What it is like staying at Coconut Bay Seashore Resort & Spa in St. Lucia

What’s Coconut Bay Seashore Resort & Spa?

Located in Vieux Fort on the southern finish of St. Lucia, Coconut Bay Seashore Resort & Spa is lower than a five-minute drive from Hewanorra Worldwide Airport (UVF).

Initially a Membership Med, the resort closed shortly after 9/11. The resort was revamped and reopened in 2005 as Coconut Bay Seashore Resort. It has been independently owned by the identical people because it reopened, which is a part of its attraction. The household vibe is powerful right here, and never simply with precise households. {Couples} and good friend teams appear to attach with the employees, offering a close-knit really feel all through the resort. Throughout our keep, I did not discover a excessive focus of 1 kind of traveler. We noticed {couples}, bridal events (a marriage happened throughout our keep), girlfriend teams and households — together with some multigenerational teams.

The 250-key property includes two resorts: Concord (an adults-only resort) and Splash, a family-focused resort that boasts St. Lucia’s largest water park. A 3rd all-suite resort, the couples-only all-inclusive Serenity at Coconut Bay, is on the property however is taken into account separate from Concord and Splash. The Splash wing consists of 64 connectable rooms, very best for big households or reunion teams who wish to keep shut however have their very own house.

Coconut Bay closes the month of September yearly for refreshes and renovations, together with a resortwide room face-lift anticipated to be accomplished by the tip of 2025 (extra on that later).

The best way to e-book Coconut Bay Seashore Resort & Spa

Checking in

Verify-in could not have been less complicated. We acquired a refreshing (and scrumptious) welcome rum drink and had been guided to the entrance desk. Your entire check-in course of took in all probability lower than 10 minutes, after which a pleasant steward guided us to our room.

Its beachfront location is right

Coconut Bay Seashore Resort & Spa unfolds throughout an 85-acre coconut plantation alongside an idyllic milelong stretch of honey-hued sand. Though there are not any non-public seashores in St. Lucia, Coconut Bay Seashore’s location on Anse de Sables Seashore is fantastically unpeopled. Excluding a handful of distributors on the seashore, you will possible solely encounter fellow resort visitors and employees members. You will even have unobstructed views of the Maria Islands from nearly any vantage level on the property.

I used to be impressed with how uncrowded it felt across the swimming pools, on the bars and in public areas, though the resort was 80% occupied throughout our keep.

AvGeeks will love its proximity to the airport — what’s higher than planespotting on prime tropical actual property with a cocktail in hand? (The resort additionally offers complimentary airport transfers to and from UVF).

You are inside a 45-minute drive from St. Lucia’s iconic Pitons and different pure sights in Soufriere to the north. The resort can prepare excursions and journey excursions (learn on for particulars).

There’s a familial vibe right here

A low-key environment and sense of neighborhood appear to outline Coconut Bay.

Once I requested concerning the absence of resort bands on visitors’ wrists, I used to be informed they did not want them. “We all know our visitors,” Natalia Greene, vice chairman of gross sales and advertising and marketing, defined. From remembering visitors’ names to their favourite drinks, private consideration creates a robust following. I used to be informed that some visitors have greater than 30 visits underneath their belt, and it did not shock me.

I witnessed the sweetest reunion between a household and a employees member. The household had simply checked in and ran into the employees member within the foyer. It was like watching an trade between previous associates who hadn’t seen one another in a very long time.

Coconut Bay feels community- and environmentally-minded

The sense of neighborhood extends past the sprawling resort, too. Throughout our keep, I had the chance to attend a press convention asserting the resort’s sponsorship of an area preschool, ABC Funhouse Studying Heart. A part of the resort’s CocoLand Cares initiative, the undertaking features a full rework of lecture rooms with new bogs, furnishings, flooring and up to date lighting. Moreover, the resort will present curriculum and faculty provides, in addition to buy and set up new playground tools.

And past the pleasant and welcoming employees, Coconut Bay showcases the gifted individuals of St. Lucia. Murals created by native artists grace the buildings, and the resort hosts an area artisans market on Tuesdays and Saturdays every week. Moreover, a well-curated resort boutique incorporates a number of island-made merchandise.

Be aware that in case your keep falls throughout sea turtle nesting season (between March and November), you possibly can take part within the resort’s endangered sea turtle program, Sea Turtle Scouts. This system educates visitors concerning the significance of defending the nesting turtles that come ashore and hatchlings rising from their nests.

Rooms are ethereal with plenty of cupboard space

For my three-night keep, I used to be booked in a Concierge Junior Suite Oceanview room within the 18-plus Concord aspect of the resort. Our fourth-floor room included a personal balcony overlooking the adults-only pool space and the Atlantic Ocean past. Our room was spacious, with loads of room for my husband and me to unfold out. Along with substantial drawer house, two closets held a protected, ironing board and iron and included a great quantity of shelving and room to retailer our baggage.

The entrance of the room had an environment friendly desk house with a big mirror, a lighted self-importance mirror and an alarm clock. Outlet house was a bit restricted, although, and I discovered myself needing to unplug the lighted mirror to be able to plug in my flat iron. Retailers on the lavatory self-importance would have been very best, for instance. I could not find any, although, except they had been nicely hidden. Additionally, there have been no shops bedside to cost our telephones.

A big nook cupboard held a espresso maker with coffee- and tea-making provides, a transportable ice maker and a minifridge stocked with sodas, water, native beer and a bottle of Champagne. Although extremely handy, the ice maker dropped ice a couple of occasions in the course of our first night time, waking me up. We unplugged it the following morning. In case you’re a heavy sleeper, this might not be a problem for you.

The room additionally featured a small sitting space with a loveseat and low desk, and our balcony had two chairs and a small desk.

I slept extremely nicely in our four-poster king mattress — the mattress was agency sufficient for help with out being too laborious. Moreover, the pillows had been big and had the correct amount of give for a cushty neck place.

Different room facilities included robes and slippers, free Wi-Fi, a Coconut Bay Seashore Resort-branded seashore bag, and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries and different selfmade sweets. The resort confirmed that every one concierge-level visitors get these welcome facilities.

I used to be significantly impressed with the housekeeping service. Every go to included a handwritten be aware. It was such a candy approach to start or finish our day and was one other instance of the non-public particulars that make visitors really feel welcome. Additionally, concierge room visitors obtain a 20% low cost on Sanctuary Spa providers, which I like to recommend profiting from (extra on that under).

The toilet was an excellent dimension for us. It confirmed slight indicators of wear and tear — minor rust spots and some nicks right here and there — however they had been hardly noticeable (and won’t even be a problem after the room upgrades are full). It had an enormous walk-in bathe and a number of other towel racks and hooks for moist swimsuits. The sink space was fairly huge, with house for my make-up and toiletries luggage. It included a wall-mounted hair dryer and Molton Brown lavatory facilities.

Annual renovations imply freshly up to date rooms are nonetheless coming

The aforementioned renovations that occur every September embrace resortwide room upgrades. Throughout our keep, we toured two renovated rooms — one within the Concord wing and one within the Splash wing. Along with a reconfigured structure, absolutely refurbished bogs and new bed room decor, the up to date rooms sport shops by the mattress.

Visitors have entry to on-site laundry

If you must do laundry throughout your keep, an on-site laundry facility is positioned on the Splash aspect. It consists of three washing machines, two dryers and garments baskets. It is free for visitors to make use of, however it’s essential to present your personal detergent and cloth softener or buy it within the resort retailer.

Ample and scrumptious eating and drink choices

One of many huge lures of all-inclusive resorts is that meals and drinks are sometimes included together with your keep. You take pleasure in limitless entry to meals and drinks with out pulling out your pockets each time. Though the meals high quality at all-inclusive resorts can generally be hit and miss, I used to be persistently impressed with the variability and high quality of my meals right here.

Coconut Bay Seashore visitors can select from 9 on-site eating places and 7 bars. Eating venues embrace Coconut Stroll Market (the resort’s primary restaurant), Flip Flops Burger Bar and Pizzeria (out of doors walk-up restaurant), Trattoria (informal Italian), Silk (Thai, Indian, Japanese and Chinese language delicacies), Calabash (breakfast for Concord visitors that includes Caribbean dishes for dinner), Veranda (adults-only alfresco eating) and Jerk Treehouse (poolside venue for informal Caribbean eating).

{Couples} in search of a romantic night can e-book a connoisseur three-course non-public dinner at La Luna, the resort’s extra-fee restaurant. For $159 per couple, you possibly can savor dishes like coconut rooster strips, garlic shrimp, herb-crusted filet mignon, grilled New Zealand lamb chops, a sampling of candy miniature desserts and banana and coconut mousse.

Visitors also can sit back at a handful of on-site bars just like the Foyer Bar, Sand Bar, Swim-Up Pool Bar (on the Splash aspect) and Concord Pool Bar. Stroll down the seashore a bit to the left for the Paradise Seashore Bar, the place you will additionally discover loungers, umbrellas, hammocks, a towel hut and bogs. It additionally serves a barbecue lunch each day from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Moreover, Peter John’s Lounge (on the second flooring of the principle constructing) hosts Rums of the Caribbean tastings led by the resort’s rum grasp (extra on that later), and the Sugar Cane Rum Bar at Peter John’s Lounge options over 30 of the Caribbean’s best rums.

We could not hit all of them inside our three-night keep, however this is my tackle those we did.

Calabash

Our first dinner on the resort at Calabash didn’t disappoint, creating excessive expectations for future meals throughout our keep. The menu at Calabash offers a style of St. Lucia and Caribbean delicacies.

Our meal started with a tasty welcome drink, Calabash Punch, made with gentle rum, melon liquor, pineapple juice, triple sec and orange juice. We ordered a curry-style soup of the day, the spiced pumpkin, plantain and rooster fritters, the catch of the day, and a Caribbean-style bread pudding. Each chunk was on level — contemporary and flavorful.

Calabash is open for dinner from 6 to 9:30 p.m., and reservations are required.

Coconut Stroll Market

To the left of the foyer, the resort’s primary restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, although we solely ate right here for breakfast.

This buffet outlet had the standard breakfast choices, together with vegetarian baked beans, hash browns, potatoes and veggie quiche. It additionally included two sizzling stations: an omelet station and “Miss Emme’s” breakfast station with made-to-order eggs Benedict, French toast, waffles and pancakes. I attempted the eggs Benedict (with no ham), the veggie quiche and potatoes. The eggs Benedict was effective (my husband’s included ham and he had the identical take), however the veggie quiche and potatoes had been each notably scrumptious.

Different stations featured a wide range of contemporary fruit, greens and cheeses, and smoothies. In addition they supplied contemporary coconut water served in coconuts — it was a pleasant deal with. I significantly beloved the self-service mimosa and bloody mary station on the entrance. Is there a greater approach to start your breakfast in paradise?

Typical lunch and dinner choices would come with salads, pasta, stir-fry stations, grilled panini sandwiches, a youngsters buffet and different dishes.

Silk

The environment in Silk was cozy, with Asian-inspired decor and darkish ceilings dressed with lanterns offering simply the correct amount of sunshine.

We sampled nearly all the pieces and had been extraordinarily happy with all we tried. Sushi and sashimi had been contemporary and expertly executed. We had the shrimp dragon roll, tuna and salmon sashimi, vegetable spring rolls, ahi poke, and the grilled catch of the day with wok-fried greens and citrus soy sauce.

Silk is open for dinner from 6 to 9:30 p.m., and reservations are required.

Veranda

This adults-only alfresco eating venue is completely for Concord visitors. Veranda is open for breakfast within the morning, after which for dinner from 6 to 9:30 p.m. (reservations required). Throughout our keep, we solely dined right here for breakfast.

It was a pleasant various to a bustling buffet environment and proved a calming approach to usher within the day. Although restricted, the a la carte menu supplied a great selection. I loved a fluffy vegetable omelet and savory potatoes. My husband ordered the eggs Benedict once more and loved them extra the second time round. Veranda additionally featured a self-serve station for mimosas and bloody marys.

In case you dine right here throughout dinner, count on a wide range of signature dishes like pimento smoked marlin with lime aioli, pickled onions and fried capers, grilled beef tenderloin served with coconut shrimp in a crimson wine discount, and desserts just like the chocolate rum cake with strawberry coulis and toasted almond ice cream.

Jerk Treehouse

Initially a kiosk-type stand, the jerk-style meals was so fashionable the resort created a bigger — and tremendous cool — venue for it. The chef who helmed the unique kiosk nonetheless works at Coconut Bay. Constructed round a big seagrape tree, The Jerk Treehouse is discovered poolside within the Splash space of the resort. The menu options grilled rooster, pork and sausage marinated with an genuine Jamaican jerk spice mix served with a aspect of rice and peas. Sadly, I did not get to expertise it firsthand, however my husband mentioned the jerk rooster was a number of the finest he is ever tasted.

Flip Flops Burger Bar and Pizzeria

This walk-up eatery gave the impression to be hopping most occasions of the day. Its handy location between the Splash and Concord swimming pools in all probability had a lot to do with it. Nevertheless, if different menu gadgets are nearly as good because the fire-oven vegetable pizza I ordered, that is extra possible the rationale. The made-to-order pizza took about 10 minutes to arrange, and it was well worth the wait. The crust was scrumptious, the cheese was good and bubbly, and the greens had been good.

Foyer Bar

The openness and central location of this bar made it a preferred spot for visitors. With each indoor and out of doors seating, it was clearly a “go-to” bar for pre- or post-dinner drinks.

Concord Tiki Bar

Since our room was within the adults-only Concord aspect of the resort, we visited Dillan on the Tiki Bar incessantly. Pleasant {and professional}, the bartenders at all times ready our drinks very nicely and had a enjoyable rapport with the visitors.

Anticipate dreamy swimming pools and a stellar seashore space

Coconut Bay Seashore Resort & Spa is house to 5 swimming pools — three family-friendly swimming pools on the Splash aspect (to the left after the foyer) and two adults-only swimming pools on the Concord aspect (to the precise after the foyer). Moreover, visitors can benefit from the CocoLand Waterpark or sit back on a milelong stretch of sand.

The Splash swimming pools at all times appeared busy however not overly crowded, with loads of lounge seating accessible. Visitors may absorb a sport of pool volleyball or seize a drink (nonalcoholic for teenagers) on the swim-up bar. Between the 2 Splash swimming pools and simply off Flip Flops Burger Bar is a coated space with tables for eating, in addition to pool tables and a pingpong desk.

I significantly remorse not taking full benefit of the CocoLand Waterpark, St. Lucia’s largest water park, on the Splash aspect of the resort. The Coconut Coaster and Coconut Canon seemed like a blast, and visitors I noticed coasting down the lazy river appeared fully content material.

The pool space on the Concord aspect was expansive, with plenty of hammocks and loungers, together with super-cool “solar tracker” beds on wheelies you may rotate and comply with the solar for that coveted even tan. One pool featured in-water loungers and an enormous sizzling tub within the heart of the pool.

Coconut Bay’s stretch of seashore appeared virtually non-public — no crowds lobbying for loungers or Jet Skis buzzing across the water right here. The seashore seating was nicely spaced out, and solely nonmotorized sports activities had been allowed (extra particulars under). A bit of the seashore featured non-public cabanas completely for Serenity visitors.

There are tons of the way to remain lively if you happen to select

The resort’s health heart was air-conditioned and nicely outfitted. From treadmills and elliptical trainers to free weights and energy coaching tools, visitors have a broad alternative of the way to remain match throughout trip. Moreover, health lessons and morning yoga within the oceanside gazebo are supplied and included in your keep.

Close to the tip of the resort’s a part of the seashore, you will discover the Surf Shack. There, visitors can take kitesurfing, windsurfing and wing foiling classes from licensed instructors ($85 per hour). Classes are supplied for all talent ranges.

Different nonmotorized water sports activities like snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are additionally accessible and included together with your keep.

Coconut Bay Seashore Resort additionally boasts a 30,000-square-foot paintball facility for visitors 13 and up ($20 per individual).

The leisure calendar will maintain you busy

In case you’re the kind of vacationer who likes to do all of the issues, you may be in your component at Coconut Bay. From poolside events to particular occasions, there are many actions for each curiosity. The great resort publication, Coconut Bay Breeze, will maintain you knowledgeable.

You will not have to attend for July to expertise St. Lucia’s Carnival celebration. Each Saturday night time, the resort hosts its personal Carnival, referred to as Caribbean Evening — and you do not wish to miss it. It was a lot enjoyable and really nicely attended. Dinner was served poolside buffet-style with an enormous unfold of Caribbean and St. Lucian dishes and desserts. The leisure was subsequent degree with a vigorous metal drum band, hearth performers, Carnival costumes and stilt walkers.

We additionally loved the resort’s rum-tasting expertise, which is free for visitors and options 15 completely different rums. It was hosted by Holder, the Coconut Bay’s grasp bartender. He shared the historical past of St. Lucia rum and supplied perception into the rums we sampled. I used to be wowed by the resort’s intensive number of Caribbean rums, which I used to be knowledgeable is the largest choice in St. Lucia and one of many largest within the Caribbean.

In case you have a candy tooth, do not miss the Friday night time chocolate buffet, held within the Stargazers Lounge on the second flooring of the principle constructing. It was a stunning (and scrumptious) show of contemporary fruit, brownies, miniature desserts, cookies and a chocolate fountain.

There is a small on-site petting zoo referred to as Coco Corral with rescued goats, chickens and geese. I used to be informed donkeys roam the grounds, too, however I could not discover them throughout my keep. I did spy the resort’s resident pup, Lucy, a couple of occasions across the resort, although, and he or she’s valuable.

Different occasions to have in your radar embrace a full moon seashore social gathering, hay rides, bonfires and foam events.

Excursions from the resort are top-notch

I appreciated that the added-fee excursions had been listed on the resort’s web site and included pricing. Excursions supplied had been additionally listed on the brochures (with costs) by the desk. I’ve visited resorts the place they solely reveal the costs whenever you communicate to the salesperson, which annoys me. To me, being upfront with pricing makes for a greater expertise, particularly if you happen to’re budgeting for extras like excursions.

Our group did the All-Inclusive Catamaran Land and Sea Journey (supplied Monday via Friday). Our full-day journey included two snorkeling stops alongside St. Lucia’s west coast, with epic views of the Pitons.

Afterward, we loved a buffet-style lunch with conventional dishes like breadfruit salad and inexperienced figs and saltfish at Beacon, an area restaurant that appears out over the Pitons.

Lunch was adopted by a go to to the beautiful Toraille Waterfall, then the day ended with a mud tub expertise (a must-do!) on the Soufriere Sulphur Springs drive-in volcano.

The fee for the Catamaran Land and Sea Journey is $139 for adults and $89 for kids.

Rainforest Zip Line Journey ($89 for adults and $79 for teenagers ages 6-12), Half Day Inexperienced Large Jeep Safari ($89 for adults and $69 for teenagers ages 2-12) and Horseback Driving ($106 per individual) are amongst different island excursions to contemplate.

The Sanctuary Spa is pure bliss

Sanctuary Spa is on the adults-only Concord aspect of the resort. It options six indoor remedy rooms and 6 oceanfront spa cabanas. The spa additionally has a three-bed remedy room (for women journeys or bridal events), a room for facials and a {couples} remedy room.

It’s also possible to chill out earlier than or after your remedy within the steam room and sauna.

Therapies incorporate island-made merchandise with regionally sourced elements just like the chocolate for the Chocolate “Cocoa Tea” Sugar Scrub. A number of the coconut-based merchandise are constituted of coconuts from the property’s seemingly infinite variety of coconut palms. Additionally, aloe from the resort’s aloe backyard is utilized in soothing therapies just like the Aloe Vera Wrap.

I loved the Deep Tissue Tranquility Therapeutic massage ($110 for 50 minutes and $159 for 80 minutes). It was simply the most effective massages I’ve ever had (and I’ve had fairly a couple of).

The youngsters membership is the place it is at

Though our room was within the adults-only Concord part of the resort and we spent most of our time there, I’d be remiss if I did not point out the strong choices for teenagers at Coconut Bay Seashore Resort & Spa.

Via CocoLand Kidz Klub, the resort offers well-organized programming for 3 age teams — 3 years previous and youthful, 4- to 7-year-olds and 8- to 12-year-olds. With a kid-to-staff ratio of 6:1 (3:1 for teenagers underneath 3), younger visitors are nicely attended to, and resort mascots Coco and Loco could pop in for a go to. Dad and mom obtain an area cellphone to allow them to test in. On the finish of their trip, youngsters membership visitors obtain a scrapbook full of images of their week’s adventures.

CocoLand visitors obtain a backpack with a water bottle, a T-shirt, a hat and an exercise e-book. Repeat visitors obtain a Coco or Loco stuffed doll.

Past the brightly embellished and air-conditioned rooms for indoor actions, CocoLand consists of an infinite fenced-in out of doors garden with a pirate ship playground and a kids-only water play space. The above-mentioned Coco Corral petting zoo is simply past the playground.

Monday via Friday, youngsters 3 and older also can participate in themed night actions like karaoke night time, pajama events, glow events and “Camp Evening” in tents, full with s’mores, dinner and a film.

Along with the included youngsters’s actions, the resort offers for-fee babysitting providers ($15 per hour per baby). Babysitting is supplied by youngsters membership employees, so youngsters who’re attending the programming can be conversant in their caregivers — which might ease any separation anxiousness youngsters (or mother and father) could really feel.

Teen Membership programming is obtainable in the course of the summer season months and over the Christmas and Easter holidays. Actions embrace guided hikes, seashore events, paintball challenges and a kitesurfing course.

Causes Coconut Bay Seashore Resort & Spa won’t be for you

Coconut Bay Seashore Resort & Spa is a unbelievable alternative for {couples}, teams of associates and households who search an off-the-cuff, all-inclusive stick with a wide range of eating, drinks and actions.

No resort is ideal for everybody or each kind of keep, although. Listed here are occasions Coconut Bay Seashore Resort & Spa won’t be the only option:

• In case you search an all-inclusive upscale keep that caters to {couples}, take into account reserving a keep at Serenity at Coconut Bay, the model’s luxurious providing.
• The resort’s location on the southern finish of St. Lucia offers a less-peopled and low-key resort expertise. Nevertheless, if you happen to favor to be nearer to the Pitons, nightlife and different island sights, a resort on the northern finish of St. Lucia would possibly go well with you higher.

Accessibility

Coconut Bay’s community of ramps supplied entry to each space on the property. Additionally, the foyer and different public areas had been spacious and open, providing loads of room to maneuver.

The resort affords 5 accessible rooms — three on the adults-only Concord aspect and two on the family-friendly Splash aspect. The bottom-floor rooms are spacious and have help bars and adjustable bathe heads within the bogs.

There is not a chair raise in any of the swimming pools, however one of many Splash swimming pools incorporates a zero-entry aspect.

Options to Coconut Bay Seashore Resort & Spa

Although small, the island of St. Lucia boasts a bevy of all-inclusive resorts, boutique properties and factors lodges to enchantment to various touring wants.

Trying out

Distilling the essence of such a welcoming slice of paradise in a single evaluation is kind of a problem. I like trip properties which have a robust returning visitor sport, and Coconut Bay Seashore Resort suits that invoice. The real and attentive employees members who keep in mind the place you are from, your favourite drink and different nuances make every visitor really feel particular.

I hope to rely myself among the many returning visitors within the close to future.