Anse Chastanet

Nestled amidst a 600 acre tropical estate with two soft sand beaches bordering on pristine coral reefs, Anse Chastanet is in complete harmony with its natural surroundings- the ideal hideaway for all those seeking a tranquil or romantic vacation spot, or perhaps a little of both. The more active minded will enjoy the amazing range of adventure facilities right on the property.

Relax in 49 individually designed hillside and beachside rooms and suites, decorated with original art works by local and visiting international artists. Let the full service spa pamper you. Go diving or snorkeling with the Resort's professional scuba operation 'Scuba St. Lucia'. Go hiking or jungle biking on one of the 12 miles of private resort trails. Do nothing. Float and watch the sunset. Take a stroll on the beach after your candle lit gourmet dinner.

No two rooms at Anse Chastanet are exactly alike. Twelve beach level units are tucked away behind the coconut palms, just steps from the water's edge and the resort's renowned SSI Platinum Pro/PADI dive facility. Perched on the hill are Anse Chastanet's original rooms; cheery white-washed cottages with wrap-around wooden balconies. These octagonal-shaped "gazebos" offer splendid views of the Pitons and the sea, framed by an abundance of flourishing blossoms. Chairs and beds are covered in madras prints - a traditional island fabric of bright plaid woven with the same colours as the ginger lilies, anthuriums and bouganvillaea found in every room.

Further up the hill are Anse Chastanet's deluxe suites, where Nick Troubetzkoy's architectural imagination can best be appreciated. Roomy is hardly the word to describe them. Immense is more accurate. And the sense of space is even further enhanced by the fact that as little as possible is between guests and their natural surroundings, with entire walls open to the vistas. Indeed, it's even hard to say where the inside stops and the outside begins: a flamboyant tree drops its red-blossomed branches gently over the balcony in one room, the veranda of another was actually built around a red gommier tree. And the famous showers-with-a-view in the premium suites are a unique luxury of Anse Chastanet.

While the sensuous seclusion of the rooms provides some guests with the perfect excuse for lolling away the day on the balcony, others head out to partake of the many activities on offer; snorkeling, scuba diving, tennis, sunset sailing, jungle biking, "kool kayaking" or a nature walk among the ruins of a colonial plantation.

The less actively inclined "simply do nothing," lie on the beach or enjoy one of the therapeutic body and beauty treatments offered by Anse Chastanet's spa, Kai Belté, located at beach level.

There's also a casual, beachside bar and restaurant and a panoramic hillside terrace where breakfast and afternoon tea are served daily. Dinners are a romantic candlelit affair with a daily changing menu celebrating Tropical World Cuisine, with musical backdrops provided by local entertainers.