Q1. How would you describe your overall experience of St. Lucia – how did it compare to your expectations?
St Lucia is a stunning island, full of beauty, history and beautiful topography. It’s so incredibly vivid and lush, I’ll never forget catching a glimpse of the magnificent Pitons for the first time – it was mind-blowing and genuinely took our breath away.

Q2. What were your first impressions of Cap Maison when you arrived there?
Arriving to Cap Maison, an amazing boutique hotel in the north of St. Lucia, we felt an immediate sense of peace – it was so private, with amazing views over the Atlantic. I can only describe it as immediately calming and relaxing.

Q3. What did you love most about it?
We loved The Naked Fisherman, the hotel’s gorgeous beach restaurant, with the waves lapping, and the delicious Cajun food – fresh fish prepared with Creole spices and flavours from New Orleans. Upstairs in the main restaurant the food was insane. The Chef creates incredible dishes with fresh catches from the sea, prepared with delicious local spices and flavours. That’s matched by the most impressive wine cellar, meaning you’re experiencing the very best fresh seafood paired with world class wine. We also had amazing sunset drinks over the ocean, absolute heaven!

Q4. Jade Mountain is known for its unique architecture and open design. What was it like to stay there and wake up to those incredible views?
Jade Mountain is possibly the most breathtaking place I have ever stayed in (and I’m fortunate to have stayed in a lot of amazing places in my life). The attention to the smallest detail of your tailored holiday is exceptional. It’s hard to put into words how beautiful your room is: three walls and one side totally open to the elements, an incredible view of the Pitons and your own private infinity pool, a four-poster bed and the most stunning jacuzzi bath – all open-plan. It is a place that you will find very hard to leave as it is so other-worldly beautiful – the vista you are looking at is unexplainably magnificent.

Having no TV was a blessing, we just stared at the Caribbean Sea for hours, taking in the most amazing views you have ever seen. The Pitons, these huge volcanic mountains in the sea, are hypnotic. Everything stops. It was like time stood still. The ultimate switch off. Just taking in the beaty of the birds, butterflies, boats and sunset and sunrise. And no curtains mean you rise when the sun does. Purity and heaven!

Meals are either brought to the room by a wonderful butler, or you can head upstairs to have an extraordinary culinary experience in the restaurant. One night we went down to have a curry – being a “Spice Island” there is this amazing heritage of Indian influence, so there’s a mix of flavours of the Caribbean combined with tandoor cooking. Or if you fancy the best burger on the island, you can just pop down to the beach club and enjoy!

Q5. Were there any particular features at either property that you found especially luxurious or surprising?
At Cap Maison we absolutely loved watching the sunsets on a little platform over the ocean with the waves all around us. There are also no TVs, so it’s all about being present, amongst nature, listening to the sound of the sea. That meant we instantly switched off and relaxed.

Q6. Which moments from your trip stood out as the most memorable or meaningful to you and your fiancé Joe?
Walking into Jade Mountain and seeing our room for the first time was truly breathtaking and totally mind-blowing. The beauty of the architecture and magnificent views really does take your breath away and brings you to tears.

Q7. Did you experience any local culture, excursions, or dining that you’d highly recommend?
We loved our private sailing trip from Jade Mountain, being out on the water and seeing St. Lucia from the ocean, complete with its dramatic scenery, lush greenery and soaring mountains.

Q8. How did the local cuisine and dining experiences at Cap Maison and Jade Mountain enhance your trip?
It was amazing to experience Creole. Being brought up in Barbados, where we haven’t got these influences, I really noticed St. Lucia’s cuisine, flavours and spices are completely different, and the way the seafood and fish is prepared is so delicious.

Q11. How did Destinology’s planning and attention to detail elevate your holiday?
Destinology were just exceptional – every element is taken care of, they take all the stresses off you, making life so much easier. They allow you to be truly present on your holiday, so you can soak up all of the amazing moments of exploring and experiencing a new destination.

Q12. What advice would you give to anyone considering a luxury getaway with Destinology?
Travelling with Destinology was the best decision that we have ever made – even in 46 years of travelling the planet. They are simply wonderful! You won’t regret it.

Q13. Was there a moment or element of your trip that made you think, ‘This is what sets a Destinology holiday apart?
It was a week before we left when we truly realised the organisation, the planning, the thoughtfulness, the complete and utter ease of heading off to somewhere new with the complete and utter confidence that you have the most incredible Destinology team making this the best experience you will ever have. I will never travel without them again.

Q14. Would you recommend a two-stop trip like this to others, and why?
Absolutely. Having two totally different experiences as part of one holiday in short feels like you are having two holidays! I honestly think it’s how I’m now going to travel going forward. It opens up so much more of the world. It’s the best!

Q9. If you could return to St. Lucia, what else would you try, or what would you revisit in a heartbeat?
We would love to return to Jade Mountain and would especially love to learn more about the cocoa they grow on the island and sample more chocolate. I didn’t know that they grew so much in St. Lucia!

Q10. How would you sum up your trip in three words?
Otherworldly, rejuvenating, heaven.