Staying at East Winds St Lucia – a luxury boutique hotel in St Lucia

Sitting on my verandah at East Winds in St Lucia, with the curtains to my bedroom swaying gently in the breeze and the green fronds of the garden tickling the windows, I reflected on the perfect spot I’d found for a relaxing Caribbean holiday. This luxury boutique hotel in St Lucia has only 30 rooms in pretty painted cottages, set in a botanical garden and just a short stroll from the beach.

Surrounded by nature, with the pigeons cooing and the sound of the waves in the distance, my airy and elegant room furnished in vibrant Caribbean style provided all the authentic charm and luxury you could wish for. Read on for my review of East Winds St Lucia…

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The bedrooms at East Winds

I was in St Lucia for a week to discover this lush and vibrant Caribbean island and loved every minute of my stay in the little green cottage in the gardens of East Winds. All the rooms are in these garden cottages or in the beachside villa, so the hotel feels private and personal with no long hotel corridors with door after door.

The service here is very individual as you settle into your luxurious home from home, with a small verandah to sip your sundowner from your personally stocked fridge.

So what about the rooms? The style at East Winds is classic Caribbean deluxe – with white walls and dark wood furniture, in my room made of a woven bamboo. The fabrics were natural with crisp cotton sheets and a white woven bedcover and in the case of my bedroom – all the rooms are slightly different.

The lime green and blue colours scheme perfectly matched the colour of the leaves and sky outside the windows. A pretty vase of flowers gathered from the garden sat on my sideboard, as if my hostess had gathered and arranged them herself.

A spacious bathroom

The spacious bathroom had a pair of pretty painted ceramic sinks (check out more like this at The Pink Plantation) and was well stocked with a generous selection of Molton Brown toiletries. Down a couple of steps was the circular shower area with rainforest shower.

For me the ultimate luxury of a hotel like this is that they have anticipated your every need, so the fridge on the verandah was stocked with the drinks I like (they check in advance) and there were two types of mossie repellant to keep the bugs away – Deet and a more natural citronella version if you prefer.

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And of course there’s air conditioning and a ceiling fan which you need in this tropical climate where the average temperature is 25-30 decrees Celcius all year round.

I’m more of a fresh air and cooling-breeze kind of girl but there are times when you get back from a hot day’s sightseeing and need the air con to restore you to a less frazzled version of yourself.

Set in a botanic garden

I was impressed by how well tended the gardens are at East Winds, with colourful flowering shrubs shaded by tall swaying palms and mature specimen trees.

The gardens were established by Richard and Margaret Egerer, who built their house on this land in the 1960s. They gradually transformed the rainforest into a botanical garden with fruit trees and native St Lucian plants.

The garden is now overseen by Head Gardener Sylvanus, who takes guests on a garden tour twice a week as part of the exclusive experiences offered to guests at East Winds.

As I was out sightseeing when the tours were taking place, I made my own nature tour of the garden on Sunday. This is a quiet day in St Lucia when most guests like to relax around the hotel.

In my room I found the hotel’s own nature guide book with beautiful botanical illustrations. These match the numbered plants, shrubs and trees you can find when walking around the garden.

Discover 11 St Lucia Botanical gardens and plantations you’ll want to visit!

Local flora and fauna

The use of local plants to cure common ailments is embedded in the St Lucia culture. Many species that we would see as merely attractive have multiple medicinal uses. Children would learn these elements from their parents and grandparents.

The flamboyant hibiscus flower, for instance, is used as a hair treatment for dry scalp as well as for high blood pressure and low iron levels.

Wandering around the gardens with the nature book in hand was a good way to explore the 12 acre gardens that slope gently down to the sea. I discovered tropical plants like the pink flowering Gliracidia tree outside my room. Its delicate leaves that are good for skin disorders.

There’s the Black Pearl tree with coppery red petalled seed pods containing shiny seeds like black pearls. I came across green mangos hanging temptingly across the path and a bunch of green bananas underplanted with parsley in one of the kitchen garden plots. These items would be used in the restaurant kitchens.

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The beach setting at East Winds

The setting of the beach that the hotel gardens run down to feels very private and special. The hotel’s restaurant and beach bar is set back from the sandy shore. There’s an area of sun loungers and hammocks to one side.

In St Lucia the beach itself is open to all. So, at the weekend you may see local families splashing about and having fun, since there are access points on either side of the property. But for the most part the guests at East Winds have this beautiful beach to themselves.

There’s a beach bar adjoining the restaurant where you can order a drink. Enjoy it in one of the shady seating areas or sit on one of the wooden chairs overlooking the waves.

Relaxation is a specialty

Or you can settle into the hotel’s sun loungers under a thatched beach umbrella and just while away the day with a good book. Relaxation is a speciality at East Winds and one couple confided to me “We’ve been here three days and every day we meant to go out sightseeing but somehow we never made it“.

As I walked through the gardens along the fitness trail, I could look down on the beach. If I’d had the right shoes I might have walked right around the bay to investigate the Windjammer resort next door. But the shore was a bit rocky and I thought my flip-flops might not take it so I stuck to a gentle stroll along the sand.

The low cottages and hotel buildings of East Winds with their thatched and wooden tiled roofs blend naturally into the gardens and landscape. From the sea side you’d barely know they were there.

As the afternoon turned to evening it was the most perfect spot to watch the light turn golden. The sky changes to pink and orange as the sun set on another day of doing practically nothing in St Lucia.

The food and restaurant at East Winds

My morning at East Winds would start with a healthy breakfast in the beachside restaurant. I’d be greeted by the cheerful staff who all knew me by name from the first day. “Good Morning Heather, how are you doing this morning?” they would chorus.

I’d be shown to a lovely table overlooking the sea. My first order would be a “Therapy“, one of the fresh pressed juices in a different blend each day, perhaps watermelon, cantaloupe and apple or a fruit smoothie with banana.

Fresh fruit was the starting point, but inevitably I might be drawn to the cereals with natural yoghurt, coconut shavings and prunes. Or, to that rather moorish banana bread, a local speciality of St Lucia which is covered by banana plantations.

Then there was Aunty Paula’s corner, where chef Paula would cook me two perfectly poached eggs with a thick curl of smoked salmon. Or, I could have chosen some fluffy breakfast pancakes. Somehow my resolutions of a light breakfast would fade, but it’s all reassuringly healthy. Right?

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Pre-dinner conversation

Later in the evening we’d gather in the clubhouse, a pretty open-sided lounge. Guests could also relax here in the daytime with a book from the cabinets. My new bartender friend Junius would mix me a Rum Sour just the way I like it. Basically a Mojito without the mint, but delicious nonetheless.

Over pre-dinner drinks the hotel guests gathered to chat convivially about their plans and excursions. Perhaps sharing tips on the best things to see on the other Caribbean islands they’d visited.

This was certainly a well travelled bunch, mainly the retired or semi-retired. After March as you move into low season the hotel often hosts a slightly ‘younger’ crowd of those in their 40s and 50s travelling with their teenage or grownup children.

There’s a club-like atmosphere where returning guests and solo travellers feel very comfortable. Many of the staff have been there a long time and welcome them like members of the East Winds family.

A dinner event

Dinner was an event to be looked forward to with a four course dinner of delicious and beautifully presented dishes. Three choices at every course and a lot of flexibility if you had any special dietary requirements.

Each course was offered with choice of excellent quality paired wines. If you had a specific wine preference it could also be accommodated. As this is a luxury inclusive hotel, you can order whatever you like knowing that there’s no need to carry any money and there will be no hefty bill at the end of your stay.

I really couldn’t fault the delicious food. It’s a fusion of international and Caribbean cuisine, beautifully balanced flavours and using lots of St Lucia spices and ingredients for a local twist.

You’d be likely to find local fishes such as barracuda, marlin or king fish. Look for vegetables such as dashien or breadfruit and sauces with a hint of coconut, nutmeg, cinnamon or bayleaf. None of this would have been out of place in a fine dining restaurant.

Friday nights are BBQ night at East Winds as guests gather around the Sugar Pot beachside barbecue. Meat and fish marinaded in Caribbean spices are freshly grilled. Guests can then serve themself a choice of side dishes and salads.

There was a very jolly atmosphere as a local old-timer’s band serenaded us to some old reggae favourites from the band-stand by the beach.

Watersports and fitness at East Winds

While many of the guests find the atmosphere at East Winds seductively relaxing, there are watersports available for the more energetic. Paddleboards, kayaks and snorkel equipment are available for guests to borrow as well as a Hobie cat for sailors to take out on the water.

If you’re a novice sailor like me – no problem! The watersports instructor Wesley was only too happy to take me out for a sail. I clung to the edge of the catamaran, as we skimmed at speed along the water heading down the coast until we were half way to Castries.

It was exhilarating as the wind lifted us up on one side and a couple of times. Wesley pointed out the loggerhead turtles that nest around these shores. They were too quick for me to spot before they dived underwater.

For those who like to stay active when on holiday, there is a fitness trail that takes you through the East Winds garden starting at the beach. There are various stations for different exercises and a small gym in a cottage at the end of the trail.

Yoga at East Winds St Lucia

I joined one of the pre-breakfast yoga sessions, that are part of the included experiences for guests at East Winds. Soon I was being taken through my yoga poses and stretches by Jill who teaches at Yoga St Lucia in Rodney Bay.

In the early morning, the open sided yoga pavilion with its dark wood floors and whitewashed rafters created a tranquil atmosphere. I could hear pigeons cooing and the sound of the waves washing on the beach.

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Stretching sideways into my pose, a tiny gecko caught my eye and flicked his tongue to taste the air before darting away into the garden. Our gentle session focussed on posture and alignment, with folded blankets and teak blocks to support my stiff limbs.

I tried rather hopelessly to emulate Jill’s elegant and effortless asanas or yoga poses. Although I haven’t had Jill’s advantage of practicing yoga since childhood, the session did give me a chance to mentally refocus and calm my mind, excited by so many new experiences on St Lucia.

The Spa at East Winds St Lucia

Tucked behind the yoga pavilion is the spa at East Winds, a similarly open sided structure. This allows the sea breezes and sounds of the garden to relax you while you enjoy a massage or facial treatment.

You’ll be offered a spa tea made with plants and herbs from the garden. Local herbs and fragrant essential oils are used in your massage treatment.

You can even have a body wrap using the same sulphur mud that is found in St Lucia’s volcanic area near Soufriere. Or, (which I think sounds more appealing) a chocolate wrap using the locally grown cocoa as a body scrub that’s full of nutrients.

My therapist Theresa was softly spoken but clearly knew her stuff. I opted for a traditional massage that she had learned from Bali. At my request the pressure on my back was firm as I wanted to ease away all the knots and tensions that build when I work on my laptop.

My full body massage even included my face and scalp, and was very relaxing with the sounds of the pigeons cooing in the garden and the birds chirping. After the session I sat a while in the relaxation area as Theresa showed me some of the locally made skincare products that she uses in facials. These are made with the plants and oils found locally on St Lucia.

Rum tasting at East Winds St Lucia

Rum tasting is another popular session that’s offered for guests at East Winds. One of their guest excursions is a distillery tour to the St Lucia Distillery. Check out the website for more details of the distillery tours if you are visiting independently.

As I didn’t have time to visit the distillery, bartender Junius gave me my own private rum tasting from the many bottles that are stocked in the East Winds bar.

Bounty is the name of the first rum produced by the St Lucia Distillery. It’s still the favourite of local rum drinkers and the one most often used in cocktails.

For those who like a smoother taste there’s the Chairman’s Reserve, the rum of choice for drinking alone. There’s also a Chairman’s Reserve Spiced which is infused with cinnamon, bayleaf, vanilla, nutmeg. It’s a favourite with the gentlemen, Junius told me with with a smile, since bayleaf is considered an aphrodisiac!

For those who like an aged rum, there’s the Chairman’s Reserve Forgotten Casks. This is from a batch of old rum barrels that were discovered after a fire in the warehouse, with the rum aged for 5-11 years.

Delicious rum cocktails

New additions designed to make cocktails or drink with a mixer are the Bounty Lime which is often served with Sprite lemonade for extra zing. Or, the Bounty Coconut, which can be mixed with pineapple and cranberry juice to give a Pina Colada style drink.

You’ll want to avoid the Dennis rum – Junius told me “they call this the paint stripper“. It’s 80% proof so not one to drink alone and is mainly used in cocktails to give you that extra rum kick!

Sample a selection of fine St. Lucian rums on this rum tasting and distillery half-day tour

After tasting my way through all the rums I thought I’d better try a couple of the rum cocktails on the menu. I started with the rum punch which you’ll find in every bar on St Lucia, especially at the Friday night street parties they have at Gros Islet.

It’s made with strong rum, orange and pineapple juice with nutmeg, grenadine and cherry juice. It tasts deceptively fruity until you realise that it’s more alcoholic than you thought! Drink with caution if you don’t want a hangover.

I also tried the popular pink East Winds Dream made with dark rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, banana and grenadine. A sort of alcoholic fruit smoothie so it must be good for you!

Cookery class at East Winds

Another of the exclusive experiences offered at East Winds is the cookery class. Chef Harry demonstrated some of the dishes that are made in the restaurant. For our class Chef Harry showed us how to make a pasta entree dish with barracuda and a lettuce sauce.

The restaurant uses locally caught fish which is supplied by the fisherman who go out in the early hours. They are back by lunchtime to bring fresh fish to the hotels and restaurants. It’s nice to know that the fish you eat is normally caught on St Lucia that day.

Look out for local fishes like barracuda, dorado, red snapper and marlin on the restaurant menu as there’s always a fish option available at dinner.

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Chef Harry told us how the dishes made here are a fusion of international and Caribbean cuisine. Local flavours are used such as lime, garlic, hot sauce and spices such as nutmeg, bayleaf, cloves and cinnamon.

These are incorporated to create their own Caribbean twist. As Chef Harry put it “Wherever we go with the cooking we always try to bring it back home”.

It was mesmerising to watch Chef Harry’s skill as he made a sauce with sautéed onion and garlic. He added lemon juice, fish stock, nutmeg and cream and then the lettuce in the blender. This made a creamy and vibrant green sauce to accompany the pan-fried barracuda.

Of course we very much enjoyed tasting the dish at the end. Even though I’d not long had lunch, it was hard to resist the fresh fish and delicious sauce.

Boat trip and other excursions at East Winds

With all the experiences on offer at East Winds, I might give you the impression that I spent my week on St Lucia cooking and drinking cocktails. Or, enjoying the beautiful gardens and reading my book on the beach with the occasional spot of snorkelling.

I’m sure that for many guests, especially those who are regulars at East Winds, this would be the perfect way to spend their holiday. But, I was keen to see as much as I could of St Lucia.

One of the many other excursions that social co-ordinator Simeon organises for guests, is the weekly sailing trip down to the Pitons at the south of the island. This was one of the highlights of my trip.

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We boarded our yacht by dinghy from the beach, which at around 30 ft was the perfect size for the 15 or so of us going. There was a shaded seating to the back and plenty of room on deck for those who wanted to feel the salt on their face. On deck you’re subject to the occasional shower from the waves slapping the side of the boat.

Try your hand at sailing

Although there was a capable crew of three with Captain Nico in charge, it was also an opportunity to play at being sailor for the day. We could adjust the sails or take the wheel and be captain for five minutes.

Our group quickly developed a sailing camaraderie as the chilled drinks were offered around. We warned each other not to let the salt spray dilute the rum punch!

Although the sea breeze was cool and refreshing, I knew that the Caribbean sun is deceptively hot so made sure that I had applied my sun cream. I shaded myself with a sarong when I felt I was starting to burn.

On the sail down to Soufriere we spotted a loggerhead turtle, its large brown shell under the water. Only its wrinkled brown head was above the surface, before it quickly dived from sight.

Soufriere

At Soufriere we disembarked and took a minibus to see the Sulphur springs and mud bath. Some of the group had fun slathering themselves in mud that would reportedly take 10 years off their age with only one application.

Being forever young, I was content to take photos and continued with the rest of the group further up the hill to the ‘drive-in volcano.’ At this lava field with boiling mud pools and clouds of steam, a guide explained all about the volcanic activity on St Lucia.

Our tour continued with a visit to the Toraille waterfall, where we were able to swim into the pool under the powerful waterfall. You’ll get battered by nature’s power-shower if you chose to stand right underneath.

Returning to the yacht we enjoyed a lunch of BBQ meat and fish with salads, as we sailed back to East Winds. We stopped for some swimming and snorkelling off the boat at Anse Cochon. If you’re travelling independently, check out this catamaran tour of St Lucia which is similar to our boat trip.

What else can you see while at East Winds?

There’s plenty more to see in the north part of the island where East Winds is located and I can recommend;

Castries covered market

A visit to Castries, for the covered market which is especially busy and full of traders on Saturdays. It’s a good place to discover all the tropical fruit and vegetables that you might not know.

Stock up on spices, hot sauce or other souvenirs and also try some local dishes in the street food stands. Book this tour for the most intimate way to experience Castries.

The Morne neighbourhood

In the Morne neighbourhood, on the hillside overlooking Castries there are several interesting places to visit for those who enjoy arts and crafts. Check out the Eudovic wood carving studio and the pottery gallery at the Pink Plantation House, which has a lovely restaurant that I visited for lunch. These are included in one of the East Winds shopping excursions,

You may also like to visit Caribelle Batik, to see the colourful batik designs and the chocolate making studio of the Howelton Estate. East Winds also organise a Bean to Bar chocolate making experience here.

Marigot Bay

A little further on from Castries, but still an easy taxi ride away is Marigot Bay. You could spend half a day, enjoying this sheltered inlet full of sailing boat that was used in scenes from the 1967 Dr Doolittle movie.

I really enjoyed my lunch at the breezy waterfront Hurricane Hole restaurant, before taking one of the little ferries across to the beach opposit. Here there are a few small vendors and beach bars, a watersports centre and lots of sunloungers to rent if you like to swim.

Pigeon Island

To the north of East Winds, I highly recommend a visit to Pigeon Island, a national landmark on St Lucia that was once an old military base. Once inside you can explore the old stone military buildings and swim from the pretty and secluded beaches.

Climb the path up to the two high points for fantastic views over the island where the canons were trained out to sea. A short distance down the road is the luxurious Landings resort. I had an excellent lunch in their waterside restaurant with views of the marina on one side and the beach on the other.

All too quickly my week in St Lucia flew by. I can highly recommend a stay at East Winds to give you an authentic but luxurious Caribbean experience. The atmosphere is relaxing but never boring.

You could easily spend a week around the hotel enjoying all that it offers with perhaps a few excursions to the other parts of the island. There’s a seductive and understated charm here draws you in and I can quite understand why so many guests return year after year.

How to get to East Winds St Lucia

East Winds Hotel is located in the north of St Lucia. It can be accessed from the main west coast highway down a short road that leads to the hotel driveway.

Flights from the UK generally arrive in the afternoon to Hawanorra airport in the south of the island. It’s a 90 minute taxi transfer from the airport which East Winds can arrange.

If you are spending part of your stay in another part of the island and need to transfer to East Winds, it’s a 15 min taxi ride from Castries. Or, the local bus from Castries stops nearby on the main road.

Heather flew with British Airways to St Lucia – there are daily flights from London Gatwick. You can also book direct flights with Virgin Atlantic who fly 5 times a week from London Gatwick or with TUI from Manchester on their weekly flight.

Flight time from London to St Lucia is 8 hours. You’ll land at Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in the south of the island.

There are many direct flights to St Lucia from USA and other worldwide destinations.

What’s included in your stay at East Winds

East Winds is a luxury all-inclusive hotel resort and included in your stay for all guests is;

• Buffet breakfast with hot dishes freshly made to order
• Lunchtime buffet that sometimes includes a beachfront BBQ
• A four course dinner every evening with table service, an evening BBQ night once a week. There’s usually live music during dinner.
• Light dishes available to order throughout the day
• Unlimited wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks available from the pool or lounge bar throughout the day
• Wine from the pairing menu with your evening meal or at lunchtime
• Drinks from your personally stocked mini bar fridge outside your room
• Free morning Yoga and Pilates classes 4 times a week
• Free use of the watersports such as Hobie cats, paddle boards, pedalos, kayaks, and snorkelling. An instructor is on hand to help you or take you out sailing.
• Experiences around the hotel, such as a guided garden walk, rum tasting class, cookery lesson, champagne cocktail party.

Other exclusive small group tours around St Lucia are available throughout the week arranged by the hotel at an extra charge. Find more details on the hotel website.

To book for East Winds

To book for East Winds check their website for more details. Many guests from the UK book a package that includes the flight with a tour company. Look at British Airways Holidays, Virgin Atlantic Holidays or Caribbean specialist Tropical Breeze. Or, check with your favourite Caribbean specialist travel agent, like our recommended partner UK based travel agent Luxeco Holidays.

Plan your visit to St Lucia

If you are planning a visit to beautiful St Lucia you’ll find plenty more information on the St Lucia official UK Tourism website.

If you need a guidebook to St Lucia we recommend the Mini Rough Guide to St. Lucia

If you are looking for less expensive, local accommodation that’s great for independent travellers, check out the Saint Lucia Collection de Pepites. They feature listings of smaller scale properties, apartments, villas, guest houses, and B&Bs.

If you need a transfer from the airport to your hotel check out this Private transfer to/from Hewanorra Airport.

Getting around St Lucia

To get around St Lucia the best ways are by taxi or by local mini-bus. The taxis are plentiful and most convenient when you are travelling from hotel to hotel or to locations that are away from the main road.

There are set rates for each journey and the taxi driver can let you know the cost of each trip. You’ll find taxi ranks in Castries and other towns and your hotel can always arrange a taxi for you.

The bus is a cheaper alternative, and works well if you are travelling on routes along the main highways as they pass by very frequently. They are small minibuses that are privately run and there are set fares per journey.

It’s a fun local experience to travel on local buses and I enjoyed squeezing in with chattering schoolgirls travelling into Castries. You can ask any local where to get the bus and which one to catch. There are bus stops but the buses may also drop you off or pick you up at other places if you ask.

Money in St Lucia

The currency is St Lucia is Eastern Caribbean Dollars, referred to as $EC. US Dollars are generally accepted in shops and visitor attractions that attract a lot of tourists. If you pay in $US cash you may be given change in $EC.

The rate of exchange that was in general use at the time of my visit was $1US = $2.5 EC or £1 = $3EC. You may get better rates at banks. At the major visitor attractions or for hotel excursions, rates are often quoted in $US. So, be sure you know which currency you are paying.

It works best if you arrive in St Lucia with some $US in cash which can be easily changed in $EC locally. There are ATMs at banks in Castries and other centres around the island where you can also withdraw money as you need it.

Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops, especially those that cater for tourists. However, you will need $EC for smaller shops and in the markets.

Where to stay in Saint Lucia

Here are some more of the hotels in St Lucia that we stayed in and can personally recommend. You can also search for other hotels in Saint Lucia.

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Read my article about Volcanoes, Waterfalls and hiking in St Lucia

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Thanks to St Lucia Tourism and East Winds St Lucia for hosting* my visit to St Lucia

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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