Part II of Vacation Advisor Tracy Carr’s St. Lucia vacation at Capella Marigot Bay Resort

After three days of non-stop activities, at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian, I was ready to turn my vacation down a notch and relax for three more days steeped in luxury at the Capella Marigot Bay Resort & Marina. The intimate resort overlooks what has been called “the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean” and the marina is a premier berthing place for mega yachts from all over the world. Each guest has a Capella Personal Assistant available to arrange local excursions, rainforest hikes and private dining experiences (read on to find out my surprise).

A Day of Discovery in St. Lucia

I chose to take a private, full day Discovery Tour of St. Lucia on the day I changed resorts and my Capella Personal Assistant arranged all the details. A private launch picked us up at the Sandals at 9:00 a.m., with the first stop being the Capella to deliver luggage. Capella staff met us at the dock and received our luggage, then we were on our way. We cruised southward along St. Lucia’s magnificent leeward coastline to the town of Soufriere. Although the town itself is crowded and run-down, it features striking views of the Pitons and the surrounding countryside is astonishingly diverse.

 

The tour took us to the beautiful and charming Maranatha Botanical Gardens to view the tropical and native plants and learn about their therapeutic properties. Jose, the local garden keeper was just precious! I tasted my very first waxed apple and it was delicious. Our next stop was the secluded and unique Sapphire Falls and Sulphur Springs. The local sulfur springs change the colors in the falls to purple, green and yellow. Sulphur Springs is home to the famous “drive-in volcano,” but access to the area is restricted for safety reasons, and visitors must park and walk in. We enjoyed a relaxing trek through the rainforest, listening to the birds and admiring the gorgeous flora. The caldron is full of brightly colored, bubbling mud, hissing steam and seething sulfur, and yes, it smells bad!

At Morne Coubaril Estate, we got a behind-the-scenes look at a traditional cocoa plantation, then took a much needed rest and delectable lunch at the Mango Tree Restaurant at Stonefield Estate Resort. We dined with an unobstructed view of the majestic Pitons, the twin volcanic peak UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once rested and refuled, we took a brief hike on the Tet Paul Nature Trail. At the summit, we were rewarded with a fantastic view of the Pitons and Mount Gimie, the island’s highest peak. Tracy’s tip: You can hike to the summit of the Pitons, but a guide is mandatory and only experienced hikers should attempt the strenuous climb.

After a full day of land discovery, we returned to the boat for the trip back to Marigot Bay, stopping on the way to swim and snorkel in one of the popular marine reserves. We arrived back at Capella Marigot Bay at 9:00 p.m. to find that we were already checked in and our luggage was delivered to our room. Tracy’s tip: A full day island tour seeing as much as you can of beautiful St. Lucia is a day well spent and so very worth the cost.

Capella Marigot Bay

Let the relaxation and luxury begin! At Capella Marigot Bay, the rooms are expansive – over 1,300 square feet for the one-bedroom bay view room – with full kitchen, dining room, and washer and dryer. A separate master bedroom features a king-size canopied bed with tranquil West Indian décor. The oversized balcony with private hot tub and lounging chairs offers spectacular views of the sparkling bay and sleek yachts. Yes, this is luxury living!

The resort does not have a private beach; however, they do offer ferry service to Doolittle’s Beach across the bay where you can rent kayaks and personal sailboats for a relaxing glide around the marina. There is plenty of space at the resort’s on-site pool for swimming and lounging.

Capella Marigot Bay infuses a subtle luxury through the services of a Personal Assistant during your stay. My Personal Assistant contacted me before my visit to assist in arrival logistics, arrange the full day island tour, and make spa appointments. She recommended and made reservations for a rum tasting and dining in the Rum Cave, and also taking the ferry from Capella to Rainforest Hideaway. Both were nice dining options.

We also enjoyed the scenic Marigot Bay Ridge Climb with the Resident Ranger, Lloyd. He revealed the secrets of the rainforest while we searched for rare tree species, lizards and other unique wildlife. Alas, we did not catch a glimpse of the rare and colorful St. Lucia parrot, but the meditation platform at the top offered a phenomenal view. Tracy’s Tip: The two-hour Marigot Ridge Climb is complimentary on Thursdays only; other days $9 per person with guide.

Little did I know, my travel companion actually worked with our Personal Assistant as well, to plan a very special dining surprise for me. We enjoyed a private dinner for two in one of the most unique dining venues I have ever experienced – a tree house! Tucked within the lush foliage, we dined on a superb custom menu. The only lighting was the clear moonlight sky and candles. Music was available, but we opted for the natural serenade of crickets and frogs. It was truly a fairy tale setting and the perfect luxurious ending to a fabulous visit to St. Lucia.

One word about the climate in St. Lucia. It rains nearly every day (a bit less December through May), but the showers are short and keep the island the lush green paradise that it is. Just take the rain in stride, relax for 15 minutes inside and continue on when it stops.

St. Lucia has so much to offer visitors, whether you want to find active adventure (read Part I of my trip) or tranquil luxury. There are beaches and water sports, snorkeling and diving, zip lining and hiking, and splendid opportunities for rest and relaxation. I designed a mix of activity and idleness at two lovely resorts for my own vacation and will be happy to help you find your perfect mix, too. Contact me at Covington Travel.

Tracy Carr is a luxury vacation designer with Covington Travel, specializing in family and romance travel. To plan your trip to St. Lucia, you can contact Tracy directly.