A brief history of
Eden Rock – St Barths
How it all began for this storied hideaway perched on a distinctive rock on the sunny island of St Barths.
An enduringly glamorous escape
From settlers to pirates to adventurers – variously Swedish, French and British – the island of St Barths has a colourful past. Between sea and mountains, Eden Rock was the creation of French artist and aviator Rémy de Haenen. Today it is the perfect alchemy of luxury, well-being and discretion.
Rémy de Haenen purchases the rocky promontory in St Barths and builds a hotel overlooking St Jean Bay, gambling on the island’s potential as a dream destination. His property is quick to attract Hollywood’s finest. Howard Hughes, Greta Garbo, Robert Mitchum, Gore Vidal, Baron Rothschild, David and Peggy Rockefeller and Princess Lee Radziwill are among a host of celebrities from the US and Europe who become enamoured of the newest luxury hideaway of the Caribbean.
David and Jane Matthews and family purchase the property from Rémy de Haenen and restore the buildings, constructing new additions and designing enhanced amenities that preserve de Haenen’s eccentric taste and zest for life.
The Matthews family partners with Oetker Collection to manage Eden Rock – St Barths.
After an extensive, two-year rebuild following Hurricane Irma, the hotel reopens to extraordinary fanfare. The newly redesigned Sand Bar is unveiled, along with the brand new Rémy Bar (named after Eden Rock’s intrepid founder) and the tranquil new Eden Spa.
Eden Rock reveals two gorgeous new suites and a ravishing new guestroom named after Jane Matthews and her two daughters-in-law, Pippa and Vogue.