Winter sun in St Lucia

Where is it?

St Lucia is situated in the eastern Caribbean Sea, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique, on the boundary of the Atlantic Ocean. The Landings St. Lucia RockResort rests on the northern tip of St Lucia, a peaceful stroll away from the breathtaking Rodney Bay, rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

You've seen it before on ‘Pirates of the Caribbean' - good to know you can also experience the reality!

When to visit

Peak months for visitors are January to April when the island is dry and hot.

Five-star luxury accommodation

This five-star hotel offers a total of 62 bedrooms, with something to suit for singles, couples or large groups. Each room is fully equipped with a high-end kitchen, roomy lounge, cosy dining room, powder room, bathroom, two balconies or landscaped terrace. With impressive balcony vistas and warm sea breezes, choose from ocean, inlet or harbour view. There is also a RockResort Spa, fitness centre, swimming pools, tennis court, salon and a private marina with 80 yacht slips available.

Dining

The island has a rich African, French and English heritage - and the food at The Landings offers a chance to explore all the influences. There's a choice of two restaurants; check out the freshly caught seafood at the laid-back Yatch Haven restaurant and bar, or opt for fine dining at The Viscount Lounge, offering Caribbean gastronomy in an elegant setting overlooking the yacht basin and grounds.

Or, cook in the comfort of your own suite! The hotel will stock your larder from their own supplies - breads, cereals, cheeses, fruit and vegetables, treats and drinks.

What to do?

Bored of lazing by the beach? Hire a bike and see the island at a gentle pace on the scenic nature trails - or if you fancy a bit of a challenge, take an off-road mountain path. There's hiking available through rainforests, horseback riding across the countryside or - if you're feeling less energetic - rent an all-terrain vehicle and take in banana plantations, mountains and the more rugged island scenery.

Back on the beach, there's water-skiing and snorkelling - you can even treat yourself to a sailing lesson on the gorgeous bay. Whale and turtle-watching tours offer the chance to see more than 20 species of whales who make their home on the coast, as well as the large population of turtles and dolphins. Local environmentalists work tirelessly to preserve turtle colonies and ensure hunting is prohibited.

St Lucia is a nature-lovers paradise, home to a myriad of bird species and rare plants. Visit Pigeon Island National Park, the 44-acre hilltop islet, handily located just a few hundred metres from The Landings. It's an interesting trip through the island's history; visit the 18th-century fort with officers' quarters and barracks from the 14 different English and French wars fought on the island.

More information and booking

For bookings visit Landings.rockresorts.com or call 00 1 758 458 7300. The Landings is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and for more information visit www.preferredhotels.com

Getting there

You can fly to St Lucia from London Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic. Prices from £477.70, economy; £1,400.70, premium economy; £3,011.70, upper class. Visit www.virgin-atlantic.com for more information

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