I am planning to stay at the Ladera Resort in St. Lucia for part of my honeymoon during April 2003. Does anyone have any rooms or suites they would recommend because of a better view or more privacy? Also, we are considering the Jalousie Hilton-they are comparable with Ladera in price- would you choose one over the other and why?

Pat: Try a text search. Ladera has been discussed to death.

Pat, Ladera and Jalousie are hard to pick 1 over the other. Both are situated where you will need a shuttle to get to the beach. They both have the availability of rooms with plunge pools. Ladera is unique with its open rooms and 'top of the world' mountain view. Jalousie's property is spread out and lush. Ladera's dinner is definitely better than at the Hilton, but I wouldn't confine ourselves to eating onsite; definitely would go around the island to eat dinner, especially. Jalousie has a great spa, tho.<BR><BR>Bottom line, I'd research both for my honeymoon 'wants' and then decide.

I agree with much of what GM says. However, while it is true that you get to the beach from the Jalousie rooms by taking the shuttle, the beach is directly in front of the Jalousie resort and the shuttles are constantly circulating on the Jalousie property so you can go back and forth to your room quickly and easily. All you have to do is call for a shuttle from your room or from the conveniently located call boxes throughout the property. I don't know how long it takes the shuttle to go from the Ladera to the Jalousie beach but we took a taxi from the Jalousie to Ladera this summer and it was at least 10 minutes. Also, I believe that the Ladera shuttle goes back and forth at a few regularly scheduled times a day-- you can't just call for it to come get you. Ladera has spectacular scenery and the open wall concept of the rooms is a nice touch. We went with Jalousie on our honeymoon because we wanted to be as close to the beach as possible. Also, we wanted amenities in our room (TV, A/C), which Ladera does not have. Ladera is more of a get away from everything type place. Jalousie villas also offer a lot of privacy, but they also offer the amenities I mentioned also. I really enjoyed the scenery at the Jalousie because we were so close up to the spectacular Pitons--it is a scene you will never forget! Both resorts are wonderful choices. Good luck!

Pat, we stayed at both Ladera and the Jalousie, and will do so again next time. They are both a uniquely different experience. And both great! I will always have the difficulty deciding between the two so we will stay at both. <BR>At Ladera I recommend the 1 bedroom deluxe suites with heated plunge pool. These are incredible. The rooms with the plunge pool inside are very small and can be cold. Even some of there more expensive suites have the small plunge pools inside, the extra cost is from having more then one bedroom.<BR>All rooms at Ladera are private and have a incredible view. You will be able to shuttle to the Jalousie Beach(one of the most beautiful locations) or Anse Chastanet Resort beach (which is a must see) very exotic, great place to have lunch and snorkel.<BR>We happened to get the most incredibly private and again excellent view cottage suite at the Jalousie also. Not all their cottages are that private in the plunge pool area or may have only mountain view. So you maybe giving up the privacy factor(in the plunge pool area). This can disappoint some. But then there are a lot of other factors that you will enjoy being a part of the Jalousie property also. <BR>

Get a villa higher up (such as a number in the 700's, 800's or 900's) if you want to get a plunge pool villa at Jalousie that has lots of privacy. Our villa was very private and I believe we were in 704 this summer

To:Keep-it-real<BR>Hi, was your villa ocean view also and was it a suite? I was also interested in other locations/room numbers that are private in the plunge pool area. We would love to have the villa suite #904 again but the chances of that happening again will probably be not so good. I wanted to be prepared with some other good locations. Thanks! Silly question but do you remember what color your cottage was. I liked the combination color decor in the green and yellow, ones. #904 was in the blues.

Yes, out villa was a an ocean view suite. I believe that it was done in blues.

Hi Pat:<BR><BR>I spent part of my honeymoon at Ladera and took lots of pictures adn wrote a long trip report. YOu can read the report and look at the pictures at www.seashelltravel.com<BR><BR>We had a 1 bedroom deluxe suite &quot;R&quot; which was VERY romantic with an outside heated plunge pool. I was able to see the room next to ours suite &quot;S&quot; and it was evern more romantic than ours. We had windows overlooking the rainforest but the suite next to us had an actual balcony to overlook the rainforest and a great plunge pool too. But there ar eno bad rooms at Ladera and the views from your room are stunning and out of this world. We did nto want to leave the room. We went down to the Hilton several times. My best friend got married at the Hilton and they stayed in room #904 which had a wonderful pool and great views. <BR><BR>Which ever one you decide on or split them up do have your travel agent request a complementary upgrade for you if space is available as you are a very importan client etc. IT almost always works if there is space. Do have her fax the hotelm at least 3 times until she gets a response. <BR><BR>If you ahve any questions after reading my trip report let me know.