Saint Lucia

St. Lucia is one of the Windward Islands of the West Indies' Lesser Antilles. It nestles halfway down the eastern Caribbean archipelago and is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions.

There is a tropical rainforest and one of the world's few drive-in volcanoes. And there are the signature Piton Mountains and the Pitons Management Area, which was named a World Heritage Site by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. You'll want to spend some time in the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries and visit a variety of heritage tourism sites and quaint fishing villages along the coastline.



There's a wide range of accommodation including world-class, five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties.

St. Lucia has become popular with many Canadians who live in eastern Canada (just as Hawaii is the popular destination for Canadians on the west coast). One of the assets is good air service out of Toronto and Montreal. This often is non-stop service into Hewanorra International Airport, especially on weekends.

But there's more to talk about than the convenience of getting there. St. Lucia is an island with great beaches, resorts, land and sea activities, and always lots of action.

New developments

There are always new places to experience. That's part of the energy and activity of the island and its people.

Cap Maison, which opened in 2008, is the island's first luxury residence-style boutique property. The hotel has 50 rooms with 22 privately owned residences, villa suites, studio suites and rooms. Cap maison is also home to Cliff at Cap, a chic, cliff-side restaurant led by Executive Chef Craig Jones.

The Landings, a five-star RockResort on Rodney Bay, also opened last year, with 62 suites and a RockResorts Spa, salon, fitness centre, pool and water spports concession, four-acre private yacht harbour and beach club restaurant. Later additions include pools and hot tubs, a tennis court, the Grand Pavilion restaurant, a deli and specialty shops.



Calabash Cove Resort & Spa is on four acres across Bonaire Bay. This is a five-star boutique hotel with water's edge cottages and manor house suites with ocean views. The resort plans include a 100-foot freshwater pool, full-service spa, gym, restaurant, bar and resort shop. Calabash Cove Resort & Spa opened last year.

Le Paradis Beach, Golf & Marina Resort is on Praslin Bay. This is an ultra-exclusive, multi-phased luxury residential resort that will feature the Westin Le Paradis St. Lucia Residences, a Greg Norman signature golf course, an internationally branded spa and various other luxury amenities.

Resort additions

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa has recently opened the Caribbean's first paintball facility, The Zone. Also completed: the renovation of its fourth-floor guestrooms and the addition of a new pool bar.

Ti Kaye Village Resort decided to add the Kai Koko Spa. Built at the cliff's edge with dramatic views of the sea below, the spa is designed with three treatment rooms crafted from coconut and local bamboo trees and a relaxation/meditation room with a private Jacuzzi tub.