A Caribbean Island Made for Romance – St. Lucia is one of the Best Places for a Destination Wedding, Honeymoon or Romantic Getaway
St. Lucia is made for romance. Family resorts exist, yet the facilities, location, and styling of most island resorts are perfect for honeymoons and destination weddings. Many of the resorts are luxury level, catering to those who can afford the best, but there is a wide variety of properties for moderate and deluxe budgets.
In October, I inspected multiple island hotels, including their wedding facilities and suites designed for honeymooners. These resorts outdid themselves with wedding displays on the beach, indoors, and on peaks viewing St. Lucia’s iconic Piton Mountains.
Jade Mountain, a resort within a resort at Anse Chastenet
Jade Mountain, pictured above, has probably the most spectacular hotel room I’ve ever seen – including my recent inspection of the 7 star Burj al Arab in Dubai and a collection of Oberoi properties in India. The Galaxy Sanctuary Suite is over-the-top luxurious, with enough space to conduct a destination wedding in the room.
Dedicated to preserving guest privacy, we were hastened through the resort while guests were at the beach, but had an opportunity to see the luxurious Sanctuary Suite, The Club dining room, and the rooftop Celestial Terrace bar with cushy outdoor furniture and romantic seating areas for two.
We enjoyed lunch at the beachfront restaurant shared by both resorts. Food was excellent, including the lightest accra (cod fish fritters) I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a few since this is a specialty on St. Barth.
The Galaxy Sanctuary Suite, with its strategic view of the Piton mountains, perched high on a hill, screams romance for a certain type of traveler. There is no AC, and the beach is a jeep ride down the hill, but for anyone who can afford the price tag, this is the type of room you may never want to leave.
Jade Mountain has special offers throughout the year. Contact me for more information.
Calabash Cove
Calabash Cove, which is located on a steep rutted road between Castries and Rodney Bay, features a variety of room categories. Wooden Balinese-style waterfront cottages with small, private plunge pools and outdoor (enclosed) showers; swim-up hotel rooms; and Caribbean/sunset view junior suites are scattered throughout the property.
The gourmet restaurant seems to hang over the ocean and offers inventive food prepared to exacting specifications. The hotel features 26 brands of wine, properly stored in a refrigerated room. In addition to the wines, a lobby bar, and swim-up bar cater to guests.
This small, beachfront resort with beautifully landscaped grounds is best for those able to climb up and down steps. It isn’t large enough for shuttle service.
They also have a gorgeous wedding set-up on a dock perched over the sea. Starting January 2017, the resort will be adult only.
My waterfront cottage had a romantic bedroom with a king canopy bed with mosquito netting, a double jacuzzi and AC. The living room was equipped with couches, a large flatscreen TV, wet bar, mini bar and a variety of alcohol brands, which can be specified. A small plunge pool was set in the corner of a decent size private deck, with 2 lounge chairs, a hammock and dining table. The bathroom was indoors enabling makeup application and freshening up in air conditioning, with a (lockable) connecting door to the outdoor shower.
Capella Resort
Brand new Capella Resort on Marigot Bay offers luxury accommodations and amenities for couples, friends and families. The location on Marigot Bay offers guests a variety of local restaurants in addition to the ones on the resort. After tasting the fresh baked croissants, I’m not sure why anyone would want to leave, but for a week or more having other options is nice.
Rooms and suites are large, with the standard room measuring 900 square feet. Adjoining rooms/suites are possible for groups of friends; those with large jacuzzis on private balconies are perfect for wedding parties or honeymooners. Private chef rates are reasonable for in-suite dining.
Although not an all inclusive, special treats are provided throughout the day at the pool (in addition to a daily special amenity in the room). Meal plans are available. Every room has a balcony, Nespresso maker, tea kettle, and a complimentary stocked mini bar which is replenished daily. Wifi is included. Poolside Bali beds (above photo) are available to whoever snags them first, without an extra charge.
Several wedding venues are available – inside with AC or outdoors. The resort will only do one large wedding per day at 4pm, and will add a 2nd small wedding in the morning.
The resort has boat shuttles to a beach across the bay but it’s really about the pools. There is also a marina with a customs office, and a small shopping center.
Capella has special offers throughout the year. Please contact me if you would like to arrange a winter getaway.
Rendezvous
This all inclusive couples resort occupies a large, beautiful white sand beach. Pools are scattered throughout the property as well, some with private nooks for added romance in the secluded Water Garden.
Several room categories exist; premium garden front rooms with private terraces with teak furniture; Verandah rooms with large verandah facing gardens; ground floor seaside suites with easy beach access; luxury beach front rooms with small, treehouse like balconies or patios; or semi-detached beachfront cottages oozing Caribbean charm. With typical gingerbread accents and large patios these bungalows position guests on the beach with sea views from the bed.
Several bars and restaurants from casual to elegant can be found at the resort. The Champagne Bar is a popular gathering space with sommeliers, tastings, and well-known brands like Moet, Veuve, Bollinger – at no extra supplement.
The resort’s farm to table experience enables guests to visit local markets with the chef and eat what was prepared in the evening.
We visited the hotel at tea time and watched guests serving themselves a tasty buffet while waiters took cocktail orders. The crowd appeared a little older with a mix of some young couples.
An exclusive line of wedding options is inspired by the location. Beach weddings and private offshore island romance on a small island off the coast. The idea is to provide experiences the couple can share throughout their stay, not just on the day of their wedding. The hotel also offers honeymoon packages.
Activities include diving (PADI), snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, tennis, and more.
Coconut Bay
With a convenient location 5 minutes from the island’s international airport, this combination family and adult only all inclusive resort has something for everyone.
November through July the resort offers world class kitesurfing with experts from around the world soaring offshore. Reservations are strongly recommended as space is limited. Surf and Stay packages are available. A complimentary kitesurfing “taster” is offered for guests over 8 years old on a beachfront training kite; guests over 16 can take lessons with a certified instructor (extra). There is also tennis on lighted courts, stand up paddle boarding, snorkeling, kayaking, beach volleyball and more.
The main buffet restaurant has cooking stations for freshly made entrees at lunch and dinner, and made to order eggs and omelets for breakfast.
A la carte restaurants feature Asian Fusion, Caribbean, Italian, Seafood in a variety of settings, and a casual beach grill. Six bars offer premium alcohol, including Peter John’s Bar with a huge selection of Caribbean rum brands.
The lobby and restaurants in the middle separate the family and adult sections of the resort, with separate pools for peace and quiet, children’s activities, and the more active adult swim-up bar area.
Parents can easily get alone time while kids are at the Kidz Club, or involved in activities at the petting zoo, the island’s largest waterpark, or playing paintball. Adults are welcome to use the waterpark too.
One of the most innovative things at the hotel is the sun loungers that rotate on a platform for optimum tanning. In high demand, the European guests are notorious for waking early to snag them.
Several wedding, vow renewal, engagement and romance packages are available. We were treated to a “wedding dinner” featuring a cocktail party with a sampling of hors d’oeuvres, a sit down dinner with paired wines, and wedding dessert buffet.
For those who would rather be in town, with restaurant options and nightlife, there are several small hotels in Rodney Bay. Bay Gardens, Bay Gardens Beach Resort, Royal by Rex offer guests full resort amenities, while being located closer to the action.
For more information about romance – or kitesurfing in St. Lucia, contact me via the contact form here.