The Bravo franchise The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY) is known for its potent mix of socialite drama, champagne-fueled shade, and aspirational luxury. But among its many vacation episodes, few are as iconic as the group’s explosive getaway to Saint-Barthélemy (St. Barts) in Season 5.
Aired in 2012, these episodes captured more than just arguments and eye rolls—they immortalized St. Barts as the unofficial Caribbean capital of high-end reality TV drama.
💎 What Is The Real Housewives of New York City?
RHONY is one of Bravo’s most enduring reality series, launched in 2008 as part of the Real Housewives franchise. It follows the lives of wealthy, ambitious, and often outspoken women navigating friendship, fame, and frenemies in New York City.
Each season features:
- Lavish parties
- Romantic entanglements
- Business ventures
- And of course, jet-setting vacations that serve as the ultimate pressure cooker for interpersonal conflict.
✈️ The St. Barts Arc: Season 5, Episodes 13–16
The St. Barts saga spans multiple episodes, with Episode 14 (“What Happens in St. Barths Doesn’t Stay in St. Barths”) becoming one of the show’s most memorable.
Key Cast:
- Luann de Lesseps
- Sonja Morgan
- Ramona Singer
- Carole Radziwill
- Aviva Drescher
- Heather Thomson
The women travel to St. Barts intending to relax and reconnect—but the trip quickly spirals into classic RHONY chaos. Romantic intrigue, guest list drama, and clashing personalities erupt in a tropical setting that couldn’t be more luxurious.
Notable Plotlines:
- Luann allegedly spends the night with a local “pirate,” later revealed as Tomas Ribeiro.
- Tensions rise between Sonja and Aviva over guest etiquette and late-night behavior.
- Ramona and Aviva’s explosive falling out becomes a defining moment of the season.
📍 Exact Locations in St. Barts Featured in RHONY
For fans or curious travelers, here are the real-life places that hosted the drama.
🏡 Villa Les Dunes
(Often referred to as “Oasis de Salines”)
- Location: Near Salines Beach
- Features: Six bedrooms, two pools, gym, ocean views, and absolute seclusion
- Role: The cast’s home base during their trip
- Fun Fact: This villa is considered one of the most luxurious rental properties on the island and is still available through agencies like WIMCO and St. Barth Properties.
🍸 Le Ti St. Barth
- Location: Pointe Milou
- Vibe: Cabaret + nightclub + fine dining = legendary
- Role: Where Luann meets Tomas “the pirate”
- Fun Fact: Known for its themed costume nights, which perfectly matched the show’s playful excess.
🌊 Saline Beach
- Location: South coast of the island
- Vibe: Natural, unspoiled, clothing-optional
- Role: Seen in several beach scenes where the women walk, tan, and decompress.
- Access Tip: Requires a short walk over sand dunes from the parking area. Bring water—there are no services.
🛍️ Gustavia
- What It Offers: Designer shopping, harborside cafés, French-Caribbean charm
- Seen In: Shopping sequences and quick cuts between outings
- Vibe: Like a tropical version of Madison Avenue
🎭 Why This Trip Stands Out in RHONY History
The St. Barts episodes are not just fan favorites—they’re part of Housewives lore. They offer:
- A perfect juxtaposition of paradise and pettiness
- High fashion in a hot climate
- Cultural dissonance between American reality TV and French-Caribbean refinement
This is also one of the few times the series leaves the U.S. for a destination as upscale and quiet as St. Barts—which made the drama all the louder.
✨ Legacy and Spin-Offs
- The 2023 Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy returned to the same villa, reviving the location and its emotional baggage.
- Luann’s “pirate” storyline was referenced years later, showing how St. Barts cemented itself as a part of the franchise’s mythos.
