Amy Winehouse regularly heads to St Lucia’s Cotton Bay Village to get away from it all - and after our trip we can hardly blame her. A collection of 74 luxury beachside residences and villas, it’s a little piece of heaven in one of the Caribbean’s most welcoming islands.
Our Calabash Villa is as big as our flat back home: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sizeable lounge and kitchen and no less than three balconies overlooking either the pool or the leafy walkways of the peaceful village. It’s tempting to spend the entire day following the sun around the different balconies, simply popping out thrice a day to the restaurant.
Where to eat
Ah, the restaurant. Cotton Bay’s 1461 Beach Club is a gorgeous breakfast spot – we start the day feasting on Eggs Benedict overlooking the sparkling blue sea. It’s also a great lunch spot and especially affordable if you’ve opted for the all-inclusive deal. Many guests decide to mix it up – a few days all-inclusive, then a few days B&B to allow for excursions and/or self-catering.
The Beach Club’s equally romantic for a sunset dinner with friendly service. If you fancy something a little more formal head for the Piano Piano Restaurant and Champagne Bar. With bold modern décor, fine wines, Mediterranean-Caribbean fusion cuisine and elegant service, this could be a swanky city bar and eaterie.
If you fancy a night out elsewhere, the Cap Maison Villa Resort & Spa is a 10 minute cab ride away and features a clifftop restaurant with stunning views - the spot of many a marriage proposal. The Cliff at Cap is a real treat: exemplary service, romantic atmosphere and the kind of food that makes you roll your eyes in ecstasy. Their Kobe Beef still lingers in the mind.
For yummy local streetfood, head to nearby Gros-Islet (they have a jumping street party on Fridays) or the characterful Marjorie’s on the beach next to Cotton Bay. Just agree a price first: like many St Lucians in the service industry, the legendary Marjorie has a canny eye for tourist cash!
Where to relax
Cotton Bay’s aptly-named Heaven spa is a calm oasis offering award-winning treatments, oft favoured by Ms Winehouse. We start our first day with a Couples’ Rasul Combo, which involves covering each other in mud, washing it off and having massages side by side. The massages are wonderfully relaxing and a cool glass of champagne is the perfect finishing touch. They also do a mean manicure, should you wish to glam up for dinner and the days beyond.
Then again romantic relaxation needn’t cost a penny at Cotton Bay: there are stunning coastal walks nearby taking you to “Secret Beach” and “Donkey Beach”, both of which were deserted when we visited. We advise packing water, sun block and a couple of Pitons, the local beer.
What to see
You can’t go to St Lucia without exploring: it’s an island of jaw-dropping beauty. Hiring a taxi driver for about US$160 a day is not cheap but it’s absolutely worth it: most are trained tour guides too. Head to Soufrière on the West Coast to marvel at the incredible Piton mountains and the smoking volcanic pools. The Diamond Botanic Waterfall and Gardens are the perfect setting for a romantic stroll so make sure you ask your driver to stop off there.
Nearer to Cotton Bay, you’ll find the Rain Forest Adventures in the highland community of Chassin. They’ll pick you up at your hotel and pop you on an aerial tram up to the top of this huge rainforest for spectacular views. More adventurous types can book an Adrena-Line ziplining adventure and whoosh through the trees.
One of the most romantic ways to see St Lucia’s natural beauty is to kayak. Dive Fair Helen offer peaceful tours for couples and families around the gorgeous Marigot bay and onto a river lined by stunning foliage and local birdlife. They also do diving, snorkelling and a range of other kayaking trips.
Sun, sea, romance and adventure… St Lucia’s Cotton Bay really is hard to beat when it comes to an idyllic and inspiring holiday.
Special offer
Save over £400 per person with the seven-night Summer Lovin’ package at Cotton Bay Village from £1,212 pp. Includes Tamarind Villa accommodation, candlelit dinner, Champagne breakfast, couples’ massage and spa treatment. Book by 31 May 2011 for travel from June until 31 August 2011. For reservations and further info visit cottonbaystlucia.com or call +44 8000 988 211.
How to get there
Virgin Atlantic fly three times a week to St Lucia from London Gatwick. Economy fares start from £377, Premium £677 plus tax. Treat yourself to Upper Class (from £1820) and enjoy five-star treatment in the Clubhouse including Cowshed Spa treatments (we recommend the hot stone hand massage). For more info call 0844 2092 770 or visit virginatlantic.com. Travel to Gatwick via Gatwick Express.
