Rainforest Retreat to Caribbean Hideaway
I’ve always loved destinations with a bit of contrast, where one island can offer completely different experiences depending on where you go and how you choose to stay. Saint Lucia is exactly that kind of place.
On a recent visit, I experienced two very different sides of the island. One high in the rainforest, wrapped in cacao and quiet luxury; the other by the sea, where laid-back charm meets barefoot elegance. Both were a world away from the familiar large resort concept that so many of us picture when we think of the Caribbean.
Rabot Hotel: A Chocolate Infused Rainforest Escape
Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat isn’t your typical Caribbean retreat. Tucked into the rainforest above Soufrière, it offers something altogether more grounding. A lush, sensory-rich escape where everything slows down the moment you arrive.
I checked in for four days, and as I stood at reception with the rainforest all around me, I felt it. That sense of being somewhere that just gets it right. Set on a working cacao farm at the edge of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it feels like it's always been part of the landscape rather than built into it. The grounds are beautifully kept but not over manicured, with wooden signs along the pathways naming the trees and plants that grow here. You slow down, look up, and start noticing things, even before you reach your lodge.
There are just 25 lodges here, designed to sit gently in the rainforest. Built with sustainable materials and open to the fresh air, they feel peaceful, private and perfectly in tune with their surroundings.
I stayed in one of the Luxe Lodges, spacious, airy and incredibly calm. There’s a four poster bed, crisp linen, fluffy robes and a terrace with two sun loungers and a little sofa. The kind of spot you could sit in for hours. But what makes it unforgettable is the view. The Petit Piton doesn’t just sit in the distance, it rises dramatically out of the landscape, right there in front of you. It’s completely mesmerising and stopped me in my tracks every time I saw it. It really is that special.
The lodge is open fronted, with tall wooden shutters you can close whenever you want to. There’s no air con, but I honestly didn’t miss it. The rainforest air is naturally cool and fresh, and the whole space is designed to work with it.
The bathroom carries through that same sense of openness. It’s big and breezy, with a rainforest-style shower that feels like it’s outside, even though it’s completely private.
And then there are the touches that make you feel quietly looked after. A Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser to make smooth hot chocolate at the touch of a button, and a little jar of freshly made mint truffles that appears in your fridge each afternoon.
The resort pool is a standout. The infinity edge drops away into the canopy, with another incredible view of the iconic mountain rising in the distance. I spent an afternoon here, toes in the water and a cocktail in hand, watching the light change across the trees. One of those perfect moments you just want to bottle.
As you'd expect, cacao is everywhere, in the food, the spa and the cocktails. But it never feels overdone. It's used thoughtfully and with care, not as a gimmick.
The food really stood out. The desserts were, of course, amazing, but it was the savoury dishes that surprised me most. Clever, layered and full of flavour. The pesto-style dip they served with the bread in the evening was nothing short of divine. Meals are prepared in an open kitchen and served by a team who are warm, relaxed and intuitive. By day two, they already knew how I liked my eggs at breakfast. The fruit was bursting with flavour, and the tomatoes were the best I’ve tasted in a long time.
What I didn’t expect was the coffee. It doesn’t get the headlines but it should. Grown and roasted right on the estate, it was smooth, rich and quietly brilliant. No big song and dance, but certainly a coffee lover’s dream.
If you want to get hands on, the Tree to Bar experience is absolutely worth doing. You walk the plantation, graft your own tree, and make a bar of chocolate from scratch. It’s hands-on, a bit messy, and genuinely fun. Plus, the views from the trail are unreal.
There’s also a small group sunset boat trip the hotel runs twice a week. We set out with wine, local snacks and the most charismatic captain I’ve ever met. Seeing the island from the water is a completely different experience that you can’t get from the land. And if you're lucky, like I was, you might spot dolphins weaving through the waves. It was one of those moments that travel gifts you when you're not expecting it. Just pure magic.
The pace of this place is gentle, and it wraps around you without making a fuss. Even though the rainforest is so alive, there’s a stillness that makes you breathe a bit deeper and quietly pulls you into the present. I found myself looking up more, noticing the way the trees moved and watching the birds go about their daily business.
Hotel Rabot is ideal for adults who want something a little different. It’s calm, quietly luxurious and completely in tune with where it is. If you’re looking for somewhere that’s all about feeling connected, slowing down and noticing the little things, this is exactly the place you want to be.
East Winds: A Warm, Welcoming Slice of Caribbean Soul
Where Rabot Hotel is wild and immersive, East Winds is gently traditional, but no less special. The resort sits on the northwestern coast of the island, nestled within twelve acres of beautifully tended gardens and fronted by a golden crescent of beach.
There is something about East Winds that feels timeless. It has that rare, almost nostalgic quality of a place that has never needed to reinvent itself to stay relevant. From the moment I stepped onto the grounds, I felt at home, even though I had never been here before. The welcome is warm and genuine, the pace is easy, and the focus is on relaxed, understated luxury.
It feels more like a little village than a resort. There are just 30 cottage-style rooms scattered across the gardens, from Deluxe options to Oceanfront Suites. They are all in keeping with the laid back, timeless feel the resort has created. Authentic, thoughtful and comfortable.
Each one has a super king bed, plenty of room to unwind and a private terrace. It’s the perfect spot for a slow morning coffee as the gardens wake up around you, or perhaps before heading to a yoga session on the open-air deck tucked into the greenery. Honestly, I would have been happy in any of them. There's no room envy here, just that lovely feeling of having found your own little corner.
The gardens here are a joy in themselves. Winding paths lead through palms, tropical flowers and fruit trees. And if you stop to chat to one of the gardeners, you may find yourself with a freshly fallen mango in hand, carved open on the spot and offered with a smile. It’s that kind of place. Everyone takes pride in it, and the passion is quietly contagious.
The pool area is colourful and completely Instagram worthy. Bright pinks and oranges pop against the greenery. It works brilliantly. There’s a clever self-service bar that also doubles as a swim-up, making it feel more like you’re at an old friend’s home than a resort. It’s relaxed, sociable and full of charm. An afternoon cocktail here just feels fun.
The beach is intimate, not sprawling, but it doesn’t feel crowded. There’s plenty of space between the sun loungers, and a few chairs have been perfectly placed for sunset. Just the right spot for a quiet sundowner before heading back to your room to get ready for dinner.
Tucked into the heart of the resort is an elegant bar, ideal for pre or post dinner drinks. It’s smart without being formal, has a tropical feel, and is the kind of place I’m sure you would find yourself staying longer than planned.
Dining here is something people genuinely look forward to. The menu makes the most of the island’s natural abundance, with vegetables, fruit and herbs grown right on site. I had lunch from the buffet and it was top class. It felt like gourmet home style cooking, the kind of food that makes you feel looked after. The wine was paired beautifully by the waitress, who had clearly taken the time to get to know the dishes. Again, no fuss. Just really well done.
Guests were happily chatting between tables, forging easy conversations that felt anything but forced. You get the sense that everyone here is like minded. The kind of place where people arrive as strangers and leave as lifelong friends. It was easy to see why the resort draws such a loyal crowd. Many guests return year after year, and once you have spent time here, it just makes sense.
Although I was only here to visit for the afternoon, I know I will be back. And next time, I will stay for longer. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel instantly welcome. Boutique, full of charm, relaxed and it definitely left me wanting more of that feeling.
Every Time I Leave, I Start Planning the Next Visit..This Is Why…..
Saint Lucia doesn’t need to shout to impress. It just gets under your skin in the best way. My time at Rabot Hotel and East Winds reminded me of that. These weren’t just places to sleep, they were two completely different ways to feel something.
You don’t have to choose between barefoot charm and boutique comfort. With the right planning, you can have both. A twin location holiday like this is the perfect way to experience more of what this magical island has to offer. I left already planning my return. That’s Saint Lucia for you…. she never needs to ask you back, because part of you never really leaves.
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Credits:
Created with an image by Kael - "turquoise water lapping sandy beach in saint lucia with majestic pitons in background"