Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort

The old Jalousie Plantation joins the growing Viceroy portfolio, re-opening after some considerable improvements as Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort. Of course this was always one of the region’s hidden gems, starting with St. Lucia itself, always the tonier, more secluded end of the Caribbean. It’s an island that doesn’t lack for natural beauty, but even in that context Sugar Beach’s hundred acres of rainforest are something special, nestled as they are between the island’s twin volcanoes. And it may be the breathtaking white sand beach, the only one on the island, that pushes it over the top.

The old sugar plantation provides the skeleton for the hotel’s current incarnation. The Sugar Mill rooms are a vision in white, and pack in a lot of luxury, including walled gardens and plunge pools. The majority of the lodgings are freestanding villas, however, some of colonial vintage, while others are modern approximations of the classic colonial style. Aesthetically they’re all true to the island’s heritage but functionally they’re quite modern, from the air conditioning to the internet access to the private plunge pools. All, it should be said, have seen plenty of recent attention — the transition from Jalousie Plantation to Sugar Beach has left the accommodations in top form. And the high end now scales new heights: beachfront bungalows and two-, three- and four-bedroom Luxury Residences are now on the menu.

It’s a pleasant enough place to lounge, to say the least, whether in the spa or on the beach, but active travelers are catered to as well. Rainforest hikes and volcano’s-edge jeep tours offer a chance to get in touch with the tropical environment, and traditional beachfront sports like water-skiing and beach volleyball are live options as well. Not long ago the Caribbean’s great Achilles heel might have been the cuisine, but Sugar Beach is hearing none of it — the venues here are upscale but not fussy or precious, adding some refinement to Caribbean cooking without losing touch with the local traditions and produce.

How to get there:
Sugar Beach is located 26 miles (45 min) from the Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort.