When it comes to a once-in-a-lifetime stay, Jade Mountain in Saint Lucia ticks all the boxes. Editor Sophie Ritchie shares more about this Caribbean island’s suavest meets sustainable slice of shuteye…
Look. There are hotels that simply do the job – to provide a bed, a tasty breakfast and if you’re lucky, an on-site gym or a view that doesn’t overlook a parking lot. And then, there are the properties you dream about for months to follow, hoping to catch a glimpse of paradise again.
The hotels that feel so immersively unique that they feel less like a hotel and more of a holiday destination in themselves. Hotels filled with flawless details, architectural magnificence and one-of-a-kind moments. For something as rare as this, Jade Mountain in Saint Lucia ticks all the boxes.
A world of tranquility
Designed by the late architect and owner Nick Troubetzkoy, Jade Mountain is a feast for every sense, set high on the soaring hills that overlook Saint Lucia’s famous Pitons. Like all good things in life, it requires a touch of patience to reach it – positioned at the end of a winding, incredibly steep road that’s deliberately kept in bumpy condition to deter unwanted visitors.
Hold your nerve (and onto your hat) and you’ll be rewarded with nothing but splendour – the welcoming sight of Jade Mountain’s and its four-star younger sibling Anse Chastanet’s 600-acre beachfront estate. Complete with two idyllic beaches, five restaurants, two spas and even a chocolate laboratory, there’s a reason this five-star stay tops the most-loved list year after year.
Here, reality soon dissipates like one of Saint Lucia’s famous cotton candy-esque sunsets. Comprised of 24 individually-designed open-air Infinity Pool Sanctuaries and five Sky Jacuzzi Suites, Jade Mountain is nothing short of paradise personified – with rooms split across different levels, separated by open air stone bridges that give the property its otherworldly, James Bond-like feel.
Staff take care of the tiniest of details from the moment of arrival, as each Sanctuary comes complete with its very own majordomo, or in other non-lingo words, a private butler. Prepare to show up and switch the brain off like a tired car engine, because you certainly won’t be needing it once you cross the threshold.
The Room
Forget what you know about unique rooms. At Jade Mountain, there’s one very obvious difference in room structure between these abodes and 99% of the world’s other stays. The sanctuaries at Jade Mountain blur the lines between the inside interiors and the sprawling nature awaiting outside the estate’s boundaries, with one main wall entirely open to the elements at all times.
Within the 24 sanctuaries, the beautiful bedroom, living area and outside seating all blurs into one – all centered around the room’s jewel – a private infinity pool complete with colour-changing lights – that offers a sublime view across the nearby Pitons when dangling legs or paddling around.
Sit back in the tranquil atmosphere and listen to the organic symphony that nature composes on a daily basis – birds chirping and even frog lullabies. For those who prefer things on a softer volume, handy ear plugs are just one of the many in-room amenities – as well as complimentary bug spray, eye masks and enough fridge snacks to keep even the greediest of guests satiated until dinnertime.
The Food & Drink
Jade Mountain produces an impressive 40% of the food served at the resort at its very own organic farm, a stat that few others can compete with. Main meals can be found from dawn until dusk at The Jade Mountain Club, a top floor restaurant that comes with its very own colour-drenched infinity pool.
Open a menu and devour “Jade Cuisine,” a selection of dishes created by James Beard award winner, Chef Allen Susser that invites guests to try a brave new world of tropical flavors. Bursting with seasonality and Caribbean influence, beautiful dishes are paired with further jaw-dropping eyefuls of the mesmerising Pitons and sprawling ocean waters. By day two, you’ll be hard pressed to decide which you’re hungrier for.
Things to try
It goes without saying that this is a honeymoon hotspot, but there’s plenty for a luxury wellness seeker to devour too – whether sharing the moment with Mr Right or not.
1 Beat the jet lag: Jade Mountain has recently a new Jet Lag Recovery Journey, designed to help travellers acclimatise seamlessly to the tropics and maximise the holiday experience. Crafted to combat the physical and mental effects of long-haul travel, this bespoke package blends wellness, nutrition, and St. Lucian charm to make jet lag a thing of the past. The Jet Lag Therapy Journey includes everything from a Sunlight Reset Hike through to a Private Sanctuary Yoga Session, immersive spa treatment and other soothing goodies. $880 per couple, including tax and service fees.
2 Stretch out with rooftop yoga: Join resident Yoga instructors each morning for group classes that invite both complete beginners and advanced attendees to limber up in luscious surroundings.
3 Get your scuba on: Head down to the beach for a morning of scuba diving or snorkeling – this location boasts a secret perk as one of the most scenic and ecologically rich locations the Caribbean has to offer – including an easily accessible coral-rich dive and snorkeling site right off shore. Scuba St. Lucia is not only the island’s longest established dive center, but a safe and well-staffed five-star PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) operation to round out the perfect vacation destination.
Make it happen
How: Find out more and make a booking via jademountain.com/wellness/spa.html
Getting there: Regular British Airways flights depart from London into Hewanorra International Airport (UVF).
PSST: Take a peek at Saint Lucia’s New Green Guide
The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has just introduced a new Green Guide to Saint Lucia, created by the prestigious Green Traveller magazine. Ideal for lovers of sustainability, explore the in-depth guide and discover experiences, accommodation and dining that shines a light on tourism delivering a positive impact on nature, conservation and local economic empowerment. Filled with interviews, articles and more, the new guide is perfect for anyone looking to plan a trip that’s eco-minded: greentraveller.co.uk/conservation-traveller-guides/saint-lucia
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
