Objective: This note examines the portrayal of Saint-Barthélemy (St. Barts) in reality television, identifying shows that have used the island as a backdrop, and analyzing why the location is a recurring favorite for high-end lifestyle programming.
🌴 Background: Saint-Barthélemy and Reality TV
Saint-Barthélemy is a French overseas collectivity in the Caribbean, renowned for luxury tourism, upscale villas, and celebrity visibility. Its blend of French sophistication and Caribbean setting makes it a natural fit for reality shows focused on wealth, escapism, and interpersonal drama.
The island’s scenic beaches, designer boutiques, and tight air access (notably via small planes landing at Gustaf III Airport) add an element of adventure and exclusivity ideal for television. This setting serves both as a narrative device (isolation, intimacy) and an aspirational fantasy (luxury, leisure).
✅ Confirmed Reality Shows Featuring St. Barts
1. Keeping Up with the Kardashians
(E!, 2015)
- Episode: Season 11, Episode 9 – “Non-Bon Voyage”
- Air Date: December 20, 2015
- Synopsis: The Kardashian-Jenner family vacation in St. Barts, showcasing family tensions, luxury villas, beach outings, and shopping.
- Confirmation Sources:
- Key Highlights: Filming featured Kim, Kourtney, and Khloé, who were seen wearing wireless microphones; Instagram posts also confirmed their location. The episode further reinforced St. Barts as a status symbol of carefree, high-end travel.
2. The Real Housewives of New York City
(Bravo, 2012)
- Episode: Season 5, Episode 14 – “What Happens in St. Barths Doesn’t Stay in St. Barths”
- Air Date: September 17, 2012
- Synopsis: The RHONY cast visits St. Barts, staying in a private villa. Drama unfolds among the women, including memorable moments such as Luann de Lesseps’ “pirate” storyline.
- Spin-Off Tie-In:
- The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy (2023, Peacock) also returns to the same villa from Season 5 with RHONY alumni including Luann, Sonja Morgan, and Ramona Singer.
- Reported in Bravo TV, Reality Tea, and Paste Magazine
- Villa Featured: Oasis de Salines, a luxury residence near Salines Beach, often used by celebrities and high-end productions.
3. The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy
(Peacock, 2023)
- Setting: Full season filmed in Saint Barts.
- Synopsis: Reunion vacation of RHONY’s original cast. The series combines nostalgia with luxury escapism, and amplifies St. Barts’ status as a premium location.
- Notable Themes: Echoes of past conflicts, full-circle moments (returning to the same villa), and self-aware commentary on the island’s symbolism.
4. The Parisian Agency: Exclusive Properties
(Netflix, Season 2, Episode 5)
- Synopsis: The Kretz family visits St. Barts to showcase luxury real estate. Viewers are taken through listings, villa visits, and negotiations targeting ultra-wealthy clientele.
- Focus: Real estate market, island exclusivity, and French-Caribbean crossovers.
- Style: Documentary-reality hybrid.
5. Playgrounds of the Rich and Famous – “St Barts”
(2021)
- Series Type: Travel / Lifestyle Documentary
- Focus: Highlights why St. Barts is a hub for billionaires, celebrities, and elite travelers.
- Tone: Aspirational, emphasizing exclusivity and access.
- Confirmed on: IMDb
6. Discovering the World – “St. Barts: Beauty and the Plane”
(Streaming: Tubi)
- Theme: Cultural and logistical exploration of St. Barts. Covers history, local flavor, the famous short runway, and the island’s European identity.
💡 Analysis: Why St. Barts Appeals to Reality TV
1. Aesthetic Power
The island offers natural cinematic beauty: turquoise waters, hillside villas, elegant townscapes (like Gustavia), and consistent lighting. Its small size also makes it logistically easy to film across multiple locations quickly.
2. Symbolic Value
St. Barts is shorthand for:
- Wealth (but understated),
- Exclusivity (limited access, boutique scale),
- French elegance in a tropical setting.
It holds different cultural weight than places like Ibiza or Mykonos—less chaotic, more curated.
3. Drama in Isolation
For reality TV, the island’s isolation heightens drama. With nowhere to go, personalities inevitably clash. St. Barts functions like a luxury pressure cooker.
🗣️ Cultural Reception and Critique
While audiences enjoy the glamour, some critics question the repetitive use of exotic locations as emotional playgrounds for wealthy Westerners. These shows often erase local culture, presenting St. Barts as a blank canvas for imported narratives.
Still, for many viewers, St. Barts is the dream—and TV continues to feed that image.
