The Beauty of St. Lucia - My Luxury Holiday Experience

Who wouldn't dream of swapping the British summer for the pristine beaches and lush landscapes of St. Lucia?

This June, I set off on an unforgettable holiday to St. Lucia with my husband, discovering the island's hidden gems and indulging in the ultimate luxury experience. From the vibrant atmosphere of Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort to the secluded tranquillity of StolenTime by Rendezvous, our adventure was nothing short of extraordinary. Read on to hear more about our favourite hotels and resorts, and the experiences we'd recommend along the way... 

Arriving in St. Lucia

On arrival into St. Lucia, we were greeted by our driver and soon began the 1 hour 30-minute journey to our first hotel stop in the north of the Island, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort. As soon as we embarked on our journey to the north it was clear to see how beautiful the island of St. Lucia is, with lush green vegetation, winding mountainous roads and pockets of beautiful and colourful houses. 

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort

Upon arrival at St. Lucia's Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, we were welcomed with a rum punch and cold towel whilst we checked in for our 4-night stay. Our spacious Coastline Suite was in a prime position close to the centre of the resort, with a balcony hot tub to soak up the sea views. For guests travelling with families, the Coastline Suites have a well-equipped kitchen that can be stocked prior to arrival and a spacious dining area on the balcony – there’s also a handy shop on-site to stock up on essentials. 

We had booked to stay on the all-inclusive plan, so our first big decision was which of the 4 à la carte restaurants to dine in that night. With a healthy appetite from our long journey, we decided to dine at the Masala Restaurant on the beachfront, with an exceptional Indian fusion menu and live music. During our stay we did work our way around most of the restaurants and can honestly say the food was delicious in each one! Some dishes may have a supplement, such as those at Upper Deck and Dragonfly, however we can confirm that the Surf & Turf is truly worth it at Upper Deck, as is the selection of sushi at Dragonfly. 

As we arrived on a Thursday, we were in perfect time to attend the Gros Islet Street Party which takes place every Friday night – this is when visitors and locals travel from all over St. Lucia to gather in the streets and enjoy authentic Caribbean food and music. As we enjoyed some local ‘Piton’ beer and salt fish, we wandered the streets absorbing in the vibrant atmosphere. It’s certainly worth a visit, especially if you’re staying in the north. Travelling from Windjammer, it is around a 15-minute drive and 25USD per person for the return shuttle service. 

With countless activities across the island as well as in the hotel itself, there’s something for everyone. In addition to enjoying the hotels facilities like floating lilos, the inflatable slide in the sea, the serene pool area and relaxed beachfront, we also chose a couple of water-based excursions. The Jammer sunset cruise was unbelievably fun with lots of dancing and, of course, plenty of rum punches, and the deep-sea fishing was thrilling as we were able to catch two local ‘Mahi Mahi’ – a blue-green Dolphin Fish found in subtropical waters. 

Regardless of which board basis you choose, all non-motorised water sports are included – on all-inclusive this is elevated to include motorised water sports, too!

StolenTime by Rendezvous

Travelling just 20 minutes down the road, our next stop was the adults-only resort of StolenTime by Rendezvous for 2-nights. This all-inclusive beachfront resort stretches across beautiful gardens, centred by a beautiful old Saaman Tree. Its focus is on wellness, enticing couples, friends and solo travellers looking for a low-key, relaxing resort. 

Each month the hotel chooses a different theme. During our stay the theme was ‘Jive June’, where professional dancers hosted dance classes and shows throughout the day and evening, encouraging guests to get involved and have some fun. Although we chose to head to the spa for a couples massage to unwind after a busy trip, there were plenty of other activities on offer such as cooking classes, wakeboard lessons, Tai Chi and yoga.  

After our much-needed massage, we enjoyed floating along the lazy river sat by the spa, before we spent the remainder of the day hopping between the beach and the main pool, complete a swim up bar where we worked our way through some of the cocktails on the menu. 

There are 3 dining options at StolenTime by Rendezvous, and we had the pleasure of trying two of these during our stay. Our favourite was the Malabar Beach restaurant where we could rest of our feet in sand and listen to the sounds of the ocean. The à la carte menu changes daily for lunch and dinner, so you’ll always have an incredible variety of dishes to choose from. 

Each evening guests can enjoy 1 hour of complimentary bubbles in the decadent Champagne bar – this is hosted by a sommelier and accompanied by a live pianist, making it the perfect spot for a pre-dinner tipple!

Mud Experience

Travelling southwest en route to our next stop, we had been encouraged to try the mud baths at the dormant Soufrier Volcano – they’re rumoured to make your skin silky soft and instantly make you look 10 years younger! On arrival, and already dressed in our swimwear, we made for the buckets of mud scattered around the pool, ready to lather ourselves in the thick black paste and then soak it off in the naturally hot sulphur pools. This is a great short experience that I’d recommend building into a day trip alongside other experiences on St. Lucia – just remember that it can be very busy and there are no lockers, so most people hire a guide and incorporate this into a day trip.

Anse Chastanet

After a bumpy ride on the track that hugs the rugged mountains leading to Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain, we arrived to a warm welcome and spectacular views. Anse Chastanet is subtly built into the hillside, and each accommodation is unique from the next – most embrace an outdoor concept with 1 wall missing, allowing guests to soak up the views from the comfort of their room. Our spacious Premium Hillside room was right at the top of the resort, blessed with picture perfect views of the Pitons and the ocean. Thankfully, the resort shuttle operates at all times of the day to transport guests up and down the hillside, so no walking was required after our journey. 

Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain share the same two sandy beaches. Home to crystal clear waters, colourful tropical fish and coral reefs, this is one of St. Lucia’s most famous snorkelling spots and a named UNESCO World Heritage Site. With complimentary snorkels and flippers, we wasted no time in diving right into the spectacular underwater world off the shores of the resort. 

Our visit to Anse Chastanet just happened to coincide with the Jazzy Champagne Sunset Cruise which sets sail each Thursday. This is an idyllic way to enjoy sunset on the water, accompanied by incredible marine surroundings, Piton views, melodies from a live saxophonist and cool Champagne. 

To continue this memorable experience, we headed up the hillside to dine in the sister property to Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain. From the moment we entered the property, we were in awe of the architecture – it’s painstakingly handcrafted with an amazing attention to detail. We were spoilt for choice with a creative menu that used fresh local ingredients, complemented by a fantastic dessert menu that showcased chocolate made at the on-site lab! The service was also second to none – the making of any great dining experience. 

Project Chocolat

Before checking into our last hotel of the trip, we spent the morning exploring the rainforest of Project Chocolat by Hotel Chocolat. On arrival, we were met by our guide who proceeded to take us on an immersive sensory journey through the tropical rainforest, set within 6-acres of the Rabot estate. Our informative guide explained the ethical tree-to-bean process whilst we tasted and smelled fresh cacao beans and explored the pineapple and banana trees of the lush vegetation. Then for my favourite part, where we ground cacao beans to create our own ‘Hotel Chocolat’ chocolate bar – sweetened perfectly to taste. To finish, we enjoyed a street food style lunch with a great selection of unique cacao-cuisine options, like white chocolate mash and ice cream sundaes.

Any chocolate lovers wishing to stay on St. Lucia can book a luxury holiday at Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat - a residence of 25 stylish lodges with Piton views, cacao-inspired spa treatments, and chocolate-infused dishes. 

Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort

Our final night was spent at the magnificent Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort. Located in a prime position in between the UNESCO World-Heritage Pitons, this all-butler resort has guest rooms set into the hillside. On the grounds of an old 18th century sugar mill, many accommodations feature dramatic Piton views, and some room categories also offer the luxury of private pools. Resort shuttles can be requested to and from guest rooms and the resorts facilities by your butler, or you can wait for the transport at the designated stops. 

Our spacious Superior Luxury Villa came with magical views of the Pitons from a generously sized private plunge pool, surrounded by our own sun loungers and a private terrace – all perfect for honeymooners or couples searching for seclusion. 

For fitness fanatics, there’s a well-equipped, glass fronted fitness centre with views towards the ocean. For beach lovers, there are two sandy shores to choose from. The Rainforest Spa is equally spectacular - the perfect relaxation remedy - with unique treehouse-style treatment rooms set on stilts the perfect relaxation remedy. For the more adventurous, a thrilling range of activities are offered, like water sports and chocolate and rum experiences that reveal the true wonders of the island. 

There are plenty of dining options at Sugar Beach, and each Friday a buffet barbecue night is hosted at the beachfront restaurant. Luckily for us, our one and only night here was a Friday, meaning we were able to indulge in the impressive selection of meats, seafood, sushi, salads, pizzas, desserts… the list goes on!

For our last day, our butler recommended us to try the delicious Jetty Burgers which are served at the quiet South beach. You can opt for a table seat on the jetty or have the burger delivered directly to your sun lounger. With a refreshing addition of a Piton beer, these burgers did not disappoint! 

Our trip to St. Lucia was spectacular – a real break to remember. Of all the Caribbean holidays I have been on so far, this one was my favourite. The island has so much to offer, so whether you’re travelling for relaxation or adventure, as a couple, with friends, or as a family, St. Lucia promises a truly fantastic stay. 

Call our team of Travel Consultants today to plan your escape.