The Warmth of St. Lucia Goes Beyond the Weather

If you are looking to spend time on an island where treating you like a VIP is at the top of their list...St. Lucia is the destination for you!!!  I’ve traveled to many luxury islands and St. Lucia gets my vote as #1 island in the Caribbean for friendliness and the desire to make your stay as enjoyable as possible!

I began my vacation in St. Lucia by being greeted at the airport by one of the most knowledgeable drivers on the island named Owen. Owen knew everything about the island and was so friendly. Owen runs his own tour company Off The Beaten Path Tours which can be contacted at http://www.otbpservices.com.

When I arrived at Cap Maison, located on top of a private ocean-front bluff, I was welcomed with a glass of champagne. Cap Maison is perfect for couples and families looking for luxury and privacy. The resort consists of rooms, suites and villas with either a Jacuzzi or private pool. I stayed in a 2 story Oceanview Villa with a jacuzzi on the Master bedroom veranda. The room was extremely spacious consisting of a full bathroom, a deluxe kitchen, laundry area, living room, dining room and veranda on the first floor and on the second floor there was a fabulous master bathroom, walk in closet and master bedroom with a veranda. Not only was I impressed with the amount of space I had but also the room was in a perfect location, situated right above the beach with the most amazing views.

The beach area at Cap Maison is an ultra private beach below the resort with a fun island bar and non-motorized sport equipment for guests to enjoy. My favorite evening was spent on the beach at the Beach BBQ party! I had fun mingling with other guests, the resort food/beverage manager, and Felix…the singing chef! Guests, including adults and children, were made to feel like they were at a friend’s home for a BBQ. I was singing, eating, and dancing the night away with people I now consider my friends. It was so much fun!

I ended my evenings at Cap Maison by relaxing in the private jacuzzi reflecting about my wonderful day at this gorgeous resort and then I went to bed keeping the shutters open and peacefully falling asleep to the sounds of the waves. What gets better than that???

Next door to Cap Maison is The Body Holiday, a luxury adult’s all-inclusive resort. The newly renovated Body Holiday has a motto they live up to: “Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind.” The resort package includes a range of activities, including complimentary daily spa treatments, which could keep you busy from dusk until dawn. The experience at Body Holiday allows you to be as busy or as quiet as you want. Not only was I given a personalized tour of the resort; but I also had dinner at their finest restaurant, Tao. I sat at a table overlooking the beautiful beach and enjoyed a romantic dinner. The level of St. Lucian service proved to be the highest quality!

My final 2 nights were spent at Ladera where every suite is a “View with a Room”. Walking into the suite was a jaw-dropping experience.  The suite was designed without a fourth wall with nothing blocking the gorgeous view of the Piton Mountains and Caribbean Sea. The resort exudes romance and is the perfect place for couples to experience. Not only was the suite 2 levels and spacious; but it included a private plunge pool! I felt as if I was in a dream and did not want to wake up! The grounds at Ladera were also very lush and special. I could tell the gardener took pride in showcasing the “hidden gems” of the island.

Not only did I enjoy the “hidden gems” in the gardens but I found many “gems” at Ti Kai Boutique. Shopping at Ti Kai turned into my favorite shopping experience I’ve ever had on an island! My favorites at Ti Kai were the wonderful selection of handmade wooden handbags, woodcarvings, print art, rums and exquisite swimwear and clothing.

As for excursions on the island, I highly recommend experiencing the sulfur springs volcano and mud bath located in the only drive-in active volcano in the world. The diamond botanical garden is home to many native plant species and where you can take a warm mineral bath said to take years off of your appearance! St. Lucia is also one of the worlds top scuba diving destinations. Known for "Superman's Flight", featured in the movie Superman II, a dive along the wall of Petite Piton is one of scuba divers favorite dives for exploration.

I would go back to the gorgeous resorts in St. Lucia in a heartbeat! They were unique and special in their own ways but the one feature they had in common was the hospitality and kindness of the St. Lucian people. The St. Lucian's made my vacation extra special and truly have a place in my heart!