Fabulous holiday to St Lucia

We have just returned from a fabulous holiday to St Lucia. Please read my blog about the hotels I can recommend.

We travelled with Virgin Atlantic, outbound we flew Economy class, the seat was comfortable and the food was good. On the return journey we flew Premium Economy, it was certainly worth paying a bit more to travel this way, where you can reserve your seat before travel, the seat pitch, leg room was much bigger and of course, a smaller cabin, with priority check in, boarding the aircraft first and your luggage being one of the first ones off the aircraft.

Our Resorts in St Lucia

Our first stay was at the luxurious Ladera Resort just 25 minutes’ drive from the International Airport. This is a small intimate hilltop resort. Each suite has its own private swimming pool with swing chair with the most outstanding views of the incredible beauty of the Pitons. We stayed in a Paradise Suite which consisted of a 3 walled magnificent room with one open view over the Pitons. A huge 4 poster bed, with the largest bathroom I have ever been in with dressing area, 2 vanity units, huge shower and separate WC. In the main living area was a filled mini bar with Nespresso coffee machine, beautiful arrangements of flowers on a table with sun loungers and 2 easy comfy chairs.

At Ladera they have a small main swimming pool, reception area, spa, restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; a bar with entertainment, a boutique. The gardens are truly exquisite with humming birds in abundance with all the substantial trees and plant life. Oprah Winfrey has stayed 3 times at Ladera we were informed. As it is situated on a mountain Ladera has no beach access but they have an arrangement with Sugar Beach Hotel, where there is a shuttle 4 times a day to use their beach from Ladera.

Our second stay was at Anse Chastenet, a further drive up the west coast. This hotel had a very Caribbean feel, the waiting staff wore bright coloured headdress and uniforms which gave a very happy vibe to the resort. The rooms and suites are situated on a hillside, so be aware there is a steep climb involved.

We had a beautiful room here with large king size bed again 3 walled so open to one side, a swing in the lounge area, even a tree growing out of our bathroom. Here they have a Treetop restaurant where breakfast is served and dinner plus a Vegetarian restaurant close to the bar & reception area and on the beach they have a large restaurant offering lunch and evening meals.

The food here was very good and very well presented. There are a steep numbers of steps from the reception area down to the beach. The beach was a dark coloured sand in a lovely bay with sunbeds and service on the beach. There was a good area where you could snorkel & see some beautiful fish. The spa is located on the beach close to the restaurant. There is a shop & art gallery on the beach too. You can walk over the headland to the beach at Jade Mountain, where you can use the facilities there. This hotel was excellent value as it is All Inclusive.

We visited Jade Mountain, an exclusive resort which is just above Anse Chastenet. This resort was very quirky, you would either love it or hate it. The views from the suites are spectacular, very spacious accommodation with infinity swimming pools and stunning architecture. Jade has one restaurant and bar and a beautiful sun deck. There is transport on demand to take you to the beach. There is a spa and boutique plus a chocolate factory. We made our very own chocolate bars at the factory, it was really good fun & something I would recommend to do.

Our next stop was to Windjammer Landing; this is a 4 * resort, this I thought was more American in style, again on an All Inclusive basis. There is a variety of accommodation on offer here from 1 bedroom suites through to large family villas. The resort is built up over a hillside with transfers being offered all the time 24 hours a day throughout the resort. There are various restaurants and bars in the resort & on the beach, with entertainment offered throughout the day & evenings. Families are welcome here, there are a couple of shops, tennis courts, gym & a beautiful spa.

Our 4th stay was at the stunning Cap Maison, at the top of the island close to Pigeon Point. This was a very well run establishment. We stayed in a standard garden room – but it was the largest room/suite I have ever stayed in. The suite consisted of a huge hall way, separate WC, a washing room with machine & dryer. A fully fitted kitchen, an enormous lounge with a dining area and table and chairs for 8. Large bedroom with ensuite, 2 balconies, one with tables and chairs and the other with sun loungers. From here we could walk out to a swimming pool in a courtyard setting – perfect.

Cap Maison boast they have the best food on the island & I can vouch to say it is excellent. Lunch can be taken on the beach at the Naked Fisherman – plenty of steps down so you must be fit. The resort was perfect in every way the gardens were stunning and the staff very efficient- can highly recommend a stay here.

Our next stop was The Body Holiday, literally round the next bay from Cap Maison. This was a very busy resort, probably the busiest resort on the island. An all inclusive resort which has, as its main feature its stunning Wellness Centre. Mainly for adults, this resort has something for everyone. There are numerous activities here, but if you don’t want to do anything that’s ok too ! Everyone has a free spa treatment every day, mainly a massage, but of course, you can have any treatment you want at their spa centre.

There is so much going on I haven’t the space to write it, but be assured they can cater for everyone. In the centre of the resort they have a large buffet dining room, open air, a speciality Asian restaurant called TAO, an Italian plus a healthy option restaurant. Afternoon tea is served daily and they have a beach service. The rooms are smaller here than the other resorts I visited. Modern and clean, separate bath & walk in shower, small balcony. This resort was very well run, the staff were incredible, they worked hard and always had a smile on their faces, nothing was too much trouble & they engaged with their guests incredibly well.

Our final 2 nights was spent at Rendezvous, under the same ownership as The Body Holiday and about 30 minutes drive south situated near to the capital Castries.

This a couples only resort, older in style but with a very friendly and happy feel, again All Inclusive. Situated on a lovely beach, with plenty of sunbeds and beach service. Mix of accommodations here, lead in rooms have garden views, which were lovely, beachfront suites, which were larger & nearer the beach. We had a beachfront cottage – which I loved – quite compact but the large French windows went all the way back so you could sit outside with the sea right next to you and it was so quiet. Fantastic food here, there is French style restaurant, excellent buffet and a beach restaurant.

We had a fantastic time in St Lucia, we loved the island and its people. Everyone was very welcoming, polite, efficient & genuinely wanted to ensure everyone had a great time on the island.

Even the taxi drivers were super! For my clients I would perhaps recommend a 2 centre stay – peaks then beach. Dining was quite expensive so if this is an issue I would recommend staying on half board or choose an All Inclusive resort in St Lucia.