ST. LUCIA – Jade Mountain Resort hotel review; a luxury destination on its own

I really started to enjoy island-hopping after my Pacific island-hopping trip and my visit to Solomon Islands & Vanuatu. It was time to visit the Caribbean too. Last September I visited the Caribbean for the first time and my stay at Jade Mountain Resort St. Lucia is one I’ll never forget. The resort is a one of a kind and definitely got a spot in my top 10 hotels around the world. When I was planning my Caribbean itinerary, I planned it in such a way that I could visit St. Lucia and stay at Jade Mountain Resort. It’s a destination on its own. This review is about the adult only Jade Mountain Resort, but the Anse Chastanet down the mountain slope is for families too. I will give some suggestions on the facilities there too. I booked 4 nights on all-inclusive basis which is highly recommended. Jade Mountain Resort is a sanctuary I can recommend everyone looking for a place to really get away from it all. My experience I’ll share with you.

Jade Mountain Resort

Jade Mountain Resort is in Soufriere, the old capital of St. Lucia. It can be reached from the small airport in Castries or the larger one in Vieux Fort in a 1.5-2-hour drive. The hotel can of course arrange the transfer which I recommend doing if you’re not going out on yourself. They also arrange day trips can you do on the island! I however prefer always my own car too even if I don’t need it. Sometimes I just want to drive around places and explore. St. Lucia is very mountainous, and driving can be time consuming and strenuous. I started my Caribbean itinerary in Antigua and I arrived at the Castries airport early evening. It was almost 11PM when I arrived at Jade Mountain Hotel were check-in was already prepared by my major domo (personal concierge) who escorted me to my room.

As I arrived in the dark, I couldn’t admire the view from my sanctuary till morning. When I woke up the first thing I saw was the iconic view of the Pitons, St. Lucia’s twin peaks. I will mention that view a lot! After my in-room, or I must say in-sanctuary, breakfast I explored the property designed and owned by Nick Troubetzkoy and his wife Karolin. The building is on a hill slope and made from concrete and decorated with tiles in Caribbean colors. Private walkways connect the hillside to the sanctuaries where spires decorated with glass tiles reach to heaven. Jade Mountain Resort is such a unique place it’s difficult to describe with just words, so have a look at the gallery below.

Anse Chastanet Hotel is located down the slope and consists of various buildings each having a few rooms. Down at the beach are some beach villa’s too and the main entrance to both resorts. Jade Mountain Resort is an adult only hotel but Anse Chastanet Hotel also welcomes families.

The rooms at Jade Mountain Resort

Jade Mountain Resort has 29 rooms, or sanctuaries as they call it. Each room is different in layout, but they are all large and have private infinity pools. The only exception are the sky-suites which don’t have a pool. All sanctuaries just have 3 walls so that you have a splendid view towards the Pitons. The open side makes you feel one with St. Lucia’s nature and the Pitons. This does mean there is no air-condition but the fans together with the sea breeze make the temperature pleasant. The rooms are also without TV and telephone, except the mobile to contact your personal concierge, but Wi-Fi works if you must connect.

Each room is different but they all have a huge living area with seating area and comfortable bed. The mini bar is included and replenished daily with soft drinks, beer, and a snack box. You can also prepare your own coffee and tea in the sanctuary. I stayed on all-inclusive basis, so I could call my major domo (personal concierge) at any time if I needed something.

The bathroom integrates seamlessly with the rest of the room. There is a rainforest shower with lots of massage jets. A whirlpool too to enjoy the view but I preferred the infinity pool. The amenities are from Molton Brown, I love that brand. As mentioned, each sanctuary has an infinity pool with views towards the ocean. If you’re at the edge you won’t be able to peak into your neighbors’ sanctuaries though; privacy is guaranteed. You can go swim naked without having to worry about anyone seeing you.

Each morning after waking up I dipped in the pool and just watched the Pitons for 15 minutes. The sanctuaries are a place to unwind without having to worry about anything.

The rooms at Anse Chastanet do not have infinity pools but some do have views towards the Pitons others towards the beach. Each room is finished with local materials and has all the amenities for a perfect (family) stay.

Facilities at Jade Mountain Resort

Jade Mountain Resort has all the usual facilities you can expect from a luxury resort. One thing that stands out is the major domo (personal concierge). They can arrange everything for you including excursions and activities on and around the island. Some that I enjoyed the most include:

• Diving with Scuba St. Lucia directly in front of the beach. The corals are amazing. If you are an experience diver there are much more dive spots nearby including in front of the Pitons.
• Mountain biking at the resort. Jade Mountain Resort is large and there is an old cacao plantation where you can go mountain biking. Various trails are marked to keep you busy for days.
• Visiting the eco farm of Jade Mountain Resort. A visit to the farm is an excursion I highly recommend doing as you can see where all the food ingredients come from. Make sure to combine it with a visit to the chocolate lab and make your own chocolate bar.
• Other excursions include jungle treks, Piton climbing, drive through volcano or a visit to Castries or Soufriere.

There is plenty to do in and around Jade Mountain Resort to keep you busy for days!

Jade Mountain Resort doesn’t have a common pool as each suite, except the sky suites, has their own infinity pool. There are two beaches for you to enjoy. Make sure to watch sunset there! It’s amazing. Another great place to watch sunset is at the Celestial Terrace while enjoying a Caribbean rum punch.

I cannot think of any facility that Jade Mountain Hotel doesn’t have. My time there was simply amazing, and I hope to return one day to just get away from it all again.

All facilities (except the concierge, Celestial Terrace) are shared with the sister hotel Anse Chastanet.

Dining & Drinking at Jade Mountain Resort

Jade Mountain Resort has one restaurant at the Jade Mountain Club which is open for residents only. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast however I highly recommend taking in your sanctuary. Each evening I filled out the breakfast menu and time I wanted it. Of course, way too much the first morning as portions are big. Each morning the personal concierge made sure breakfast was served on time. I enjoy in room breakfast while waking up and at Jade Mountain Resort I could enjoy the Pitons view at the same time. It’s a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I’m not a huge lunch person so I just had something small at the beach if I wasn’t exploring the island. You must go at least once to the Jungle Grill & Bar at Anse Mamin beach to have the best burger of the island. It’s an amazing burger. Once a week there is a manager’s cocktail party at the Celestial Terrace. Don’t miss it! The views from the terraces are even more amazing as from the sanctuaries.

Dinner can be served in your sanctuary in case you don’t want to leave it. I, however, preferred having it at the Jade Mountain Club. Chef Allen prepares the most delicious dishes for which he uses local produce and makes sure the nature of taste will make your mouth water. Steak tartar, tuna sashimi, medium rare lamb chops, Wagyu beef and others were the highlights of during my stay. Even ingredients that are normally not my first choice (I do eat everything though) were turned into delicious dishes.

There are more food outlets down the slope at Anse Chastanet Hotel (see list below) which are also included in the all-inclusive plan. I highly recommend booking the all-inclusive as you really get value for money. Jade Mountain Resort ranks amongst my top places to go for a culinary experience.

For those staying at Anse Chastanet Hotel there are several other options to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These options include: Treehouse for Caribbean fine dining, Emeralds for vegetarian cuisine, beach snacks & grill at Trou Au Diable, Indian food at Apsara or the beach grill at Jungle. All these outlets are also accessible for guests of Jade Mountain Resort and all food & drinks there are also included in the all-inclusive plan.

Conclusion

Jade Mountain Resort certainly was the highlight of my Caribbean island-hopping itinerary. The resort is simply unique in every single way. It’s rooms, called sanctuaries, all have the most stunning view in the world. Those Pitons really are unique. I always like to sleep long but here I couldn’t wait to get out of my bed and have a dip in the private infinity pool and stare at the Pitons. At the same time the private concierge would bring in my breakfast and go through the day planning one last time.

Jade Mountain Hotel has a huge variety of daily activities of day trips to Castries, Soufriere, or the dense jungle of St. Lucia. You can go diving in front of the resort, go mountain biking, visit their farm, or just relax on the beaches. So much to do! Jade Mountain Club is the place to go for dinner with menu’s that change daily. The chef prepares the best with local produce and flavors. Jade Mountain Resort is a destination on its own and a place I recommend everyone to go if you’re visiting the Caribbean.

If you would like to know what you can do in and around St. Lucia then see one of these options: Caribbean island-hopping itinerary including St. Lucia. I will add more destination information over time.

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Gallery of Jade Mountain Resort

** All opinions are based on a genuine stay, flight or experience. I’m not affiliated with the hotel, airline or tour operator but I might be (partially) sponsored – or paid. **