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Expertly reviewed by annb on 23rd Jun 2007. |
| Date of Holiday: Mar 2007 |
Overall Score: 5/5
 
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Review: And these images - of golden beaches washed by the clearest blue seas, of lush vegetation and tropical palms - didn't lie, as we found when we arrived at Sandals Regency Golf Resort and Spa at La Toc, just south of the capital of Castries.
Flights were with the very efficient Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick, landing at Hewanorra which is on the southern tip of St Lucia.
This gave us the chance to see something of the island on the hour’s ride to La Toc in a comfortable, air-conditioned Sandals regency resort mini-bus whose driver was very informative.
Travelling up the east coast, we passed through the picturesque fishing village of Dennery, then crossed to the west through banana plantations that presented the rather odd spectacle of blue bags hanging from the trees.
Bananas are St Lucia’s main export and it appears that at a certain stage of their development the hanging bunches of fruit are wrapped in polythene to protect them from direct sunlight and from the birds.
Tree clad hills and valleys of palms surrounded us as we headed for the Regency, which is largest of the three Sandals resorts on the island and has its own nine-hole golf course.
We knew of Sandals' reputation, but nothing prepared us for the standards of service and facilities and the friendliness we experienced.
But before this, there was the introductory talk, where a young lady did a very good impression of a Gatling gun, firing information at us so rapidly that even without an eight hour flight we would have had difficulty taking it in!
In the end, we were a bit apprehensive that we had come to Butlins with sunshine, there were so many things going on.
However, Sandals’ motto is “No Pressure, No Problem” and so it proved to be. If you are a “joining in” person, there is water polo, beach games, board games in the library, snooker or anything else you could wish for, with the chance to win Sandals necklaces, T-shirts and so on. There is also a gym, beauty salon, water sports centre and on-site shop.
But if you are a “chill-out in the sun” type, there is no pressure on you to do anything and no-one pesters you.
We fall into the latter category and you have no choice but to chill out at Sandals. The service is so good it is practically overwhelming and everything about the Regency resort is of the highest standard from room service to the evening entertainment.
There are five restaurants and in every one, it was impossible to fault the food. But if that’s not enough for you, there is a free hourly shuttle bus to the other two Sandals resorts, the Halcyon and the Grande, and you can take your pick of their food and activities.
Similarly, the breakfast and lunch buffets are superb – if you can’t find something you like, then you have to be a very picky eater!
There are ample sunbeds, both around the different pools and on the beautiful beach, free use of beach towels and always a waiter on hand to bring you a drink. And there’s no need to walk anywhere – on-site mini-buses and buggies will drive you to your chosen restaurant, to the bar or just back to your room.
These are the practicalities, and it is easy to see why Sandals is at the top of the market.
But wherever you stay on St Lucia, it really is paradise. Small sandy bays washed by warm seas, lush vegetation clinging to the sides of the hills, valleys of palm trees and those oh-so-friendly people.
The capital Castries has a huge craft market and is also the calling point for cruise liners. There are berths for up to five of these monsters and their inhabitants appear to make straight for La Carenage, the very up-market duty-free shopping mall right by the harbour.
But venture away from the main street and in the centre of Castries you will find one of the biggest cathedrals in the Caribbean, a spacious park named after Nobel prizewinner Derek Walcott, an impressive Victorian building housing a library and, amid the hustle and bustle of a busy capital city, some very well-stocked department stores and shops.
On the east coast of St Lucia is the historic town of Soufriere – the island has changed hands 14 times, seven times French and seven British and most of the place names reflect the French influence.
Here is a lovely old church and original wooden buildings, at least 200 years old, while up above in the hills a “must see” is the “collapsed volcano”, which imploded rather than erupted.
This has left a large area of volcanic rock at road level from which steam rises continuously, while up above vegetation has covered to top of the volcano. As the guide said: “If the vegetation starts to die, we all run!”
Nearby are beautiful botanical gardens with a natural waterfall and rare foliage and this whole area is one of beauty and interest.
On either side of Soufriere bay is the island’s main tourist attraction, the Pitons, two pyramid-like, thickly forested hills each more than 2,000ft high that are St Lucia’s pride and joy, so much so that the local beer is named Piton.
Catamaran trips from the north include tours of these attractions as well as passing by the small fishing villages that cling to the coast and giving a marvellous view of the hills.
However, parties can also hire a mini-bus with a driver who is also a trained guide and will give you a day’s tour of the island, something well worth doing to appreciate the diverse sights and attractions.
St Lucia encourages tourism, but rather than throw up large hotels all around the coast, as on Cuba, the island has gone down the property development track and advertisements exhort you to buy an apartment often with golfing facilities.
And if money was no object, who wouldn’t want to live there? St Lucia has everything, even cricket - though the less said about England and the recent World Cup, the better!
So if you fancy a holiday in paradise, to use another Sandals Regency resort favourite expression – check it out! |
Ratings
| Value For Money: |
|
5 |
| Review Score: |
|
5 |
| Booked Independently Through | |
Sandals |
| Length of holiday | |
1 week |
| Number of Adults | |
2 |
| Type of Holiday | |
Package |
| Accommodation Features: | |
Winter Sun, WinterSports, Romantic Break, By The Sea, Beach, Diving, Fishing, Golf, Surfing, Windsurfing, Good Amenities (restaurants etc), Airport Transfer Less Than 2 hours, Quiet, Tranquil, Relaxing, Honeymoon/Experience of a Lifetime, |
| Recommended for: | |
Couples, |
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Caribbean
