Nick Hewer in Saint Lucia

Former advisor to Lord Sugar on The Apprentice and presenter of Countdown, Nick Hewer shares his impressions of Saint Lucia.

I first visited Saint Lucia many years ago. Back then, Anse Chastanet, a Sandals resort and a couple of little places were the only options available to travellers looking for a place to stay, but today Saint Lucia is home to a host of the world’s most extraordinary hotels. On this return visit, it was easy to see how things have evolved. Roads have improved and the island looks more prosperous – not everywhere by any means – and the trip brought back fond memories of my first journey here, alongside a later work trip filming a programme about FairTrade bananas.

I’m not usually a beach person, preferring a bit more adventure during my time off. I travelled with my partner Catherine, who doesn’t like to stray too far from home, but if there’s a good hotel waiting at the other end, she can be persuaded.

We flew Business Class with British Airways with a fully flat bed that made the journey particularly comfortable. We were soon whisked off to Jade Mountain, which I thought was glorious.

Galaxy Sanctuary at Jade Mountain in Saint Lucia

Pink Plantation House
"We went to a lovely French colonial house called the Pink Plantation House, which is wrapped in a wooden veranda. I’d recommend dining here at lunchtime to make the most of the great views over the harbour at Castries. You get a real feel for the history of the place and we tried huge helpings of lots of traditional dishes."

We stayed in a Galaxy Sanctuary at Jade Mountain, which was open-air on two sides and had the most commanding panoramic views over the Pitons. There was an infinity pool in the room that stretched out to the horizon and a huge bed draped in mosquito nets – not looking like mosquito nets. I thought it was magical and they treated us terribly well. The Galaxy Sanctuary was around 2000 square feet and it was fabulous sleeping in the open-air, the wonderful warm breeze ensuring we slept like babies.

We booked a private car and driver to explore the island, so spent mornings out discovering the area and a few afternoons relaxing in our magnificent pool at Jade Mountain. During our stay, we also had a very good meal on the hotel's top deck surrounded by candles, cooked by James Beard award-winning chef Allen Susser.

Dine on the top deck at Jade Mountain in Saint Lucia

Captain Mike’s whale watching
"We booked a tremendous whale watching trip in Saint Lucia with Captain Mike’s. It’s very difficult to find whales and dolphins, but out at sea we were surrounded by dolphins – a lot of them – swimming beside the boat. The sea was foaming with dolphins and it was extraordinary. We also saw a big pod of pilot whales. There’s something very primal about whales, I think. I’m rather humbled by them."

We were also lucky enough to spend the day at Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort. Sugar Beach was very special. If you want a luxury beach holiday that is absolutely immaculately presented, then Sugar Beach is where you should go. We spent the day on the beach, the staff ensuring the utmost service and fresh towels, and we had a great meal at the hotel’s beachfront restaurant, which offered Caribbean delicacies. It was beautiful here and this must be one of Saint Lucia’s most glorious stretches of sand.

Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort