Airelles Le Guanahani St Barth: What’s New as Rosewood Exits
Airelles Le Guanahani is the new name of St. Barth’s largest resort, the former Rosewood Le Guanahani on Grand Cul-de-Sac, and it opens under the French brand Airelles on November 1, 2026. The 66-key hotel keeps its private peninsula, two beaches and cottage rooms; what changes is the operator, the restaurant and bar line-up, and the spa partner.
If you have stayed at Le Guanahani before, or you are weighing it for Christmas, New Year’s or a late-winter trip, here is what has been confirmed so far, what is still unknown, and how to book.
Planning a Stay on Grand Cul-de-Sac?
Compare St. Barts hotel rates or look at private villas near the lagoon.
Compare Hotels →Browse Villas →What Is Airelles Le Guanahani?
Le Guanahani first opened as an independent hotel in 1986. After damage from Hurricane Irma it closed for several years and reopened in 2021 as Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth. In mid-September 2026 travel media reported that Rosewood was leaving and that the French group Airelles would take over, with the Airelles website confirming an opening on November 1, 2026.
Airelles is known for high-end hotels in France, including properties in Courchevel, Gordes, Saint-Tropez and at the Château de Versailles. Le Guanahani is its first hotel in the Caribbean. TravelSort, an advisor that books the hotel, reports that existing staff are being kept on, which matters on an island where returning guests often know the team by name.
For background on the resort as it was run before the switch, including its family appeal and lagoon setting, see our earlier Hotel Guanahani St Barts guide.
Rosewood vs. Airelles Le Guanahani: What Changes
The physical hotel is the same. As of October 2026, neither Airelles nor the travel press had announced a renovation, so expect the colorful cottages and gardens guests already know. The table below sums up what the official Airelles pages and recent reporting say.
| Feature | Airelles Le Guanahani (from Nov 1, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Operator | Airelles (previously Rosewood, 2021–2026) |
| Rooms | 66 keys: 29 rooms, 27 suites, 10 signature suites; 20 categories listed |
| Restaurant | La Table du Guanahani: buffet at breakfast and lunch, Caribbean-influenced French menu at dinner |
| Bars | Le Pélican (beach), the Pool Bar, The Library (lobby) |
| Spa | Airelles Spa with Laboratoires Botanique Avancée (LBA) treatments |
| Pools | Beach Pool (infinity, direct beach access); Spa Pool (adults only) |
| Water sports | Snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking on the lagoon |
| Rates | Not published as of October 2026 |
The spa is the clearest change for repeat guests. Under Rosewood the hotel offered Clarins-based treatments; Airelles now lists its own spa built around LBA, a brand it describes as exclusive to Airelles spas.
Rooms and Suites at Airelles Le Guanahani
All accommodation is in individual cottages set in tropical gardens, facing either the lagoon, Marigot and Maréchal bays, or the gardens. The Airelles site lists 20 categories, which fall roughly into four groups:
- Rooms for two: Ocean Bay Room, Ocean Cove Room, Beach Room and the Ocean Bay Pool Room with a plunge pool.
- Junior suites: Ocean Cove Junior Suite and Wellness Junior Suite, both for two adults.
- Suites for three: Garden Suite, Ocean View Suite and pool versions of each, plus the Beach Pool Suite.
- Large suites: named suites such as Hibiscus, Pelican, Maréchal, Marigot, Admiral and Serenity sleep up to five adults; the Garden House and Bougainvillea Suite take up to seven.
Room sizes and prices were not listed online as of October 2026, so ask for floor plans when you enquire, especially if you are comparing a multi-bedroom suite against a villa.
Beaches, Pools and the Grand Cul-de-Sac Lagoon
The hotel’s biggest asset hasn’t changed. The peninsula has two very different beaches. On one side, Grand Cul-de-Sac lagoon has calm, shallow, reef-protected water where turtles are often seen. On the other, Maréchal Beach is wilder and faces the open bay, with waves breaking on the rocks.
The lagoon side is the island’s main spot for easy water sports, and the wider area has beach restaurants, kitesurf schools and villas. Our Grand Cul-de-Sac neighborhood guide covers what is within a short walk or drive of the hotel.
Advisor pages describe extras such as a kids’ club and guest-chef dinners, but the official Airelles pages did not list them as of October 2026. Confirm anything that matters to your trip, such as children’s programming, transfers or breakfast, in writing before you pay a deposit.
Dining and Spa at Airelles Le Guanahani
Dining is concentrated in one restaurant, La Table du Guanahani, which overlooks the sea. Airelles says it serves a buffet in the morning and at lunch and a dinner menu that mixes French cooking with Caribbean influences. For drinks there are three bars: Le Pélican facing the beach, the Pool Bar above the lagoon (where you can also order lunch), and The Library in the main building.
With only one restaurant on site, most guests will want a rental car for dinners in Gustavia, Saint-Jean or at the other beachfront restaurants around Grand Cul-de-Sac.
How Does It Compare With Other St. Barts Luxury Hotels?
With 66 keys, Le Guanahani is the island’s largest hotel, which gives it more space and more facilities than smaller boutique hotels. Its pull has always been the setting: a whole peninsula, two beaches and calm water, rather than a scene. If you want to compare it with Eden Rock, Cheval Blanc and Le Sereno before booking, our ranking of the best luxury hotels in St. Barts sets them side by side.
How to Book Airelles Le Guanahani
- Direct: reservations.gsb@airelles.com or +590 590 529 008 (address: Grand Cul-de-Sac, 97133 St. Barthélemy).
- Through an advisor: several luxury travel advisors already list the hotel, often with perks such as a resort credit or upgrades when available.
- Existing Rosewood bookings: as of October 2026 no public statement explained how Rosewood-era reservations or loyalty benefits carry over. Contact the hotel directly.
- Timing: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s weeks book first across St. Barts. January to March gives more choice.
- Getting there: there are no nonstop flights from North America. Connect via St. Maarten (SXM) with Winair or via San Juan with Tradewind, then drive about 15 minutes from Gustaf III Airport (SBH).
Book the Rest of Your St. Barts Trip
Flights to SXM, a car for Grand Cul-de-Sac, and a boat day around the island.
Search Flights →Rent a Car →Boat Charters →Airelles Le Guanahani: Frequently Asked Questions
When does Airelles Le Guanahani open in St. Barth?
Airelles Le Guanahani is scheduled to open on November 1, 2026, according to the Airelles website. It takes over the existing Le Guanahani resort on Grand Cul-de-Sac, St. Barthélemy, which Rosewood had operated since 2021.
Is Airelles Le Guanahani the same hotel as Rosewood Le Guanahani?
Yes. Airelles Le Guanahani occupies the same private peninsula, beaches and cottage-style rooms as the former Rosewood Le Guanahani in Grand Cul-de-Sac, St. Barth. The change is in the operator and brand; as of October 2026 no major renovation had been announced.
How many rooms does Airelles Le Guanahani have?
Airelles Le Guanahani has 66 keys, reported as 29 rooms, 27 suites and 10 signature suites spread across individual cottages. The Airelles website lists 20 room and suite categories, from the Ocean Bay Room for two adults to the Garden House and Bougainvillea Suite for up to seven.
Where is Airelles Le Guanahani located?
Airelles Le Guanahani sits on a private peninsula at the north-eastern tip of St. Barthélemy, between Grand Cul-de-Sac lagoon and Maréchal Bay, facing Turtle Island. The postal address is Grand Cul-de-Sac, 97133 St. Barthélemy, about a 15-minute drive from Gustaf III Airport (SBH).
What restaurants and spa are at Airelles Le Guanahani?
Airelles Le Guanahani lists one restaurant, La Table du Guanahani, plus three bars: Le Pélican on the beach, the Pool Bar and The Library in the lobby. The Airelles Spa uses Laboratoires Botanique Avancée (LBA) products and has its own adults-only pool.
Is Airelles Le Guanahani good for families?
Airelles Le Guanahani is on Grand Cul-de-Sac, the calmest lagoon on St. Barth, which suits young swimmers, paddleboarding and kayaking. Some travel-advisor pages mention a kids’ club, but the official Airelles site did not list one as of October 2026, so confirm children’s programming directly with the hotel.
How do I book Airelles Le Guanahani?
Airelles Le Guanahani takes reservations at reservations.gsb@airelles.com or +590 590 529 008, and through travel advisors. Rates were not published as of October 2026, and guests holding Rosewood-era bookings should contact the hotel to confirm how those reservations carry over.
Sources: Airelles Le Guanahani official site (rooms, restaurants, spa and beaches pages, checked October 2026); TravelSort (October 1, 2026); One Mile at a Time (September 17, 2026); Deep Arrival (September 23, 2026).
*Affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Hotel details reflect information published as of October 2026; confirm rates, facilities and policies directly with the hotel before booking.
Last updated: October 29, 2026
