St. Lucia’s landscape is as diverse as her heritage - yes, we meant "her". St. Lucia is the only sovereign nation to be named after a woman! Even more of a reason for our Director of Travel Planning and Caribbean specialist, Shanna, to recently spend a week there, taking in the Caribbean sun and Creole flavors.
While the island’s iconic Pitons peaks command the skyline, an emerald blanket envelops plunging valleys and verdant rainforests. Its landscape, people, customs, and cuisine weave together seamlessly to create the ideal backdrop for magical and romantic getaways.
Please check out Shanna's Top 5 below.
Top 5 - Luxury Amidst the Pitons
1. Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort (above and below)
I kicked off my island stay at Sugar Beach, a luxury beach resort at the site of an 18th-century sugar plantation and surrounded by the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pitons. With a private plunge pool, Piton views, and butler service, her villa vacation was off to the most relaxing start. My most memorable moments include:
- indulging in Jetty Burgers
- snorkeling with eels
- sundowners on her private terrace
- floating in the water hammocks.
- a treehouse couples massage
From beachfront bungalows to multiple-bedroom residences, our clients enjoy complete privacy, welcome amenities, and VIP treatment!
2. Private Soufriere & Surrounding Tour (above and below)
Even though it was difficult to tear myself away from the property, I knew that I would regret not experiencing some of St. Lucia's most well-known sights. First stop was the Soufriere Volcano (Sulphur Springs), the only drive-in volcano in the world! Here, a visit is not complete without a healing mud bath and some "St. Lucian finger painting". After a quick natural massage from a 50 foot drop of the water at Toraille Waterfall, we explored a diverse range of tropical plants and flowers at Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens. This six-acre park is also home to Diamond Falls, St. Lucia’s most famous waterfall.
3. Anse Chastanet (above and below)
A unique stay at Anse Chastanet allowed me to experience the lush 600-acre hillside estate bordering two beaches (one with black sand from the volcano). Nick Troubetzkoy's architectural vision for this resort emphasizes harmony with nature, and part of that design includes the integration of the landscape into the guest experience. Here you’ll find the popular "no fourth wall" concept where the room’s fourth wall is either entirely missing whilst others have wooden louvre walls allowing for natural airflow. Additionally, climbing the 100 stairs from the beach level to the mid-hillside level allows guests to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings while exploring the resort’s amenities.
4. Snorkeling & Diving Paradise (above and below)
Location, location, location!One of the biggest draws of Anse Chastanet is the resort’s designated marine reserve protecting miles of pristine coral reefs and unique marine life such as seahorses, fish, and more. Complimentary snorkeling can be enjoyed right off Anse Chastanet beach with the marine reserve on the left and Turtle Reef to the right, where you find a variety of sea turtles. Beach or boat dives are available to explore one of the world’s top diving destinations through the 5-star PADI dive option onsite.
Sugar Beach also has one of the top diving sites in the world located right at the base of Petit Piton. With a Water Sports & Dive Shop onsite as well, I snorkeled daily with the most vibrant coral, fish, and eels that I have ever seen!
5. Jade Mountain (above and below)
Rising just above Anse Chastanet is the gorgeous sister-property, Jade Mountain, where guests are greeted with individual bridges leading to romantic infinity pool sanctuaries. At both properties, you’ll find the same "no fourth wall" concept where the room’s fourth wall is entirely missing, and we do have to point out to clients who love their air-condtionaing that this may not be the right fit for them. There is nearly always a breeze though and so the concept allows for natural airflow and sweeping views of the twin Pitons.
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