La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, St Martin is a secluded island paradise in the West Indies, set on the pristine, mile-long Baie Longue beach and surrounded by 55 acres of tropical gardens, which reopened on November 7, 2021. For the intrepid adventurer, the resort introduces a slew of new culinary experiences, festive surprises, and wellness offerings this season.
La Cave Under the Stars, a New Culinary Series
The property’s historic La Cave Wine Cellar, which houses over 2,000 bottles and is one of the largest private cellars in the Caribbean, is the inspiration for the new culinary series La Cave Under The Stars. Guests can enjoy unique culinary experiences led by a stellar roster of international guest chefs and sommeliers throughout the Winter 2021/22 season. From the 28th to the 30th of January 2022, guests can look forward to the second event of an exclusive dining series, which will feature acclaimed New York City Chef David Waltuck, creator of the trailblazing restaurant Chanterelle and four-time James Beard Award Winner.
An Artist’s Getaway
La Samanna announces its next featured artist and month-long exhibition as part of its artist-in-residence series. The property is already known as a hive for local artists and their art, which is displayed throughout the property. Beginning December 15th, 2021, François Castelain, a French photographer who divides his time between Paris and St Martin, will exhibit his intimate portraits of island residents captured through his discerning and soulful lens. Castelain, who came from the world of high-profile fashion photography, discovered his passion for portraiture in the island’s beauty and diversity. Guests at the resort will be able to book free portraiture photography classes with Castelain to learn more about his captivating style.
Aiming to nurture artists and become a fertile arts hub in the French West Indies, the resort launched its artist-in-residency series in July 2021, with an exhibition and workshops by local Street Artist, Jimmy Sabas. The resort’s interiors, recently reimagined by design firm Muza Lab in London, reflect its commitment to the island’s creative community, with artwork from celebrated local Sir Roland Richardson, known as the “Father of Caribbean Impressionism,” in every single guest room and public space.
The La Samanna Spa also displays artwork from the Trimborn sisters, island locals who originate from Düsseldorf, Germany and run Noco Art Villa, which doubles as a studio and gallery. After a studio tour and a visit to NoCo Art Gallery accompanied by Anikó van Nie, an art specialist and the gallery’s director, either Corinna or Norma leads an abstract impressionist painting class, providing all art materials.
What is New in the Wellness Industry?
Energetic Re-Mastery, the La Samanna Spa’s newest offering, is designed to support overall wellbeing holistically by taking a multifaceted approach to wellness. Each course is tailored to fit individual needs and is led by resident energy healer and wellness expert Christine Caruso, who has twenty years of research in Energy Medicine and a loyal following of clients all over the world. She uses mindfulness and healing techniques to help clients tap into their full potential against the backdrop of secluded Baie Longue Beach.
Guests can choose from several guided sessions, such as Kundalini meditation to awaken inner energy, Point of Origin meditation to re-engage the divine spark, and the Sacred Stone Activation, an ancient Peruvian tradition of meditative practice. The La Samanna Spa is a quiet hilltop oasis nestled within a Mediterranean-inspired garden offering open-air treatment rooms each with a private Zen garden and outdoor shower. Private in-villa experiences are also available for guests to unwind in the comfort of their own room, including sunrise yoga flows, reiki, and evening meditation.
Greetings for the Holiday Season!
La Samanna is the perfect place to eat, sleep, and be merry this holiday season. On Christmas Eve, those who celebrate the holiday can begin their celebrations with complimentary Champagne cocktails and French-style canapés while listening to live music. On Christmas Day, enjoy a lavish complimentary brunch at Corail, followed by Santa arriving by jet ski on the Baie Longue shores, as is customary.
For those who want to balance out all of the holiday cheer, the resort’s holiday schedule includes a variety of complimentary physical activities. Guided power walks, Pilates sessions, Standup Paddle boarding, and snorkeling at Creole Rock are just a few of the activities available.
Signature off-property excursions can be booked with the concierge for those looking to venture further afield. Escape To Tintamarre, for example, is an exhilarating pre-dawn boat ride to an uninhabited island where you can snorkel with a marine conservationist and enjoy an energizing breakfast on the beach before heading back to St Martin.
Guests can also hire a charter boat from the resort to sail the calm waters between St. Barts and Anguilla, taking in the best of St Martin’s secluded coves along the way. Hiking With The Arawaks, a moderate to difficult guided excursion up to Paradise Peak in the company of a nature guide, takes place back on land. After that, there will be an evening discussion with a local archaeologist about the history of St Martin’s first inhabitants, the Arawaks.
