Unpretentious luxury with astounding sunset views
As you drive through the winding road from Castries to Corinth the houses in pretty painted pastel pass you by, turning up the lane past more residential properties you come to the entrance to East Winds.
As our driver Willett took the car down to the reception area there was already a feeling of calm washing over me. We entered the reception area & was greeted with cold towels a lime juice. Check in was quick, before we knew it we were walking up to our Deluxe Cottage located in the gardens.
As we wandered the short path Lucretia, who had completed our check in pointed out the fingerposts that had directions to help navigate the gardens of this immaculately landscaped property.
The cottage had an elevated position, with an outdoor terrace that featured a kitchenette complete with tea/coffee facilities, sink, minibar & seating area. Two double doors opened up into the tiled room with vaulted ceiling, pristine white walls, oversized bed with 2 robes arranged in a fan design, adorned with flowers from the garden. Completing the setting was a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket & plate of chocolates.
The property only has 30 cottages & suites in total. Superior Cottage | Ocean Front Room | Deluxe Cottage & one Ocean Front Suite
As Lucretia walked us through the facilities in the room we headed to the bathroom where there was a dipped level open air shower, his & hers basins with the most beautifully handcrafted basins, more flowers from the garden completing the intricate folds on the towels. Standing on the bathroom sides were an array of Molton Brown toiletries & accessories.
Lucretia left us to head back to reception. Paul & I only needed to share a glance at one another to know that we were both thinking this was an intoxicating stay in luxurious surroundings.
As we had been on a whirlwind trip so far, with limited time at each hotel it was nice to finally unpack properly. Once we were packed we headed out to explore, starting our walk down the paths that meandered through the gardens, to the pool area. The gardens are expertly kept by Sylvanus & his team. The gardens have been a staple element of the experience here at East Winds throughout the history of the property & Sylvanus has a particular passion for ensuring that they help not only the ambience but also the bird life & other animals that make them their home. In fact each room has a copy of a very special publication which will take you through the gardens & highlight every species of plant & wildlife that can be found - written specially by the properties Managing Director Judith.
On to the pool. This isn't a sprawling Caribbean resort & so the pool is proportionate to the size of the property. Perfectly formed & with ample space on the terrace around to sunbathe if you prefer staying dry to taking a dip. But the most exciting think about this pool is its Swim Up Bar, which was once self service & hopefully will be again soon. Until then you have some amazing friends who will serve you up a treat as you bask in the tepid waters & relax on the in pool stools. I absolutely recommend a Froggin Noggin
Off the pool area you will find the Sunset Bar expertly manned by Windel. Affectionately known as the man with the biggest smile in St Lucia, I can't disagree. Off the sunset bar is the restaurant both of which are perfectly fringed by the amazing views that offer up unending expanses of sea in the day & delicious sunsets in the evening. Loungers stretching out along the beach area with bamboo umbrellas for shade when & where you want it.
Over at the edge of the resort is a decked pavilion which is the perfect spot for you to say I-Do. The team at East Winds pride themselves on the unique services they offer to couples such as buy out on the property for private use, flowers for your wedding decor picked by you, in the gardens, with the guidance of Sylvanus. In fact we saw a proposal whilst we were there & I am sure the happy couple will be back to take their vows together in this beautiful location.
The Spa and Yoga Pavilion are sat out at the side of the gardens but close enough to the beach. We didn't experience the yoga pavilion for the offerings here, but we did opt for a treatment in the Spa where Theresa expertly took care of us using oils that were cultivated from plants &flowers within the hotel gardens, each of them used to manage various ailments & conditions.
Behind the main restaurant is the Bamboo Lounge where guests gather early evening for a glass of champagne before dinner. The perfect place to mingle & where you will find that the majority of people are repeat guests.
East Winds has an all inclusive offering that includes complimentary non-motorized water sports (Hobbie-Cat, Pedalos, Kayaks, Paddle Boards & Snorkelling), Games Pavilion, Table Tennis, Jogging / Fitness Trail including work-out stations. Not to mention the culinary journey that you will embark on.
With the tag line all inclusive you probably think you know what you can expect, but East Winds goes above & beyond to satisfy guests appetites with Champagne served in the evening at the bar year round. A dinner menu which is different every day, & rotates again each two weeks. Which, having stayed in many all inclusives was really refreshing. I am guilty of overindulging at an all-inclusive buffet, but sitting at a perfectly portioned, delectable, four-course meal paired with wine to both stimulate & cleanse your pallet between courses. Most nights we were so satisfied that we couldn't even face the selection of deserts, but the wine was so good we squeezed in the cheeseboard selection as a sharing treat.
You can also experience;
Full breakfast
Lunch (with house wines available)
Afternoon Tea
Four course dinner daily (evening silver service & a barbecue once a week), along with a choice of 3 or 4 different wines are offered from the hotel wine cellar
All day light-bite menu
Weekly Manager’s champagne cocktail party with canapés
‘Hampers’ for guests for picnic lunch on private excursions.
All restaurant & bar beverages by the glass: wine, beer, spirits, cocktails & soft drinks (all from international brands)
Whilst we didn't move an inch for 3 days, for longer stays you are in easy reach of Rodney Bay, Castries, Soufriere & the pre panned excursions on offer by East Winds are spectacular in content & value for money.
I could tell you all about the usual unique selling points you hear about a hotel but what really makes East Winds different is the unequivocal feeling that this entire place is filled with family. Friendships are formed from the minute you meet someone who is there to take care of your needs or the property & everyone knows your name. They remember what you like to drink, how you took your eggs, where you sit on the beach.
It's easy to think that this is what they are there for - what you have paid for, but when you have been enveloped up in this style of hospitality it is becomes less about what your presumptions of service are & more about relaxing in the company of the people who share this space, whether they are in a uniform or like you here to relax & unwind.
I'm not the sort to return time & again to the same place, there is so much of the world to see, but East Winds has changed that, we are already planning a return for more time amongst the very special East Winds family.
Claire.xx
If you want to experience East Winds for yourself, or want to see more of the world but need a hand to hold, find out more about Claire Young Travel Counsellor & the services we offer to keep your travel plans stress free.
