Last month Travel Specialist Tania visited St Lucia to see our beautiful resorts. While she was on the island she took part in a number of excursions and explored the surrounding landscape to be able to offer you the best first hand knowledge and advice when booking your holiday with us!
If you would like further information on any of the properties mentioned, or to discuss your next holiday to the Caribbean or the Maldives, please call us on 01752 880880 or email [email protected].
Cap Maison
Landing in St Lucia and taking the helicopter transfer really started the trip off on a high. Although slightly cloudy we still had incredible views and enjoyed a detailed in-flight commentary from the pilot throughout the journey. It really was an incredible experience which I would highly recommend if you are staying in the North of the island. The 10 minute flight to our resort was a dream after the 9 hour international flight.
My first stop was Cap Maison where we received a very warm welcome from General Manager, Ross, and the team. The Oceanview Villa Suite with Pool that I was lucky enough to stay in was truly special, and offered spectacular views. A great feature of this suite is the option of opening up an interconnecting room to make it a two bedroom suite, great for families travelling together. We were treated to a wine pairing at Cellar Maison before heading to the Naked Fisherman for dinner. Dining with your toes in the sand whilst listening to the waves was a real treat. I really recommend trying the BBQ tasting menu, it was divine!
BodyHoliday and Sugar Beach
The next day we visited BodyHoliday. I was blown away by this resort and can see why there are so many loyal repeat clients who return year after year. BodyHoliday has a real focus on wellness and fitness offering an extensive timetable of complimentary daily activities and a great spa with an infinity pool. I have to admit I felt like I was walking on air after my 60 minute massage.
After lunch we took the Thriller Speedboat to the South of the island which certainly cleared the cobwebs away! We really enjoyed this experience, and it was a great way to reach our destination – The Sulphur Springs. These mud baths are full of volcanic minerals and left my skin feeling silky soft, although it did have an interesting aroma! Top tip – wear dark swimwear!
Our final stop of the day was Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort. I instantly fell in love with this resort set in a spectacular location, with a stunning beach, incredible tree top spa and sensational views of the Pitons. The white décor throughout the rooms gives it a clean, elegant feel and my bed was dreamy – easily the most comfortable night sleep I have ever had! Dinner at the Bayside Restaurant was fantastic, the food was exquisite. I thoroughly enjoyed my chocolate coffee cup for dessert, which I highly recommend.
Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain & Ladera
Day three was kicked off with a visit to Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, where we took part in their ‘Bean to Bar’ chocolate making experience. Originally a cocoa plantation, this hotel was acquired by the founders of Hotel Chocolat a few years ago and is now lovely boutique hotel with stunning views over the Pitons. The ‘Bean to Bar’ experience was great, and we learnt lots about the history of the plantation itself.
Our second stop of the day was to Anse Chastanet. I loved the creole style furnishing in the rooms, and the three wall concept offered spectacular views. From the hotel I could see snorkellers and divers taking advantage of the great reef just off the beach – I have to admit I was dying to jump in and join them!
From here we walked further up the hillside to the hotel’s sister property – Jade Mountain. This property really has the wow factor. It was carved out of the mountain itself and offers one of the best rooftop terraces I have ever seen, with panoramic views out to the ocean and the famous Pitons – something you will never get tired of looking at. For like minded chocolate lovers, I recommend visiting the chocolate laboratory at Jade Mountain where they demonstrated how they hand-craft the Emerald Estate Chocolate – the chocolate heart was absolutely delicious!
Our final stop of the day was Ladera, a small eco-friendly resort which again offers stunning views of the Pitons. Each room has a private plunge pool, plus some also have the great addition of swings over the pools and cascading waterfalls. I loved the three wall concept here, it really made me feel at one with nature. The resort also provides constellation guides and binoculars in every room so you can relax in your private plunge pool whilst star gazing. A highlight to my stay here was the steak at Dasheene – the best I have ever eaten!
Marigot Bay and The Landings
The next day we headed back North, stopping at Marigot Bay Resort & Marina. This contemporary eco-friendly hotel did not disappoint. The spacious suites are some of the best on the island and the pool deck is the perfect place to sit back, relax and watch the world go by. Top tip – head to the Brut Bar which serves the most incredible sushi.
From here we travelled further North to Rodney Bay and The Landings. This stunning beachfront hotel is set around a marina and offers spacious apartment-style accommodation with resort amenities. It would make a great base for families looking to explore the island. We were surprised with a beautiful candle-lit private dinner on the balcony of one of their Beachfront Villa Suites. This was a real treat – we had our own personal chefs, waitresses and even a steel band.
East Winds, Windjammer and Calabash Cove
Our final, and busiest, day started with a visit to East Winds, a Tropic Breeze favourite. I loved the beautifully landscaped gardens with detached cottages dotted around, and of course, the stunning beach. I really didn’t want to leave! A highlight to our flying visit here was meeting Glenda, the resort’s super helpful Reservations manager, face to face to say a quick hello before heading to the next resort.
Our next stop of the day was Windjammer. This popular resort is set across the hillside overlooking La Brelotte Bay and offers a wide range of accommodation. I was treated to the spa signature drink which includes Sour Sop, which was surprisingly delicious and contains numerous health benefits which were quickly cancelled out by the Bananod cocktail at Embers Rum Bar and Grill – a word of warning, these were extremely moreish!
From here we headed over for sunset cocktails at Calabash Cove Resort & Spa – wow, I cannot even begin to describe how beautiful the sunset was! Calabash Cove is an adult-only resort set on the hillside just 10 minutes from the island’s capital, Castries, which provides a wide range of activities, restaurants and attractions for those looking to venture away from the resort for the day.
For our final evening, we returned to the BodyHoliday for dinner at TAO, the amazing Asian restaurant, with Pascal, the General Manager. The food was absolutely divine and the bottle of Chateau Neuf du Pape we enjoyed went down a treat – hic! I was so glad I got to revisit this resort in the evening, and was pleasantly surprised how lively it becomes at night.
On our final morning in St Lucia we let our hair down and signed up to the off-road Segway Adventure Tour. I have to say I was a little nervous at first but the friendly guides were patient and reassuring, and after a few practice runs I was away. This tour was a lot of fun, and the guides made the experience really enjoyable.
After visiting 12 resorts in 5 days, sadly my trip came to an end.
I can highly recommend a holiday to St Lucia – with its nature, activities, stunning scenery and beautiful beaches – it ticks all the boxes.
If you would like further information on any of the properties mentioned, or to discuss your next holiday to the Caribbean or the Maldives, call us on 01752 880880 or email [email protected].
Author KatieCategories Best places to go on holiday, Caribbean, News, Reviews