On my first night in St Lucia, I jolted awake at 1 a.m. to a mysterious beeping. Phone flashlight in hand, I crept through our star-lit, open-air room, convinced a rogue device was to blame. After walking everywhere from the bathroom to our private pool, I was stumped. “It’s the frogs,” my husband groaned. Even through my white-noise machine (yes, I travel with one), the sound persisted. So I took the noise-cancelling headphones I wore on the plane, stuffed them over my ears, and finally passed out.
Hours earlier, my husband and I arrived at the famously romantic Jade Mountain, defined by its open-air design; ie: there is no fourth wall in the rooms. Certain suites known as “sanctuaries,” such as the top-tier Galaxy Suite (where we stayed), only have one wall. When the sun is out, most rooms offer a view that is pure fantasy: wraparound blues of sea and sky with the Pitons front and center.
Was coming here for a relaxing couples’ getaway a mistake? I am your typical Type A native New Yorker who sleeps with blackout shades, an eye mask, ear buds, and multiple sound machines roaring every night. Could I survive in this five-star wilderness for four nights?
It turns out, yes, I could. The next morning, my husband played me a YouTube clip of snouted tree frogs singing their signature whistle. Mystery solved. Our attentive butler explained that, eventually, you stop hearing them altogether. Armed with context, I embraced their beeping symphony and slept marvelously from then on.
Jade Mountain is ideal for travelers craving a tech detox, an immersive connection to nature, and an intimate, adults-only escape. Here’s exactly how to make the most of your stay.
The Jade Mountain Concept
Essentially, Jade Mountain is a resort within a resort. It’s set above Anse Chastanet, a larger, family-friendly property; Jade guests may access its beach, tennis courts, and restaurants. By contrast, Jade Mountain is far more intimate: just 29 rooms (24 of which have private plunge pools), one farm-to-table restaurant (the Jade Club), a rooftop bar, a boutique, and a small spa. If you want total privacy — seeing no one but your butler and the person you came with — it’s easy to do so.
Getting here is part of the experience. Expect a bumpy, winding dirt road, aptly nicknamed “the road to paradise,” or arrive by helicopter (there’s a private landing). Shuttles to Anse Chastanet and off-site excursions can be seamlessly arranged by your butler. A word of advice: pack flats or block heels, as you’ll be navigating many steps.
Star of the Show: The Sanctuaries
“You’re not going to want to leave your room,” a friend told me before my trip. She had been many times, and she was right. The sanctuaries are spectacular. Don’t expect the all-white, Scandinavian-style modern minimalist room. Instead, you’ll find custom mosaic tiles in all of the pools, colorful accents, and an aesthetic that leans into the surroundings — quite literally. With no fourth wall and no air conditioning, you’ll live with ceiling fans, air-dried hair, and a sense that your shower is outdoors. You can stare straight at the Pitons while soaking in the oversized tub.
Friends asked if it’s “buggy,” and the answer is “no.” I never saw a mosquito in our room, though we had plenty of visits from birds. Nearly anything can be arranged in-room, from fine dining to a couple’s massage — except tech. Aside from high-speed wifi and a tablet to order room service, there are no screens or stereos. Guests are provided with old-school cell phones to use when summoning 24-hour butler service. We spent most of our time going from the plunge pool to the couch and back in…even after dinner.
Dining Experiences
With only one restaurant, you may be wondering if you’ll be eating the same meals in one spot, three times a day. No, you will not. The Jade Club’s menu rotates daily, featuring fresh fish, meats, and vegan dishes sourced from the resort’s Emerald Farm. You can also dine at Anse Chastanet’s diverse restaurants, from Caribbean-Indian fusion and standout vegan fare, or lean fully into honeymoon mode with private dining.
We chose the latter: a candlelit beach dinner, a private rooftop meal at Jade Club, and an unforgettable in-sanctuary experience. Our butler transformed the space with floating candles in the plunge pool, and we enjoyed a six-course chef’s tasting with wine pairings. Before each course, the sommelier appeared to explain every sip and bite, including crisp Champagne with egg crème fraîche, caviar, and bacon.
One of my favorite meals, though, was delightfully casual. Jungle Beach Grill is situated on Anse Chastanet’s quieter, more private beach (to get there, embark on a 10-minute beach walk or ride a quick shuttle). The smash burger with homemade bun and banana ketchup is legendary. Add thick-cut fries, jerk BBQ chicken wings, and coconut-pineapple coleslaw, and you’ve got the ideal low-key counterpoint to Jade’s polish.
Worth-It Experiences
Since the rooms are so incredible, anything that takes you away from your plunge pool and your view better be worth it. Anse Chastanet’s “secret” beach does, with secluded huts for two and staff offering everything from cold peppermint-soaked towels to cocktails. There’s sunrise yoga at 7 a.m., or you can set up an in-room Pilates mat or yoga session. We also took a tennis clinic at Anse Chastanet.
A highlight was seeing the Pitons from all angles. We admired them from our sanctuary, floated past them on a sunset sail, and hiked by them on a guided, moderate-level trek. A light rain during the hike rewarded us with a higher vantage point and a beaming rainbow arcing across the peaks.
Lastly, don’t miss the on-site chocolate lab. Jade Mountain’s chocolatiers source cacao from the resort’s farm and lead an intimate, 45-minute class where you craft your own chocolate bars and truffles. It felt more aphrodisiac than touristy, and as chocolate-lovers, we really enjoyed it.
How It Ended
On my last morning at Jade Mountain, the birds — some bold enough to flutter straight into our room and rest beside the plunge pool — wake me with perky chirps. I peek out from under my sleep mask and am immediately blinded by sunlight. Even through the sheer white mosquito net, I see the Caribbean bright blues and the Pitons. Not quite ready to start the day, I pull the mask back down and drift off again, lulled by birdsong. Whether frogs or birds, I have embraced this immersive nature experience. My friend was right, all I wanted to do was spend the rest of my day in this insanely gorgeous, sensorial room. These are sexy, baby-making sanctuaries, and I’ll leave it at that.
Feature image courtesy of Jade Mountain Resort.
