November/December 2023
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Saint Lucia—Made for Enriching the Soul
By Regina Baraban
I felt a sense of soul everywhere I visited on the lush, mountainous island of Saint Lucia. In just two days, I experienced local life on less traveled parts of the island, sailed past the majestic and mysterious Piton spires on a catamaran excursion to Soufriere and enjoyed the glamorous
Saint Lucia Piton Awards
event at my host hotel,
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
. Added to the island beauty of these experiences was the warmth and friendliness of the people.
Checking into Sandals Grande St. Lucian, my stress immediately melted away as I entered the palatial lobby that opens to spectacular ocean views. Situated on its own peninsula between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the 301-room all-inclusive resort has panoramic water and mountain views, a mile-long beach, and all of the amenities Sandals is known for, including five pools and 12 restaurants. I loved the many options to relax on waterfront hammocks, swings and comfy shaded seating.
PRO TIP:
The drive to Sandals Grande from the international airport is a 2-hour journey, with areas of hairpin turns. You can arrange helicopter rides or boat rides for a shorter transfer.
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Beyond the Beach
Advisors know Saint Lucia as a popular wedding and honeymoon destination, for good reason. But there’s a lot beyond beautiful beaches and romantic resorts for clients to discover and experience here.
“Saint Lucia is a time capsule of natural gifts,†notes Richard Moss, sr. sales manager,
Saint Lucia Tourism Authority
, “from six birds found nowhere else in the world to one of the world’s only drive-through [inactive] volcanoes and volcanic mud baths. Wellness and sustainability have come into focus post-COVID, and we’re getting more requests for customized local activities and adventure experiences.â€
I visited two singular properties in Soufriere that are models of sustainability and nature immersion for clients seeking eco-friendly, laid-back luxe. With 37 guestrooms, all featuring 3-walled living areas open to the view,
Ladera Resort
is situated on a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside a volcanic ridgeline with breathtaking views of the Pitons and the Caribbean Sea far below. The vibe here is super chill and the farm-to-table food and drink, fragrant with local herbs, vegetables and spices grown on property, is delicious. Across the road,
Rabot Hotel St. Lucia
is a getaway of 25 private lodges situated on
Hotel Chocolat
, the country’s oldest working cacao farm on six acres of lush rainforest.
PRO TIP:
The ethically grown, micro-batch chocolate here is beyond compare. Clients can not only sample and shop for it onsite, but they can also take a deep dive with an immersive agri-tourism activity in the cacao groves that culminates in hand-crafting their own chocolate bar.
Saint Lucia’s diversity resonates with clients looking for unique hideaways and adventure activities, Piton award winner Tom Varghese of
Travel Tom
tells
Recommend
. “There’s an incredible assortment of resort accommodations, from overwater bungalows to sanctuaries with a private pool on your balcony. And LOTS of adventure-related activities ranging from ATVs and ziplining to off-the-beaten path activities such as climbing the Pitons and taking a mud bath at the volcano.â€
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New & Noteworthy
Saint Lucia has seen a post-COVID tourism rebound on land and with airlift, especially from the U.S. market, reported Lorine Charles-St. Jules, chief executive officer, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, at the
Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO)
State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC)
in October. Advisors can expect more airlift this season, including a second Saturday
Delta Air Lines
flight from Atlanta, a second daily
American Airlines
flight from Miami, a Friday
Jet
Blue
flight from Boston, and upgraded planes with more capacity on several routes. Redevelopment of the Hewanorra International Airport is underway, with a state-of-the-art air traffic control tower due for completion in 2024.
As well, “We have 1,200 rooms scheduled to come online by 2025, in different niche markets,†Charles-St Jules told Recommend at SOTIC. “These include all-inclusive, boutique and brand-name properties that will help position Saint Lucia beyond the honeymooner, couples and adventure markets.â€
With 351 rooms and suites, the luxe all-inclusive
Secrets Saint Lucia Resort & Spa
is an extensive renovation and transformation of the former Saint James Club Morgan Bay. Scheduled to open in summer 2024, the resort will have all of Secrets’ signature “Unlimited-Luxury†amenities, 16 F&B venues with six fine dining options, two beachfront pools, a wedding gazebo, a
Secrets Spa by Pevonia
and a fitness center.
Also due to open next year in the Rodney Bay area is the new
Cas en Bas Beach Resort
. A boutique luxury condo hotel with 90 residences, it will be the first
Destination by Hyatt
-branded resort in the Caribbean.
“We know advisors like familiar brands and we’re excited about these new resort developments,†said Charles-St. Jules.
Contact Information
Saint Lucia Tourism Authority:
stlucia.org
and
https://slex.recommend.com
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Table of Contents
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Editor's Notes
TURKISH AIRLINES
Advisor Speak: Carrie Wallace Wants to Be Your ‘FamGuru’
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2023 Readers' Choice Awards Winners
AMAWATERWAYS SC
AMAWATERWAYS
DELTA VACATIONS SC
DELTA VACATIONS
DISNEY CRUISE LINE SC
DISNEY CRUISE LINE
GLOBUS SC
GLOBUS
HYATT INCLUSIVE COLLECTION SC
HYATT INCLUSIVE COLLECTION
MGM RESORTS SC
MGM RESORTS
PRINCESS CRUISES SC
PRINCESS CRUISES
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES SC
REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL SC
RCI
SCENIC LUXURY CRUISES & TOURS SC
SCENIC LUXURY CRUISES & TOURS
SANDALS SC
SANDALS
VIRGIN VOYAGES SC
VIRGINA VOYAGES
CUNARD SC
ALASKA RAILROAD SC/AD
TURKISH AIRLINES SC
Global: Outdoor Adventures & Wellness—What’s Trending for 2024
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Caribbean Tourism Update
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Onsite Review: Turks & Caicos—Barefoot Luxury
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Onboard Review: Oceania Vista—A New Chapter for Oceania Cruises
Onboard Review: Explora I—Ultra-luxe & Relaxed at Sea
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