Rather than observe the crowds to the hotspots we’re all magnetized towards, why not give one of many Caribbean’s trendiest islands a attempt?
I’m glad I did.
Offering a non-public white-sand cove to relax and savor your individual slice of paradise, reworked rooms with oceanfront plunge swimming pools the place you are steps away from gorgeous sunsets, a powerful lineup of superb eating choices, a world-class spa, and let’s simply say some jaw-dropping cultural delights you’d least anticipate, my journey to Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa was one I’ll always remember.
Though some aesthetics felt dated, do not let the storied partitions idiot you — this can be a totally fashionable resort that caters to visitors on the drop of a hat, whether or not it is your individual private concierge fortunately helping with every day actions or late-night room service delivered in a flash.
In truth, that is the primary resort I’ve known as house the place AI performs a task in your itinerary. Guests are inspired to start their day with the knowledge of DeepakChopra.ai.
And I believed altering my Waze voice to Snoop Dogg was next-level tech…
Secrets has me beat!
Aligning with their “Time Here Is Worth More” theme, by guided meditations and insightful teachings on the Hyatt Inclusive Collection app — a should for navigating Secrets’ in depth choice of eating places and swimming pools on-site — this is only one of some ways to unwind in luxurious on this secluded oasis with no single crowd in sight.
One factor you undoubtedly gained’t must navigate? Screaming kiddos!
This all-inclusive escape is an adults-only haven the place you may take pleasure in swim-up bars, breezy beachfront cabanas, and my favourite spot of all — the upper-level Preferred Club pool, providing unmatched views and supreme privateness.
A Room To Die For
Let’s face it — we dwell in a world of whiners who cover behind their screens, or behind the spell of native rum-inspired cocktails at one among Secrets St. Lucia’s many bars to bask in, I encountered a few complaints from fellow visitors I could not disagree with extra.
One visitor I chit-chatted with was celebrating her honeymoon and in contrast her room to a Motel 6. Now, I’ll admit as I said beforehand that some aesthetics aren’t as much as snuff for 4-star luxurious — however a Motel 6? Really?
Secrets did excess of ‘go away the sunshine on’ for me, and I’m nearly optimistic no funds chain presents oceanfront plunge swimming pools mere steps from crashing waves and fiery skies come sunset.
Upon a swift check-in, “vacation mode” was immediately activated as soon as I stepped foot into my room, even after a protracted red-eye flight.
Hearing the waves, seeing the palm bushes sway, and the huge open sea, I knew being informed “welcome home” by the entrance desk employees was greater than a scripted line and that they really meant it.
The toilet was spacious, particularly the rainfall bathe, and the mattress was heavenly for a properly evening’s relaxation to say the least — and no, that is not solely as a result of I loved a sip or two…or three or 4…of the complimentary bottle of rum.
But the most important shock was after I opened the again door to a comfy patio with two-top desk and realized I used to be upgraded with a non-public oceanfront plunge pool I might use any time of my selecting.
Needless to say, I soaked in as a lot enjoyable downtime as I might with a chilly Piton beer from the always-stocked mini fridge, having fun with each the calm of crowd-free mornings and capping the time without work with sunsets and moonlight so vivid it seemed staged.
Just do not inform safety I went for a couple of midnight swims within the cove. It’s undoubtedly not enjoyable and also you undoubtedly should not do it 😉…
The Friday Night Block Party Was Lit!
How many foam events can one actually partake in?
If you are like me and get just a little stir loopy being in the identical spot for too lengthy, Secrets St. Lucia is simply the place to get out and discover with offered excursions to each cultural staples and bucket-list wonders.
Every Friday evening in St. Lucia’s capital metropolis of Castries is a block social gathering welcoming a whole bunch, if not 1000’s of locals and vacationers droppin’ it low to something from Missy Elliott to Buju Banton.
If you keep at Secrets St. Lucia, the block social gathering (or what locals seek advice from because the “street party“) is a far cry from the blissful calm of the resort, and this would be the greatest crowd you face as you unavoidably weave by hordes of individuals, together with a couple of shady characters assuming you are visiting for the improper causes.
Lining the slim streets are many makeshift bars and hole-in-the-wall distributors firing up the grill for each reduce of meat possible and serving spicy rum concoctions, from what I’m informed known as “The Babymaker”.
I can proudly say the drink is not true to its title, but it surely’s actually a must-try simply to say you probably did it.
Just know taxis booked by the resort come at a jaw-dropping $120 round-trip (per experience, not per passenger) for the reason that driver sticks round the entire time.
If you are not splitting the invoice, arranging various transportation is suggested for the approximate 20-minute experience.
Visit The Otherworldly Pitons & A Hidden Cove Where Oprah Vacations
A visit to St. Lucia with out witnessing the Pitons is like visiting Mexico City with out consuming at a taco stand.
Fortunately, a ship tour can choose you up straight from the cove. However, as a consequence of robust currents, we needed to prepare a visit to Castries to hop aboard.
Benny’s Boats took us straight to The Pitons, essentially the most notable pure attraction this aspect of the Caribbean, together with lesser-known black-sand seashores.
Rising dramatically offshore, the well-known Pitons are St. Lucia’s iconic twin volcanic peaks and a delegated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you ask me, sure, it was superior to see, however the actual star of the tour was the islet of Marigot Bay, the place one-percenters similar to Bill Gates and Oprah trip to flee us peasants.
If you are cuckoo for coconuts like me, that is the final word hideaway for authentic Caribbean vibes.
Run-down shacks host rum-filled bars, and contemporary coconuts function the one tableware — and it is all you want whilst you wade the calm waters in astounding pure surroundings of jungle-covered hills and unmissable yachts and multi-million greenback properties.
Surprise, Surprise: Is St. Lucia The “Nashville” Of The Caribbean?
With practically 40 international locations underneath my belt, it takes quite a bit for me to be actually shocked by what I uncover at any given vacation spot.
No, it wasn’t the sensational delicacies that was surprisingly scrumptious (undoubtedly get the Ribeye at Seaside Grill and the Lamb at Morgan’s Pier) or the expertly tailor-made therapeutic massage that had me feeling like I walked out of Secrets Spa like Benjamin Button.
It was everything of the island’s love for nation music that blew my thoughts. This sudden cultural twist was backed by our boat captain who shameless mentioned, “All you need in St. Lucia is country music and rum”.
Whether it was taxi drivers blaring twangy hits of yesteryear, boat experience sing-a-longs of Brooks & Dunn, or precise concert events on the resort, it is protected to say Bob Marley and his 47 sons have been changed by Tennessee’s best.
We’re not speaking karaoke hour, and even karaoke-level expertise — this dude might belt out tunes with one of the best of Nashville at Secrets’ Thursday evening present.
Playing hits like Chattahoochie, the resort dance flooring rapidly changed into an impromptu honky-tonk for a boot scootin’ boogie, the place it wasn’t simply American visitors who knew the lyrics.
St. Lucia isn’t solely one of many Caribbean’s most sought-after island escapes proper now, being hyped by Conde Nast not too long ago, I’m dubbing it the “Nashville” of the Caribbean.
All in all, I had an outstanding time staying at Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa and cherished exploring the island, and imagine you’ll too!
**Travel Off Path was a visitor of Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa, who helped with the creation of this itinerary by internet hosting a few of our lodging and sights. Our opinions, suggestions, and recommendations stay our personal.**
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