St. Lucia attracting luxury travelers

Thursday, 20 Feb, 2006 0

A one-time sleepy honeymoon retreat for most travelers, the tiny island of St. Lucia is poised to become one of the Caribbean’s hottest upscale destinations, according to press reports.

A spate of high-end lodgings recently opened or are under construction. Increased air service is also helping to popularize the island.

“Private helicopter pads are a growth market. Name-dropping the identities of recent visitors  —  Martha Stewart, Nicholas Gage, Oprah Winfrey  — has become conversational sport,” reported USA TODAY.

Much of the building boom is aimed at the luxury market.

Some rooms are going for $1,400 a night in high season. Weekly rates at the five-star Plantation on Cotton Bay in high season are $16,800.

The island should have more than 5,000 hotel rooms by the spring, an increase of more than 20% in a year.

The 14-year-old Ladera resort, which has 25 different suites, was voted best hotel in the Caribbean by readers of Conde Nast Traveler.

It gained its ranking despite lacking a lavish spa or beach.

Report by David Wilkening



 

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