandra Ambrosio, megayacht, Philippe Starck, Roman Abramovich, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Salma Hayek, St. Barths, supermodels, superyacht, yacht

P. Diddy Charters the $600,000-a-Week iPad Megayacht in St. Barths

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Yachts & Sailing, Celebrity Shopping, Wealth

The other day we told you about Solemates (above), the $600,000 per week 197-ft. superyacht charter designed by the great Espen Oeino and launched by Lürssen earlier this year, the first of its kind to offer clients control of its various high-tech systems via the iPad. Now none other than Sean "P. Diddy" Combs has turned up on the yacht in St. Barths, where he chartered the ultra-luxe vessel for a family vacation over New Year's with girlfriend Kim Porter, their daughters D'Lila and Jessie and son Justin before jetting to Las Vegas to party. Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas visited as well. Via the iPad Diddy and co. can control the shipboard entertainment, climate and lighting systems and even summon crewmembers to bring refreshments.

The interior of the yacht, which accommodates 12 guests in six luxurious cabins, was designed by Glade Johnson in a blend of elegant, rich woods and textures and classical details paired with contemporary, sleek lines. The main and upper deck salons are awash with natural light and offer impressive spaces for formal or casual dining and entertaining. The sun deck features an outdoor dining area and a sun lounge wrapped around the Jacuzzi forward, and a discotheque sound and lighting system turns it into an al fresco nightclub. There are several toys and tenders aboard for a variety of recreational activities.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: 'Solemates' iPad Superyacht Charter

Tags: celebrity, Diddy, Espen Oeino, iPad, New Years Eve, p+diddy+ipad+yacht, p+diddy+yacht, P. Diddy, p.+diddy+ipad+superyacht, p.diddyipadsuperyacht, pdiddyipadyacht, pdiddyyacht, Sean Combs, Sean P. Diddy Combs, Solemates, St. Barths, superyacht, yacht, yacht charter

Demi Moore & Martha Stewart Party on Russian Billionaire's Megayacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Events, Wealth

Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Martha Stewart made the New Year's scene in St. Barths as guests of Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko aboard his Philippe Starck-designed megayacht 'A' (above). The awe-inspiring 390-ft. craft ranks as the 11th largest yacht in the world and cost an estimated $300 million to build. The celebs were in town for oligarch Roman Abramovich's star-studded New Year's Eve bash featuring the Black Eyed Peas at his lavish estate on the island. While on board the yacht Moore strutted around in a barely-there bikini and caught some rays.

She and Kutcher also played around on the vessel's jet skis. The yacht's interior features $40,000 bath faucets, $60,000 stair banisters, and an all-white, 2,583-sq.-ft. master suite wrapped in bulletproof glass and accessed by a silver-plated staircase with a fingerprint scanner at the door. Key decor accents include Baccarat crystal tables, alligator skin and Kudu horn chairs, stingray skin upholstered walls and hand-stitched leather paneling. Filling the A's gas tanks alone costs $500,000 a pop and running costs come to about $20 million a year.

Tags: Andrey Melnichenko, Ashton Kutcher, celebrity, Demi Moore, Martha Stewart, megayacht, parties, Philippe Starck, Roman Abramovich, Russian billionaires, St. Barths, superyacht, yacht

Abramovich's 'Eclipse' Finally Ready to Set Sail

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

After a year-long delay our favorite Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich finally took delivery of the world's largest and most expensive yacht, the Eclipse (above), the other day in time to berth her in St. Barths for his big New Year's Eve bash starring the Black Eyed Peas. The yacht, which measures anywhere from 533 ft. to 557 ft. depending on reports, cost somewhere between $500 million – $1 billion, again depending on which news accounts you give credit to. In any case, the Eclipse will cost an estimated $50 million a year to maintain and each fill-up at the gas tanks will run Roman a cool $650,000. The Eclipse, built by Germany's Blohm + Voss with luxe accommodations for 30 guests and 75 crew members, was beset with problems as we noted over the summer. The yacht, which features a military-grade missile defense system, armor plating, bulletproof windows, three helipads, two swimming pools and a wellness center, is said to be paparazzi proof thanks to a special electronic shield.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: abramovich, abramovich+eclipse, abramovicheclipse, Blohm + Voss, eclipse+yacht, eclipseyacht, megayacht, Roman Abramovich, Russian billionaires, st+barts, St. Barths, stbarts, wealth, yacht

Celebrate New Year's Eve at Eden Rock on St. Barths

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events

Headed to St. Barth's for the holidays? If you are planning on being there, be sure to check out the legendary New Year's Eve 2011 party held at Eden Rock, which will be the party to go to on the island, as it is every year.

The evening will commence with an exceptionally lavish gourmet dinner around the rock (autour de rocher) at On The Rocks, followed at midnight by a pyrotechnical display of color and magic. Anne Cecile, the hotel's new executive chef, will prepare a culinary explosion of tastes and savours to titillate guests' taste buds in anticipation of an evening of fun and frolic.

Following dinner, all guests will be welcome to join the after-hour party at the Sand Bar and adjoining St. Jean beach to dance away 2010 until the wee hours of the morning.

Gallery: New Years Eve 2011 Party at Eden Rock, St. Barths

New Years' Eve Party at Eden Rock, St. Barths

Tags: Eden Rock, New Years Celebrations, new years eve, New Years Eve party, St. Barths, st. barts

Continue reading “Celebrate New Year's Eve at Eden Rock on St. Barths”

Hotel Guanahani & Spa on St. Barth's to Reopen December 15

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The Hotel Guanahani & Spa on the picturesque island of St. Barth's will reopen its doors in mid-December after a major overhaul and renovation of the property.

The largest resort on St Barth's, the Hotel Guanahani & Spa's renovation was led by award-winning architect David Schwarz, interior designer Miami, Fla.-based Luis Pons and local architect Nicolas Lossent from Lotus Architects.

Most rooms are being renovated and one new, luxurious suite will be built on the property. Located in a remote setting on the beachfront, the Admiral Suite will resemble a villa and feature 2 spacious bedrooms, exclusive access to a small private beach and breathtaking views of the lagoon. The suite will feature custom-designed furniture that incorporates elements of leather and wood.

Gallery: Hotel Guanahani & Spa on St. Barth's

The Swimming Pool at the Hotel Guanahani & Spa on St. Barth's

The Spa at the Hotel Guanahani & Spa on St. Barth's

A newly remodeled suite at the Hotel Guanahani & Spa

A Newly Remodeled Suite at the Hotel Guanahani & Spa on St. Barth's

Tags: awards-main, caribbean, CaribbeanBeaches, CaribbeanDestinations, CaribbeanTravel, Hotel Guanahani, Hotel Guanahani Spa, luxist-awards, spa, St. Barths, st. barts

Continue reading “Hotel Guanahani & Spa on St. Barth's to Reopen December 15”

Exclusive Kate Moss Photo from Behind the Scenes at David Yurman

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

Kate Moss, the Yurmans (David, Sybil and Evan) and fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh recently headed to St. Barth's to shoot the David Yurman Fall 2010 campaign. Thanks to street style photographer and blogger Garance Doré, we managed to snag three exclusive behind-the-scenes shots from the photo session, which David Yurman happily collaborated on with his team.

Tags: Alex White, David Lipman, David Yurman, david yurman jewelry, Evan Yurman, jewelry, Kate Moss, Peter Lindbergh, St. Barths, Sybil Yurman

Continue reading “Exclusive Kate Moss Photo from Behind the Scenes at David Yurman”

Learning Lobster at Hotel Christopher

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Growing up in New England, I've cracked into more than a few lobsters, ranging from the downright puny to a mighty 7 pounds. This continued experience with creatures (formerly, by the time they reached my table) dwelling off the costs of Nova Scotia and Maine, ingrained in me a baseline for lobster that has guided my expectations ever since.

So, as the waiter at the Hotel Christopher on St. Barths explained the evening's specials last week, the langouste, which he translated for us as "lobster," caught my attention. Recalling my travails with French in high school and college, I vaguely remembered that Jean-Paul Sartre writing of a hallucination in which he fled an "homard." The different word for lobster led to the obvious question: "What's the difference?"

Christian Langlade, who owns Hotel Christopher with his wife, Sandrine, explained that homard" refers to the tasty resident of northern waters, the creature I cracked open throughout my childhood – and which tormented the French existentialist. "Langouste," however, is the lobster found in the Caribbean, sans claws yet certainly delightful to chomp.

Disclosure: Hotel Christopher picked up the tab for this trip. Nonetheless, my opinions are my own – they're certainly not for sale at any price.

Tags: hotel, hotels, lobster, lobsters, resort, resorts, St Barths, st. barth, st. barths

Hotel St. Barth Isle de France's New Beach Suites

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Hotel St. Barth Isle de France, the luxuriously appointed hotel, resort and spa in the French West Indies that was just named Best Hotel in the Caribbean by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler, has just opened a quartet of new state-of-the-art Beach Suites. Designed by Penny Morrison of Morrison Interiors in London, the Suites feature amazing views of the island's beautiful Flamands beach. Each one has a private infinity plunge pool (above), large terrace with beach loungers, 52″ plasma television, fully equipped kitchen, wireless internet, stone bathtub and outdoor shower. The hotel also recently introduced membership in the Isle de France Club, an investment opportunity consisting of a fractional ownership in one of five Club residences, complete with the finest furnishings and the highest level of guest services.

Gallery: Hotel St. Barth Isle de France

Tags: Beach, Hotel St. Barth Isle de France, HotelSt.BarthIsleDeFrance, Resort, Spa, St. Barths, St.Barths, West Indies, WestIndies

St. Barth's Villa Sold for Record $39 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Travel & Hotels

A luxurious villa in St. Barth's has just been sold by the local affiliate of Sotheby's Int'l Realty for $39 million, setting a new record for the swank French West Indies resort. Villa La Grande Maison des Etoiles, situated in an exclusive gated mountaintop community, sets a new standard in luxury for the famed getaway. The seven-bedroom, seven-bath estate features panoramic views of the ocean, neighboring islands and incoming megayachts, as well as multiple in- and outdoor living and dining areas, several pools and lush gardens, all bordered by magnificent stone walls handcrafted from volcanic rock. There are Louis Vuitton and Hermes-themed guest suites with views as well. If you missed out on this elegant property, don't despair; the villa will be available for rent a few weeks out of the year for pre-qualified individuals, at a cost of $193,550 per week during peak season.

Gallery: La Grande Maison des Etoiles