A property that doesn’t quite behave like a hotel is perched high on a ridge above Soufrière, where the road winds past mango trees and the air thickens with that distinct Caribbean dampness. Jade Mountain refers to its rooms as “sanctuaries,” which sounds like advertising until you enter one. Then it seems to be the only appropriate word.
The fourth wall does not exist. Technically, there are no walls in the bathroom either. The Pitons, those twin volcanic peaks rising out of the sea like something a child might draw if you asked them to create an island, are in the direction of the infinity pool.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Resort Name | Jade Mountain Resort |
| Location | 1000 Anse Chastanet Road, Soufrière, St. Lucia |
| Sister Property | Anse Chastanet Resort |
| Number of Sanctuaries | 29 |
| Sanctuary Size | Roughly 1,600 to 2,000 sq ft |
| Architectural Style | Open-air concept, no fourth wall |
| Signature View | The Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage site |
| Nearest Airports | UVF (1 hr 10 min), SLU (1 hr 30 min) |
| Helicopter Transfer | Under 10 minutes from UVF |
| Reservations | TEL 800-223-1108 / 758-459-4000 |
| Beaches Accessible | Anse Chastanet and Anse Mamin |
| In-Room Features | Private infinity pool, dining area, open-concept bath |
| Best Known For | Romantic getaways, honeymoons, anniversaries |
It’s possible that no other Caribbean resort receives as many photos as this one, and you can see why within ninety seconds of arriving. It’s not just a nice view. It’s the kind of view that causes visitors to halt their unpacking and spend some time sitting on the bed’s edge, somewhat perplexed.
The journey there is a slow ceremony in and of itself. While some visitors choose to take the helicopter, which shortens the trip to less than ten minutes and provides an aerial view of the coast, the majority of visitors fly into UVF and then drive through the rainforest for an hour. Others arrive by water taxi from a nearby property, gliding past fishing boats and beaches lined with palm trees. This is the method I would suggest if you have the time. The airport route simply isn’t as satisfying as arriving at the pier at Anse Chastanet by boat.
The sanctuaries themselves are between 1,600 and 2,000 square feet in size, which may seem big until you consider that the majority of that area is the open edge that faces the sea. The resort actually encourages, almost demands, that you eat in your room, which is why there is a dining table. You receive service. Each sanctuary has a Major Domo who acts as a sort of personal concierge, taking care of everything from scheduling dinner to scheduling spa treatments to managing the somewhat uncomfortable shuttle trips to the beach.
It takes some getting used to the outdoor layout. No air conditioning is present. There are no screens, shutters, or glass barriers separating you from the wind. According to conventional wisdom, this should be an issue in the tropics, but it’s not; the temperature remains remarkably constant, the breeze blows through continuously, and the bugs, for some reason, don’t bother you. Only when the weather changes does the trade-off become clear. Suddenly, the bathroom feels more like camping than luxury due to a cold front and a sudden downpour. Nor are the pools heated. You may find yourself gazing longingly at a body of water you’ve been swimming in for hours on chilly nights.
But after the sun sets, none of that really matters. The Pitons appear almost staged in the dim light of the moon. The number of stars in the sky seems absurd. You feel as though you’re in a place that the outside world hasn’t fully comprehended as you lie in bed with the breeze blowing through what should be a wall. Couples who visit us frequently return. The same thing is nearly always mentioned in the reviews: other hotels were ruined for them. It’s difficult to ignore why quiet honeymooners and anniversary travelers are swarming the resort. Not every location merits its reputation. Mostly, this one does.
