Hotel Chocolat
As the name suggests, chocolate is the primary theme of Hotel Chocolat, and situated on a working cocoa plantation, this is a hotel for those with a sweet tooth.
Built in 2011, the hotel has been painstakingly renovated by the owners, bringing a touch of unabashed luxury to this small cocoa plantation, and pure indulgence for its guests.
The accommodation is comprised of 14 cocoa pods - individual cottages set around a courtyard made of dark wood. The pods follow the chocolate theme, and each comes with an I-pod pre-loaded with music inspired by the surroundings.
The Boucan restaurant overlooking the Caribbean Sea showcases amazing cocoa cuisine, where all of the food is infused with a hint of chocolate. Although this may sound a little OTT, the food is so delicious and cleverly created that it works.
The hotel has a 50-foot black infinity pool at the luxurious Club Boucan, and a small spa specialising in (yup, you guessed it) cocoa-inspired treatments. Alternatively, take a tour of Rabot estate cocoa groves and learn about how the chocolate is made. The beach is also only a short drive away.
Why We Love It
After a tour of the cocoa groves, enjoy a sundowner in the Boucan bar while listening to the fantastic steel band to get in that Caribbean groove.
Cap Maison
Perched above Smugglers Cove beach, the hotel occupies an elevated position in the north of the island, with unrivalled views across to Martinique and Pigeon Island.
The 49 Spanish colonial-style bedrooms (think hand painted tiles and white washed walls) are arranged in a hacienda style layout. Many of the rooms have their own private swimming pools, and are all arranged to interconnect seamlessly, making it the ideal hotel for families.
The hotel owns a 46 foot Sea Ray motor yacht, available for private charter and perfect for exploring the nearby islands. Why not pop over to Martinique for lunch, or find a secluded spot with a packed lunch prepared by the hotel?
Cap Maison boasts some of the best food on the island, with St Lucia's French heritage being a major inspiration. The location of The Cliff at Cap is unbeatable, as the name suggests, it is literally on the edge of the cliff with views over the ocean adding to the experience.
Smugglers Cove beach is directly below the hotel and easily accessible - great snorkelling and a beach bar serving delicious cocktails. There are two swimming pools, a spa, and a fantastic wine cellar where tastings can be organised as well as supper for up to 8 people.
Children are also welcome at the hotel, and although there is no specific children's club, there are plenty of activities in the area for them to enjoy. There is also a golf course nearby.
Why We Love It
For a touch of romance, head down to Rock Maison, a secluded spot on the beach where champagne is sent down to you on a zip line.
Jade Mountain
Set into a mountain with spectacular views over the Pitons and Caribbean Sea, Jade Mountain is made even more special by the fact that the entire fourth wall is missing from all of the rooms.
The 29 vast suites are all designed to maximise the impact of the breathtaking Pitons, the defining feature of St Lucia. Each suite is missing its fourth wall, so the views are entirely uninterrupted. The Caribbean inspired décor is combined with modern touches such as iPod docks and jacuzzi baths, and the plunge pools are all set at the edge of the suites to maximise the breathtaking views.
Jade Mountain is a spider's web of meandering stone walkways, sculpture-topped stone pillars and cascading koi pools. Designed to harmonise with nature, there are no child-filled swimming pools or raucous bars, but one small restaurant serving delectable cuisine. For the best of both worlds, Jade Mountain guests have full access to the many facilities at Anse Chastenet, the sister property and just a 5 minute stroll down the hill.
Why We Love It
Guests can enjoy dinner in their 'sanctuary' with their very own sommelier.
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort
Located on a UNESCO world heritage site, Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, is ideally placed in between the breathtaking Pitons on the pristine white sand Sugar Beach.
The white washed villas and bedrooms are set around the 18th century plantation and come with their own over-sized private plunge pools. The white hard wood floors, large open spaces, stand alone baths and huge four posters are simplistically chic, and the personalised butler service ensures that your holiday is as hassle free as possible.
The main restaurant is located on Sugar Beach, and is the perfect place to relax whilst the children are whisked off by the friendly staff to snorkel and learn all about the sea life.The hotel offers an extensive range of supervised activities for children including glass bottom boat excursions, arts and crafts, volcano and botanical garden tours, as well as fish feeding and shell collecting at the beach. Many of these activities are complimentary to guests. There is also a PADI diving centre on site, and the pitons provide the perfect environment in which to learn to snorkel.
For a more relaxing experience, the spa is set amongst the rainforest, and the treatment rooms are in tree-house style structures accessible through a leaf lined tunnel. The cascading waterfalls and sound of the birds outside make for a truly tranquil experience.
Why We Love It
Make the most of the efficient butler service, where no request is too small or large. A real bonus, and at the end it is hard to imagine surviving a holiday without them.
