‘On Location’ in St Lucia – Anse Chastanet Bay & Jade Mountains

October 12, 2009

Wednesday 9^th September 2009

The first task of the day was to get packed up and sadly leave the Bay Gardens Resort. We took the luggage to Vigie Cove where we boarded a boat for our transfer round to the South of the island. This was a real highlight. We had all climbed around to the front of the boat and sunbathed drinking Pitons. We then glimpsed for the first time the REAL Pitons. Two huge green peaks iconic of the island and created by the volcano. Just stunning scenery and a wonderful boat trip with some wonderful people.

We made a quick stop to the Fond Doux Estate, which is a working cocoa

Plantation Cottages

 plantation where guests can stay in little cottages. I could have spent hours taking photos – there were so many unusual trees and weird looking tropical flowers. But it was an unscheduled stop and we didn’t have time to stick around, as we had a visit to the volcano, mud baths and Diamond waterfall planned.

The volcano is dormant and steam bellows out of craters in the ground, it is like something from planet of the apes. The guide told us how a few years ago there were little bridges from one hole to another where tourists could get up close. They were soon taken away when a guide fell off, made a crater of his own and got severely burnt up to his waist. Poor guy. Anyway, we were then taken away from the tourists to

Group mud bath

where the locals go for the natural mud baths and hot springs. At first I was not convinced that jumping in a hot pool of water and smothering myself with mud would be fun. But soon enough I was baking out in the sun with mud all over, and then washing off under a hot waterfall. And I must say, my skin felt soft as a baby’s bottom – someone could make a mint bottling this stuff in the UK.

We were pretty hungry after that, and so off to lunch at Anse Chastanet. This is a beautiful, peaceful and environmentally conscious resort on the most beautiful beach. The rooms are either down by the beach or up on the hillside with the most stunning views. Many of the rooms are open to the

Anse Chastanet Bay Coastline

 elements (and the nature!) with walls missing allowing guests to feel like they really are in the jungle. But don’t get ideas of camping, think more like 4 star tree houses – Chook did actually have a tree growing from the shower up through the roof in his room! This really is something different for people who love nature or want a really peaceful retreat.

That afternoon was spent either diving or sunbathing on the gorgeous beach. Then in the evening we were invited up to Jade Mountain for a drink before dinner. Words cannot explain how AMAZING this hotel is, and no photo can do it justice. It is jaw droppingly the most incredible hotel I have ever seen (and I’ve seen a lot!). It is the most luxurious hotel on the island and regularly caters for A-list celebrities

Jade building

and the very rich. Located on the top of a mountain with striking panoramic views of the Pitons and the ocean, the rooms are called ‘sanctuaries’. The unusual architecture of the hotel means that each sanctuary has its own private walkway, for just them and their private butler to use. We were taken to a suite for champagne and canapés. I was speechless – one large open plan room, hanging on the edge of a cliff with one completely open side. A four poster bed, and a private infinity pool – in the bedroom! We all felt like celebrities and watched the sun set from the luxurious sofas with champagne flowing. I thought I was dreaming.

Unfortunately a bunch of excitable travel agents would not fit well with the peaceful and romantic surroundings of the restaurant for exclusive guests at Jade Mountain, so back down the hill to the restaurant at Anse Chastanet for delicious meal.  It would not be the last I saw of Jade Mountain though, as we had been invited back in the morning for sunrise yoga on the roof terrace. As the night wore on and the rum kept coming, I wondered if I would actually make it up in time the next morning…

Entry Filed under: Select Resorts ‘ON Location’. .