This week Melissa takes us to the Caribbean island of St. Barth’s, for a special conversation with the fascinating Charlie Vere Nicoll. Given Charlie’s fascinating history with St. Barth’s–as guest, hotelier, resident and vicar, he offers special insight into what makes this small volcanic island such a mythical place and a sought-after tropical retreat. The Rockefellers and Rothschilds were among the first to appreciate its natural beauty.

In the late 1990s, after years of spending holidays on the island, Charlie and his wife Mandie, decided to make a major life change and buy the hotel that they had often stayed at on Flamands beach, the Isle de France. And a few years later, as you will hear, Charlie ended up in the surprising dual role of hotelier in paradise and vicar of the island’s Anglican Church. In the latter role, he became the first permanent vicar of the church, which he remained for 14 years. And after establishing Isle de France as arguably the most sought after five star hotel on the island, he sold it to LVMH in 2013 only to purchase the island’s last privately owned five star hotel, Hotel Le Toiny, in 2015. The property is a favorite destination for brides and grooms, honeymooners, and celebrities seeking to escape the public eye. The Vere Nicolls have since brought it to a new level of luxury in collaboration with English interior designer Bee Osborn.