St Lucia is a wonderful tropical destination with lots to see and plenty of surprises to enjoy. The lush rain forests, coral reefs, and picturesque beaches of St Lucia are well-known for their natural beauty, and it is a beautiful place to spend time relaxing and rejuvenating.
Moon Sanctuary is in a wonderful position set in an exclusive area within the jungly 600-acre Anse Chastanet estate in southwestern St Lucia. Its elevated position means it has access to some of the best views on the Island, and its remarkable design ensures privacy and tranquillity are the order of the day.
With a small gym and spa close by, you also have access to the exclusive Jade Mountain Club, which offers remarkable dining in a fabulous setting and is only accessible to guests staying in one of the exclusive sanctuaries. The open rooftop terrace has terrific views of the sea and Pitons and is the perfect setting for sundowners and romantic dinners.
Only a short drive away is the languid town of Soufriere which was the original capital of St Lucia and is one of the Island’s memorable spots.
Overlooked by the Pitons, two giant conical volcanic spires that rise abruptly from the sea, the town is surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches, including the renowned Sugar Beach. Colourful cottages and colonial-style buildings give this laid-back town plenty of character, and there are several old plantation estates around the town to explore.
The Rabot Estate plantation is where all of Hotel Chocolat’s products start, and you can take part in the amazing Bean to Bar chocolate experience, which shows how chocolate is produced and walks you through creating your own chocolate bar!
Worth a visit is The Soufriere Estate which is now home to the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens, where you can enjoy meandering among tropical flowers and trees, or take a dip in mineral baths that date back to 1784.
Just south of the town is the world's only drive-in volcano – the Soufriere sulphur springs. The landscape is ‘otherwordly’ with hot springs and belching mud pots, and if you can cope with the sulphur smell, you can bathe in thermal pools and enjoy mud face and body masks.
The St Lucian people are warm and friendly and love to party, so something is always happening. Highlights include Carnival in July and Jazz Festival in May.
You can enjoy a slice of retro Caribbean nightlife every Friday evening over at the Gros Islet Friday night street party, which is over on the north of the Island. Locals and tourists gravitate towards traffic-free streets set up with craft stalls and barbeque stalls. Soca and reggae blare from huge speakers as you enjoy a rum punch or beer and decide which fish fry-up to sample. The party atmosphere continues long after sunset, with crowds dancing in the streets.
St Lucia offers beauty, laughter, sunshine and surprises and makes for an unforgettable escape.
