St Lucia

Hi Everyone! Knowing what a huge amount of knowledge you all have, I thought I'd ask some advice.

I've managed to bag reward flights for my partner and I to St Lucia next February in UC, there and back! I now need to decide on a resort....

Can anyone recommend places they have stayed or know about? Is there a better area of the island to stay on? Am looking for a great beach if possible with water sports. Trip advisor is good, but some really hit and miss resorts in the mid range budgets.

thanks in advance!

Upandaway

Hi,

If it is just the two of you, I would recommend Sandals. We've been to the Grande and Regency La Toc. Both have a good choice of Restaurants and Bars, they are premium all inclusive and the service at both is very good. You also have a minubus which will take you from one to the other, so you have access to all resturants, plus a couple at Sandals third site on the island.

If I had to choose, I would recommend the Grande.

Wherever you decide, enjoy!

Body Holiday @ Le Sport

Sandals grande is superb but at the top of the island. I would recommend the Helicopter transfer. Last time I was there took the chauffeur car and it was nearly 3 hours each way

Hi

Our favourite hotel is what was called Jalousie Plantation, and I say was because we were last there in Oct 2009, and they were renovating it then and there was talk of it becoming Tides Sugar Beach.

It is set between the Pitons less than an hour from the airport (which is good for St Lucia).

The setting cannot be beaten, take a look at some photos on tripadvisor.

Andy

I too absolutely loved the Jalousie on a vist three years ago - but am confused, is it now a Tides property and are they selling each of the villas?

Highly recommend BodyHoliday at LeSport. We've just booked our third visit. The sheer range of activities available as part of the all inclusive package is remarkable - 50 min daily spa treatment, watersports (inc waterskiing and tubing), tennis, archery, beach volleyball - and the food is superb.

I always said I'd never visit the same place twice...

If you don't travel well over mountain roads, get the helicopter transfers - and upgrade to a deluxe oceanfront room.

They have a deal which we have booked for 2013 - buy 7 nights for the price of 4.

I'd also vote for BodyHoliday. Went in Oct last year and thinking of going back this year. I have never been to the same place twice so it shows how special it is.

The treatments are top notch as is the food. Plus there are almost no children so the place is very quiet.

The Landings was excellent - 1/2/3 bedroom condo's (very high end furnishings) set on the beach and around it's own harbour.

What summed it up for me was when I asked for a taxi to take me to the local restaurants and a new Range Rover Sport pulled up ! I suddenly became my daughters favourite dad !

Thanks for the all the help! am going to research all your suggestions and let you know what we decide. The special at the Bodyholiday sounds great, am going to check it now!

thanks!!

Another vote for The Bodyholiday. I spent last week there and returned home on Friday. My sixth visit since 2007 and without doubt the best resort I've ever experienced. It had a multi million £ makeover last year (Not that it really needed it in my view) and it really is top notch. It can be a little pricey, but bear in mind that you don't have to spend a penny once you're there, and for what you actually get in the way of sports, spa treatments, food and drink, it really is very good value. I'd highly recommend 'Tao', the resorts fine dining restaurant - also inclusive, but a reservation is required.

As for transfers, this is the furthest resort from UVF, situated right on the north west tip of the island. The taxi takes 1.5 hours on a clear-ish run and if you get easily travel sick the helicopter transfer may be worth considering as suggested by another poster. This will take you to the north airport just outside Castries. A short 15 min taxi ride (strait roads) will then take you to the resort.

Hope this helps, wherever you stay you'll have a great time. Saint Lucia is a beautiful island.

Matt

upupandaway - I have a good contact at The Holiday Place for bookings, although as you're using reward flights they might not be able to help... let me know if you need his info.

mattyp - very jealous - we're not going for 12 months, but we were last there just after the refurbishment last November... amazing isn't it?

Sandals Grande gets my vote. Best 4K i've ever spent. As someone has mentioned previously though,try to bag the helicopter transfers, which IIRC are reasonable priced.

NOC

Sandals Grande is the winner for me