Ladera Resort
As the only resort located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site and overlooking Saint Lucia’s most famous landmark, Ladera gives you a sense of exclusivity from the get-go. While the location and panoramic views of this Green Globe Certified resort are impressive, and will no doubt provide the perfect backdrop for your holiday snaps, there’s so much more to unpack during your stay. You’ll find a real sense of connection here, be that with the island, its culture, the surrounding nature or yourself and the eco-friendly philosophy of the resort only adds to this.
The essence of Ladera can be found amongst the attentive staff whose effortless attention to detail is as remarkable as the vistas. Take a stroll in the botanical gardens with the head gardener and discover beautiful local plants and flowers or pop into the Ladera Carpentry Shop and meet the craftsmen behind the resorts exquisite hand-crafted furniture. From ziplining and horseback riding to sunrise meditations and yoga sessions overlooking the verdant valley, the outstanding hotel team will ensure you are properly looked after. We loved the guided tour of the local market, shopping for locally grown produce before heading back to the resort for a cooking class with the head chef. If you’re feeling energetic jump on an exclusive guided hike to the top of Gros Piton, we won’t lie, it’s hot and steep, but we promise the views are worth it.
All 37 of the exquisite suites at Ladera has an open-wall concept with three solid walls and panoramic views across the Piton Mountains, Caribbean Sea and rainforest in place of the fourth. In keeping with its sustainable philosophy, each suite is constructed from locally harvested tropical hardwoods, stone and tiles with the furnishings made on site by Saint Lucian artisans. Your suite’s open wall gives way to a private terrace featuring a heated plunge pool, the perfect spot to soak up those magnificent views and a complimentary mini bar stocked with eco-packaged ‘Just Water’, an initiative that results in 80,000 fewer plastic bottles going to landfill per year. The Hilltop Dream Suite is one of our favourites and comes with a romantic swing over its pool and complimentary butler service while the Suite at Paradise Ridge is the epitome of extravagance with its separate dining area and extra-large bathroom spread across two floors.