It’s unquestionably one of the most naturally beautiful islands in the Caribbean. But when you think about Saint Lucia, the beach isn’t often the first thing that comes to mind. Indeed, many of the island’s most noteworthy places to stay aren’t actually on the beach, like three-walled hillside retreats like Ladera or Jade Mountain and rainforest eco-hotels like Fond Doux and Boucan.
But Saint Lucia is home to some rather beautiful stretches of sand — and the hotels to match.
Here are our eight favorite beachfront resorts in Saint Lucia.
The Landings Resort and Spa It’s arguably the most complete resort in Saint Lucia, and this superb property on the northwestern coast of the island is also blessed with a spectacular beachfront location. But it’s also a residential resort – with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom villa suites that offer the comfort of your own private villa and the convenience of a luxury hotel. And in the new age of tourism, that’s become one of the biggest priorities for today’s travelers.
Bay Gardens Beach Resort This locally-owned resort is a Saint Lucia signature, offering a marriage of authenticity and outstanding service. There are 72 rooms, with a privileged perch on the island’s stunning Reduit Beach. Our recommendation? Go for the all-inclusive plan, which includes the wonderful Dine Around Program, which actually lets you eat at local restaurants as part of your all-inclusive package. The floating water park, above, makes it rather attractive for families with kids, too.
Anse Chastanet The island’s best diving resort (and sister hotel to Jade Mountain) is a Saint Lucia classic, with a total of 49 rooms — 37 on a hillside, and 12 set in a tropical garden right on the sand. It’s endlessly charming and a true gateway to one of the island’s most enchanting towns: Soufriere.
St James’s Club Morgan Bay This all-inclusive is part of the celebrated Elite Island Resorts portfolio, with just under 350 rooms in a prime beachfront setting on Choc Bay, close to Castries. It’s also got a new look — the resort recently completed upgrades of all of its 88 beachfront rooms, in addition to adding a new on-the-sand barbecue restaurant (and a pair of new pickleball courts).
Coconut Bay The island’s most famous all-inclusive is set in Vieux Fort on the magnificent southern coast of Saint Lucia. That also makes it the most convenient hotel to get to on the island — just a few minutes’ drive from Hewanorra International Airport. It’s also home to the terrific adults-only Serenity at Coconut Bay resort-within-a-resort.
Cap Maison This luxury enclave has long been serving the best food of any hotel property in Saint Lucia, whether at its endlessly romantic Cliff at Cap eatery or the ground-breaking gourmet beach bar, The Naked Fisherman. That’s along with 49 rooms with a Caribbean-meets-the-Mediterranean vibe. The beach is spectacular in its own right, with a secluded, cliff-rimmed, exotic feel (and, some days, with views to Martinique).
BodyHoliday The hotel that, in many ways, reinvented the wellness hotel in the Caribbean, is set on a beautiful stretch of sand just a bit past Cap Maison on the island’s northwestern coast. Of course, the wellness offerings are so good at this 154-room property that you may never even get to the beach.
Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort This property has been home to a number of hotel brands over the decades, but Viceroy has taken this property to the next level, cultivating a true luxury experience in a lovely corner of beach at the foot of the Pitons. Recent upgrades, including a new pool and a new ocean-view bar, have made things even better.