IN THE SPIRIT St of Barths

As a beautiful new book about the captivating island makes clear, there's never been a better time to visit the jewel of the French West Indies

- JARED PAUL STERN

"An approximation of Elysium, a place that is geographically paradisiacal, filled with stylish and rigorously exacting hotels and restaurants, but where an inclusive and renegade spirit suffuses every corner." Those who frequent the world's most luxurious tropical islands and beach enclaves won't have trouble figuring out that socialite and journalist Vassi Chamberlain is talking about Saint Barthélemy, aka St Barths. The words come from the introduction to her beautiful new book, St Barths Freedom, from top-drawer French luxury publisher Assouline. The latest title in its coveted Travel Series, the voluptuous volume is the next best thing to an actual visit to the idyll in the French West Indies, which lies about 20 miles south of the Caribbean island of St. Martin.

Encompassing less than ten square miles, and home to 22 picturesque beaches, some accessible only by boat, St Barths, despite being one of the world's most glamorous destinations, has managed to maintain its unique exclusivity. This is mainly because, Chamberlain notes, the island has steadfastly "refused to cave in to big hotel groups, tour operators, casinos and even airlines." Which is not to say that it's lacking in hospitality, as St Barths is home to over 100 restaurants, a dozen five-star hotels, and 800 luxurious villas that regularly attract the likes of Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Jeff Bezos, Cindy Crawford, Dua Lipa, and the Kardashians, to name a few.