Onsite Review: Saint Lucia—Made for Enriching the Soul

Recommend Standard Image TemplateSaint Lucia—Made for Enriching the Soul By Regina BarabanI 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.Recommend Standard Image Template-1698777297-1698777299Beyond the BeachAdvisors 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.” 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.”Recommend Standard Image Template-1698777297New & NoteworthySaint 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.” 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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