Experience Total Bliss at Hotel Manapany in St. BarthsWRITTEN BY DAWN WILSON
Written by Dawn Wilson
B Signature
A Renowned Luxury Boutique Hotel Group in Paris
The dynamic duo of B Signature, a luxury hotel group, are the proud owners of ? hotels in Paris and Hotel Manapany in Saint Barthelemy. Anne Jousse and her daughter, Agathe, are at the helm of this family-owned business. It wasn’t until after family members acquired several hotel properties in Paris that Anne decided to develop a hospitality group years later. Both she and her daughter decided they would dedicate themselves to the business of hospitality. Agathe received her training at Four Seasons George V. B Signature started in 2009 with the determination to turn the company into a family-run luxury boutique hotel group.
Anne hoped to expand the group and Agathe’s desire to acquire as much training and operational experience as possible to ensure the business’s success. They make all decisions collectively as a family, admitting they put their heart into each project, some of which include Hotel Vernet, Hotel de Sers, and Hotel Montalembert. Anne reveals she wouldn’t have expanded into St. Barth and acquired Hotel Manapany without Agathe. Luckily for everyone who has had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Manapany, Agathe agreed and joined her mother, Anne, as Director of Sales for B Signature in 2016.
Working together as a mother-daughter team, Agathe admits that has been a very different way of doing business. They make decisions and implement them very quickly, a difference from working in a larger hospitality group to a small family group. Anne enjoys the level of transparency between the two, as they both love how efficiently working as a mother-daughter team has been. They make every decision together and openly discuss any boundaries and restraints they may have. Working together has brought them even closer as a family.
Their business functions leisurely; therefore, balancing business and personal relationships is natural. However, they admit that they do not do business during family holidays for their family’s well-being. Yet, surprisingly, they still enjoy traveling for leisure as a family! The level of heart and soul Anne and Agathe have put into developing such a fine brand can be seen in all their hotels in Paris and St. Barth. They offer luxury with LOVE.
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Merci, Merci! Me! Motown legend Marvin Gaye would be honored to be a guest at Hotel Manapany in St. Barth’s. It is located on Anse des Cayes Bay, far from the tourist attractions. This rare find is surrounded by lush palm trees, exotic flowers, tropical plants, and sea views. There is no need to wonder if you are a VIP guest since this boutique resort’s goal is to make you believe you are. Hotel Manapany is a five-star, environmentally friendly hotel and spa, ideally suitable for anyone who wishes to relax and rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit. It is a piece of paradise hidden in a lovely island community with direct beach access.
There are 43 rooms, suites, and villas many of which feel like a luxury treehouse with sundecks and views of the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Whether you love a sunrise or sunset, you’re sure to experience both while staying here. The rooms embody contemporary French design, with purposefully curated furnishings and locally sourced craft accents. Each room is distinctively different, but each offers a King-Size bed, private sundeck, mini bar, B Signature bath amenities, a lovely welcome tray with tea and coffee, air conditioning, complimentary high-speed internet, bath, or shower, and is non-smoking. There are also several suites and villas, which offer an additional level of luxury and privacy. Some notable amenities of these suites and select rooms include a private terrace with sea and garden views, a separate living room, private beach access with loungers and private surf instructor, terrace furniture, and large sundecks. The crème de la crème at Hotel Manapany is Villa Creole, a spacious two-level, two-bedroom villa with unsurpassed ocean views. Each bedroom, on different floors, has a private bathroom. The main level has an open, airy living room and kitchen that leads directly onto a large sundeck with sun loungers and direct access to the beach. Its private beach is perfect for events and weddings, as it is secluded and no one else will be on the beach.
At the center of the hotel are the beautiful pool and sprawling deck that leads directly to the hotel’s beachfront, where you’ll find loungers and cozy, comfortable beds for relaxing and listening to the sounds of the sea or basking in the sun. Food and beverage services also extend to the beach. If you are a health enthusiast, you’re sure to appreciate the on-site spa, Manapany Spa, where natural and organic skincare products by Dr. Hauschka are used to help revive the spirit, mind, and body. There are both private and double treatment rooms designated for spa treatments. Guests can also choose to receive massages outdoors on the ocean-facing deck. Specialty massages and various skin treatments are offered and recommended based on the needs of each guest. Beauty services, such as hair and nails, are also provided by the hotel spa. If you are keen to fit in a workout while vacationing in St. Barth’s, you’ll find a well-equipped fitness center on the premises with Technogym equipment. Every day, guests can enjoy yoga and Pilates classes on the Hotel Manapany spa deck.
Authentic Caribbean food is always on the menu. Guests can sit outdoors or inside the hotel restaurant while dining. Experience island favorites such as Mahi Mahi, crayfish, tuna, and prawns, cooked to perfection. Menu items are generally sourced from the hotel’s gardens and add to the freshness of the meals served. Signature cocktails are served by the hotel’s mixologists, using fresh fruits and herbs to tantalize the tongue. The cocktails, mocktails, and home-brew detox water will leave you wanting to explore more of what the mixologists offer. In addition, the hotel bar is a genuinely exploratory adventure.
This hotel certainly knows how to perform at a high level while operating responsibly. As an eco-friendly hotel, they have considered the environment in all they do. Most of its electricity comes from solar energy; they produce their water from a desalination station; there are no chemicals used for cleaning and maintenance purposes; steam and organic products are used instead. The hotel towels are produced from bamboo using only natural fibers. Vegetables and fruit are sourced directly from the hotel orchard and garden. Other food prepared and served at the hotel is sourced locally.
While there may be other hotel options on the island, Hotel Manapany is certainly among visitors’ favorites, including ours! Experience it for yourself, and you’ll understand why.