Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort

Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort Review

Located on the most dramatic 192 acres in St. Lucia, the Sugar Beach resort (formerly Jalousie Plantation) flows down Val des Pitons—the steep valley smack between the Pitons—on the remains of an 18th-century sugar plantation 2 miles (3 km) south of Soufrière. The stunning location may take your breath away. Clusters of private villas have spacious bedrooms with walk-in closets, separate sitting rooms with custom-made furnishings upholstered in white fabrics, huge bathrooms with claw-foot tubs and crystal chandeliers—and showers big enough for a crowd—and enormous Piton-view decks with oversize plunge pools. Eight beachfront bungalows are steps from Anse des Pitons beach; stylish Sugar Mill rooms repeat the elegant plantation styling and also have private walled gardens. A personal butler tends to any request, including unpacking, making reservations, and calling the shuttle to take you to the lobby, a restaurant or bar, or the beach. The Cane Bar, which specializes in rum drinks and tasty snacks, and the adjoining Late Night Bar are right out of Miami's South Beach in terms of decor—very cool. Meals range from breakfast, barbecues, and buffets at the Bayside Grill to fine dining in the Great Room. Swimming and snorkeling at the beach are magical because of the incomparable Piton views on either side and the abundant sea life underwater. Dive, windsurf, or sail; play tennis, squash, or pitch-and-putt golf. Take a nature walk, climb Gros Piton (with a guide), or chill by the pool. The Rainforest Spa—with seven treehouse-style treatment gazebos in an actual rain-forest setting—offers outdoor massage, aromatherapy, and beauty treatments; there are also fitness classes, weight-training sessions, and complimentary aerobics, yoga, and Pilates classes. You also get one certified beach scuba dive daily or one beginner dive per stay.