Apologies in advance for a long review but so much to say and hopefully, it will be useful to those who are considering or have booked this resort. We were originally due to travel 30th May but a positive covid result led to us having to move dates. We'd booked via On The Beach who were awful but Carina in reservations came to our rescue and between us, we changed the dates without penalty. We met up with her to say thanks, she was lovely! We arranged transfers from the airport through Carina and on arrival, were greeted in the lobby with rum punch and some information on the resort. The shuttle driver, knowing we'd just arrived, took us to the top of the hill to share the beautiful view. It had been a long day and my daughter was sick in the shuttle. The driver and another member of staff were great about it and reassured us they'd take care of it. We had booked a one bed ocean view villa but 142 had two bedrooms, bathrooms and terraces. Although we were only a third of the way up the hill, the views were stunning. The first night, we ordered room service for a $7 additional charge, ate outside and then found we had locked ourselves out. Quick phone call later and security were there within 5 minutes. The resort is absolutely beautiful and very well maintained. Rooms and housekeeping The villa furniture was a bit tired but nothing to complain about, so many reviewers had said the resort is dated but we certainly didn't find that to be the case. We also weren't affected by the entertainment noise as some had noted. Housekeeping came every day, plenty of towels, quality toiletries, good hairdryers, coffee bags, tea, bottled water in mini bar fridge and a very small freezer which you could fit a box of ice-creams in. There are safes in the rooms but it seemed very safe to leave valuables out. Large wardrobes where cases could be stored and plenty of hangers. The beds were comfy and AC left on 24/7. Some days they didn't refresh water or wash our cups and glasses up but water is safe to drink from tap so no biggie. Shuttles We walked down the hill for the whole trip and you don't wait more than 5 minutes for shuttles up. Some drivers were chatty, some not but that's life! Front desk The staff were helfpul and friendly, our ambassador Dee magically knew my name the first time we met in person and always greeted us with a smile. You can draw cash on your card, I heard the limit was 50 USD a day but they gave me more when I used this facility. Check out was quick and easy and a couple of charges I queried were removed without any trouble. Tour desk and excursions We arranged our first tour with Tyler of Exodus Tours on the beach. What a cool dude he is. I think his tour was 300 USD and it was awesome! We were picked up from the resort jetty by speedboat, 5 of us in total and taken to Marigot Bay (beautiful), snorkelled between the Pitons off Sugar Beach, on to the mudbaths, a beautiful waterfall, had a wonderful lunch then back on the speedboat with beer and rum punch flowing and Bob Marley blaring. Such an amazing day. Every opportunity we got we told people how good it was to help him out! We booked three trips with Jason at the resort tour desk. There was no pressure and I was given some pages detailing trips available and costs. We had a look then went back later to make our reservations. The Explorers Cruise was great with three different snorkelling stops and a lovely barbeque lunch on the boat. It was a catamaran and although it was rammed, another great trip. We did the ATV half day, it POURED with rain but was awesome nonetheless and finally, we did the rainforest zip wires and gondola combo. That was fantastic too. I did mess up thinking the 'Tranopy' trip was Monday but it was actually booked for the Friday. I called the tour desk and the guy who answered at first was really unhelpful and saying that it was my fault and that I'd lost the 330 USD I paid. I told him that we had been in the room at the time and why didn't anyone call the room as we would have come down. In the end, he made a call and it was moved. Phew. The resort tour costs don't seem any more than the reservations you can make online and you can charge to your room so nice and convenient. We took a taxi to Rodney Bay marina for an evening meal, I think it was 32 USD for the fare. It was the only meal we had outside the resort and made a change. We also got a taxi to the market in Castries which was great for souveniers. Lots of encouragement to visit every stall but we didn't feel pressured or stressed as you can in some destinations. Restaurants If you weren't all inclusive, as other people have mentioned, it would be expensive! You do sign for everything, even for an ice cream on the beach from the ice cream parlour. Breakfast was ok, bacon and sausages good and omelettes made to order. The continental breakfast wasn't amazing, not a great choice of pastries and cheeses / salamies were often depleted. Something needs to be done to cover bread and fruits as they always had flies on them. The staff remember your tea and coffee preferences after a few days. Jammers is great, quite a varied menu and the main resort bar is here with views out to the beach and main pool. The cocktail menu is huge and they have most branded drinks and spirits included in all inclusive. They didn't have mint for Mojitos that often but so what, it was a celebration when they did. The local Piton beer is good. Also the wine, I avoided it for half the holiday having read reviews and have found it bad in previous all inclusive hotels but the red was great! Our favourite staff were Vernei (Mamma), Sharon and Maria, dazzling smiles and so lovely, especially with our daughter! Embers has a great menu too, brisket sliders probably our favourites but it's only open at lunchtime unfortunately. Dragonfly only had fish and lamb on the menu so we didn't eat there. The Upper Deck requires a reservation but you can make it the same day, we had a couple of good meals there and Papa Don's (Italian) is up the hill, again, reservations required, we had two meals there which were both good. Dress code very relaxed at Jammers but you want to dress up a bit for Papa Don's and the Upper Deck. The coffee shop in the lobby has a different selection of lovely cakes, tea, coffee and fruit water all available to take away. There was a beach buffet on Thursday, food was amazing and a really good variety. My daughter is a super fussy eater but she was really happy with the resort food. Beach Wow, what an amazing beach. So pretty and much of it is shallow water. The in-water hammocks are lovely and don't get monopolised, same for sunbeds on beach, we secured beds under an umbrella every day we were on the beach even if we went late morning. Plenty to go around. The 96 degree bar is fab, they can't make everything there but so handy for drinks when you're on the beach and there are staff to fetch you food and drinks which is such a treat. Not sure if I've got his name quite right but Shevron (pretty boy) is so funny and smiley. They brought fruit in little pots, cold flannels and even cold minty spray bottles one day! There is a big inflatible slide, floating decks and disks to chill out on too. A fruit boat pulls up every day, we bought rum coconuts and star fruit from him one day and he doesn't hassle anyone, just there if you want him! You get cards for towels on arrival and exchange the cards for towels at the towel hut on the beach. You can take them off site too so no real need to bring your own. You just hand them in when you need a refresh, super easy. There's also a volleyball net on the beach which lots of people enjoyed. Cats! There are a few strays on the resort, my daughter loved this! They don't hassle you as there is always another table they can wander to for food and petting! Weather Looking at the weather before we went and during our trip, it looked worrying. There was cloud, rain and wind forecast. No need to worry at all. There were a handful of showers which were refreshing and if the sun went behind a cloud, it was soon out again! We did have one full day of rain, never been so wet in my life through rain but we went on the ATVs on this day and were given ponchos. Entertainment The resort laid on fireworks for fathers day. Was expecting a low key show but WOW, it was an almighty display! Thursdays are great with stilt walkers and a fire show. There were steel bands and tribute bands a couple of which were so great. Our daughter didn't do kids club but we could see lots of activities going on. Also seemed to be a few excercise classes too which looked great if you're into that. Spa Stefanie in the Spa did a manicure / pedicure for me. She was lovely and the Spa is so beautiful. Was really tempted to go back but didn't get there again. Shopping There is a little supermarket which has the essentials, you can charge to your room. There's also souvenier shops and a jewellers. Near the towel hut there are a couple of little independent shacks with nice souveniers available. I wanted to buy so much from the wood carving guy! Tips Again, having read other reviews, I wondered if we'd feel pressured on this front. 10% service charge is added to food, drink and the spa. You don't pay this if all inclusive. At NO time did we feel pressured or feel that we were treated less favourably if we didn't tip. Watersports Saving the best until last. These guys are so amazing! We did snorkelling on resort which is good, lots to see but obviously not as good as the trips out. My husband re-discovered his love of sailing, we took a cat out a few times. We all did kayaking which was fun and every day, before they close at 16.30, you can do inflatible rides which were such fun. You have to put your name down for this at 15.00. They have pedelo boats too. We didn't try water skiing but again, looked fun. Gordon is the man in charge and was so lovely with our daughter. She was nervous about a few things but he really went out of his way to put her mind at rest and made sure his team looked after her. Denver is brilliant too. He gave us snorkelling equipment so my daughter could try it the night before we went on a trip even though they were just closing. Denver works so hard! Rio is lovely and Donel, so sweet, friendly and helpful. He remembered our names after day 1. Donel's on trial until November and I'm sure Gordon will keep him. These guys really are the cherry on the top for the resort. Finally, we were offerred a presentation on the owner scheme in exchange for a 100 USD voucher to put towards excurstions or the Spa. I thought we'd go along but was convinced upfront we wouldn't join up. It actually seemed like a great deal and I thought about it a lot over the next few days. It didn't feel like we were under too much pressure by Pam the sales lady or her boss and were asked to think about it and go back to them with feedback on our final day. We didn't get time but thanks ladies, and maybe we will go ahead with this in the future. Very few people wore masks anywhere during our trip which is nice but of course, it's a personal choice. The only place I remember it being compulsory was the airport. Seriously guys, I never like to go back to the same place twice as the world is a big place however, we absolutely loved St Lucia and Windjammer so you never know. Thanks to each and every one of you for making this a holiday to remember forever. Tina, Rowland and Willow Lorch…
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