Elite Traveler HRS 2018-2019

Take in the views of the Pitons from the Beachfront Residence

RELAX Rainforest Spa To get to the spa, you have to walk through a long, bamboo- encased corridor, dimly lit with intricate floor lanterns — you’ll feel relaxed even before your treatment has begun. The treatment rooms are nestled among the trees and connected by wooden walkways, so privacy is guaranteed, except from maybe a lizard or two. There’s a number of massages available, including a specialist full-body massage for expectant moms and treatments for children and teenagers. The facials are stellar, especially The Cure — an 80-minute treatment that deeply exfoliates and detoxifies the skin. There are also a few more technologically advanced options available for those who want nonsurgical beauty solutions. Your therapist will analyze your skin and recommend a custom regime based on your concerns, from LED light therapy to lymphatic drainage. With a charming Old World colonial aesthetic, the Great Room is a romantic place for a candlelit dinner. We recommend ordering the tasting menu to sample all its delights, such as slow-cooked sea bass with baby leeks, roasted garlic and mussel-saffron hollandaise; sea scallops carpaccio with oyster sorbet and espelette vinegar; and asparagus with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano and fresh truffle. Head to the Cane Bar for a nightcap, where the professional “rummelier” will recommend the best rums you’ve ever had. DINE Great Room

SUGAR BEACH SOUFRIÈRE, ST LUCIA

Flanked by the Pitons (both a Unesco World Heritage site and St Lucia’s most famous landmark) and set amongst 100 acres of rain forest, Sugar Beach is a private paradise. While the romantic resort is a popular spot for honeymooners — with a world-class spa, dreamy dining options and awe-inspiring scenery — there are also excellent amenities and excursions available for a multigenerational family vacation. The splendid accommodations are scattered around the rolling, forested hills, so you still feel a sense of absolute privacy. Brightly colored tuk tuks are readily available to ferry you around. The main building, known as the plantation building, pays homage to the site’s former life as a sugar plantation; it has a grand, colonial style and overlooks a fragrant lily-filled pond, manicured gardens and the Caribbean Sea. Art aficionados will love the curious art displays. CONTACT Mark Sterner, general manager, mark.sterner@viceroyhotelsandresorts.com, +1 800 235 4300

STAY Beachfront Residence Size 7,934 sq ft Nightly rate $5,900 The five-bedroom Beachfront Residence is perfect for an

unforgettable family trip. A serene reflection pool with a private entrance surrounds the master bedroom on the ground floor, with the other bedrooms spread throughout the property (and all come with outdoor balcony terraces and underfloor pop-up TVs). There are exceptional views of the Caribbean Sea and the Pitons — take them in from the sunset yoga deck or dine alfresco at the outdoor kitchen and dining area. There is a 1,164-sq-ft infinity pool with an outdoor waterslide connecting it to the lower-deck plunge pool and Jacuzzi deck. If you’re heading off on an excursion (there are plenty of fun watersports and activities available), there’s a private dock for boat pickup and drop-off.

Val des Pitons La Baie de Silence, Soufrière St Lucia viceroyhotelsandresorts.com