Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth Launches New Art, Culture, and Culinary Series

Nestled on a private peninsula spanning 18 acres in the rugged northeast corner of Saint-Barthélemy, the Le Guanahani St. Barth has been a mainstay on the island for more than 35 years. Beloved for its relaxed, understated character and secluded location, the resort suffered extensive damage following Hurricane Irma in 2017 and subsequently underwent a major four-year transformation, reopening in 2022 as a Rosewood property. The Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth is now ushering in an exciting new chapter that maintains its unique spirit of authenticity and sense of place accompanied by a new series of art and culinary programming for guests.

While the glamorous island has long beckoned the jet-set with its pristine beaches, glistening turquoise waters, haute cuisine, and lively beach clubs, there is a deeper layer to this captivating island that often goes unnoticed: a thriving local art and cultural scene. Rosewood Le Guanahani is now tapping into that community of talented artists to bring some of the unique creative spirit into the resort with a rotating exhibition series that takes place throughout the expansive, open-air lobby, lush gardens, new Sense spa, and restaurants.  

The concept was inspired by the art offerings at Rosewood Sao Paulo, where more than 50 local artists created nearly 500 site-specific works presented throughout the Phillipe Stark-designed interiors. To execute the programming on the island, meanwhile, the resort has teamed up with local gallery Artists of St. Barth, which was founded by Emmanuel Leprince in 2016 and represents more than 30 painters, sculptors, and photographers on the island. 

The art program officially kicked off in November 2024 with an exhibition of commissioned pieces by legendary fashion photographer Antoine Verglas, known for his signature documentary-style portraits. For this new series, he drew inspiration from the natural beauty of St. Barth, where he has been traveling since the 1990s. The lobby has since been transformed by the work of self-taught Swedish-American painter Karolina Karlsson, whose playful, pastel-colored works are inspired by the human form, as well as by GC Artist, a young artistic duo from the island whose series of vibrant, tufted-wool works depict eye-catching scenes of the landscape around Rosewood Le Guanahani.

Sculptors that have been invited to display on the sprawling grounds, meanwhile, include Jean Martin, who crafts large-scale, airy, figurative pieces with steel lace, Aurelien Gambade aka “Dvis Dformes”, a former mechanic whose whimsical under-the-sea creatures are made with scrap metal and found objects, and currently on view, Roger Moreau, an icon of the island whose “Coeur St Barth” (St. Barth hearts) made from sculpted pieces of dead coral and natural stones can be found dotted across the island of St. Barth in the most unexpected places.

“Our aim with the project is to introduce local artists to our clientele,” says Marion Sarrazin, Rosewood’s Guest Experience Manager. “We live on a small island, but we’re proud to show that there is art in St. Barth.” 

Next, there are plans to extend the art series into the guest rooms. These vibrantly hued French-Caribbean cottages, rendered in bright pastel colors like yellow, blue, and lavender, are dotted throughout lush, winding gardens framed by bougainvillea, hibiscus, and palms. The 66 bungalow-style accommodations overlook either one of the two beaches: a lagoon and the other an ocean, or a garden, and each boasts a private entrance and terrace.

“We embrace elements of quirkiness, which is part of Caribbean life,” says Martein van Wagenberg, who arrived at Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth as Managing Director in August 2013, and oversaw the extensive renovation project. “Each room has its own character, with an eclectic feel and a different atmosphere.”

The cultural journey at Rosewood Le Guanahani extends to the social hub of the resort, the Beach House St. Barth, where guests are invited to further immerse themselves in the local culture. Here, a whimsical new dessert series has been conceived by the resort’s Executive Pastry Chef Julien Boury. Dubbed “Julien Boury’s World of Desserts,” this intimate experience, held once a month at the elegant Bar Mélangé, blends technical mastery, personal storytelling, and a global palette of flavors.

The rising star pastry chef takes guests on a journey from France, Switzerland, China, and the Caribbean, transforming pastry into a captivating sensory experience. Highlights include a madeleine infused with bergamot—a nod to the renowned La Bergamot confectionery in his hometown of Nantes, France; a dessert inspired by Boury’s time in Biarritz at the Hôtel du Palais, featuring black cherry marmalade, Espelette pepper, and sheep’s milk yogurt sorbet; a “100% Vanille” dessert inspired by the Plaza Athénée in Paris; and an ode to St. Barth with a tropical dessert featuring banana, passion fruit, and chocolate sourced from nearby Guadeloupe, elegantly finished with a warm dark chocolate sauce.

“For me, pastry is where technique meets emotion—like a painter with a canvas,” Boury tells Galerie. “I approach each creation with the precision of a chef and the mindset of an artist, balancing texture, color, and composition to create something both beautiful and expressive.” Inspired by travel, art, and nature, Boury is particularly influenced by abstract art. “It helps me think beyond traditional pastry forms and flavor pairings, encouraging a more sculptural and sensory approach to dessert.”

“We want to give back to our guests and give them a wonderful reason to return,” says van Wagenberg. “More than just exploring the natural beauty of the island or relaxing in the sun, we want to provide a meaningful cultural connection for those who are interested.”