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Pinnacle of Romance St. Lucia’s Luxurious Jade Mountain Resort Offers Couples a Sanctuary in Paradise Four sultry days and nights had passed and the couple never even stepped one toe out of their room. At any other hotel, this might be considered a case for Sherlock Holmes, but not so much as an eyebrow was raised at the Jade Mountain Resort in the Caribbean isle of St. Lucia. Delectable meals were sent to their door for breakfast, lunch and dinner while masseuses dressed in crisp whites would float in like wisps of clouds from time to time, perform their magic, and then leave again without so much as a whisper. “They kept ordering room service, so we knew they were still alive,” beamed Peter JnPaul, Jade Mountain’s gentlemanly executive assistant manager. Now normally, I would chastise anyone for lingering in the hotel room all day (not to mention, four) when a tropical playground awaits, but with just one step inside our premier SUN sanctuary at Jade Mountain I was swept away and already barricading the door. At 2,000 square feet, the massive open-air room is missing its fourth wall and is one with the elements. My attention dove head first into the glistening 900-square-foot infinity pool and then sailed to the commanding 270-degree panoramic view of the mountainous Pitons in the distance. I began to swoon and just moments after our bellhop bid us adieu, my boyfriend and I decided the beach would have to wait. Within seconds we slipped into the pool to soak up our fair share of paradise and only the majestic Pitons in the distance could distract us from each other. Helen of the West Indies About 21 miles south of Martinique and 26 miles northeast of St. Vincent rests an island with a fiery past. Its lush rainforest terrain is peppered with crumbling sugar plantations, lush flowers and exotic fruits, while its surrounding waters offer a snorkeling paradise awaiting discovery. Upon exploring its many charms, it’s of little surprise the island still relishes its nickname the Helen of the West Indies since so many foreign powers fought over the isle during its turbulent history. What truly draws tourists to this mystical isle, however, is not the lure of Helen’s face, but a glimpse of the natural beauty of St. Lucia’s “Pyramids.” The two volcanic pinnacles of Gros Piton (2,619 ft.) and Petit Piton (2,461 ft.) on the southwest of the island seem to erupt from the sea to create a breathtaking sight that could launch a thousand ships to its port. It is in the shadow of these majestic marvels that Canadian architect Nick Troubetzkoy purchased the 600-acre tropical estate that once belonged to 18th-century French aristocrats. Troubetzkoy believed that architecture should join in harmony with the natural world and in 1974 began a thorough reconstruction and beautification program in the area. His first resort, Anse Chastanet, was constructed by local labor and materials and creates a truly nostalgic Caribbean experience before the days of air conditioning, televisions and telephones. Untainted nature overwhelms the senses as charming bungalows nestle softly into the hillside and nearly disappear into the scenery. Troubetzkoy continued to reach for the stars and in January 2007 officially opened his new crowned jewel — Jade Mountain. The two volcanic pinnacles of Gros Piton and Petit Piton on the southwest of the island seem to erupt from the sea to create a breathtaking sight that could launch a thousand ships to its port. Room with a View The curvy, one-lane dirt road that led to Jade Mountain felt better suited for teenagers with dirt bikes than the luxury sedan that was slowly inching us up to “the Caribbean’s most romantic resort.” But I suppose the road to paradise is always perilous and when we finally arrived at the outdoor reception we were rewarded with a warm smile and cool washcloth scented with mint. We then continued our ascent upward past Anse Chastanet to our sanctuary at Jade Mountain.
The expansive room with 15-foot ceilings and swirling ceiling fans has everything you will need for a romantic stay — a cozy sitting and dining area, a soft luxurious bed enshrouded in gauzy white mosquito netting, lounge chairs for sunbathing and, of course, a glimmering pool that seems to slip off the edge of the room and into the Caribbean Sea. Nature comes alive in every design detail from the moveable wooden louvres in the open-air windows to the more than 20 different species of tropical hardwood flooring and trims that punctuate the space. The orange soft lighting at night is not only romantic but also practical. It appears mosquitoes and other bugs are not as attracted to yellow lights as they are to white, so it provides a protective barrier to your room. The eclectic collection of furniture, room layout, tile color and shape of pool is different in each of Jade’s 49 rooms so you are ensured a one-of-a-kind experience. Even the bathroom is a work of art. Every tub, sink and, believe it or not, toilet bowl is a different design from sanctuary to sanctuary. But the true architectural marvel is that whether you are standing in the rain shower with six adjustable body sprays or soaking in the chromotherapy whirlpool tub, you have the same panoramic view. Chromotherapy, you may ask? These lighted tubs were designed for romance where a couple can cuddle and soak in the vista. Underwater LED lighting can change the water into a spectrum of colors from red to energize your body to green for a calming restorative effect. As the iridescent blue tile in the infinity pool sparkled in the sunlight and the cool water tickled my chin, I looked at the panorama that unfolded before me. It appeared that the sapphire blue water of the infinity pool melted seamlessly with the Caribbean Sea and that I was not in my room at all, but soaking in the sea itself with the Pitons towering in the distance. Each sanctuary pool has a shallow area for lounging as well as a deep end for swimming and also includes fiberoptic lighting in a continuum of colors for nighttime illumination. Since this is an environmentally conscious resort, you don’t even have to worry about the effects of chlorine. The resort uses a highly sophisticated filtration system so that the entire pool’s water is filtered and sterilized approximately six times per day. By far the intoxicating ingredients for sheer romance are the infinity pool, the view of the rising Pitons, and the impeccable room service. If you have a room service request, simply fill out the form, place it in the provided bag and hang it on your door for prompt, friendly service. We particularly reveled in our in-room spa treatment from Anse Chastanet’s Kai Belté Spa that specializes in Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old healing science from India. The stress of the real world melted away under the magical Anpagal treatment, a brisk massage performed in rhythmic tandem by two therapists, with special attention to soothing the hands and feet. It’s no surprise that Jade Mountain has become a hotspot for unforgettable honeymoons or special anniversary celebrations, as 15 year olds and younger are not permitted to stay at Jade Mountain, making this truly a romantic and peaceful respite from real life. According to JnPaul, the Anse Chastanet resort property even boasts a 40 percent guest return rate, nearly unheard of in the hotel industry. The one caveat I can offer to your stay in paradise is that this natural beauty also comes with complete immersion into the natural world. The only air conditioning you will find is in the shuttle bus that whisks guests around the property, so a dip in the water, whirling ceiling fans, and the passing sea breeze are your primary solace from the sun. All of the Jade Mountain rooms are open air with the fourth wall missing so guests should feel comfortable welcoming nature indoors. Birds may have a water fight in your pool in the wee hours of the morning and mosquitoes may still zip through your best defenses to take a nip at your ankles. But if you are an outdoor enthusiast with an adventurous spirit and a thirst for unforgettable beauty and luxury, a stay at Jade Mountain will become a cherished memory.
Nature and Nurture Jade Mountain guests have access to all that the Anse Chastanet resort offers, including its fine restaurants that mix Caribbean cuisine with other tropical world influences. Our personal favorite was the beachside restaurant Trou au Diable that offers casual dining during the day and more formal dining at night when it turns into Apsara, a culinary fusion of St. Lucia and India. If you find yourself on these shores, you must try the Chatpati Batakh — tamarind-honey glazed duck breast seared in the Tandoor and served with steamed rice dumplings and sweet and sour banana chutney. Each table comes complete with a squirt gun, in which my boyfriend knew its purpose instinctively. By the end of our trip he perfected his best Clint Eastwood impression by squirting tropical birds that ventured too close to our table in search of a snack. (Disclaimer: no birds were harmed in the making of this story.) We spent time enjoying Anse Chastanet’s two private beaches and its wave upon wave of resort activities from perusing the art gallery and beachside spa to kayaking, mini-sailing, windsurfing and jungle biking. Perhaps the most relaxing is to simply stretch out on the cushioned lounge chairs under grass umbrellas sipping piña coladas or fall asleep in the arms of another while rocking in a shaded hammock. St. Lucia also offers phenomenal snorkeling and scuba expeditions that will entertain both the novice and the connoisseur. We opted for snorkeling at the Anse Chastanet Reef, conveniently just 10 yards beyond the resort’s beach. The reef drops quickly from 20 to 140 feet and flourishes with an amazing diversity of tropical marine life. As I swam in complete child-like wonder, I became startled for a moment when I nearly ran head on into a wall of hundreds of Silversides fish. They appeared as surprised as I was and stopped on a dime as we quickly took note of each other. Slowly, methodically and, thankfully, without touching, they tunneled passed me while I remained still as stone until the sea was clear again. Other popular dive sites in the area include the Pinnacles and Superman’s Flight. Named in honor of the film “Superman II,” this is the exact site where our all-American hero dove down the cliff face toward the water. Located at the base of Petit Piton, the site whips up a strong current for good visibility to observe abundant schools of fish and soft corals. Considered one of the most stunning of the Caribbean’s dive sites, the Pinnacles are four seamounts that rise from the dark ocean depths and peak just a few feet below the water’s surface. The undersea mountains are encrusted with black and orange gorgonia and are a popular playground for trumpet fish, groupers and seahorses. Another enlightening trip was to the French colonial Anse Mamin Plantation that resides on the Anse Chastanet property. We hopped onto the resort’s water taxi to nearby Anse Mamin beach then ventured into the thick jungle to explore the remains of an 18th-century sugar cane plantation, which included ruins of the house, waterwheel and a viaduct water system. The hike was vigorous and as I wiped my brow I realized that the nearby jungle biking was a bit out of my league. For those who have great “lungs and legs,” Tinker’s Trail (developed by world biking champion Tinker Juarez) provides tight switchbacks up the mountainside and riders who make it to the top can triumphantly ring Tinker’s bell and savor the beautiful mountaintop view. But one of our favorite excursions was the peaceful sunset sail on the resort’s yacht Serenity with Captain Kerwin, who has been sailing the seas for 10 years. We sampled Piton, St. Lucia’s native beer, took the helm behind the captain’s wheel for a spell and even spotted a few spouting whales in the distance before watching the fiery sun make its inevitable descent below the horizon. While there is a bounty of beauty to tempt couples outside of their sanctuary, the gauntlet has been thrown. Four days is the longest anyone has stayed in their room without leaving; care to try for five? PN For More Information Anse Chastanet Jade Mountain Resort St. Lucia Delta Can Get You There — Direct In just over four hours you can be basking beneath the glorious Pitons of St. Lucia thanks to Delta’s direct service from Atlanta. Currently Delta offers four flights a week leaving Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Sunday (Departure at 9:47 am and arrival at 3:10 p.m.) And since First Class is available on all flights, you can put your legs up and travel in style. Toast the start of your adventure with one of Delta’s new signature drinks, such as the “Mile High” Mojito. For more information, call 800-221-1212 or visit www.delta.com. Escape to Romance Whether it’s your honeymoon or simply a romantic getaway, St. Lucia’s luxurious Jade Mountain offers the Total Romance package. Included are accommodations for five nights as well as breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and an anniversary certificate of $500 to be used on a return visit. The Total Romance package includes a cornucopia of excursions and added amenities too extensive to be listed here. For more information and complete package details, please visit www.jademountainstlucia.com/rates/romance2008.html. The 5-night Total Romance package rate on basis of this 5th night free offer is $7,436 in STAR and $8,144 in MOON category. |
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