Anse Chastanet

Opened in 2000, Anse Chastanet Resort was designed by Russian-Canadian architect Nick Troubetzkoy and is the only property in St. Lucia to offer views of both the Petit and Gros Piton mountains. Guests rooms are distributed on a green hillside, spilling down to beach level where they’re surrounded by gardens. Local artwork and furniture give the resort a strong sense of place; however, not all guests will love the look of its heavy woods, bold artwork, and bright madras prints. 

The resort is set amid 600 acres of jungle, which it shares with its sister resort, Jade Mountain. While the rambling property offers lots of pleasant trails to explore, it also means that it lacks a certain intimacy, despite only having 49 rooms. The sloping terrain can also be difficult to navigate on foot, although shuttles are available to transport guests down to the beach. Children over the age of 10 are welcome, but the resort’s romantic ambiance is better suited for couples. The vibe is peaceful and nature-focused, with no TVs or background music to distract guests from their surroundings. It’s ideal for guests interested in leisurely days spent admiring the scenery, or active days spent biking and snorkeling. 

The steep road leading up to Anse Chastanet from the town of Soufriere is among the worst drives on the island. Winding, rocky, and unpaved with lots of blind curves, the road is not for faint-hearted drivers. A shuttle transports guests from the resort’s parking lot to the main entrance. The resort is set in the middle of thick jungle and therefore, unsurprisingly, there’s not much within walking distance; however, its location on the south side of the island makes it a good base for excursions to the island’s top attractions. Soufriere, which is home to several excellent restaurants and a handful of colonial-era landmarks, is about a 12-minute drive away. Sulphur Springs Volcano Park can be reached in under 20 minutes by car. St. Lucia’s main international airport, Hewanorra International Airport, is around an hour’s drive away. 

Each guest room at Anse Chastanet is a bit different, but all make liberal use of traditional madras plaid, as well as furniture handmade from local woods, including mahogany, teak, red cedar, and green heart. Grand four-poster beds are elegantly draped in mosquito netting, and some rooms have hand-painted ceilings. Walls are decorated with graphic St. Lucian artwork ranging from intricate wooden plaques to Picasso-esque acrylic paintings. Many rooms have wooden louvered windows or walls, and most have balconies or patios. Views are of the Pitons, the Caribbean Sea, or the hotel’s garden-filled grounds. All rooms include coffee- and tea-making facilities and mini-fridges. Phones and TVs are purposefully absent, but there is free Wi-Fi. Roomy bathrooms have walk-in showers -- some with partial glass-block walls -- as well as hairdryers and Molton Brown toiletries. Many have modern vessels sinks and/or double vanities. 

Set on the top of the hill, Premium and Deluxe Rooms are reminiscent of tree houses, and some feature open fourth walls with spectacular views. Some Deluxe Rooms also include separate bedrooms and living areas. The Piton Pool Suite has a separate open walled living area, a bathroom with twin rainfall showerheads, and a private outdoor pool. Beachside Deluxe Rooms are the only rooms with air-conditioning. 

The resort encompasses two beaches: Anse Chastanet and Anse Mamin, both with soft, pale sand backed by dense foliage. The beaches are connected by a coastal walkway, or guests can take a scenic boat ride between the two. Thatched roof huts shading pairs of squishy lounge chairs are found on both beaches. Guests use flags to request food and beverage service. The busier of the two beaches, Anse Chastanet, includes a PADI dive center. The marine reserve just offshore is home to over 140 fish species, offering superb snorkeling and diving opportunities. The water sports center can also organize sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. 

Other resort activities include twice-daily yoga classes in a lovely open-air pavilion on Anse Chastanet beach, as well as tours of the resort’s chocolate laboratory. Guests can also rent bikes and explore the property’s private jungle trails, or participate in guided walks or hikes. 

Set on Anse Chastanet beach, Kai Belte Spa’s breezy reception area features a rock garden and fountain. Aromatherapy, massages, scrubs, and wraps are offered in the spa’s five treatment rooms. Some treatments are also available in a separate open-air cabana up on the hill, overlooking the ocean. Guests have access to the beautiful stone and wood-accented fitness center found at neighboring Jade Mountain Resort. There’s also a lighted tennis court. 

Anse Chastanet has two boutiques, which sell a range of clothing and souvenirs, many of which are made in St. Lucia. There’s also a small art gallery focused on the works of local artists. A tiny library in Piti Piton Lounge has two computer stations for guests, as well as books in several languages. The hotel offers wedding planning services. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and there’s free self-parking on-site. 

The resort has five dining options, all of which are open-air and emphasize produce grown on the property. The elegant Treehouse Restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner, has wood-beamed ceilings, white-linen covered tables, and hilltop views. Piti Piton Bar is set just off Treehouse Restaurant. It’s sunny and airy, with wonderful views of the grounds and pillars decorated with hand-painted murals. The views are equally impressive at neighboring Emerald’s, which serves an all-vegetarian dinner menu. 

Casual fare is offered at the resort’s two beachfront restaurants: Trou au Diable on Anse Chastanet and Jungle Grill on Anse Mamin. Both restaurants serve lunch and snacks and Trou au Diable -- which also has a bar -- offers dinner most evenings. Jungle Grill makes one of the best burgers on the island -- served on grilled Johnny cakes instead of a traditional bun. Jungle Grill is completely open-air, with seating offered at simple picnic tables sheltered by canvas tents. A section of Trou au Diable is converted into a dining experience called Apsara in the evening, which specializes in Indian cuisine.