Visit the Villas at St. Lucia's Anse Chastanet

by Tom Wuckovich

I am captivated by vegetation so tightly entwined that the tree tops resemble a green carpet cascading down the hillside where it melds into a hem of tawny colored beach. And there, the soft sand is caressed by the jeans-blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

It's my good fortune to be lodged in one of five premium hillside villas at Anse Chastanet Resort, situated on 600 acres of pristine rain forest on the southwestern coast of St. Lucia, the second-largest island in the Windwards chain. The villa is meticulously appointed, with tropical hardwood furniture personally designed by Nick Troubetzkoy, an architect with impeccable taste and the owner of Anse Chastanet. The villa, which redefines the word spacious, is adorned with original artwork by both local and international artists, most with an "earthy" theme characterized by wall murals, painted "sky ceilings," flower boards, wall plaques, wooden sculptures and burlap compositions. The sense of openness is further enhanced by the absence of entire walls, blurring the boundary between the outside and inside.

The artistic endeavors and the villas' design suggest the harmony between man and nature that Troubetzkoy sought when he engaged in a period of expansion that increased the number of units from 14 in 1974 to its present state of 49. In addition to the five premium hillside accommodations, there are 14 deluxe hillside villas, 14 superior, four standard and 12 deluxe beachside cottages. And, not surprising, no two rooms are exactly alike - except in amenities. But don't expect to find a TV or a telephone in the room. You'll only be disturbed by natural sounds - the three little birds on your doorstep singin' sweet songs or the sunrise filtering through the leaves of the dazzling flamboyant tree or coconut palms.

Then you can make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, put your feet up and gaze at the unparalleled vistas afforded you by one of the most striking islands in the Caribbean. It's still called the "Helen of the Caribbean" because of its beauty.

When it is time to leave your private space, you'll have plenty of diversions to occupy your time. There is, of course, the beach. And who can visit the Caribbean without getting proper exposure to the sun. At Anse Chastanet, unless you are beachside, there are 100 winding stairs leading from the hillside rooms to the beach. It's best to do it after a hearty breakfast at the Piton Restaurant, which serves breakfast daily and dinner five times weekly. There is a casual beach bar that serves lunch daily and dinner twice weekly. You'll need energy to climb back up the hillside.(

The beach borders on St. Lucia's finest reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving. The resort's PADI Gold Palm/SSI Platinum scuba center operates a full diving schedule for divers of all levels. A second beach, Anse Mamin, can be reached by resort water taxi. Adjacent to Anse Mamin are the ruins of an old plantation dating back to the 18th century. The resort has turned the estate into a hiking and biking paradise. Mountain biking on Cannondale suspension bikes has become quite the "in" thing, with 12 miles of dedicated trails offering varying degrees of difficulty. After a vigorous day of exercising, guests can unwind and be pampered at the Kai Belte Spa where professionally trained therapists offer a wide range of treatments, including Swedish massage, aromatherapy and reflexology. Services also include shiatsu and Anse Chastanet's own version of La Stone therapy called Wosh Cho, patois for hot stone.

If you yearn to see what the island offers, you'll not be disappointed. Anse Chastanet is located near Soufriere (pronounced Soo-Fray), and there are excursions to an active volcano and the Diamond Mineral Baths, as well as the
opportunity to hike a portion of The Pitons, twin volcanic peaks that are the most recognizable landmark on St. Lucia. The island is 27 miles long and warrants trips to Castries, its capital, as well as Rodney Bay in the north and Marigot Bay, where the original movie Dr. Doolittle, was filmed. Afterwards, you can retreat to your secluded villa and shut out the outside world … for as long
as you choose.