July 18, 2007

Caribbean | St. Lucia

Jade in Heaven

By Nicole Cotroneo

At Jade Mountain, nothing stands between you and the Elysian view.

view map

From your three-walled suite, the green peaks of the Pitons, piercing the Caribbean sea, seem as clear as a photograph. That’s because at Jade Mountain resort, in St. Lucia, all 24 “sanctuaries” are open to the elements. Besides the postcard-perfect panorama, each suite has 15-foot ceilings and glass-tiled infinity pools — fashioned by the same architect-hotelier who brought treehouse chic to the island at Anse Chastanet.

A new resort-within-a-resort, Jade occupies its own exclusive enclave in Anse — or rather, above it. When Jade’s guests wish for a little sand and surf, they descend from their mountain perch to Anse’s private beach. In fact, all the facilities there — including a Cannondale-equipped jungle bike depot and an SSI Platinum scuba center — are at your disposal. And until Jade’s own spa is complete, you’ll have to use Anse’s beach-level Kai Belte Spa. It’s a tough sacrifice, we know; but for now you’ll just have to grin and bear that hot stone massage beside the gently lapping shore.