Hi Lisa - thanks for responding to my question. <BR>Did you have any security issues while you were at Ladera ? (does the <BR>resort have security) - any security issues with an open room. (by the <BR>way - I am not paranoid - just trying to get as many details as <BR>possible) <BR>Also - I have heard that the plunge pools are not really big enough to <BR>swim in - however some rooms do have a pool? <BR>How do you think Ladera would work with our group (three or four <BR>couples)? <BR>Did you visit the beach often? <BR>The only such vacation that we have taken has recently been to ARUBA - <BR>that was AI and was very convenient - did you have any problems <BR>traveling to other restaurants? <BR>Is there any entertainment at Ladera? <BR>Sorry for all of the questions - thanks for your help <BR>Ron

Hi Ron. We had no security issues at Ladera whatsoever. Our room had a safe in the closet which we did use just to be on the safe side (it was small, but large enough for 2 cameras, a wallet and a small purse). I cannot imagine how anyone could get into the rooms as they are perched high up off the ground (maybe Spiderman could get in but I don't see how anyone else could except through the regular door, which has a lock). Also, the property seemed to have very good security -- there was a gate with a guard. I'm not saying that person's incident did not happen; I'm just saying we had no worries when we were there. <BR> <BR>Our plunge pool in our room was not really big enough to "swim" in -- it was more the size of a large round jacuzzi -- probably about 6 feet in diameter -- and the water in it was chilly. However, every room is different. Some rooms had plunge pools with waterfalls, that were heated. Some rooms have their own regular pools from what I understand, which sounds awesome. I know there are some rooms that have two or three bedrooms; if you read some of the other posts about Ladera you can get more info about how certain rooms are configured. Ours was a loft style room where you walked in to the living area with a large closet, sitting area with sofa and chair and coffee table, plunge pool, and bathroom, and there were stairs that led up to the "bedroom" which had a queen-sized bed, a desk and a chair (but the whole thing was like one big open room, if that makes any sense). Ours was one of the least expensive rooms though. Maybe if there are 3 couples you could get a 3-br & if there are 4 couples you could get 2 2-br? Although I don't know how many rooms there are of each type. It's a fairly small place. Personally, the place is so conducive to romance that I'm not sure I would want to share a room with another couple! Half the fun was hanging around in your room "au naturel." Sounds funny to say it but you can't imagine how amazing the setting is with the breezes coming in off the Caribbean and that incredible view and there's not a soul in the world who can see you . <BR>Just call and ask about the rooms; the people at the 800 number were very helpful (I think they were located in the US though, but they seemed to know Ladera pretty well and even went so far as to fax us a sample dinner menu when we asked for it as we were a bit worried about the restaurant prices). <BR>Yes, we visited the beaches often. We would go to Jalousie one day and Anse Chastanet the next, and then would take a day and do some daytrips around the island (hiking in the rainforest with a guide one day, visited the volcano and waterfall and botanical gardens another day), and then go back to one of the beaches. I think within the week we were there we went to Jalousie 3 times and AC twice. The beach at Jalousie was prettier in my opinion but the beach at AC had better snorkeling. Both had good beachside restaurants where we ate lunch (we loved the rotis), and both had friendly waitstaff working the beach who would bring you a fruity drink or Piton beer or something to cool off. Ladera provided snorkeling equipment, beach towels and chairs at both beaches (or vouchers for chairs so you wouldn't have to rent one). The beach at AC had a bit more shade than Jalousie but the sand at AC was hotter because it was darker volcanic sand while Jalousie's was white imported sand. For some reason there were three shuttles per day to Jalousie (morning, noon, and late afternoon) and only two to Anse Chastanet (morning and midafternoon), but maybe that has changed since we were there. <BR> <BR>Ladera has entertainment at least one night I know of which is the night of the manager's barbecue where the manager of Ladera hosts a complimentary happy hour for all the guests which is followed by an all-you-can-eat dinner of grilled fish, steak, chicken, etc. (the dinner is not free but is a fixed-price -- can't remember how much it was -- maybe $25 or $35 per person?). On that night they had a reggae/calypso band and a few couples got into the groove and danced after dinner. It was fun but pretty low-key -- nothing too crazy. <BR>We had no problem traveling to other restaurants -- we basically just took cabs, which Ladera would bill to our room which was great and convenient. One night after spending all day at the beach at Jalousie we just stayed there and ate dinner, which was VERY expensive (about $50 per person) and good but not as good as the restaurant at Ladera in my opinion. But we enjoyed trying other restaurants instead of eating at Ladera every night. The woman who worked the front desk at Ladera was very helpful about recommending other restaurants in the area if you asked her and would even call and make reservations and taxi arrangements for you. <BR>Haven't been to Aruba but from what I've heard I think you'll find St. Lucia very different -- no casinos, less nightlife, quieter -- but more lush and scenic (I've heard Aruba is flat and arid?). St. Lucia is less heavily touristed, probably less built up. To me this means "unspoiled," but the beauty is in the eye of the beholder -- some others on this forum apparently saw more poverty and less beauty than I did. I'm not sure why that is, except to say that everyone is different! <BR>You didn't say how long you're going for but if you're going with other couples and more of them are into nightlife/entertainment, I suppose there is a possibility some of them might find Ladera and vicinity too quiet -- if so you might consider splitting up your trip with a few nights at one of the larger A/I resorts in the north and a few nights at Ladera or somewhere else in the south. Maybe that way everybody will be happy. Some people seem to like Halcyon a lot.

Hi Lisa, my name is Carole and I've been reading what seems to be thousands of comments about Ladera in St. Lucia. My boyfriend and I are traveling there this November, and neither of us can wait. Once he reads some of the comments as I did, he'll be even more anxious. <BR> <BR>Anyhow, you seem very knowledgable about Ladera and I want to know what rooms are better, the Deluxe (which we chose for our stay) or the smaller 1 bdrm suite which on the webpage shows an awesome view. It's confusing to determine if the Deluxe has the better view as stated, and do these rooms also have private bathroom facilities? <BR> <BR>Also, what's the weather like in November, temperature, rain, etc? <BR> <BR>I look forward to hearing from you and thanks for whatever feedback you can provide. <BR> <BR>Carole <BR> <BR>

Hi Carole. <BR> <BR>We were there in November and had great weather. Daytime temperatures were mostly in the mid- to upper-80s and sunny and evenings were in the low- to mid-70s. There were constant breezes. It rained a few times but only for a few minutes each time, and they were sunshowers (we saw rainbows several times). That doesn't mean you will necessarily get the same weather but I think November tends to be pretty good -- it is after most of the rainy season but you should not be surprised if there are a few brief showers -- that's what keeps it so green and lush. <BR> <BR>Unfortunately I can't help you about the deluxe rooms because we only saw the one we were staying in, which was a regular one-bedroom with plunge pool (I think it was one of the least-expensive rooms). Our view was incredible but every single person we met at the resort said they had an incredible view, and I believe them! It seemed like because of the way the resort is situated all the rooms face the Caribbean and the Pitons on one side. We loved our room. Yes, all the rooms have private bathrooms. I don't know if the Deluxe rooms are worth the extra money -- maybe you can post a separate question with its own heading and get more answers on that, or do a search using the word "Ladera" and see what you come up with because there have been other posts on specific rooms. For us, the regular room was plenty wonderful.

Thanks Lisa your information was most helpful

My wife and I are going to be at Ladera from Nov. 20-26 and staying in a deluxe 1 bedroom suite. All of these posts are great. If anyone can describe the differences between the deluxe and regular suites, please let me know. Carole, maybe we'll see you there!

Hi Jeff: <BR> <BR>I just got back from my honeymoon at Lader in June and I agree with what Lisa ha ssaid. WE had a deluxe 1 bedroom room R. Out plnge pool had a waterfall and was heated. We only had one wall missing, the one facing the Pitons. If it is important to ahve a waterfall and a heated pool then probably the deluxe is worth it, if not then save some money and go with the reglar one bedroom. We did not see any of the other rooms but everyone we talked to LOVED their room. <BR>we had dinner at Ladera two nights, at Bang on Wednesday night and The Pier at the Hyatt on Thursday ngiht at the bugget. It was a great restaurant right on the water.

Thanks for the info, Kay. Can you tell me what you thought of the other restaurants? My wife and I like to explore, so we will probably eat several meals around the island. Also, we are leaning towards renting a car. Did you rent or taxi? What would you recommend? Thanks again.

Hi Jeff: <BR> <BR>e had a blast with our rent jeep we rented from "Cool Breezes" but my husband had driven in Mexico on worse roads than in St. Lucia so he was comfortable. It is stressful driving in soufrie as the roads in town are very narrow and people Chickens and dogs were cosntandly stepping into the street. But other than that the roads were in good shape I thought. They were twisty and turny. We drove slowley and honked our horn every time we got to a blind curve to let anyone on the other side know we were there. <BR> <BR>We had dinner twice at Ladera and loved it but the portions are not that big. The Caribbean is not familiar with the "all you can eat"concept or big portions. It was jsut fine for me but my husband thought for the price the portions should have been bigger. He is a big eater thought We had lunch at the restaurant at the Hilton twice and loved it. We had dinner at The Pier REstuarant" at the Hilton on Thursday night when they have their buffet. It was very lovely right on the water with sail boats anchored in the bay. They ahd a nice band that night too. As I said before we ate at "Bang" on Wednesday night when they have their floor show which was great. They ahd a seit menu with grilled coconut first YUM!!!! then an appatiser and choice fo main course and dessert. It was $40 per person but worth it I thought. You also got a rum punch too. Whiile we were up at the Hyatt at the other end of the island we ate at the beach restaurant for lunch and at the more casual restaurant at ngith once. We alos ate at the Chart house on rodney bay which was good. WE ate our last ngiht at the "Captians'Tavern" on Pigeon island which was really neat to eat in ruins of an old fort. <BR> <BR>In closing if you are not comforatable on the roads I described just rent a taxi. we heard some great thigns aobut he taxi drivers.

Thanks for the info. If you don't mind, how much did you pay for the Jeep? My wife and I would like to visit the interior and go on some hikes, so a jeep would be ideal for what I expect are poor roads. I think the driving would be a fun challenge, but we also don't want to spend a gazillion on a rental. Thanks again for the info.

Our jeep was $65 a day plus local taxes. You also had to buy a St. Lucia drivers licence. I don't know how much that was my husband took care of it.