From the moment you arrive at The Body Holiday you are treated to a delicious
fruity cocktail, and the staff are among the friendliest, most helpful staff
that I’ve come across, and they will cater to your every whim throughout your
stay.
The Body Holiday in St Lucia ticks all the boxes
for what I look for in a holiday; relaxation, yummy treats, cocktails and a
great beach. It’s palm fringed beach location makes it the perfect retreat to
recharge and relax, and, having met in the Maldives, the boyfriend and I have
pretty high standards when it comes to beaches; but the beach at The Body
Holiday definitely makes the grade! The sea is warm and crystal clear and the
sand stretches around a secluded cove.
One option which I’m glad we chose was the
helicopter transfer from the airport to the hotel; not only do you get
unrivalled views of the Volcanic island, but it also saved the 2 hour drive up
and down the peaks!
Although relatively large, the hotel still has a
friendly and luxurious feel, following a recent US$20million investment. Being
in the Caribbean, the rum cocktails are on tap – as are fresh fruit smoothies
(Raspberry Thrill full of antioxidents any one?!). This may be an all-inclusive
resort, but it’s far from the todo-incluidos you may be haunted from on the
Costa del Sol!
having Afternoon Tea on the beach was unforgettable, and a great photo
opportunity! Guests can also choose from the Cariblue A La Carte Restaurant
right on the beach, The Clubhouse Grill, or the TAO fusion restaurant – one of
the finest restaurants in the Caribbean.
into shape; you are invited to experience the fitness offerings and take
advantage of the spa, but it’s not forced upon you. I preferred to while away
the days lolling about on the beach, cocktail or smoothie in hand, but for active
guests, there is every type of fitness on offer (check out the daily activities
board below!) and guests are given a daily timetable to plan their activities,
from beach volleyball and spinning in the tree top studio to beach aerobics and
yoga.
The Wellness Centre is hidden in the tree tops up a
short walk through the immaculate gardens; enter a palm lined oasis of
lovliness; with pristine pools and an inspiring view of the coastline. Condé
Nast Traveller voted The Body Holiday the second Best Spa Retreat worldwide,
and I’m not surprised why. Every day you can choose from seven 50-minute
treatments, my favourite being the Aloe Vera Body Wrap – fantastic to soothe
sun drenched skin as well as a blissful full body massage.
Even if you don’t visit The Body Holiday, the
Caribbean itself is a fabulous destination, and on St Lucia you can take day
trips on walks through Botanical Gardens, trek through the rainforest, visit
the Sulphur Springs Mud Baths or, if you are feeling energetic, walk up the
iconic Pitons (the mountains created from Volcanos, see below in background of boat picture!)
Charlie and I took the ‘St Lucia by Sea’ trip; a
catamaran took us to the other side of the island, where we then we transported
on a jeep to the Hotel Chocolat where we saw the process from Cocoa Bean to
chocolate (and had a taster or two!) as well as visiting the Sulphur Springs
Mud baths where we covered ourselves in Volcanic mud, allowed it to sun-dry,
and then washed it off in pools of naturally steaming hot water. I’d definitely
recommend this trip, which you can go on from almost every hotel on the island.
Our trip to St Lucia was the ideal winter-sun
getaway, and I cannot recommend the hotel enough, whether you are looking to
beat the bulge and escape the January blues, or if you are after some
rejuvenating pampering, you are sure to leave feeling energised and
revitalised. I’d heard a lot about The Body Holiday and it definitely lived up
to the hype; ticking all the boxes with a dash of luxury, I’m already saving up
for our next visit!