A tropical island with something for everybody!
For those wanting to be pampered and to relax, the fabulous setting of Sugar Beach with its white sands and impeccably discreet service is the place to be. Every meal we ate there was a delight, from sushi in the bar, fine dining with a view or just a snack at the beach bar. Our room was nestled into the trees, with a private pool so that we could hide away from the world, but there were also some fabulous beachfront villas which put you front and centre of the action (perfect for a family with teens who can’t stand being far from the beach).
Rendezvous was the next hotel I stayed at, 4* adults only and all inclusive. The staff here were probably the friendliest I’ve ever encountered. No problem in ordering another cocktail at the pool bar! The hotel has a great choice of rooms to suit your budget and how ‘in’ the resort you want to be. I loved the little row of cottages right on the beach with their own loungers.
The last hotel was BodyHoliday which takes all-inclusive to another level by including a daily spa treatment. My day started with Pilates, then breakfast, pool time, then tubing on the sea. Lunch hour was at the salad and juice bar. In the afternoon I fell asleep during my spa treatment, then hit afternoon tea and an espresso martini! There are choices of where to dine and I enjoyed all that we tried. What surprised me most was the late night (or early morning) piano bar: music and drinks until the last resident declares it a night!
And as to the other side of St Lucia: Sugar Beach is flanked by the Pitons, little and large! We hiked the big one which I was assured is an easier climb that the small one, but it was still tough in the heat and humidity. Stunning views rewarded you.
From Rendezvous, we took a boat trip and a Segway tour, both fabulous ways to see more of the island. The hotel also offered fun exercise classes - I think that reggae fit was the most fun!
Lastly, BodyHoliday can be as rough and tough as you want. You can get in touch with your PT before you arrive for your ‘holiday’, and they’ll help with your plan. So, if you are training for a marathon or triathlon, you can arrange your holiday accordingly. There are so many classes from hard core beach fitness to pole fitness, and yoga to aqua fit. With regards to diet, again the level of healthiness is your choice. Sushi and juice, or cocktails and afternoon tea. But life is about balance.... do a class, eat fresh food, then have a cocktail in the piano bar!
Wild card: I nipped out to visit Hotel du Chocolate, and why wouldn’t I? This is a simpler boutique hotel, in the hill away from the beach but it does have a daily shuttle to the beach 10mins away for a small charge. Some rooms have AC, and some just fans. Everything at this hotel revolves around the cocoa plant.... cocktails, the restaurant dishes and even the spa.
