ST. LUCIA: ROMANTIC RESORTS

Anse Chastanet
P.O. Box 7000, Soufriere
800-223-1108
758- 459-7000, Fax 758- 459-7700

A stay at Anse Chastanet is truly an experience that any couple will talk about for years. Tucked between one of St. Lucia's finest beaches and the Pitons, this hillside resort strips away the barriers between resort and nature. Here walls give way to scenic vistas and guests enjoy rooms where luxury means views uninterrupted by hindrances such as windows. Many accommodations in this 48-room resort have only two or three exterior walls, with bedrooms flowing directly onto terraces and out to the breathtaking scene beyond. Tiny birds make chattering roommates and just beyond the balcony railing flitting hummingbirds work the tropical blooms like oversized bees.

Anse Chastanet (pronounced on-chas-tan-ay) is perched right on the edge of the hillside, which translates into steep steps that wind from beachside to the main reception and dining area to the hilltop bungalows above. Not the place for visitors with any walking problems--and leave the high heels at home for this destination. Casual is the order of the day, although in the evening men traditionally wear Bermuda length shorts or slacks.

We enjoyed room 7F, a truly unique room that cannot be compared to any other in the Caribbean. Like other rooms in the 7 block, this accommodation has an unbeatable view of Petit Piton and Gros Piton rising from the sea. From our king-size bed, we looked across our immense room (even the smallest room at Anse Chastanet measures 900 square feet), across a balcony rail, and straight at the Caribbean's most recognizable mountains. Even the shower (easily built for two) was replete with a view: a mirror offers you a look back over your shoulder and out the open wall where birds flit through the trees. You'll feel like an intruder in the garden of Eden.

The toughest part of a stay at Anse Chastanet is the decision of whether to stay in your room and enjoy the breathtaking view or to venture down to the beach and perch beneath a palm-thatched palapa. You might compromise and make a stop halfway down at the Piton Bar, the open-air bar with a view of the mountains. While you're here, try the specialty: Stairway to Heaven, concocted with Seventh Heaven liqueur made of ginger and bois bandé (a local aphrodisiac), rum, coconut cream, and orange juice.

Anse Chastanet also does weddings wherever the couple chooses: on the beach, in the Treehouse restaurant, or even on the patio of their guest room. And, to soothe muscles that might be tired from walking that steep hill, the resort also offers a special massage course for couples.

Hotel Features: beachfront, fine and casual dining, watersports; dive shop

Rendezvous
P.O. Box 190
Malabar Beach
Castries
758-452-4211, Fax 758-452-7419
Reservations: 800-544-2883

Rendezvous isn't the snazziest of all-inclusives, but it is comfortable and a good choice for those on a budget. You'll get the full array of all-inclusive offerings: meals and liquor, and nightly shows (the live entertainment includes: steel band, calypso and the renowned staff and guest show).

Rooms here include ocean view accommodations with pink marble baths, island style furniture, and private porches.

Approximately 70 percent of the resort's clientele is British, so you'll notice a distinct international atmosphere here.

This resort also offers SolangeMa, patois for release, relief and relaxation. These open-air gazebos offer a variety of massages including a couples' honeymoon massage, aromatherapy, foot massage, salt loofah rub, and more.

Hotel Features: beachfront, all-inclusive, couples only, fine and casual
dining, watersports, scuba diving, tennis

LeSport
P.O. Box 437
Cariblue Beach
Castries
758- 450-8551, Fax 758- 450-0368.
Reservations 800-544-2883

LeSport differs from other all-inclusives; this recently renovated resort doesn't emphasize a vacation from good wellness and nutrition habits with a week-long blowout of buffets, beach bumming, and boozing. Instead, this Moorish-style resort promotes the "body holiday," a chance to pamper your body with spa treatments, physical activity, and fine food. You'll have an initial consultation then a program of treatments will be designed specially for you, ranging from the salt loofah rub to the hydro massage to Swedish massage to work out kinks after a round of tennis, a lesson in fencing, or a class at the golf school on the nine-hole course.

Hotel Features: beachfront, all-inclusive, spa, golf school, fine dining

Sandals St. Lucia
P.O. Box 399
Castries
758- 452-3081, Fax 758- 452-1012
Reservations: 800-SANDALS

The largest of the two Sandals properties on St. Lucia, this hotel is a veritable honeycomb of activity. Full-time Playmakers make sure that no one is left out of the fun and games. From the bars and billiards room in its elegant lobby to the tennis, golf, and watersports offerings on the 155-acre resort, guests have plenty of fun from which to choose. Of course, if you and your partner want to be alone, that's all right, too. You can hang out by the freeform pools, daysail in a Sunfish, or dine by candlelight.

Even more than most Sandals locations, this resort does things in a big way. The pool, which Sandals says is the largest in the Caribbean, includes a waterfall, bridges, and, of course, a swim-up bar where the two of you can order frozen and frothy concoctions.

Four restaurants keep guests well fed. Our favorite is La Toc, a French restaurant with a wine and sparkling wine list and white glove service. Although the restaurant is enclosed (not our choice in the Caribbean), the service is friendly and the atmosphere makes couples feel that they are enjoying a meal to celebrate a special occasion, even if that event is just another night on a vacation where the focus is on the two of you.

Hotel Features: beachfront, all-inclusive, couples only, fine and casual dining, freshwater pools, watersports, golf

Sandals Halycon St. Lucia
P.O. Box GM 910
Choc Bay
Castries
758- 453-0222, Fax 758- 451-8435
Reservations: 800-SANDALS

This Castries-area resort is one of our favorite Sandals properties. Rooms are nestled in one- and two-story buildings, most outlined in trailing vines and blooming tropical plants. Beautiful grounds offer couples plenty of quiet, shady nooks for time together.

This Sandals has the highest percentage of European guests within the popular chain, so the mood here is somewhat more reserved than at some Sandals hotels. You'll still find basketball in the pool and volleyball at the beach, plus plenty of other activity thanks to those enthusiastic Playmakers, but couples who want to do nothing at all will feel right at home here as well. Halcyon guests are also a more adventurous group than at many properties; most book several off-property excursions during their stay. The tour desk can set up jeep tours to the rain forest, bus tours to the volcano, and catamaran excursions that trace St. Lucia's beautiful western shore.

Two specialty restaurants give Sandals guests a break from the main dining room; our favorite is The Pier. Built on a pier perched over the sea, this open-air eatery serves seafood in an elegant atmosphere. Every room at Sandals Halcyon is identical; the only difference in category and price comes from the room view.

Hotel Features: beachfront, all-inclusive, couples only, fine and casual dining, pools, whirlpools, watersports

Ladera Resort
P.O. Box 225, Soufriere
758- 459-7323, Fax 758- 459-5156
Reservations: 800-738-4752

Tucked above the sea between the Pitons, this intimate hillside resort features villas and suites, many with private pools. This unique property offers six villas and 18 suites. These three-walled units each are open on one side to reveal the mountain views; all the units include a pool or a plunge pool enjoyed in complete privacy.

Each guest room is open on the west side to offer guests a breathtaking view of the Pitons and the sea. Rooms are decorated with 19th century French furniture and local artwork.

Hotel Features: mountainside, excellent restaurant, freshwater pool, shuttle service to Soufriere and beaches

Royal St. Lucian
Reduit Beach
758-452-9999, Fax 758-452-9639
Reservations: 800-255-5859

This luxurious resort offers a special eight day-seven night honeymoon package that pampers newlyweds with deluxe suite accommodations, a candlelit dinner on the beach with wine, car rental for one day, a romantic sunset cruise, two spa treatments each, and more.

Hotel Features: beachside, pool, spa, restaurants