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St. Lucia
One of the most striking islands of the Caribbean, with copious rain forest, sparkling waterfalls, and a fair share of pretty beaches, St. Lucia has kept a relatively low profile in the last decade, and is mostly the secret of a fiercely loyal group of repeat visitors. But the word is out this season, thanks to a new crop of upscale hotels attracting guests such as Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart. Among the new resort offerings is the Landings, a $165-million property that opened in December 2007 with a private harbor, a 7,000-square-foot spa, and no fewer than seven pools. The Discovery at Marigot Bay, on the northwest coast, also has its own marina and contemporary interiors—think pink glass chandeliers and Philippe Starck ghost chairs. At Anse Chastanet Resort, long an island favorite, owner and architect Nick Troubetzkoy has added Jade Mountain, an annex of 24 suites, each with its own infinity pool and only three walls, providing spectacular views of the twin Piton mountains (pictured). Next up is Westin's Le Paradis at Praslin late this year (with a Greg Norman–designed golf course), a Ritz-Carlton set to open in early 2010 on the south side, and a Raffles soon after. With American Airlines' new thrice-weekly nonstop from New York supplementing Air Jamaica's four weekly direct flights from JFK, St. Lucia is poised for the mainstream. We only hope that with all this newfound attention the island retains the friendly, low-key vibe that made it so damn appealing to begin with.
Landings
Tel: 877 657 7625
Discovery at Marigot Bay
Tel: 758 458 5300
Jade Mountain
Tel: 758 459 4000
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