STAY

Begin your trip at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, a luxurious beachfront hotel nestled in a beautiful bay framed by the towering Pitons. The 130 guest accommodations, scattered across a converted 18th-century sugar plantation, feature charming colonial-inspired architecture that reflects the property’s rich history. The recommended Sugar Mill complex is conveniently located within walking distance of the restaurants and beach. While the villas provide the most impressive views of the Pitons, they are the farthest away, making shuttle service necessary. Beachfront Bungalows are attractive but lack privacy.

DINE

At the Viceroy, Bonté, which translates to “generosity” in local creole, offers a beachfront family-friendly party atmosphere with live music and convivial “Latin Fiesta” on Wednesdays, while more formal Saltwood presents classic gourmet dishes like lobster thermidor and wagyu tenderloin in a mustard-peppercorn sauce. A popular open-air grill on the South Pier serves the hotel’s signature Jetty Burgers.

EXPLORE

In addition to a gorgeous spa tucked in a rainforest, hotel amenities include a racket club with tennis, padel and pickleball courts, as well as a well-equipped gym offering daily fitness classes. The Cocoa Mill hosts memorable immersive chocolate-making classes. For a more in-depth look at the island’s cacao industry, have the Travel Office reserve a Tree-to-Bar experience at Rabot Estate, which includes a plantation tour, chocolate-making class and lunch. Although the shores on this part of the island are usually composed of black volcanic rock, the Viceroy presents a gorgeous white-sand beach (the hotel imported 7,500 tons of sand from Guyana). Guests can enjoy glass-bottomed kayaks, paddleboards, catamaran day trips, sunset cruises, deep-sea-fishing excursions, whale-watching tours and snorkeling outings. The staff also organizes guided excursions in luxury vehicles to Sulphur Springs’ 110-degree mud baths, the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano.

STAY

Spend the rest of your week on St. Lucia at the design-forward Jade Mountain eco-resort, which rises from a hillside overlooking a dense tropical forest. Though Jade is less than 5 miles from the Viceroy, the drive to the property can take more than 40 minutes due to the winding, rocky road. To avoid this unpleasant journey, ask our Travel Office to arrange a water taxi transfer directly from the Viceroy or the town of Soufrière. (In the latter, residents have a delightful tradition of repainting their homes every year in bright, bold colors — a cheerful practice that keeps Soufrière looking fresh and vibrant.)

The late Russian-Canadian architect Nick Troubetzkoy designed Jade Mountain, which has won numerous awards as St. Lucia’s leading hideaway for honeymooners and the Caribbean’s top sustainable-tourism hotel. Troubetzkoy’s designed unusual rooms featuring just three walls. With no barrier between us and the sea and sky, we felt as if we could almost touch the Pitons from the edge of our private infinity pool in our Sun Sanctuary room. The minimally decorated interiors give the stupefying views center stage. This scenically stupendous resort offers an otherworldly experience, but note that your room’s exposure to the elements may feel disconcerting, especially on the first night.

DINE

The hotel’s top-floor restaurant offers fine fusion cuisine and jaw-dropping vistas. The “volcanic signature egg” served at breakfast is a must-order, as is the pan-seared fish-of-the-day accompanied by a root vegetable fricassee and lemongrass nage. Jade Mountain sits high above its less-exclusive sister property, Anse Chastanet, which has three additional dining options, including Treehouse Restaurant for excellent traditional local cuisine (like green fig and saltfish, St. Lucia’s national dish) and Trou au Diable for Caribbean and creole specialties served in a casual beachside setting. Guests at Jade have access to all restaurants at Anse, but that relationship is not reciprocal.

EXPLORE

You can reach out to your majordomo (butler) any time to arrange everything from water sports that launch from Anse Chastanet’s beach to fitness sessions and cooking classes. We especially recommend taking the tree-to-bar tour, which combines a chocolate tasting with a visit to the hotel’s organic Emerald Estate farm and cacao plantation. Resort guides lead bird-watching excursions and hiking tours, and majordomos can book trips to Diamond Falls and Sulphur Springs. Jade Mountain offers an extensive list of activities, but also be sure to set aside time to simply soak in the breathtaking views of St. Lucia’s natural beauty from your uniquely designed accommodation.

Navigating St. Lucia’s roads can be tricky, especially since locals drive on the left side of the road and don’t follow traffic rules too strictly. Letting chauffeurs handle the transfers allows you to fully relax.