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Questions regarding Ladera and Jalousie

Giving our son a honeymoon to either Ladera or Jalousie-Hilton (leaning toward Ladera) and have a few questions. 1. Are there restaurants nearby or only those within the resort? We are not clear how secluded these resorts are. 2. Neither the bride or groom eat seafood (I know, crazy!!) -- we assume non-seafood fare is available? 3. What about things to do outside the resorts? Are there points of interests, activities nearby? Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you! Laura

Laura, I see this post unanswered so I will give you some info from our trip to Jalousie in the mid-nineties. I do know that Ladera has a lovley dining spot, high above the Pitons, called Dasheen. Ladera sits above Jalousie, and they have 2-3 dining spots, also I believe Ladera has use of their beach. Fun little restaurant on the water right next to Jalousie is Bangs. As far as non seafood fare-yes you are correct,other fare of course. As far as outside the resort, a few points of interest, Volcano, the Waterfall, garden (forgot name). Lots of water taxis, little boats at Jalousie. Also Jalousie has a fantastic spa, it should be open to non guests, you might want to check. The South end of St. Lucia is very tropical, very very windy roads, and Ladera is at the top! Hope this helps!

I've noticed that many people who post here have split their time between Ladera and something ON the waterfront. Ladera and the Hilton are on the same end of the island, one above the other. I believe at the other end of the island, and with a beach, is Le Sport - which is a AI spa resort with lots of activities that everyone raves about - and a Sandals (is this correct?) which is at a fabulous location and used to be the Hyatt. Ladera seems like THE perfect secluded honeymoon spot, but perhaps they'd like to move to the beach for the second half of their vacation. I don't speak from personal experience here, just what I've read on this board and elsewhere. The happy couple are so fortunate to be receiving such a generous and wonderful gift! Congratulations to all!

There are not many restautrants or much of anything else commercially outside the resorts of Jalousie and Ladera. Remember, these resorts are built close to the tropical rain forest, so yes, it is pretty secluded. Not to worrry though. Ladera has excellent (but very expensive food) food. Restaurants at Jalousie are not as pricey and food is good, just not award winning gourmet like you would get at Ladera. Jalousie has at least 3 restaurants on its grounds (Pier, Plantation, Bayside) plus the Bang restaurant mentioned earlier. We went on our honeymoon to Jalousie last summer because we felt it had the better combination of spectacular scenery and comfortable amenities. Both resorts are absolutely breathtaking in terms of scenery and being a wonderful getaway for a honeymoon.

I'd advise you to talk with your son and future daughter in law to see how important being directly on the beach is for them. Ladera has more spectacular views and provides daily shuttle transport to the Jalousie beach, so if they can forego the immediate convenience of a beachfront property, it may be the better choice. It would certainly be more unique. I personally think both places are fabulous. Jalousie, while lacking in food quality and diversity, is a full-service place and is the most strategically located beach hotel I've ever seen. Really striking scenery. It is also more traditional, with straightforward luxuries like air conditioning and an on-site spa. For the neophyte traveler to the Caribbean, Ladera may be uncomfortable. For one thing, most, if not all, of the bedrooms are open to the elements. At that elevation with the breeze, bugs aren't a big problem, but the 3-walled rooms may give someone pause if they're expecting high-end luxury. Ladera is beautiful and one-of-a-kind, but it may not be right for all travelers. I agree with the previous poster who suggested splitting a stay between the two. Also, do you know of Anse Chastenet? It is a resort located near Jalousie and Ladera, and it's kind of a combination of the two. It's located on a hillside and on a beach, and the hillside rooms are open on one side to take in the view of the Piton Mountains. I like all three places, it just depends on my particular mood which one I prefer. If I had a week, I wold want to spend part of that time at Ladera for the pure romance of it. If I had less than a week, I would want to be closer to a beach. Hope this helps!

Thank you ALL for your responses -- they were all so helpful. I am going to pass on the information to my son and futue daughter-in-law and let THEM decide! I love this forum! Laura

ejcrowe gives perfect advice, exactly what I'd say. Re non-seafood: tell them to stay away from beef. They'll be disappointed. There's no such thing as a juicy tender steak. On all the islands it's like shoe leather compared to US beef. Better to stick with chicken or vegetarian.

Hi Laura, You've gotten some really good advice here. I would like to add a little or a lot of my own. Stayed at Ladera and the Jalousie Hilton. Will stay at both again due to the Uniqueness of both. Visited Anse Chastanet. Toured the Northern areas and saw locations of other resorts on Island. Actually stayed one night at the Sandals Halcyon, left due to being so over charged for the room and amenities at that resort, and the beach and location of the Halcyon, does not compare at all to the beach and location of the Jalousie and Ladera. The Hyatt/turned into the Sandals Grande is in a beautiful location, but IMHO doesn't compare at all to the location of Jalousie or Ladera. This part of the island is very dry in comparison and is not as lush as the Southern areas. The Sandals Grande is your more traditional style resort/hotel complex that your may find anywhere in the Caribbean. Yes, the location of Ladera and the Jalousie Hilton are in a remote part of island, this adds to the uniqueness of these resorts, the romantic ambiance is incredible. The location is stunning between the Pitons. When picking a resort on St.Lucia we made some big mistakes, thinking in the traditional way that we normally looked into a resort. Thinking we just had to have that cottage on the beach, this is want we normally book on islands. We only booked one night at Ladera thinking we wanted to be on the beach. Mistake number 1, the location and privacy, plunge pool that you have, far surpasses the small inconvenience to be shuttled to the Jalousie or Anse Chastanets beach. Mistake no. 2 totally passed on the Jalousie Hilton, because it was a Family resort, thought we just had to have adult only resort. Yes, there are a few kids, but again, not your traditional family resort, you barely realize that there are a few families there. Again, was so romantic to spend the day on beach and return to the secluded, privacy of your cottage/w/plunge pool. It was well worth again the small inconvenience of the shuttles to beach or else where on resort. The added plus of the shuttles is that the location of the cottages/hill side then gives you some of the most beautiful views. As far a food goes, in the norm of travel we always look into resorts that may have great food also. I can say that being in this location, food was the last thing on my mind. We thought all food was of high quality and good. Maybe nothing to write home about but good. I would rather be in this location with fair food then at any other resort on the island that might have excellent food. Although I don't think that any other resorts would have any better food, because, it is so subjective. As the last post suggesting to say away from beef. We felt the opposite, we where surprised that the beef we had was excellent, to the point that I questioned why they had such good beef? We were told that the beef at the Hilton and some restaurants in St.Lucia get their beef from South America/Argentina. My family is in the food business, and it is well known that some of the best beef in the world comes from South America. Just remember food is a subjective subject. There are also other restaurants in the Soufriere area that are recommended. A taxi or jeep is needed to get to any restaurants off properties. Mango Tree Restaurant and Bar at Stonefield Resort. Mago Estate Hotel Restaurant and Bar. The Humming Bird, La Haunt Plantation, La Mirage, The Old Court House, The Still Plantation,Anse Chastanet. These resorts are about, rest, relaxation, romance, romantic entertainment, calypso, adventure, as in hiking the rain forest, soaking in natural mineral baths, scuba, snorkeling, sailing,swiming,spa treatments, tennis, horse back riding, mountain biking, and culture in a most breathtaking location.

Sailor: Would you recommend splitting time between Jalousie-Hilton and Ladera? My husband and I have considered this for a visit to St. Lucia as we would like to experience Ladera, but don't want to do the "open-room" thing for a whole week. We thought 3 nights at Ladera and 3 at Jalousie. From what I've read on this site about the northern end, it's OK and there are some nice resorts, but nothing special like the southern end so I was thinking that we would skip that all together and just stay for a week on the southern end.

Hi Cher, I could stay at either of these resorts for a week or more with no hesitation. But...for us the split is perfect, I have said this before but will repeat this again. Ladera is for the wildly romantic side, not to be missed for the romantics dream. The Jalousie adds the cozy comfy into this with their cottages. Both being in the same incredible location between the Pitons. At Ladera, one night was not enough, three or more being ideal. I have said that when we go back we will stay at Ladera 3/4 nights, and the Jalousie 4/5 nights. Only if we had longer than a week would I consider to give up time between the Pitons to stay in the Northern areas. With Ladera, you can take advantage of the complimentary shuttle to Anse Chasanet beach or the Jalousie Hilton's but with staying at both, from Ladera take advantage of enjoying Anse Chastanet's exotic beach, lunch at their beach restaurant, snorkeling, or diving, there's mountain biking there close by, plus a secluded beach, just north of Anse Chastanet's beach, that you can walk to. Then enjoy, all the Jalousie Hilton has to offer, that is included at this resort. The added restaurants, spa, sail boards, catamarans, snorkeling and diving(extra) from the beach, etc. There's a neat little/ticky/tacky thermal mineral bath right outside the entrance to the Jalousie that we loved to hike to. At Ladera,I do highly recommend getting the one bedroom deluxe w/heated plunge pool. At the Jalousie Hilton, I do recommend the Villa SUITE with ocean/view, higher up the mountainside. These look to be very costly/rack rate. We upgraded to one after arrival at a reasonable cost. The view and privacy made these villas incredible. Not all villas at the Jalousie will have complete privacy in the patio/plunge pool area or the view that is to be had from Ladera. This will disappoint some that move to the Hilton from Ladera.