Jade Mountain & Anse Chastanet ∙ Exploring Two Luxurious Resorts in St Lucia
A true bucket-list escape to breathtaking sister resorts in the Caribbean. Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet offer the ultimate trickle down stay, from mountain top to beachfront.
The Island
Possibly the most iconic town on the island of St Lucia is Soufrière, home to pastel coloured buildings, fresh food markets, the famous Piton Mountains and some of the most luxurious resorts in the Caribbean. St Lucia is the only country in the world named after a woman, with legend proclaiming that French sailors shipwrecked there on the feast day of Saint Lucy in 1502, naturally naming the island in her honour. Such a name comes with a certain soul and feeling that is incomparable to other neighbouring islands, which in turn has created a paradise loved for its abundant culture, lush landscapes and dreamy beaches.
Where To Stay
Hotels here don’t come more breathtaking than Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet. The sister resorts let you experience St Lucia from both the wild mountain top and the idyllic beachfront. Both properties were designed by visionary architect Nick Troubetzkoy, who first arrived in St Lucia back in the 1970’s and over time, lovingly built both resorts in harmony with the landscape and deep jungle.
Jade Mountain iconically rises over the hills to overlook the Pitons (a Unesco World Heritage Site). First opening in 2006, Jade Mountain is an architectural marvel with the hotel’s eight terraced levels cascading gracefully over the cliffside, where rooms are called sanctuaries and boast Nick’s pioneering ‘no walls’ concept. Meaning your sanctuary is exposed to the natural elements, from the early hours of golden sunrise to the late night starry skies. The 24 open-air, infinity-pool sanctuaries and 5 sky whirlpool suites are all their own jungle paradise, each with breathtaking views across the island to the Pitons, sea and beyond.
It is here in your Jade Mountain sanctuary that you can experience unparalleled luxury and total escapism, without ever leaving your room. Your in-room infinity pool lets you swim privately in both the sunshine and moonlight. You can lazily sunbathe under the gaze of the Pitons, surrounded by the sounds of tree frogs and exotic birds. The lack of TV welcomes a digital detox and your personal butler (known locally as a majordomo) is on hand to run you a flower-sprinkled bath upon request, as the perfect pre-dinner soak. Room service is available 24 hours a day, with divine dishes delivered to your private dining table, with a midnight chocolate menu for when those late-night dessert cravings hit.
After floating on cloud nine at Jade Mountain, it’s time to drop down to Anse Chastanet on the waterfront below. This hideaway resort sits on a private 600-acre estate of lush tropical palm trees and soft sand beaches, with an untouched coral reef just moments from shore. Here you are undoubtedly closer to the sea, but the magic is not lost.There are 49 rooms that all cleverly dissolve the boundary between the indoors and outdoors, with open windows and walls that perfectly frame the Pitons. Providing a serene retreat to return to after a long day of sun soaking on the beach. With tropical hardwood floors, splashes of the island’s national cloth fabrics and wrap-around balconies, you are surrounded with the true feeling of Caribbean charm.
Where To Eat
The flavours of both Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet are proudly local, with 92% of all ingredients grown on the property. At Anse Chastanet, breakfast is served at the beautiful Balawoo in the Treehouse. Here both an à la carte menu and buffet-style spread are served up amongst the jungle canopy. We recommend the buttermilk waffles with caramelised banana, St Lucian rum and coconut cream or the perfectly poached eggs served with lentils, spinach and smoked paprika yoghurt. Both can be savoured with hot island roasted coffee and an ocean view.
When the balmy evening arrives, you can dine by the waves at Trou au Diable. This is Anse Chastanet’s beachside restaurant, where live country Caribbean music will soundtrack your dinner and flambeau candles make the sandy beach glow. Every evening (apart from Tuesdays) Trou au Diable offers a menu titled APSARA; a fusion of East Indian and Caribbean cooking. This weekday ritual starts with a cocktail reception and is followed by a feast, with Keralan fish curry, cocoa nib crusted lamb chops and sweet sharing tandoor breads being firm guest favourites.
Back up at Jade Mountain (catering exclusively to resident guests) Chef Allen Susse serves up modern Caribbean fusion cuisine at Jade Mountain Club. The elegant restaurant wraps around an infinity pool tiled in a kaleidoscope of colour that reflects against the sun. Lunch is served with sprawling ocean views and a welcomed breeze. A must-order is the fresh salad with spicy mango or the smoky and spicy quesadillas. As night falls, head up to the Celestial Terrace, nestled at the top tier of the hotel. Up here, rum tasting and the famous ‘Bentley’ cocktail, (shaken with fresh limeade, soda water and grenadine) are ready and waiting as the sky melts into shades of pink and the sounds of live acoustic guitar play softly.
How To Unwind
The best way to relax even further at Jade Mountain is to visit their beautiful Kai en Ciel spa. Offering a considered treatment menu of both classic body and facial therapies as well as ayurvedic and holistic services, all help you to recharge and indulge at the highest level. Expect hot stone massages, sea salt scrubs, aloe vera body wraps and restorative facials, all performed in candlelit treatment rooms, or within the privacy of your Jade Mountain sanctuary. Complimentary sunrise yoga classes are also available up on the Celestial Terrace, followed by escorted walks and hikes available on the 600-acre estate.
Down at Anse Chastanet, their Kai Belté traditional Caribbean spa has naturally infused chocolate (all made from the on-site chocolate laboratory) into their treatments. A must-try is their ‘Mocha Massage’- any chocolate lover’s dream. Lay back and let yourself indulge in a soothing Swedish-style massage that is infused with the warm, comforting aroma of mocha to help improve circulation, deeply moisturise your skin and melt away any last remaining tension.
What To Explore
After gloriously lazy days sprawled on your thatched beach lounger or floating in your infinity pool, you might start to get the itch for an adventure. At both Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet, there is plenty of adventure. From Jade’s fitness studio stacked with Cybex cardio and strength equipment, to estate bike trails, letting you freely ride around the jungle at the nearby Anse Mamin bay. If you want to hike one (or both) of the famous Pitons for a view of the whole of the island, this can also be arranged.
Guests can enjoy tennis, bird watching, cooking classes and painting sessions (with celebrated local artist Saky), as well as kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling and scuba lessons. After all that excursion, you can reward yourself with the weekly champagne sunset cruise on the Anse Chastanet catamaran. Aka, the perfect way to spend an evening sailing the St Lucian coast, with champagne (or boozy island punch) in hand, as jazzy tones from the live saxophonist fill the air, as you float towards another magnetic sunset.
The PIBE Approved Extra’s
Both sister hotels are deeply rooted in conservation, sustainability and community, so much so that guest participation is welcomed within your stay. Start your morning down at Anse Chastanet beach where you can slip into a snorkel and flippers to take part in coral planting on the magnificent house reef, minutes from the shore. This initiative was started by the hotel to help preserve the ocean for future guests to come. Once you have dried off in the sun, make a visit to the resort's 42 acre Emerald Farm. Nestled in the Soufrièrehills, it’s the hotel’s garden, where 40% of the produce used in the restaurants is grown. Here you can handpick vegetables, micro greens, fruits and spices or one of the 20 mango varieties and cook up a fresh lunch in the garden kitchen. En route back to paradise, stop at the Chocolate Laboratory. Here the hotel's chocolatiers will teach you how to turn beans to bars using pods from the 2000 cocoa trees that are harvested. Simply let this delicious chocolate making class create a sweet memory for you to take home.
How To Book
jademountain.com
Nightly rates at Jade Mountain start from $1,530 on a room only basis.
ansechastanet.com
Nightly rates at Anse Chastanet start from $535 on a room only basis.
Bookings: Tel: 7584597000/6100, jademountain@jademountian.com,
1000 Anse Chastanet Road Soufriere St Lucia
Travel Writer / Sarah Barnes