The lush island of St Lucia – approximately 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, boasts waterfalls, drive-in volcanoes, sulphur springs and the UNESCO world heritage sanctioned Pitons – the mountains based in Soufriere.
Having visited over 10 years ago and enjoyed the best-ever sailing and snorkelling of my life, I was excited to this time return as a family, staying at the world-famous Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort.
Hotel
Set in across a steep and verdant incline sweeping down to a calm crescent-shaped beach is Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, the ‘in-the-know’ favourite resort for families visiting St Lucia.
The property has a Mediterranean style and enviably features six swimming pools, a selection of restaurants and bars, an upmarket spa, well-equipped gym with programme of classes, extensive water sports centre (including Windsurfing, SUP, kayaking, snorkelling and diving) and fantastic kids club. We visited as a family in July and were impressed by the expansive offering this resort has to give, with distinctive touches of luxury along the way.
Room
The resort boasts 216 different accommodation options, which include waterfront villas, beachfront suites, hillside bedrooms and individual luxury residences (the largest is up to 2,700 sq ft, catering for 12 guests) with pools – all with varying views across Labrolette Bay and the Caribbean Sea.
Our hillside villa was magnificent. The property had its own private driveway and garden – a first for me when staying at a resort. On entering, you were struck by the cool white and blue décor, high ceilings and smart split level open plan living area. The kitchen and dining areas sat on an upper level with the sitting room on lower level, and patio doors leading out to our sparkling infinity pool. Both master and twin bedrooms lead off these spaces – both spacious rooms with uber-comfortable beds, plenty of cupboard space (great for long-term guests) and large bathrooms (one with a walk-in shower, one with a bath – handy for families).
We appreciated our welcome chocolate and bottle of fizz in the fridge and used the tea and coffee facilities, yet ate out apart from that. You can however request a dedicated chef for your stay, for the ultimate in luxury. And regardless of where you reside on the property during your trip, whether up the hill or closer to the beach, there is a fleet of minivan shuttles to take you to and from the lobby, spa or kids club. We never waited more than five minutes for one to arrive.
Food
The resort offers five superb restaurants and three bars – each with its own distinctive style and ambience. We started our days with breakfast in the Dragonfly restaurant, overlooking the beach and main pool. The bountiful buffet really did present every possible type of food you could think of eating for breakfast and in four days we didn’t manage to try it all.
We tended to take lunch in the laid-back Caribbean-style Jammer’s or in the barbecue-grill spot Embers, which served delicious pizzas and wraps. Both were also great for dinner if you were wanting a more relaxed affair. We enjoyed cocktails too at the Jammer’s bar and beach spot 96 Degrees in the Shade.
We enjoyed the seafood menu in Dragonfly one night – specialities were the likes of ahi tuna tartar, Lucian coconut shrimp and pan-seared scallops in a lemon butter sauce. My vegetarian main of cauliflower steak fried with Colombo spices, cumin, fennel and paprika was delightful.
Our favourite meal however was an Italian in Papa Don’s on the hillside – named after the hotel’s founder. We sat at our table, adorned with a blue and white checked tablecloth, looking down on to the restaurant’s own curved pool and further afield the sea. My Caprese salad followed by a special of aubergine served Milanese-style both were meltingly moreish on the tongue.
Spa
Windjammer Landing has a large spa, which is located next to the tennis courts and gym. A calmness pervades on walking in, as the receptionists greet you in hushed tones and the trickle from an elaborate water fountain provides a relaxing soundtrack, while you decide on your treatment. There are four treatment rooms, two couples’ suites, a Japanese tub and an outdoor shower. We tried a couples massage, and it was truly heavenly.
We also discovered that, post-pandemic, the resort is reshaping its spa offering, with a new spa menu made up of new, innovative therapies and beauty treatments, all of which take inspiration from the local area. New director of spa and wellness, Alex Danila, plans to focus on wellbeing and offer future guests more of an all-encompassing sanctuary, by providing tailored wellbeing and fitness classes focusing heavily on breathwork, nutrition and postural alignment classes.
For a real treat try the new Full Moon Spa Ritual, which consists of an evening spent at the beach including a night boat ride in Labrelotte Bay, a Yin yoga session with guided meditation, signature massage, communal plant-based dinner, and stargazing session. Guests have the option to add an underwater night dive, focusing on underwater breathwork for an additional fee. The resort has also launched three new retreats focusing on detox, immunity and weight loss.
To do
Windjammer Landing offers a plethora of activities – so many you most likely won’t be able to try them all. Try Hummingbird yoga – set in a lush, picturesque hilltop garden overlooking the sea, whereby feeders are placed in the trees attracting the hummingbirds while you practise. Or book a Sunset Beach picnic, the resort’s newest private dining experience, on an intimate section of the white sand beach. The picnic offers guests to choose their small bites, paired with prosecco and wine, served barefoot on a colourful table.
Additionally, guests can book excursions through Jammin’ Tours, that include Catamaran tours to Soufriere to explore the Sulphur Springs, ziplining, horseback riding and more.
Not forgetting the Jacquot Fun Club, where kids aged from four to 12 enjoy crafts, games and activities, while teens are able to practise water sports and partake in bonfire parties at the Teen Club.
Getting there
It’s about an 80-minute drive to the international airport and a 10-minute drive to the George F. L. Charles Airport (SLU), which serves the other Caribbean islands. We used Lawson’s Taxi service (1 (758) 716 736), who helpfully arranged for some forgotten luggage to be ferried to the airport in another cab coming our way, arriving before our departure.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from £385 per night for two people all inclusive, or £182 per night for two people on a bed and breakfast basis.
Prices start at £285 for one day retreats, £755 for three day retreats and £1,220 for five days – all per person.
Address: Labrelotte Bay, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia
Phone: 00 (758) 877-522-0722
Email: reservations@windjammer-landing.com
Website: windjammer-landing.com
