We are smitten by St Lucia’s sister resorts, Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain
Eleanor Roosevelt wisely said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” As the longest-serving First Lady, she must have known a thing or two. Everyone has a dream, though some people, like St Lucian hotelier Nick Troubetzkoy, dream bigger than others. This resulted in the creation of two truly exceptional resorts that need to be seen and believed.
Located on the southwest coast of St Lucia, the sister resorts of Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain are spread over 600 lush tropical acres. Anse Chastanet sits further down the hill, closer to the beach, and this is where we begin our Caribbean island odyssey. After winding our way along the rocky road, taking in the stunning views, we’re greeted with smiles and refreshing welcome drinks before being shown to our spacious hillside deluxe room. It’s open to the elements, with only wooden louvres acting as walls. We need to get used to the lack of walls.
The Invigorating Connection with Nature
The large bedroom is decorated in vibrant tropical hues and flows seamlessly onto an equally large verandah with fabulous forest and ocean views. There’s no air conditioning, but the natural through-draught makes for perfect ventilation as the louvres don’t close. This also means that we sleep to the sounds of the forest and wake up with the sun to the sound of birdsong and distant ocean waves.
It’s a beautiful way to wake up and walk down the hill to breakfast. Then it’s all about the sun, sea, and sand. There’s plenty to see and keep us busy – one of the best snorkelling spots on the island is right here. There’s also paddle boarding, sailing, and scuba diving. There are two beaches for some serious lounging, the main one at Anse Chastanet and Anse Mamin, a short walk or boat ride away. The crystal clear, sunshine-warmed water is waiting when we need to cool off before checking in to our second hotel, Jade Mountain.
Jade Mountain: A Sanctuary of Luxury
Jade Mountain rises above Anse Chastanet, overlooking St Lucia’s Pitons, a World Heritage Site. It is unlike anywhere we’ve ever stayed. The towering building blends into the St Lucian jungle, and there are individual bridges leading to each of the 24 infinity pool sanctuaries. As our Major Domo (a personal butler on hand 24/7 to ensure your every wish is fulfilled) explains, our room starts at that bridge.
He also tells us that people often burst into tears when they are naturally shown to their sanctuary (of happiness), so we brace ourselves as he opens the door to JB4. And wow, it does take our breath away. Every sanctuary is unique, and ours is designed with an infinity pool running through the middle, like our very own (heated) river. It’s spacious and spectacular, with a huge open bathroom and totally missing that fourth wall – the gap perfectly frames the Pitons like they were specially placed there. Who needs a wall when you have your own mountains?
A Commitment to Sustainability and Luxury
In addition to successfully working with the surrounding terrain to create minimum disturbance, part of owner Troubetzkoy’s vision was to create resorts with an environmental consciousness at their heart and places of beauty and luxury. This is evident in many on-site initiatives, including admirable sustainability practices and community efforts. Nothing is left to chance, and those bright ideas are still coming.
Culinary Dreams Do Come True
We also see this reflected in the incredible food offering. Guests at Jade Mountain can dine between the two resorts, and the genius of the two innovative chefs, Eli and Frank, produces dish after dish of deliciousness. Five restaurants produce 40% of the food served at the resort at their organic farm down the road. From creative breakfast dishes to weekly buffets, wine pairings at the fine dining evenings in The Old Treehouse restaurant, and the best burger on the island at the Jungle Grill at Anse Mamim Beach, it’s food to dream about.
Living the Dream
A stay here is all a bit dream-like. We cruise and witness a picture-perfect sunset, watch turtle eggs hatching and the babies heading for the sea, have an in-sanctuary massage, and take a guided walk through the plantation. We make our own chocolate in the onsite chocolate lab, enjoy rum tasting on the beach and a lionfish banquet afterwards, sample cocktails, and live the headiest of lifestyles as if we’re living the dream. Nick Troubetzkoy’s belief in the beauty of his dream has become a reality, and we’ve been lucky enough to be part of it.
Discover more about these dream resorts at Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain.
