Saint Lucia Educational
My first stay was at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa which ideally is only a few minutes away from the airport. This all-inclusive resort overlooks the Atlantic and has two wings. One is exclusively for adults and the other for families. One big attraction for families is the fact that this resort also has the largest waterpark in Saint Lucia.
The following day I started my exploration of the island. My the first stop was at the Fond Doux Plantation. This ‘plantation turned hotel’ was recently visited by Prince Charles and combines a working cocoa plantation with some lovely accommodations in a truly tropical setting. Then I visited the amazing Boucan by Hotel Chocolat which is an outstanding boutique hotel. The next place on our itinary was the the Caribbean’s only ‘drive-in volcano’ . We bathed in the therapeutic Sulphur Springs. The mud in these springs is super for your skin. Lunch was served at the superb Sugar Beach (formerly known as the Jalousie Plantation). This amazing resort was recently host to lots of Hollywood ‘A-listers’ for Matt Damon’s wedding vows renewal. It is a simply beautiful hotel!
After checking out of our hotel I travelled to the old capital of the island at Soufriere and joined a boat for my trip up the coast towards Castries. On the way I stopped at Anse Chastenet and visited this fantastic hotel and it’s well known annexe – Jade Mountain at Anse Chastenet. Jade Mountain became famous as one of the judge’s venues from the X-Factor, and this amazing hotel with one whole side open to the elements is breath-taking in its design and fantastic views. My boat journey continued with a stop at Discovery at Marigot Bay Resort and Spa. Eventually I reached my next stay in the all-inclusive Smugglers Cove. Smugglers Cove (once known as Club St Lucia) is one of the most popular hotels on the island, with its choices of pools, restaurants and loads of activities.
The next morning I visited The Landings, which is one of the newer developments with its own marina and then it was off to Cotton Bay Village. There was a great contrast between these two beach resorts with one on the Caribbean side and its calmer waters and the other on the Atlantic coast with big breakers. Lunch was then served at The Body Holiday Le Sport resort where they say “Give us your body for a week, and we’ll give you back your mind”. An amazing resort with loads of sports and activities available, but also very relaxing for those who would prefer to just chill. My dinner that evening was at the Cap Maison hotel. This beautiful five star property is situated right next to Smugglers Cove but could in fact be hundreds of miles away such is the contrast between them. The architecture of the Cap Maison is very different and the restaurant The Cliff at Cap restaurant is superb.
I was able to experience one of the great activities available in Saint Lucia the following day – zip lining! In the rain forest there is a network of lines which are great fun over the gorges and rivers in the area. The staffs are very professional and safety comes first – it was brilliant – when you go to Saint Lucia, you have to try it. I also visited the Coco Palm Resort, Royal by Rex Resorts and the very popular all-inclusive St James Club Morgan Bay Shopping in Castries was great fun; with a Duty Free Shopping Area as well as the hubbub in the Castries markets. My final stay was at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort, right on the beach at Reduit Beach. Then that evening took part in what is a ritual every Friday night - ‘jump-up’ at Gros Islet where each week there is a huge street party – great fun and huge crowds!
On my final full day I visited the Bay Gardens Hotel and Inn which are great budget hotels and finally the Windjammer Landings which is another amazing resort hotel with outstanding views of the island. All too soon it was time to pack and return to the UK. If you are interested in a trip to tremendous island I’d love to hear from you as I have lots of tips and insights to share.