For chocolate lovers who thought life couldn’t get any better than visiting one of the many Hotel Chocolat shops around the UK, the new Hotel Chocolat, Boucan Hotel in St. Lucia really is something to behold!

Since 2005 the famous chocolatier company, known for their deliciously mouth watering and innovative chocolates have been refurbishing the 14 acre Rabot Estate in St.Lucia, which dates back to 1975. I was particularly keen to write this blog as the estate was previously owned by the grandparents of our very own Bruce Rose, who has worked at Turquoise for seven years and alongside Brian our MD, for 25 years!

‘Bruce’s memories and stories of the Rabot Estate…’

Nearly 100 years ago my grandmother’s brother was diagnosed (falsely as it late turned out) with TB so decided to move to warmer climes. He purchased 100 acres of lush jungle in St Lucia and set about turning it into a banana & coconut plantation. It just so happened that the 00 acres he brought was set between The Pitons – the World Heritage site for which St Lucia is rightly famous for. When he died my grandmother, who was born in St Lucia, returned with her husband and took over the running of the Estate – now known as Rabot Estate. Their main produce was bananas and cocounts, however after various hurricanes had destroyed most of the trees, they concentrated on cocoa.

As a child, my sister and I had wonderful holidays visiting Rabot, eating whole bunches of bananas, picking mangoes from the trees and dehusking coconuts with the “workers”, climbing the Pitons and exploring the famous Sulphur hot springs, which happened to back onto the estate. However – do NOT pick fresh red chillies – then rub your eyes!!!

Rabot was a great place to visit with an old rundown house, rickerty verandas, the sound of the jungle loud in the air – especially at night – and the fireflies lighting up the tracks through the bush;  and listening to Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers with the local Rastafarians was a 17 year old “punk rocker’s” dream.

The local workers seemed to really enjoy working there looking after the trees and harvesting the crops. When my grandparents became too old to continue running the estate, they retired to the UK and my aunt and uncle moved out to St Lucia to take over. They continued running Rabot for another 20 years before they too retired. It had been Madeleine’s (my grandmother) wish that Rabot continue as a working plantation employing the local people from Soufriere and the surrounding communities so when Angus from Hotel Chocolat was looking for a working plantation to grow their own chocolate – they discovered Rabot and Madeleine’s wish came true. Rabot today – although revamped and developed – is still (almost) as it was all those years ago, the locals still work there and whilst “tourists” can visit and stay – it is still a working plantation – long may it continue.

Since the refurbishment programme started seven years ago, 13,000 Cacao trees have been planted on the Rabot Estate. Hotel Chocolat have also invested a huge amount of time and money into re training local farmers, in order to restore the agricultural roots of cacao farming which thrived prior to the mid 20th century industrialisation. Due to the industrial and technological advancements which took place in the Caribbean at this time, prices were driven down and the cacao farming industry became both non profitable and non existent.

Everything about this boutique 14 bedroom lodge looks and feels delicious. You will stay in a Cocoa Pod, drink Cacao Bellini’s, eat Cacao cuisine and enjoy CocoaJuvenate, the hotel spa where all the products are made on the estate using local produce and of course, all have a cocoa base. Despite the running chocolate theme throughout this hotel that could be perceived as a little too indulgent, we can assure you there is no need to worry. It has been designed with the upmost subtlety and sophistication.

However, do not fear, there is ample opportunity to indulge, for those that wish! Daily plantation tours are led by the in house agricultural consultant Stan, where guests can explore the cacao orchards and learn how the farmers nurture the blossoms each year to create cacao pods and eventually chocolate! Learning then turns to action as all guests are invited to join the hotel chef and create their very own chocolate bars from the Hotel Chocolat orchard Cacao beans. A perfect memento for anyone back home or a delicious poolside treat!

For more information about Hotel Chocolat please contact the Turquoise chocoholics now on 01494 687400 or email us at enquiries@turquoiseholidays.co.uk

Sweet Sensations in St. Lucia…the first Hotel Chocolat Hotel! is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

The post Sweet Sensations in St. Lucia…the first Hotel Chocolat Hotel! appeared first on .

With it being nearly June but it feeling like the middle of February, there really is no better time to escape the wet and windy weather here in the UK and replace it with sun, sea and sand.  The Turquoise Team have compiled their top last minute luxury holidays, with some great offers on business class flights and boutique hotels.

Country: Saint Lucia

Resort: Ti Kaye, a family run hotel perched on a cliff overlooking the beautiful Anse Cochon Bay.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Ocean View Room.  Featuring stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and a spacious veranda balcony with rocking chairs and a double hammock.

Included: International Flights with BA and return transfers

Price: from £999 per person

 Country: The Maldives

Resort: Six Senses Laamu, the only resort in the Laamu Atoll.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Lagoon Water Villa.  Featuring an outdoor relaxing platform with day beds, sun lounges and over water netting, panoramic upper dining deck and viewing platform with day beds, aquarium dining deck with glass table, sunken ocean view all glass bathtub and private water gardens.

Included: Daily breakfast and dinner, return domestic and international flights with Emirates and speedboat transfers

Price: from £2090 per person

Country: Zanzibar

Resort: The Residence.  Located on a mile long sandy beach with 80 acres of palm tree forests and extensive gardens also the only hotel in Tanzania with membership to ‘The Leading Hotels of the World’.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Luxury Garden Pool Villa, featuring an outside deck and private swimming pool, wicker chairs, day beds and bicycles to explore the hotels gardens and local area.

Included: Daily breakfast and dinner, return transfers by private vehicle and international flights with Kenya Airways

Price: from £2095 per person

Country: Malaysia

Resort: Pangkor Laut Resort, located on its own private island 3 miles off the west coast of Malaysia along the straits of Malacca.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Beach Villa, featuring a private balcony, outdoor bath and breath taking views of the sea.

Included: Daily breakfast, international flights with Malaysia Airways and speedboat transfers

Price: from £1489 per person

Take a look at our website or call one of our specialists today on 01494 678400 to take a look at our other holidays offers.

Escape the Bank Holiday Blues with these Last Minute Offers is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

The post Escape the Bank Holiday Blues with these Last Minute Offers appeared first on .

Nestled between St. Lucia’s famous Pitons Mountains, surrounded by the lush rainforest and bordering a white pristine beach lies Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort.

This former sugar planation has been stylishly transformed into quite possibly the finest luxury Caribbean resort. Located in the south-western part of St. Lucia close to the town of Soufriere, Sugar Beach offers 18^th century colonial charm with superb modern amenities instilling a sense of harmony.

Each and every guest is met upon arrival by a personal butler who will show you to your room or villa and look after your every need during your stay. Sugar Beach offers the finest accommodation consisting of 59 villas, 8 beachfront bungalows and 11 sugar mill rooms. All have a four-poster bed, large walk-in shower and a private plunge pool.

The resort boasts three fabulous restaurants and four bars, offering cuisine to suit every palate and a drinks menu to fulfil every cocktail dream! Visit The Cane Bar, and meet the Sugar Beach ‘rummelier’ with expertly chosen, native and international rums for you to sample. For a special evening, reserve a table in The Great Room, Sugar Beach’s fine dinning restaurant, offering a mouth watering array of cuisine using the freshest local food (we recommend the succulent seared scallops – divine!) For a more relaxed evening, the Bayside Restaurant is an al fresco option, positioned on ‘one of one of the best beaches on the island!’

The luxury ‘Rainforest Spa’ is an indulgent world- class experience for even the most savvy of spa goers. From massages inside a candle-lit tree house to ‘A meridian steam dome’ (a luxury sauna). Or for those more active, Sugar Beach offers some terrific water sports including unique to St. Lucia, a hybrid of excursions called ‘Snuba’ (a mix between scuba and snorkelling) and serious morning mountain walks up to Gros Piton for a panoramic breath taking view over the island, the infamous pitons, white sandy beaches and the crystal clear Caribbean sea.

Contact our Caribbean team today for your bespoke holiday quote or visit our website for more Caribbean itinerary ideas and inspiration

Life is sweet at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

The post Life is sweet at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort appeared first on .

The colourful Caribbean island, Saint Lucia, famed for its Piton Mountains is home to some of the most idyllic beaches. Whether you are after cliff top retreats, beach huts or rainforest treehouses, Saint Lucia has it all.

Saint Lucia is a magical destination for families. Powder soft sand, perfect for those little feet to play on and warm crystal sea to swim in. The fun does not stop there. As well as a range of fantastic accommodation, take a walking nature tour suitable for any ages (adults welcome too!) in the lush green rainforest. And for the older teenagers zip-lining is an absolute must, whizzing above the tree canopy. The Brig Unicorn, the tall ship used in the Pirates of the Caribbean films is another amazing day out. Sailing down the island’s coastline getting the perfect view of the rugged beautiful scenery and might even be the lucky ones to see some dolphins. Cruising past two fishing villages and find a perfect spot to stop off for a picnic!

Scattering the island are a multitude of family friendly hotels boasting their facilities including kids clubs, fantastic food and great accommodation.

The first family-friendly hotel on the Turquoise top picks is Cap Maison. Located on the north-west tip of Saint Lucia, it is a stylish resort with stunning sea views across to Pigeon Island. The resort offers 49 elegant spacious rooms with junior suites and villas all boasting rich fabrics and colours. We highly recommend the One Bedroom Villa Suites great for larger families, which feature a separate sitting and dining area, bedroom and kitchen.

The resort offers some wonderful dining options; the Cliff offering finest dining, and the Naked Fisherman Beach Bar and Grill, hidden on the secluded idyllic Smugglers Beach .

Along with dining, the resort has a huge range of activities and facilities available to all guests. For those fantastic fun families why not try snorkelling at Smugglers Cove or a spot of tennis! The spa warmly welcomes families if a touch of R&R is in need with three treatment rooms.

A brilliant alternative for families looking for a unique holiday full of fun is Sugar Beach! Situated between Saint Lucia’s famous Piton Mountains, lush rainforest to one side and a white pristine beach to the other is the fabulous resort. Sugar Beach offers some of the finest accommodation on the island, 59 villas, eight beachfront bungalows and 11 Sugar Mill rooms. New to the resort are luxury one and two bedroom villas which are built in small clusters ensuring privacy to all with a private pool terrace suiting families down to a T! With three restaurants and four bars, the hotel offers a delicious selection of fine food which will even meet the little one’s dinner dreams!

Visit here for more information on the wonders of family fun in Saint Lucia

Family fun in Saint Lucia is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

The post Family fun in Saint Lucia appeared first on .

Saint Lucia is a beautiful, colourful and wonderfully scenic Caribbean island. A firm Turquoise favourite, Sugar Beach A Viceroy Resort takes prime position on the island, nestled between the famous Pitons mountains, the lush rainforest and a pristine, white sand beach. What better place to escape the January blues?

This former sugar plantation has been stylishly transformed into quite possibly the finest luxury Caribbean resort. Located in the south-western part of Saint Lucia, close to the town of Soufriere, Sugar Beach oozes 18th century colonial charm with superb modern twist and boasts the finest accommodation consisting of 59 villas, 8 Beachfront Bungalows and 11 Sugar Mill Rooms. All rooms & villas have a four-poster bed, large walk-in shower and a private plunge pool. Each and every guest is met upon arrival by a personal butler to help melt away any post-Christmas stress you may have!

Together three restaurants and four bars offer delectable cuisine to suit every taste! The Bayside Restaurant is a relaxed option, set on the white sands of one of the best beaches on the island or The Great Room is a fine dining restaurant offering the freshest local food. Last but by no means least, The Terrace is open daily for breakfast and afternoon tea. The Cane Bar features a professional ‘rummelier’ to aid in the selection of expertly chosen native and international rums and also offers a tapas style Asian-inspired menu including mouth-watering Sushi and tempura.

The luxury ‘Rainforest Spa’ is an indulgent world-class experience with a range of services from massages inside a candle-lit tree house to the traditional earthen Amerindian steam dome. For those wishing to be more active, Sugar Beach offers some terrific water sports, challenging mountain walks up to Gros Piton and exciting excursions including canopy zip lining, jungle biking or ATV island tours.

You can enjoy seven nights in a Sugar Mill Luxury Room at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort from £2399 per person with daily breakfast, private transfers and flights from London Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic, valid for travel between 6th January and 31st March 2015 (excluding 12th – 21st February 2015).

Get in touch with one of our Caribbean specialists today!

Start the new year with a holiday to Saint Lucia! is a post from Turquoise Holidays, experts in luxury holidays and honeymoons.

The post Start the new year with a holiday to Saint Lucia! appeared first on .

For chocolate lovers who thought life couldn’t get any better than visiting one of the many Hotel Chocolat shops around the UK, the new Hotel Chocolat, Boucan Hotel in St. Lucia really is something to behold!

Since 2005 the famous chocolatier company, known for their deliciously mouth watering and innovative chocolates have been refurbishing the 14 acre Rabot Estate in St.Lucia, which dates back to 1975. I was particularly keen to write this blog as the estate was previously owned by the grandparents of our very own Bruce Rose, who has worked at Turquoise for seven years and alongside Brian our MD, for 25 years!

‘Bruce’s memories and stories of the Rabot Estate…’

Nearly 100 years ago my grandmother’s brother was diagnosed (falsely as it late turned out) with TB so decided to move to warmer climes. He purchased 100 acres of lush jungle in St Lucia and set about turning it into a banana & coconut plantation. It just so happened that the 00 acres he brought was set between The Pitons – the World Heritage site for which St Lucia is rightly famous for. When he died my grandmother, who was born in St Lucia, returned with her husband and took over the running of the Estate – now known as Rabot Estate. Their main produce was bananas and cocounts, however after various hurricanes had destroyed most of the trees, they concentrated on cocoa.

As a child, my sister and I had wonderful holidays visiting Rabot, eating whole bunches of bananas, picking mangoes from the trees and dehusking coconuts with the “workers”, climbing the Pitons and exploring the famous Sulphur hot springs, which happened to back onto the estate. However – do NOT pick fresh red chillies – then rub your eyes!!!

Rabot was a great place to visit with an old rundown house, rickerty verandas, the sound of the jungle loud in the air – especially at night – and the fireflies lighting up the tracks through the bush;  and listening to Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers with the local Rastafarians was a 17 year old “punk rocker’s” dream.

The local workers seemed to really enjoy working there looking after the trees and harvesting the crops. When my grandparents became too old to continue running the estate, they retired to the UK and my aunt and uncle moved out to St Lucia to take over. They continued running Rabot for another 20 years before they too retired. It had been Madeleine’s (my grandmother) wish that Rabot continue as a working plantation employing the local people from Soufriere and the surrounding communities so when Angus from Hotel Chocolat was looking for a working plantation to grow their own chocolate – they discovered Rabot and Madeleine’s wish came true. Rabot today – although revamped and developed – is still (almost) as it was all those years ago, the locals still work there and whilst “tourists” can visit and stay – it is still a working plantation – long may it continue.

Since the refurbishment programme started seven years ago, 13,000 Cacao trees have been planted on the Rabot Estate. Hotel Chocolat have also invested a huge amount of time and money into re training local farmers, in order to restore the agricultural roots of cacao farming which thrived prior to the mid 20th century industrialisation. Due to the industrial and technological advancements which took place in the Caribbean at this time, prices were driven down and the cacao farming industry became both non profitable and non existent.

Everything about this boutique 14 bedroom lodge looks and feels delicious. You will stay in a Cocoa Pod, drink Cacao Bellini’s, eat Cacao cuisine and enjoy CocoaJuvenate, the hotel spa where all the products are made on the estate using local produce and of course, all have a cocoa base. Despite the running chocolate theme throughout this hotel that could be perceived as a little too indulgent, we can assure you there is no need to worry. It has been designed with the upmost subtlety and sophistication.

However, do not fear, there is ample opportunity to indulge, for those that wish! Daily plantation tours are led by the in house agricultural consultant Stan, where guests can explore the cacao orchards and learn how the farmers nurture the blossoms each year to create cacao pods and eventually chocolate! Learning then turns to action as all guests are invited to join the hotel chef and create their very own chocolate bars from the Hotel Chocolat orchard Cacao beans. A perfect memento for anyone back home or a delicious poolside treat!

For more information about Hotel Chocolat please contact the Turquoise chocoholics now on 01494 687400 or email us at enquiries@turquoiseholidays.co.uk

The post Sweet Sensations in St. Lucia…the first Hotel Chocolat Hotel! appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

With it being nearly June but it feeling like the middle of February, there really is no better time to escape the wet and windy weather here in the UK and replace it with sun, sea and sand.  The Turquoise Team have compiled their top last minute luxury holidays, with some great offers on business class flights and boutique hotels.

Country: Saint Lucia

Resort: Ti Kaye, a family run hotel perched on a cliff overlooking the beautiful Anse Cochon Bay.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Ocean View Room.  Featuring stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and a spacious veranda balcony with rocking chairs and a double hammock.

Included: International Flights with BA and return transfers

Price: from £999 per person

 Country: The Maldives

Resort: Six Senses Laamu, the only resort in the Laamu Atoll.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Lagoon Water Villa.  Featuring an outdoor relaxing platform with day beds, sun lounges and over water netting, panoramic upper dining deck and viewing platform with day beds, aquarium dining deck with glass table, sunken ocean view all glass bathtub and private water gardens.

Included: Daily breakfast and dinner, return domestic and international flights with Emirates and speedboat transfers

Price: from £2090 per person

Country: Zanzibar

Resort: The Residence.  Located on a mile long sandy beach with 80 acres of palm tree forests and extensive gardens also the only hotel in Tanzania with membership to ‘The Leading Hotels of the World’.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Luxury Garden Pool Villa, featuring an outside deck and private swimming pool, wicker chairs, day beds and bicycles to explore the hotels gardens and local area.

Included: Daily breakfast and dinner, return transfers by private vehicle and international flights with Kenya Airways

Price: from £2095 per person

Country: Malaysia

Resort: Pangkor Laut Resort, located on its own private island 3 miles off the west coast of Malaysia along the straits of Malacca.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Beach Villa, featuring a private balcony, outdoor bath and breath taking views of the sea.

Included: Daily breakfast, international flights with Malaysia Airways and speedboat transfers

Price: from £1489 per person

Take a look at our website or call one of our specialists today on 01494 678400 to take a look at our other holidays offers.

The post Escape the Bank Holiday Blues with these Last Minute Offers appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

Nestled between St. Lucia’s famous Pitons Mountains, surrounded by the lush rainforest and bordering a white pristine beach lies Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort.

This former sugar planation has been stylishly transformed into quite possibly the finest luxury Caribbean resort. Located in the south-western part of St. Lucia close to the town of Soufriere, Sugar Beach offers 18^th century colonial charm with superb modern amenities instilling a sense of harmony.

Each and every guest is met upon arrival by a personal butler who will show you to your room or villa and look after your every need during your stay. Sugar Beach offers the finest accommodation consisting of 59 villas, 8 beachfront bungalows and 11 sugar mill rooms. All have a four-poster bed, large walk-in shower and a private plunge pool.

The resort boasts three fabulous restaurants and four bars, offering cuisine to suit every palate and a drinks menu to fulfil every cocktail dream! Visit The Cane Bar, and meet the Sugar Beach ‘rummelier’ with expertly chosen, native and international rums for you to sample. For a special evening, reserve a table in The Great Room, Sugar Beach’s fine dinning restaurant, offering a mouth watering array of cuisine using the freshest local food (we recommend the succulent seared scallops – divine!) For a more relaxed evening, the Bayside Restaurant is an al fresco option, positioned on ‘one of one of the best beaches on the island!’

The luxury ‘Rainforest Spa’ is an indulgent world- class experience for even the most savvy of spa goers. From massages inside a candle-lit tree house to ‘A meridian steam dome’ (a luxury sauna). Or for those more active, Sugar Beach offers some terrific water sports including unique to St. Lucia, a hybrid of excursions called ‘Snuba’ (a mix between scuba and snorkelling) and serious morning mountain walks up to Gros Piton for a panoramic breath taking view over the island, the infamous pitons, white sandy beaches and the crystal clear Caribbean sea.

Contact our Caribbean team today for your bespoke holiday quote or visit our website for more Caribbean itinerary ideas and inspiration

The post Life is sweet at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

The colourful Caribbean island, Saint Lucia, famed for its Piton Mountains is home to some of the most idyllic beaches. Whether you are after cliff top retreats, beach huts or rainforest treehouses, Saint Lucia has it all.

Saint Lucia is a magical destination for families. Powder soft sand, perfect for those little feet to play on and warm crystal sea to swim in. The fun does not stop there. As well as a range of fantastic accommodation, take a walking nature tour suitable for any ages (adults welcome too!) in the lush green rainforest. And for the older teenagers zip-lining is an absolute must, whizzing above the tree canopy. The Brig Unicorn, the tall ship used in the Pirates of the Caribbean films is another amazing day out. Sailing down the island’s coastline getting the perfect view of the rugged beautiful scenery and might even be the lucky ones to see some dolphins. Cruising past two fishing villages and find a perfect spot to stop off for a picnic!

Scattering the island are a multitude of family friendly hotels boasting their facilities including kids clubs, fantastic food and great accommodation.

The first family-friendly hotel on the Turquoise top picks is Cap Maison. Located on the north-west tip of Saint Lucia, it is a stylish resort with stunning sea views across to Pigeon Island. The resort offers 49 elegant spacious rooms with junior suites and villas all boasting rich fabrics and colours. We highly recommend the One Bedroom Villa Suites great for larger families, which feature a separate sitting and dining area, bedroom and kitchen.

The resort offers some wonderful dining options; the Cliff offering finest dining, and the Naked Fisherman Beach Bar and Grill, hidden on the secluded idyllic Smugglers Beach .

Along with dining, the resort has a huge range of activities and facilities available to all guests. For those fantastic fun families why not try snorkelling at Smugglers Cove or a spot of tennis! The spa warmly welcomes families if a touch of R&R is in need with three treatment rooms.

A brilliant alternative for families looking for a unique holiday full of fun is Sugar Beach! Situated between Saint Lucia’s famous Piton Mountains, lush rainforest to one side and a white pristine beach to the other is the fabulous resort. Sugar Beach offers some of the finest accommodation on the island, 59 villas, eight beachfront bungalows and 11 Sugar Mill rooms. New to the resort are luxury one and two bedroom villas which are built in small clusters ensuring privacy to all with a private pool terrace suiting families down to a T! With three restaurants and four bars, the hotel offers a delicious selection of fine food which will even meet the little one’s dinner dreams!

Visit here for more information on the wonders of family fun in Saint Lucia

The post Family fun in Saint Lucia appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

Saint Lucia is a beautiful, colourful and wonderfully scenic Caribbean island. A firm Turquoise favourite, Sugar Beach A Viceroy Resort takes prime position on the island, nestled between the famous Pitons mountains, the lush rainforest and a pristine, white sand beach. What better place to escape the January blues?

This former sugar plantation has been stylishly transformed into quite possibly the finest luxury Caribbean resort. Located in the south-western part of Saint Lucia, close to the town of Soufriere, Sugar Beach oozes 18th century colonial charm with superb modern twist and boasts the finest accommodation consisting of 59 villas, 8 Beachfront Bungalows and 11 Sugar Mill Rooms. All rooms & villas have a four-poster bed, large walk-in shower and a private plunge pool. Each and every guest is met upon arrival by a personal butler to help melt away any post-Christmas stress you may have!

Together three restaurants and four bars offer delectable cuisine to suit every taste! The Bayside Restaurant is a relaxed option, set on the white sands of one of the best beaches on the island or The Great Room is a fine dining restaurant offering the freshest local food. Last but by no means least, The Terrace is open daily for breakfast and afternoon tea. The Cane Bar features a professional ‘rummelier’ to aid in the selection of expertly chosen native and international rums and also offers a tapas style Asian-inspired menu including mouth-watering Sushi and tempura.

The luxury ‘Rainforest Spa’ is an indulgent world-class experience with a range of services from massages inside a candle-lit tree house to the traditional earthen Amerindian steam dome. For those wishing to be more active, Sugar Beach offers some terrific water sports, challenging mountain walks up to Gros Piton and exciting excursions including canopy zip lining, jungle biking or ATV island tours.

You can enjoy seven nights in a Sugar Mill Luxury Room at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort from £2399 per person with daily breakfast, private transfers and flights from London Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic, valid for travel between 6th January and 31st March 2015 (excluding 12th – 21st February 2015).

Get in touch with one of our Caribbean specialists today!

The post Start the new year with a holiday to Saint Lucia! appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

For chocolate lovers who thought life couldn’t get any better than visiting one of the many Hotel Chocolat shops around the UK, the new Hotel Chocolat, Boucan Hotel in St. Lucia really is something to behold!

Since 2005 the famous chocolatier company, known for their deliciously mouth watering and innovative chocolates have been refurbishing the 14 acre Rabot Estate in St.Lucia, which dates back to 1975. I was particularly keen to write this blog as the estate was previously owned by the grandparents of our very own Bruce Rose, who has worked at Turquoise for seven years and alongside Brian our MD, for 25 years!

‘Bruce’s memories and stories of the Rabot Estate…’

Nearly 100 years ago my grandmother’s brother was diagnosed (falsely as it late turned out) with TB so decided to move to warmer climes. He purchased 100 acres of lush jungle in St Lucia and set about turning it into a banana & coconut plantation. It just so happened that the 00 acres he brought was set between The Pitons – the World Heritage site for which St Lucia is rightly famous for. When he died my grandmother, who was born in St Lucia, returned with her husband and took over the running of the Estate – now known as Rabot Estate. Their main produce was bananas and cocounts, however after various hurricanes had destroyed most of the trees, they concentrated on cocoa.

As a child, my sister and I had wonderful holidays visiting Rabot, eating whole bunches of bananas, picking mangoes from the trees and dehusking coconuts with the “workers”, climbing the Pitons and exploring the famous Sulphur hot springs, which happened to back onto the estate. However – do NOT pick fresh red chillies – then rub your eyes!!!

Rabot was a great place to visit with an old rundown house, rickerty verandas, the sound of the jungle loud in the air – especially at night – and the fireflies lighting up the tracks through the bush;  and listening to Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers with the local Rastafarians was a 17 year old “punk rocker’s” dream.

The local workers seemed to really enjoy working there looking after the trees and harvesting the crops. When my grandparents became too old to continue running the estate, they retired to the UK and my aunt and uncle moved out to St Lucia to take over. They continued running Rabot for another 20 years before they too retired. It had been Madeleine’s (my grandmother) wish that Rabot continue as a working plantation employing the local people from Soufriere and the surrounding communities so when Angus from Hotel Chocolat was looking for a working plantation to grow their own chocolate – they discovered Rabot and Madeleine’s wish came true. Rabot today – although revamped and developed – is still (almost) as it was all those years ago, the locals still work there and whilst “tourists” can visit and stay – it is still a working plantation – long may it continue.

Since the refurbishment programme started seven years ago, 13,000 Cacao trees have been planted on the Rabot Estate. Hotel Chocolat have also invested a huge amount of time and money into re training local farmers, in order to restore the agricultural roots of cacao farming which thrived prior to the mid 20th century industrialisation. Due to the industrial and technological advancements which took place in the Caribbean at this time, prices were driven down and the cacao farming industry became both non profitable and non existent.

Everything about this boutique 14 bedroom lodge looks and feels delicious. You will stay in a Cocoa Pod, drink Cacao Bellini’s, eat Cacao cuisine and enjoy CocoaJuvenate, the hotel spa where all the products are made on the estate using local produce and of course, all have a cocoa base. Despite the running chocolate theme throughout this hotel that could be perceived as a little too indulgent, we can assure you there is no need to worry. It has been designed with the upmost subtlety and sophistication.

However, do not fear, there is ample opportunity to indulge, for those that wish! Daily plantation tours are led by the in house agricultural consultant Stan, where guests can explore the cacao orchards and learn how the farmers nurture the blossoms each year to create cacao pods and eventually chocolate! Learning then turns to action as all guests are invited to join the hotel chef and create their very own chocolate bars from the Hotel Chocolat orchard Cacao beans. A perfect memento for anyone back home or a delicious poolside treat!

For more information about Hotel Chocolat please contact the Turquoise chocoholics now on 01494 687400 or email us at enquiries@turquoiseholidays.co.uk

The post Sweet Sensations in St. Lucia…the first Hotel Chocolat Hotel! appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

With it being nearly June but it feeling like the middle of February, there really is no better time to escape the wet and windy weather here in the UK and replace it with sun, sea and sand.  The Turquoise Team have compiled their top last minute luxury holidays, with some great offers on business class flights and boutique hotels.

Country: Saint Lucia

Resort: Ti Kaye, a family run hotel perched on a cliff overlooking the beautiful Anse Cochon Bay.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Ocean View Room.  Featuring stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and a spacious veranda balcony with rocking chairs and a double hammock.

Included: International Flights with BA and return transfers

Price: from £999 per person

 Country: The Maldives

Resort: Six Senses Laamu, the only resort in the Laamu Atoll.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Lagoon Water Villa.  Featuring an outdoor relaxing platform with day beds, sun lounges and over water netting, panoramic upper dining deck and viewing platform with day beds, aquarium dining deck with glass table, sunken ocean view all glass bathtub and private water gardens.

Included: Daily breakfast and dinner, return domestic and international flights with Emirates and speedboat transfers

Price: from £2090 per person

Country: Zanzibar

Resort: The Residence.  Located on a mile long sandy beach with 80 acres of palm tree forests and extensive gardens also the only hotel in Tanzania with membership to ‘The Leading Hotels of the World’.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Luxury Garden Pool Villa, featuring an outside deck and private swimming pool, wicker chairs, day beds and bicycles to explore the hotels gardens and local area.

Included: Daily breakfast and dinner, return transfers by private vehicle and international flights with Kenya Airways

Price: from £2095 per person

Country: Malaysia

Resort: Pangkor Laut Resort, located on its own private island 3 miles off the west coast of Malaysia along the straits of Malacca.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Beach Villa, featuring a private balcony, outdoor bath and breath taking views of the sea.

Included: Daily breakfast, international flights with Malaysia Airways and speedboat transfers

Price: from £1489 per person

Take a look at our website or call one of our specialists today on 01494 678400 to take a look at our other holidays offers.

The post Escape the Bank Holiday Blues with these Last Minute Offers appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

Nestled between St. Lucia’s famous Pitons Mountains, surrounded by the lush rainforest and bordering a white pristine beach lies Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort.

This former sugar planation has been stylishly transformed into quite possibly the finest luxury Caribbean resort. Located in the south-western part of St. Lucia close to the town of Soufriere, Sugar Beach offers 18^th century colonial charm with superb modern amenities instilling a sense of harmony.

Each and every guest is met upon arrival by a personal butler who will show you to your room or villa and look after your every need during your stay. Sugar Beach offers the finest accommodation consisting of 59 villas, 8 beachfront bungalows and 11 sugar mill rooms. All have a four-poster bed, large walk-in shower and a private plunge pool.

The resort boasts three fabulous restaurants and four bars, offering cuisine to suit every palate and a drinks menu to fulfil every cocktail dream! Visit The Cane Bar, and meet the Sugar Beach ‘rummelier’ with expertly chosen, native and international rums for you to sample. For a special evening, reserve a table in The Great Room, Sugar Beach’s fine dinning restaurant, offering a mouth watering array of cuisine using the freshest local food (we recommend the succulent seared scallops – divine!) For a more relaxed evening, the Bayside Restaurant is an al fresco option, positioned on ‘one of one of the best beaches on the island!’

The luxury ‘Rainforest Spa’ is an indulgent world- class experience for even the most savvy of spa goers. From massages inside a candle-lit tree house to ‘A meridian steam dome’ (a luxury sauna). Or for those more active, Sugar Beach offers some terrific water sports including unique to St. Lucia, a hybrid of excursions called ‘Snuba’ (a mix between scuba and snorkelling) and serious morning mountain walks up to Gros Piton for a panoramic breath taking view over the island, the infamous pitons, white sandy beaches and the crystal clear Caribbean sea.

Contact our Caribbean team today for your bespoke holiday quote or visit our website for more Caribbean itinerary ideas and inspiration

The post Life is sweet at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

The colourful Caribbean island, Saint Lucia, famed for its Piton Mountains is home to some of the most idyllic beaches. Whether you are after cliff top retreats, beach huts or rainforest treehouses, Saint Lucia has it all.

Saint Lucia is a magical destination for families. Powder soft sand, perfect for those little feet to play on and warm crystal sea to swim in. The fun does not stop there. As well as a range of fantastic accommodation, take a walking nature tour suitable for any ages (adults welcome too!) in the lush green rainforest. And for the older teenagers zip-lining is an absolute must, whizzing above the tree canopy. The Brig Unicorn, the tall ship used in the Pirates of the Caribbean films is another amazing day out. Sailing down the island’s coastline getting the perfect view of the rugged beautiful scenery and might even be the lucky ones to see some dolphins. Cruising past two fishing villages and find a perfect spot to stop off for a picnic!

Scattering the island are a multitude of family friendly hotels boasting their facilities including kids clubs, fantastic food and great accommodation.

The first family-friendly hotel on the Turquoise top picks is Cap Maison. Located on the north-west tip of Saint Lucia, it is a stylish resort with stunning sea views across to Pigeon Island. The resort offers 49 elegant spacious rooms with junior suites and villas all boasting rich fabrics and colours. We highly recommend the One Bedroom Villa Suites great for larger families, which feature a separate sitting and dining area, bedroom and kitchen.

The resort offers some wonderful dining options; the Cliff offering finest dining, and the Naked Fisherman Beach Bar and Grill, hidden on the secluded idyllic Smugglers Beach .

Along with dining, the resort has a huge range of activities and facilities available to all guests. For those fantastic fun families why not try snorkelling at Smugglers Cove or a spot of tennis! The spa warmly welcomes families if a touch of R&R is in need with three treatment rooms.

A brilliant alternative for families looking for a unique holiday full of fun is Sugar Beach! Situated between Saint Lucia’s famous Piton Mountains, lush rainforest to one side and a white pristine beach to the other is the fabulous resort. Sugar Beach offers some of the finest accommodation on the island, 59 villas, eight beachfront bungalows and 11 Sugar Mill rooms. New to the resort are luxury one and two bedroom villas which are built in small clusters ensuring privacy to all with a private pool terrace suiting families down to a T! With three restaurants and four bars, the hotel offers a delicious selection of fine food which will even meet the little one’s dinner dreams!

Visit here for more information on the wonders of family fun in Saint Lucia

The post Family fun in Saint Lucia appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

Saint Lucia is a beautiful, colourful and wonderfully scenic Caribbean island. A firm Turquoise favourite, Sugar Beach A Viceroy Resort takes prime position on the island, nestled between the famous Pitons mountains, the lush rainforest and a pristine, white sand beach. What better place to escape the January blues?

This former sugar plantation has been stylishly transformed into quite possibly the finest luxury Caribbean resort. Located in the south-western part of Saint Lucia, close to the town of Soufriere, Sugar Beach oozes 18th century colonial charm with superb modern twist and boasts the finest accommodation consisting of 59 villas, 8 Beachfront Bungalows and 11 Sugar Mill Rooms. All rooms & villas have a four-poster bed, large walk-in shower and a private plunge pool. Each and every guest is met upon arrival by a personal butler to help melt away any post-Christmas stress you may have!

Together three restaurants and four bars offer delectable cuisine to suit every taste! The Bayside Restaurant is a relaxed option, set on the white sands of one of the best beaches on the island or The Great Room is a fine dining restaurant offering the freshest local food. Last but by no means least, The Terrace is open daily for breakfast and afternoon tea. The Cane Bar features a professional ‘rummelier’ to aid in the selection of expertly chosen native and international rums and also offers a tapas style Asian-inspired menu including mouth-watering Sushi and tempura.

The luxury ‘Rainforest Spa’ is an indulgent world-class experience with a range of services from massages inside a candle-lit tree house to the traditional earthen Amerindian steam dome. For those wishing to be more active, Sugar Beach offers some terrific water sports, challenging mountain walks up to Gros Piton and exciting excursions including canopy zip lining, jungle biking or ATV island tours.

You can enjoy seven nights in a Sugar Mill Luxury Room at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort from £2399 per person with daily breakfast, private transfers and flights from London Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic, valid for travel between 6th January and 31st March 2015 (excluding 12th – 21st February 2015).

Get in touch with one of our Caribbean specialists today!

The post Start the new year with a holiday to Saint Lucia! appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

Saint Lucia is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque of the Caribbean islands. An island where the greatest love stories unfold, against a majestic backdrop of stunning peaks, emerald green rainforests and endless beaches lapped by crystal azure waters. With an unrivalled combination of natural beauty and sun-soaked serenity, there is much to admire about the luscious isle. A delight for all the senses and with so much to offer, it is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway. Here are our top 8 romantic things to do in Saint Lucia for couples…

1. Climb the Stairway to heaven

There’s a good reason why the Tet Paul Nature Trail is known as the Stairway to Heaven. The scenery along this stunning hiking trail is sheer bliss. Walk hand in hand, through tropical blooms and take in the breath-taking views of Saint Lucia’s renowned Piton Mountains. A local expert will guide you along your journey, where you will learn about the flora, fauna and rich culture and history of Saint Lucia. The locals say this is the best spot to take in the majestic view of the twin peaks. So, for that extra special touch, take a hamper for two and enjoy a lunch of local specialities amidst the most awe-inspiring background imaginable.

2. Visit Mother Nature’s spa

This is definitely one to tick off your bucket list…. visit the only “drive-in” volcano in the world whilst on holiday in Saint Lucia! Although the last recorded eruption was in the late 1700’s, once inside you will immediately see, hear and smell(!) that you are in an active geothermal zone. Venture a little further down to the Sulphur Springs in Soufriere and take a dip in the pleasantly warm pools. The mineral-rich mud from these volcanic springs is said to be the secret to soft and glowing skin, so indulge in a spot of pampering at mother nature’s spa.

3. Paint the beautiful Piton peaks 

Let your imagination run free and make your own memento of the time you and your partner spent together in paradise. Arguably the greatest artistic challenge on Saint Lucia is to paint the famous volcanic peaks of the Pitons! Sign up for an afternoon course and join one of the island’s best-known artists, Alwyn St Omer, where you can both take a hand to the easel. Under Alywn’s guidance and the help of a few glasses of wine to get your creative juices flowing, you’ll create your own masterpieces and go home with a pair of truly unique keepsakes from your trip.

4. Explore the flavours of the island

Bring the taste of sunshine back to your own kitchen and learn the secrets of Saint Lucian zesty Creole cuisine. For a hands-on culinary experience, book a private cooking class with your own expert chef. Discover the native fruits, vegetables, herbs and delicious spices and infuse them in your own culinary creations. After, take a romantic walk through a traditional Saint Lucian herb garden, bursting with the fragrant aromas and tropical blooms of jasmine, orchids and frangipani.

5. Make your own chocolate

For centuries, many have accredited chocolate with aphrodisiac powers. Whether this is true or not, you will love learning to make chocolate together in the charming surroundings of Boucan by Hotel Chocolat. Unique to Saint Lucia’s Rabot Estate, the “Bean to Bar” experience starts with the opportunity to see the master chocolatiers at work. From here you will handpick your own cocoa pods and be taken through the process of fermenting, drying and roasting the beans. Finally, produce your own mouth-wateringly tempting chocolate bars, as a delicious love token that probably won’t last very long!

6. Cast away and sail into the sunset

Evenings in Saint Lucia are truly magical and the island is renowned for its . So what could be more romantic than sailing off into the crimson horizon together? Charter your own beautifully restored traditional Caribbean Carriacou sloop and cast off from the powdery white shore directly across to Rodney Bay. The experienced captain and crew will ensure your voyage is as smooth as possible, with an informal sailing lesson to show you how to steer when your turn at the helm comes. But for most of the journey, sit back with a glass of rum punch, enjoy the sound of the waves lapping against the hull and admire the delightful glow of the sun fading behind the horizon.

7. Take the perfect pictures

Capture Saint Lucia’s spectacular natural beauty and embark on a Photography Workshop Adventure. Venture to the most scenic hidden corners of the island with an expert photographer, who will share their abundant knowledge of how to add depth and dimension to your photos. A combination of stunning landscapes and street photography with the locals all make for a cultural photography experience. Our top 3 Turquoise snaps to take are:

• Pigeon Island is a Saint Lucia National Trust Landmark
• Twin Pitons Peeks at sunset
• Diamond Water Fall & Botanical Gardens

8. Sample the local rum

Rum is the spirit of Saint Lucia. You can’t visit this magical island without trying one of the local rums… From spiced to smooth vanilla and everything in between, you’ll be spoilt for choice. For a truly authentic Caribbean experience, seek out a local distillery and spend an evening listening to steal drums sipping on your favourite rum tipple!

Inspired to visit Saint Lucia? Click here for itinerary ideas and here for our favourite hand-picked hotels for the ultimate romantic getaway!

#LOVEWHEREYOUGO

The post Top 8: Romantic Things to Do in Saint Lucia for Couples appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

For chocolate lovers who thought life couldn’t get any better than visiting one of the many Hotel Chocolat shops around the UK, the new Hotel Chocolat, Boucan Hotel in St. Lucia really is something to behold!

Since 2005 the famous chocolatier company, known for their deliciously mouth watering and innovative chocolates have been refurbishing the 14 acre Rabot Estate in St.Lucia, which dates back to 1975. I was particularly keen to write this blog as the estate was previously owned by the grandparents of our very own Bruce Rose, who has worked at Turquoise for seven years and alongside Brian our MD, for 25 years!

‘Bruce’s memories and stories of the Rabot Estate…’

Nearly 100 years ago my grandmother’s brother was diagnosed (falsely as it late turned out) with TB so decided to move to warmer climes. He purchased 100 acres of lush jungle in St Lucia and set about turning it into a banana & coconut plantation. It just so happened that the 00 acres he brought was set between The Pitons – the World Heritage site for which St Lucia is rightly famous for. When he died my grandmother, who was born in St Lucia, returned with her husband and took over the running of the Estate – now known as Rabot Estate. Their main produce was bananas and cocounts, however after various hurricanes had destroyed most of the trees, they concentrated on cocoa.

As a child, my sister and I had wonderful holidays visiting Rabot, eating whole bunches of bananas, picking mangoes from the trees and dehusking coconuts with the “workers”, climbing the Pitons and exploring the famous Sulphur hot springs, which happened to back onto the estate. However – do NOT pick fresh red chillies – then rub your eyes!!!

Rabot was a great place to visit with an old rundown house, rickerty verandas, the sound of the jungle loud in the air – especially at night – and the fireflies lighting up the tracks through the bush;  and listening to Exodus by Bob Marley & The Wailers with the local Rastafarians was a 17 year old “punk rocker’s” dream.

The local workers seemed to really enjoy working there looking after the trees and harvesting the crops. When my grandparents became too old to continue running the estate, they retired to the UK and my aunt and uncle moved out to St Lucia to take over. They continued running Rabot for another 20 years before they too retired. It had been Madeleine’s (my grandmother) wish that Rabot continue as a working plantation employing the local people from Soufriere and the surrounding communities so when Angus from Hotel Chocolat was looking for a working plantation to grow their own chocolate – they discovered Rabot and Madeleine’s wish came true. Rabot today – although revamped and developed – is still (almost) as it was all those years ago, the locals still work there and whilst “tourists” can visit and stay – it is still a working plantation – long may it continue.

Since the refurbishment programme started seven years ago, 13,000 Cacao trees have been planted on the Rabot Estate. Hotel Chocolat have also invested a huge amount of time and money into re training local farmers, in order to restore the agricultural roots of cacao farming which thrived prior to the mid 20th century industrialisation. Due to the industrial and technological advancements which took place in the Caribbean at this time, prices were driven down and the cacao farming industry became both non profitable and non existent.

Everything about this boutique 14 bedroom lodge looks and feels delicious. You will stay in a Cocoa Pod, drink Cacao Bellini’s, eat Cacao cuisine and enjoy CocoaJuvenate, the hotel spa where all the products are made on the estate using local produce and of course, all have a cocoa base. Despite the running chocolate theme throughout this hotel that could be perceived as a little too indulgent, we can assure you there is no need to worry. It has been designed with the upmost subtlety and sophistication.

However, do not fear, there is ample opportunity to indulge, for those that wish! Daily plantation tours are led by the in house agricultural consultant Stan, where guests can explore the cacao orchards and learn how the farmers nurture the blossoms each year to create cacao pods and eventually chocolate! Learning then turns to action as all guests are invited to join the hotel chef and create their very own chocolate bars from the Hotel Chocolat orchard Cacao beans. A perfect memento for anyone back home or a delicious poolside treat!

For more information about Hotel Chocolat please contact the Turquoise chocoholics now on 01494 687400 or email us at enquiries@turquoiseholidays.co.uk

The post Sweet Sensations in St. Lucia…the first Hotel Chocolat Hotel! appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

With it being nearly June but it feeling like the middle of February, there really is no better time to escape the wet and windy weather here in the UK and replace it with sun, sea and sand.  The Turquoise Team have compiled their top last minute luxury holidays, with some great offers on business class flights and boutique hotels.

Country: Saint Lucia

Resort: Ti Kaye, a family run hotel perched on a cliff overlooking the beautiful Anse Cochon Bay.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Ocean View Room.  Featuring stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and a spacious veranda balcony with rocking chairs and a double hammock.

Included: International Flights with BA and return transfers

Price: from £999 per person

 Country: The Maldives

Resort: Six Senses Laamu, the only resort in the Laamu Atoll.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Lagoon Water Villa.  Featuring an outdoor relaxing platform with day beds, sun lounges and over water netting, panoramic upper dining deck and viewing platform with day beds, aquarium dining deck with glass table, sunken ocean view all glass bathtub and private water gardens.

Included: Daily breakfast and dinner, return domestic and international flights with Emirates and speedboat transfers

Price: from £2090 per person

Country: Zanzibar

Resort: The Residence.  Located on a mile long sandy beach with 80 acres of palm tree forests and extensive gardens also the only hotel in Tanzania with membership to ‘The Leading Hotels of the World’.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Luxury Garden Pool Villa, featuring an outside deck and private swimming pool, wicker chairs, day beds and bicycles to explore the hotels gardens and local area.

Included: Daily breakfast and dinner, return transfers by private vehicle and international flights with Kenya Airways

Price: from £2095 per person

Country: Malaysia

Resort: Pangkor Laut Resort, located on its own private island 3 miles off the west coast of Malaysia along the straits of Malacca.

Duration: 7 Nights

Room Type: Beach Villa, featuring a private balcony, outdoor bath and breath taking views of the sea.

Included: Daily breakfast, international flights with Malaysia Airways and speedboat transfers

Price: from £1489 per person

Take a look at our website or call one of our specialists today on 01494 678400 to take a look at our other holidays offers.

The post Escape the Bank Holiday Blues with these Last Minute Offers appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

Nestled between St. Lucia’s famous Pitons Mountains, surrounded by the lush rainforest and bordering a white pristine beach lies Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort.

This former sugar planation has been stylishly transformed into quite possibly the finest luxury Caribbean resort. Located in the south-western part of St. Lucia close to the town of Soufriere, Sugar Beach offers 18^th century colonial charm with superb modern amenities instilling a sense of harmony.

Each and every guest is met upon arrival by a personal butler who will show you to your room or villa and look after your every need during your stay. Sugar Beach offers the finest accommodation consisting of 59 villas, 8 beachfront bungalows and 11 sugar mill rooms. All have a four-poster bed, large walk-in shower and a private plunge pool.

The resort boasts three fabulous restaurants and four bars, offering cuisine to suit every palate and a drinks menu to fulfil every cocktail dream! Visit The Cane Bar, and meet the Sugar Beach ‘rummelier’ with expertly chosen, native and international rums for you to sample. For a special evening, reserve a table in The Great Room, Sugar Beach’s fine dinning restaurant, offering a mouth watering array of cuisine using the freshest local food (we recommend the succulent seared scallops – divine!) For a more relaxed evening, the Bayside Restaurant is an al fresco option, positioned on ‘one of one of the best beaches on the island!’

The luxury ‘Rainforest Spa’ is an indulgent world- class experience for even the most savvy of spa goers. From massages inside a candle-lit tree house to ‘A meridian steam dome’ (a luxury sauna). Or for those more active, Sugar Beach offers some terrific water sports including unique to St. Lucia, a hybrid of excursions called ‘Snuba’ (a mix between scuba and snorkelling) and serious morning mountain walks up to Gros Piton for a panoramic breath taking view over the island, the infamous pitons, white sandy beaches and the crystal clear Caribbean sea.

Contact our Caribbean team today for your bespoke holiday quote or visit our website for more Caribbean itinerary ideas and inspiration

The post Life is sweet at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.

The colourful Caribbean island, Saint Lucia, famed for its Piton Mountains is home to some of the most idyllic beaches. Whether you are after cliff top retreats, beach huts or rainforest treehouses, Saint Lucia has it all.

Saint Lucia is a magical destination for families. Powder soft sand, perfect for those little feet to play on and warm crystal sea to swim in. The fun does not stop there. As well as a range of fantastic accommodation, take a walking nature tour suitable for any ages (adults welcome too!) in the lush green rainforest. And for the older teenagers zip-lining is an absolute must, whizzing above the tree canopy. The Brig Unicorn, the tall ship used in the Pirates of the Caribbean films is another amazing day out. Sailing down the island’s coastline getting the perfect view of the rugged beautiful scenery and might even be the lucky ones to see some dolphins. Cruising past two fishing villages and find a perfect spot to stop off for a picnic!

Scattering the island are a multitude of family friendly hotels boasting their facilities including kids clubs, fantastic food and great accommodation.

The first family-friendly hotel on the Turquoise top picks is Cap Maison. Located on the north-west tip of Saint Lucia, it is a stylish resort with stunning sea views across to Pigeon Island. The resort offers 49 elegant spacious rooms with junior suites and villas all boasting rich fabrics and colours. We highly recommend the One Bedroom Villa Suites great for larger families, which feature a separate sitting and dining area, bedroom and kitchen.

The resort offers some wonderful dining options; the Cliff offering finest dining, and the Naked Fisherman Beach Bar and Grill, hidden on the secluded idyllic Smugglers Beach .

Along with dining, the resort has a huge range of activities and facilities available to all guests. For those fantastic fun families why not try snorkelling at Smugglers Cove or a spot of tennis! The spa warmly welcomes families if a touch of R&R is in need with three treatment rooms.

A brilliant alternative for families looking for a unique holiday full of fun is Sugar Beach! Situated between Saint Lucia’s famous Piton Mountains, lush rainforest to one side and a white pristine beach to the other is the fabulous resort. Sugar Beach offers some of the finest accommodation on the island, 59 villas, eight beachfront bungalows and 11 Sugar Mill rooms. New to the resort are luxury one and two bedroom villas which are built in small clusters ensuring privacy to all with a private pool terrace suiting families down to a T! With three restaurants and four bars, the hotel offers a delicious selection of fine food which will even meet the little one’s dinner dreams!

Visit here for more information on the wonders of family fun in Saint Lucia

The post Family fun in Saint Lucia appeared first on Luxury Travel Blog & Holiday Inspiration | Turquoise Holidays.