St. Lucia
Cotton Bay Village is an exclusive village containing different styles of properties ranging from villas, suites, town houses and one bedroom apartments. We were allocated a three-bedroomed villa and a three-story town-house. Both were amazing with exceptionally high standards. The resort is perfect for families with children’s clubs and many exciting activities including a selection of water-sports, beach volleyball, beach horse-back riding, tai-chi and yoga.
Royal - a Rex resort on Reduit beach, handy for Rodney bay with it’s many shops, bars and water-side restaurants including ‘The Edge’ where we enjoyed a fabulous meal. The Royal is known for its award-winning service and a good choice of fine dining options. There are various room types to choose from including beach-front suites and inter-connecting rooms suitable for families are also available.
Discovery at Marigot Bay is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Discovery at Marigot Bay offers 57 suites with half of them having outdoor Jacuzzis and fantastic views over the marina. This hotel offers the world-class ‘Lapi’ spa, along with diving, snorkelling and windsurfing. Walk straight out of the hotel after dinner for a pleasant stroll along the marina where you can enjoy drinks at a variety of water-front bars or take the electric ferry over to JJ’s for a dance!
Other properties visited during this trip included the Mediterranean style Windjammer Landing which we found very hilly, all accommodation was built into the hillside meaning a shuttle-bus down to the beach and back. Eastwinds Inn is in a good location with over 30 acres of immaculate woodland including spice and herb gardens – another 4 acres have been purchased around the property which will keep it safe from other property developers. It is well managed by Gareth Leach who has been in charge for over 16 years. It has a huge repeat clientele. They have French chefs who use local produce - complementary champagne in your room between 7 and 9pm, separate intimate seating areas in the restaurant. They are in the process of building a spa with yoga pavilion.
The Body Holiday at Le Sport is in an excellent location right on the beach. It has a welcoming friendly atmosphere where you feel immediately at ease. It has a separate spa situated up a series of steps away from the main building on the beach. No single room supplement is a big selling point for this property as is the free 50 minute treatment per person per day! You get your own specialised timetable (which can be altered if needed).
Cap Maison is in the process of being built and is in a prime spot with fabulous views, steps down to the beach. They are aiming for a Spanish influence with rustic furnishings. It will be a very compact resort on only one and half acres. They will have a small gym and spa.
Jade Mountain is an exclusive resort situated high up with fabulous views of the Pitons. There are amazing views from the roof-top restaurant. Rooms with only three walls with the remaining section open to the fantastic views. Infinity pool rooms, each individually designed complete this fascinating property.
Anse Chastanet located in the same area and with the same beach as Jade Mountain. 49 individually designed rooms seem more intimate and appealing to me (over Jade Mountain) two very different experiences. Some of the best diving in the Caribbean is to be had from this beach which attracts visitors from other parts of the island which may not suit everyone.
Sandals Halcyon and Sandals Grande St. Lucian are two very different properties. The Halcyon is small, more intimate with an excellent beach front position but very much in need of up-grading. The Grande St. Lucian is on a larger scale, again directly on the beach but with much better accommodation on offer including super rondovals with private plunge pool and fabulous sea-views.
I loved every minute of this luxurious holiday and would love to return in the future for a relaxing break.