Ocean Club St Barths

Housed above the Prada and Dolce & Gabbana boutiques along the main thoroughfare of Rue de la République in Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy is Ocean Club St Barths, with interiors led by HBA Miami. The 76-seat waterfront restaurant is a study in stylish restraint where simplicity synchronizes in perfect harmony with tailored sophistication to emphasize the stunning Port de Gustavia views.

Understated, residential-like interiors draw upon the island’s rich historical context, present-day laissez-faire culture, and ever-prevalent yachting industry. Natural materiality, such as wood and stone, defines the palette, while polished chrome accents and intricate detailing contribute to the overall feeling of refined luxury.

Upon arrival, a wood-planked terrace is a warm invitation. Deep chairs wrapped in rope form a series of intimate seating groups for guests to relax with a pre-dinner drink before checking in at the host stand, where curved lines give a subtle nautical nod. Inside, the feature bar commands attention and anchors the very center of the space without obstructing ease of circulation. Handsome navy blue defines the back bar with a tempered satin finish, recalling maritime culture and the island’s brilliant waters under the cobalt evening skies. Chrome posts with rope detailing on either side of the bar wall further the nautical narrative with sleek, modern sensibility. Vertical planks of rich walnut, reminiscent of yacht decking, front the bar in windswept form to meet a bar top of polished marble.

Adjacent to the bar is a lounge on one side and the show kitchen on the other. A welcoming gesture with residential comfort, the lounge area acts as an art gallery where wood-planked walls washed in bright white speak the Caribbean vernacular. Folding glass doors create a serene flow between the interior space and the outdoor terrace.

Navigating into the main dining spaces and toward the water first leads to the discovery of the DJ booth, which sets the mood for a vibrant social scene. A vaulted wood ceiling provides elegant linearity and shelter above the central banquette seating, while stone flooring beneath is complementary with its own element of warmth. Louvered shutters open outward like a beacon to the view beyond, inviting the outdoors in or closing shut to protect the interiors when the weather turns. Brass is integrated with precision in the inlays of the central banquette dining tables, as accents on the furnishings, and in the lighting as a soft-spoken expression of the yachting lifestyle. Flexible furnishings allow this space to serve as a canvas for private events or in its usual dining room setup.

Cozy niches with lounge dining and built-in banquette seating flank the central dining space and are balanced in articulation. Vibrant colors of a Caribbean sunset in blue and orange tonality are translated across a variety of bespoke furnishings and further accentuate the intimacy of each setting. Sailboat-like detailing such as nautical rope knots, seine nets and mast are reinterpreted to pay tribute to the locale with meticulous craftsmanship.

Design: HBA Miami
Photography: Hugo Allard