Caribbean Review: Saint Barthélemy History And Allure For The Global Elite
Bucaioni Francois
Saint Barthélemy experienced its biggest ever gathering of superyachts for New Year’s Eve 2025. The 226 superyachts that were present were owned by celebrities, American tech billionaires, and more. The global elite have historically flocked towards St. Barthélemy, but what brings these guests to Saint Barthélemy?
History of Saint Barthélemy
Indigenous Arawak and Carib tribes inhabited Saint Barthélemy, which they called Ouananlao, before it was sighted by Columbus in 1493 and claimed by Spain, though it remained largely unsettled until 1648, when French explorers established the first permanent settlement on the island. Initial French control lasted from 1648 until 1784, when the island was ceded to Sweden in exchange for trade rights. Under Swedish rule, the island served as a duty-free port for slave trafficking, as the capital of Gustavia profited greatly from export taxes on the slave trade. Enslaved people on Saint Barthélemy were used as household servants and in the salt industry. In 1819, about half of the population was registered as slaves.
The island lacked large-scale plantations present in other areas of the Caribbean, but strict, harsh conditions were still faced by enslaved people. Slavery was officially abolished on October 9, 1847.
In 1878, the French repurchased Saint Barthélemy and have owned the island ever since. In 1946, Saint Barthélemy’s residents gained full French citizenship. It also became an Overseas Collectivity of France in 2007.
In contrast to other Caribbean islands, Saint Barthélemy is primarily populated by European descendants, specifically by settlers from the Brittany and Normandy regions of France. This is largely due to geography hindering colonizing powers from instilling large-scale plantation systems, leading to a lack of large-scale African slave placement.
“A Paradise for the super-wealthy”
The migration of the world’s wealthiest people began in 1957 when David Rockefeller, the richest man in the world at the time, bought a large property in Saint Barthélemy, starting a wave of the world’s wealthiest buying properties and hosting large parties. Millionaires and billionaires on Saint Barthélemy come from all places in the world to stay in hotels and rented villas on St. Barts. The exclusivity of the island begins with how people can arrive. Saint Barts’ Gustaf III Airport (SBH) in St. Jean has a very short runway that doesn’t allow commercial jets to land on the island. Travelers must either arrive via yacht or small regional aircraft from surrounding islands like Saint Martin or Puerto Rico. The airport also doesn’t allow flights after 5:00 pm or sunset.
Many travelers claim a key appeal of Saint Barthélemy is the lack of “tourism” present in other, more affordable destinations. The busiest season begins around New Year’s and continues into March, but the visitors consist of the super-wealthy, who are often not considered in the aforementioned “tourism” that visitors dislike. Nightly stays range from at the lowest around $300 a night to thousands of dollars each night in upscale hotels and villas. Many of these villas are stayed in for a short period of time by their owners and are otherwise rented out.
Another allure for visitors to Saint Barthélemy is the access to designer and luxury brands without sales tax. These goods, through the island's freedom from France and European Union taxes, become much cheaper than their prices would be in the United States or Europe. For the super-wealthy, this discount on luxury items further displays how this island has been tailored to host them. Average restaurant prices are in the hundreds of dollars per person, and nightlife revolves around expensive themed parties, especially around New Year’s. Some celebrities known for hosting parties on Saint Barthélemy include Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean “P Diddy” Combs and Harvey Weinstein before serving for their respective sex crime convictions, Rihanna, Jay-Z, and other notable figures. Saint Barthélemy proudly flaunts its status “hidden gem” and “secret luxury” that seems to allure celebrities and the super wealthy. The island also sees a large population of paparazzi seeking to capture and cover celebrities present.
Saint Barthélemy is isolated from the rest of the Caribbean due to large price increases, a lack of non-European cultural influences, a lack of social justice movements, widespread political corruption, invasion, and other international meddling from the United States or Europe. This super-wealthy “paradise” is a haven for celebrities and other elites who want to get away, both from non-super-wealthy tourists, and many claim they are escaping American or European sales tax. It has become a space for those who can afford it to be with each other, network, market, and party in one of the most exclusive and shut-off tourist destinations in the world.
