Set on the secluded island paradise of St Martin, La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel reopens its doors for the season on November 15, 2024, inviting guests to a world of unparalleled beauty and tropical serenity. Surrounded by 55 acres of lush, vibrant gardens, this gem of the French West Indies promises a season brimming with unforgettable experiences—from bee-centric wellness therapies and relaxed fine dining to magical holiday celebrations.
SAIL & SOUL: A WELLBEING RETREAT
Following a five-day retreat at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla, legendary Portuguese-born sailor and inspirational speaker, Ricardo Diniz crosses the sea to La Samanna to continue on a transformative journey with a “Sail & Soul” wellness retreat from December 10-14, 2024. Diniz—renowned for his transatlantic voyages and advocacy for marine conservation—will guide participants through a series of experiences that blend his nautical expertise with profound life lessons. Available to book a la carte, La Samanna guests will take to the crystal-clear waters on catamaran adventures and benefit from morning yoga and sunset meditations, led in partnership with yogi Jessica Labesehr, providing moments of reflection and renewal. This retreat is an unparalleled opportunity to explore the intersections of resilience, leadership, and the metaphorical voyage of life.
Then, from February 3rd through 8th, the property will welcome back British former professional tennis player James Ward, a Davis Cup champion, as part of a tennis activation, during which guests can perfect their serve during personalized, complimentary clinics led by Ward himself.
NATURAL HARMONY WITH A NEW APIARY
Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to preserving and celebrating the island's rich biodiversity, La Samanna’s lush grounds serve as a living showcase of native Caribbean flora, featuring an array of vibrant tropical plants and trees that provide natural habitats for local wildlife. To further support the ecosystem, La Samanna has launched an on-site apiary with 10 hives, recognizing the crucial role of bees in maintaining ecological balance, spearheaded by Moana Bretault, La Samanna’s Director of Sustainability. This new apiary not only produces delicious, locally-sourced honey for the resort's culinary offerings but also plays a vital part in pollinating the surrounding vegetation, enhancing the health and diversity of the local plant life. Starting January 2025, La Samanna will also launch bee-themed wellness experiences, including a “bee watching” experience, during which guests will don beekeeper suits and climb atop a specially-designed structure to observe the secret lives of bees from a unique vantage. Further elevating the hands-on experience, La Samanna will also introduce artisan workshops, using the wax to create sculptures—a therapeutic and hands-on activity.
WHERE REJUVENATION MEETS CELEBRATION
From epicurean feasts to wellbeing activities, La Samanna has dreamed up holiday moments that will fulfill festive fantasies. Mark calendars for a sunset Hanukkah celebration on December 30th, a Christmas Day brunch or a dinner, and a lavish New Year’s Eve bash featuring live music, dancing, and a dazzling show of fireworks over the magnificent Baie Longue.
In between celebrations, La Samanna offers a sanctuary for both physical and mental rejuvenation amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Caribbean. The resort's Mediterranean-inspired spa features open-air treatment rooms, each boasting a private Zen garden, creating an idyllic setting for relaxation and introspection ahead of the new year. La Samanna's wellness offerings extend beyond conventional therapies, embracing cutting-edge practices like Iridology and Magnetic Bioresonance, alongside time-honored techniques such as Kundalini meditation. For those looking to maintain their fitness regimen, complimentary morning yoga and Pilates classes provide invigorating starts to each day, while ocean paddle-boarding excursions and tennis classes offer active ways to connect with the stunning natural surroundings. Whether participating in a lively game of pétanque or indulging in a bespoke spa treatment, La Samanna creates an environment where guests can nurture both body and mind, fostering a sense of renewal and self-discovery in a serene Caribbean paradise.
RELAXED, TROPICAL-INFLECTED FINE DINING
New for the season is a bistro menu at the fine-dining restaurant L'Oursin, helmed by two-starred Michelin Chef Marcel Ravin and overlooking the shimmering sea. The new menu embraces a casual yet refined approach, blending local ingredients with the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean Riviera. Highlights include taglioni with caviar and sea urchins, and Mahi Mahi wrapped in banana leaf. For wine enthusiasts, a visit to the historic La Cave Wine Cellar is a must. Located two stories below sea level and housing 12,000 bottles of wine and Champagne, La Cave offers intimate tastings and private candlelit dinners. Guests can also indulge in a 200-rum tasting experience, where rare regional rums take center stage, and a cigar-rolling workshop (led by a local merchant who grows his own Caribbean tobacco leaves!) adds a perfect finishing touch to the evening.
PURE PRIVACY: SUN-SPLASHED POOL VILLAS
Earlier this year, La Samanna unveiled a top-to-bottom interior restyle of the beloved three- and four-bedroom villas by the acclaimed Rottet Studio. Inspired by the island’s swaying palms and ocean breeze, the cliffside Private Pool Villas marry retro beach elegance with nods to St Martin’s artisanship and local floral and fauna. Each villa is named after tropical birds found on island, from Sucrier to Colibri and Egret, and original artwork by one of Saint Martin’s most celebrated painters, Sir Roland Richardson, integrates the island's cultural richness through his Caribbean impressionist landscapes. Spread across 4,600 square feet, the villas feature wrap-around terraces, fully renovated kitchens, alfresco dining spaces set within lush private gardens, and infinity pools – all with sweeping views of the surrounding Baie Longue beach. These secluded sanctuaries also include roundtrip airport transfers, a 24-hour Villa Host service, and chauffeured transportation around the resort via private golf cart. Whether intimate gatherings with loved ones or joyous multi-generational family retreats, the Private Pool Villas are enchanting hideaways in the French Caribbean.
For more information or to book, please visit belmond.com/lasamanna.
