One of my best friends and I take a girls' trip every year. By a stroke of scheduling luck, the week her husband can most easily hold down the fort at home always falls right around Valentine's Day. So while everyone else is celebrating with roses and candlelit dinners, I'm usually celebrating on a Caribbean island with my bestie.
This year's destination was La Samanna, a Belmond property tucked along one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in St. Maarten. The resort delivered the perfect mix of relaxation, luxury, and island charm. The beach at La Samanna was postcard-perfect—powdery white sand, turquoise water, and just enough breeze to make you never want to leave your lounge chair.
Each day started with coffee :-) I would usually check in on Gorgeous Living before heading to the beach or pool. Lunch was often poolside from Laplaj. We became obsessed with their Mediterranean Hummus—a simple but delicious dish topped with crumbled feta, pomegranate arils, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, served alongside grilled bread. I loved it so much that I picked up all the ingredients at Sprouts yesterday and plan to recreate it this weekend. My poolside drink of choice was a freshly made rum punch—fruity, refreshing, and the perfect companion to an afternoon spent gazing at that impossibly blue Caribbean water.
The spa was dreamy. Tucked within an open-air garden, it felt like a hidden sanctuary. My treatment room opened onto a private outdoor shower surrounded by lush tropical greenery. It was one of those places that makes you instantly slow down and exhale.
From St. Maarten you can take the ferry over to Anguilla or St. Barts. We headed to St. Barts by ferry. While the crossing was a bit rough, what happened next made it all worthwhile. On the way over we spotted whales! The ferry slowed so everyone could take a closer look at these majestic creatures surfacing beside us. It was one of those unexpected travel moments that you know you'll remember forever. Wow. Wow. Wow. Once at St. Barts we jetted over to La Cheval Blanc for a relaxing day admiring some of the most beautiful humans on planet Earth. People watching cannot get much better than at this resort.
On to dining. My favorite restaurant at the hotel was L'Oursin. We celebrated Valentine's Day there and enjoyed an incredible dinner with a thoughtfully curated wine pairing. What a fun, spectacular night sitting outside perched above the Caribbean Sea. The dishes were delish. My favorite foodie restaurant on the island was Le Cottage. This restaurant isn't about beach views or a breathtaking setting. Instead, it delivers a chic bistro experience in the heart of Grand-Case village. Goodness, the pea soup and lobster ravioli were a dream—and that was only the beginning of a beautiful meal.
I would be remiss not to mention our darling butler, Simon. He somehow anticipated every need before we even knew we had one. Simon, if you're reading this, I miss you already! Where are you?!?!
La Samanna delivered everything I want in a Caribbean escape: beautiful accommodations, exceptional dining, a dreamy spa, and just enough adventure.
Most importantly, it gave me another week filled with laughter, sunshine, and memories with one of my favorite people.
These annual girls' trips have become one of my favorite traditions. The destination changes, but the laughter, memories, and gratitude always come home with us.
Now the only question is... where should we go next?!?!
With love,
Rachel ❤️
