A tropical island serves as the perfect escape for those looking to disconnect from the daily grind. ‘StolenTime’ by Rendezvous in St. Lucia provides a four-day artist’s retreat that I eagerly accepted. It caters not just to emerging artists, but also offers activities designed to foster relaxation and inner peace, including Tai Chi, art workshops, and training sessions with Olympians, complemented by an abundance of rum. Here, the use of technology is discouraged, allowing guests to turn off their phones, tuck them away, and truly leave behind their worldly concerns. Nestled in the jungle, the resort’s ambience is shaped by the symphony of tree frogs and the gentle wash of waves, setting the stage for a seamless transition into island life.
Stolen Time by Rendezvous is situated two miles from Castries. While it is close to George F L Charles Airport, we flew into Hewanorra International Airport on the south of the island, and it took under an hour to travel to our hotel – just enough time to brush up on my St. Lucia knowledge and get to know my travel buddies. This included London-based artist Venetia Berry, the leader of the art-focused retreat centred on sparking creativity and joy. Art, for me, has always been a way to relax, and combining art with travel is proven to help express your creative side. It also reduces stress and allows guests to get in touch with their innermost feelings.
Hotel
The 100-bedroom hotel is a former coconut estate founded by Dennis Barnard who built his family home on Malabar Beach in the 1950s. The house was later extended to include 20 bedrooms following numerous enquiries and named the Malabar Beach Hotel. Over the years, the hotel has changed names but was traditionally a couples-only hotel. Then, last year, the hotel was rebranded as StolenTime by Rendezvous, appealing to single travellers and groups of friends for the first time.
Although we arrived at the resort late in the evening, we were excited to explore. Stepping out of the taxi, we were handed hot towels, a rum punch, and our room keys. The entrance to the resort was stunning, with a wall of running water that instantly calmed and soothed us. We emerged onto a jungle-lined path, and at the centre of the resort was a 150-year-old giant Samaan tree, a beautiful and enormous flowering species that belongs to the pea family. Its huge branches were lined with tiny lights that cast a romantic glow. In the lobby was a beautiful Christmas tree and all around the resort were giant presents. What a wonderful way to get into the holiday mood.
The familiar lullaby of tree frogs and waves crashing against the shore filled the air made for a memorable walk as we made our way down the jungle paths to our various accommodations. I was delighted to learn that mine was a signature poolside suite.
Room
Inside my room was a bottle of Champagne on ice and a fruit platter. The air was cool, and the king-sized bed was inviting after the long journey. I was amazed by the space. There was a huge wardrobe, hardwood furniture, a comfy armchair, tea and coffee-making facilities, an iPod docking station, and a mini refrigerator. The highlight was the oval bathtub complete with REN toiletries. I couldn’t resist running the bath at once.
After a long, indulgent soak, I got dressed and headed to the champagne bar, where I was handed a glass of Laurent Perrier, and the pianist, Guilford, was playing As Time Goes By from Casablanca. This set the scene perfectly for our welcome meal at the Terrace restaurant a delicious a-la-carte affair. The food was amazing, and we enjoyed every bite, and then the evening entertainment began, but after a long journey it was time to retire to bed.
Exploring new surroundings
I slept well and the next morning, I awoke early to raindrops tapping against my window. It dawned on me I was on holiday in the Caribbean, so I leapt out of bed and set about exploring my surroundings. Walking along the two miles of soft white sand, I could feel the warm rain cooling my hot skin.
It was a tropical downpour, but I didn’t mind, I found it quite refreshing. While enjoying the beach, some friendly stray dogs ran towards me. They eagerly wanted to play. I always feel relaxed in places wherever animals are, and these dogs were no exception, neither was the resort’s friendly cat Bubbles.
As I listened to the waves breaking against the shore, I felt even more chilled. I’ve always been magnetised by the sea. The sun began to rise, and the sounds of birds filled the air, setting me up in a zen mood to start my day. I had just enough time to get changed before my first fitness session of the holiday, led by former Olympic athlete Derek Redmond, former British record holder for the 400m and 4x400m relay gold medallist at the World and European Championships.
And to add to the stardust, one of my classmates was Olympic silver medallist Jamie Baulch and his lovely partner Cheryl Hicks. They welcomed me with open arms and asked me to join them for breakfast. What an incredible opportunity! We headed straight to the Terrace Restaurant, which overlooks the sea and is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All meals here are served buffet-style. We enjoyed a traditional St. Lucian breakfast where we were introduced to the delicious salt fish and talked about our fitness goals and love for the beach.
After breakfast, we were taken on a tour around the majestic and grand property with its 100 rooms and suites. I was amazed by the variety, each one unique in its own way. The premium garden view rooms are situated in a gorgeous three-storey West Indian-style building; the rooms are airy and spacious, with large French mullion glass doors that open to a comfortable patio or balcony. The lush tropical gardens are visible from the rooms, adding to the serene atmosphere. Next, we moved on to the premium veranda suites, which are perfect for lovebirds and overlook the resort’s tropical garden and the ocean. The top floor rooms feature expansive cathedral ceilings, making them even more romantic.
I was in awe of the signature beachfront rooms. The private terrace or balcony, sitting hammock, and large bathrooms with a glass block wall and marble vanity unit made the rooms feel like a luxurious retreat. The signature beachfront cottages were equally breath-taking, with gingerbread fretwork, lush gardens and private patios. Finally, we reached the signature beachfront suites, which were slightly larger and had split-level bedroom/sitting areas. The beautiful bathrooms feel like a spa and balconies and terraces offered a perfect spot to unwind while overlooking the sea.
We all returned to the champagne bar, which Venetia had set up with all the art materials we needed to create whimsical landscapes. The soothing jazz and blues music playing in the background set the perfect ambience to inspire creativity. With the mysterious Piton peaks and tropical foliage as my muse, it was a liberating feeling to let my creativity flow freely.
After the painting session, we enjoyed a rum cocktail with the general manager at Malabar Beach Club. The restaurant overlooked the sea and, as we dug our toes in the sand, we ate our lunch under an open sail. The restaurant featured a la carte options of light cuisine, using local island ingredients and fresh produce from the local market. I chose the delicious Creole pork dish, which was perfectly paired with a bottle of Piton beer. After lunch, I decided to take a kayak out to sea. The balmy day and the approaching rain shower made for an energising experience.
This resort is made for relaxation, epitomised by Sunset Tai Chi on the Rotund. The leader was very calming and radiated positive energy that immediately set me at ease. It was a wonderful experience to practice this ancient martial art while watching the sun go down and it was a great way to clear my mind and focus on the present moment. I must have absorbed the positive energy of the master as I felt an inner peace and a sense of calm that I hadn’t experienced in a long time.
Later that evening, I joined my colleagues for a beach barbeque at the Terrace restaurant. It was Friday night which meant local night and there was an array of Caribbean food and island flavours with wonderful sauces and sides. The talented musician playing the steel drums added to the lively atmosphere, and we all enjoyed the delicious food and the good company.
After dinner, a few of us decided to venture out of the resort to catch the Friday night street party in Gros Islet, Castries. It was a great opportunity to see a different side of the Caribbean and experience the local culture and traditions. Arriving at the street party, we were greeted with the vibrant energy of the event. A mix of street vendors were selling rum, beer, and trinkets, and the bars were full of rowdy people. At the end of the street, a big boom box blasted out soulful reggae tunes, and locals taught cruise ship passengers how to dance.
St. Lucia is renowned across the Caribbean for being a party island, and the nightlife is an experience not to be missed. We danced and laughed for an hour, immersing ourselves in the lively atmosphere and the local traditions. It was a great way to connect with the locals and learn more about their culture. As we made our way back to the resort, we were just in time to catch the musician crooning reggae classics and we reflected on a night that had given us the best of local culture while still enjoying the luxury and relaxation of the resort.
Beachfit and activities
The next morning, Derek hosted another body fit session on the beach and this time he really put us through our paces with high-intensity training. Later, his wife Maria, and Cheryl and Jamie, joined us for breakfast, and I was able to chat further to Jamie. As I did, I got a glimpse into his fascinating achievements and how he was taken under the wing of the great Colin Jackson. I was fascinated by his achievements and his friendly nature. It was incredible how he became one of the fastest 400m sprinters of his time. Yet, he was incredibly down-to-earth and gentle. Soon, he, Cheryl and I were chatting like old friends.
More adventurous guests can try their hand at water sports activities. There’s water-skiing, windsurfing, and sailing in Hobie Cats. They will love the thrill of the speed and the wind in their hair as they glide across the water. Scuba diving is also a chance for thrill-seekers to experience the vibrant coral reefs and the colourful sea life surrounding them.
Others might prefer to stay on dry land and take advantage of the many activities available, including tennis lessons from the resident pro and Caribbean dance classes. For those who want a more laid-back experience, there are plenty of board games and other games to choose from. There are also cycling tours around the island and there’s beach volleyball, cricket and a modern air-conditioned gym, fully equipped with all the latest equipment.
Out and about
Another trip highlight was a visit to the Barnard Rum Distillery, owned by the hotel proprietors. As we drove through the Roseau Valley, we marvelled at the varied Caribbean landscape, passing banana plantations and lush tropical rainforests. Upon arrival, we were shown an educational video highlighting the impact of sugar on the island’s society in the late 1700s. We learned how St. Lucia had many small plantation distilleries, but by the 1950s, only two distilleries remained operational, including the Barnard Family Estate in Dennery, known for producing strong white rums. In 1972, the Barnards partnered with Geest and relocated their operations to the Roseau Valley, where molasses, the raw material, is now imported from Guyana and transported to the distillery.
The group was fascinated by the bubbling vats of fermenting liquid and rich smells, as well as the distillation in beautiful copper stills. The most fascinating part was the ageing process in oak barrels that previously held bourbon and port, imparting unique flavours and colours to the rum. At the end of the tour, came the best part where we were able to sample over 30 varieties of rum and liqueurs. Feeling merry, we were whisked away to the shop to purchase our favourite tipples to take home.
On the way back, our tour guide, who happened to be a bona fide popstar in his spare time, told us about his island as we stopped at a banana plantation to enjoy some of the sweetest fruits I have ever tasted. At another roadside store, overlooking Marigot Bay, locals were selling intricately made banana leaf baskets. I decided to purchase one to take home. We then dipped down into the bay to catch a speedboat back to the capital where we pitched up at the Hurricane Hole for a beer. From here, one can could access great diving opportunities or explore further afield to the mud baths of La Soufriere, the drive-through volcano, and the Pitons beyond. St. Lucia’s dramatic west coast is an area of natural beauty, protected by UNESCO. The island is famous for its chocolate, so I made sure I ordered a few bars to pack in my suitcase.
Castries
As we headed back to Castries, a tropical storm breezed over us, but we were handed a glass of bubbles and enjoyed a scenic ride back, past forts and lush green landscapes. The tropical rain kept us nice and cool until we moored into the Castries dock, close to the cruise ships. We had a brief opportunity to tour the neighbourhood as we moored at the crowded harbour, smack in the middle of the Saturday market with merchants selling the juiciest local mangoes, prayer beads, and colourful scarves in addition to luscious bananas straight off the tree. Shopping at the market was a unique experience where you could haggle for mementos.
After exploring, we returned to Rendezvous just in time for the afternoon tea service and to catch some rays before getting ready for dinner at the Thyme French restaurant where we enjoyed a three-course a-la-carte dinner. This is the place to get dressed up and enjoy a fine dining experience, with more European options and great wine.
Spa and wellness
The next morning involved relaxing in the oasis of beautiful private garden river pools, where I divided my time between a sun lounger and the spa. The spa is housed in a traditional West Indian style building surrounded by trees and a reflection pool. The staff, trained at the hotel’s sister resort, BodyHoliday, had won numerous awards for the best spa in the Caribbean. I was booked in for a full head, neck, and shoulder massage, and my therapist, Avril, was so good that I booked her again for a full-body massage the next day to release the tension I had built up. Guests can choose from a variety of massages, including Swedish, Deep Remedial Tissue Therapy, Aroma Stone, and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, to name but a few. As soon as Avril laid her healing hands on me in the cool ambient room I felt a wave of relaxation wash over me.
She told me she sensed some blockage in my head, which allowed me to open up to her about my stresses. She worked her magic, and my worries left my body completely. The second massage was a full-body massage, which released some of the toxins in my legs. I felt rejuvenated and ready to take on the world after my sessions. The spa was truly a haven of tranquillity and relaxation and I felt grateful for the opportunity to indulge in such a luxurious experience.
I floated back to the champagne bar for our second immersive art experience where we painted landscapes onto muslin and Venetia gave me lots of helpful tips. Soon we had created our masterpieces and laid them out under the sa’aman tree – it was a very natural experience where I felt connected to the natural world and the tropical scenery, which was my muse.
Later that evening we met for a cocktail on the beach to watch the sunset before we headed to Malabar beach restaurant for our final evening meal. At night the restaurant takes on a special ambience with flame torches lighting up the pathway. We enjoyed a glass of Moet on ice with our meal and I opted for a delicious West Indian curry.
In a nutshell
With the end of the holiday drawing near, I began to evaluate my experience and it was overwhelmingly positive. St. Lucia is one of the most beautiful places in the world, but of all the places on the island to stay, StolenTime by Rendezvous is one of the best. The resort offers the perfect blend of luxury, relaxation, and adventure, making it an ideal holiday destination for adults wanting to get away from it all.
Factbox
Getting there: British Airways flies from Gatwick Airport with a flight time of 8.5 hours.
An all-inclusive stay at StolenTime by Rendezvous is approximately £2,399 for a week.
Address: 22F8+HF Malabar Beach, Castries, St Lucia
Phone: +1 758-457-7900
Website: stolentime.com
