{"id":70185,"date":"2015-07-15T14:01:13","date_gmt":"2015-07-15T13:01:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/turkeyalwan.net\/?p=70185"},"modified":"2017-01-26T17:37:31","modified_gmt":"2017-01-26T16:37:31","slug":"review-ladera-a-spectacular-cliffside-resort-in-st-lucia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/turkeyalwan.net\/2015\/07\/15\/review-ladera-a-spectacular-cliffside-resort-in-st-lucia\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Ladera, a spectacular cliffside resort in St Lucia"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a><\/p>\n Wednesday newsletters<\/a>\u00a0always feature a\u00a0luxury hotel<\/a>\u00a0and\/or\u00a0flight<\/a>\u00a0review.<\/p>\n Ladera was once part of Rabot Estate, one of the Caribbean’s\u00a0oldest and most famous cocoa plantations. In 1982 it was transformed into the unique resort it is today. Hanging on a cliff around 1000 ft (335 m) above the\u00a0intensely blue Caribbean Sea, the resorts offers a dramatic\u00a0view on the volcanic twin Piton Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All 37 suites come with a private plunge pool and have an open wall to expose the breathtaking vistas and gorgeous sunsets.<\/p>\n Ladera features in my top 10 lists of the\u00a0world’s most spectacular cliffside hotels<\/a>\u00a0and restaurants with views that match the food<\/a>.<\/p>\n In this review (more info and photos below my slideshow):<\/p>\n This slideshow requires JavaScript.<\/p> *** Follow me on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and Facebook<\/a>\u00a0for a daily moment of travel inspiration ***<\/em><\/p>\n Ladera is a gorgeous, small-scale boutique hotel, that wows its guests with its cliffside setting and semi-outdoor suites (allowing amazing views). Nevertheless, it is not a perfect resort nor will it appeal to all, and one needs to know the following drawbacks before considering a stay\u00a0at Ladera:\u00a0<\/p>\n The big difference between St Lucia and its Caribbean sister\u00a0islands is the topography. St. Lucia is an outdoor’s paradise, with lots of flora, fauna, high\u00a0mountains, jungle, a volcano, plantations and waterfalls. It is somewhat\u00a0reminiscent\u00a0of the spectacular Hawaiian scenery. However, St Lucia’s beaches are not the best in the Caribbean as they are mostly composed of dark coarse brown sand, and pale in comparison to the sugar white beaches and turquoise waters of Anguilla, the Virgin Islands, the ABC Islands, the Bahamas, and Turks& Caicos.<\/p>\n St Lucia harbours some of the most exclusive resorts in the Caribbean. In addition, some of the\u00a0most luxurious hotel brands in the world<\/a>\u00a0are opening a property on the island in the coming years. While\u00a0Ladera was a pioneer of luxury travel in the Caribbean,\u00a0it’s no longer the most luxurious property on the island as it is somewhat surpassed by 3 other luxury properties: Jade Mountain, Capella Marigot Bay, and Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort. Nevertheless, it’s still worth to spend a few days here in the rainforest (before proceeding to a beach resort) because Ladera’s gorgeous setting, spectacular views and gourmet offerings are still unmatched.<\/p>\n The dry, peak season on St Lucia runs from mid-December to April. In these months, accommodation rates are generally significantly higher than at other times of the year, but the weather is usually at its best. Rates are cheaper in the summer and autumn months, when it’s stickier and wetter – and note that St Lucia gets more rain than other less mountainous Caribbean islands such as Barbados or Antigua.\u00a0Also bear in mind that the hurricane season runs from June to November, with September and October statistically the likeliest months for major storms.<\/p>\n The resort\u00a0 is located a 45\/60-minute drive from Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) and 75 minutes from the interisland\u00a0George\u00a0F L\u00a0Charles Airport\u00a0(SLU).\u00a0You can book a private taxi through the hotel, or take a cheaper taxi upon arrival. Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) is\u00a0the main point of entrance for most passengers, and the airport\u00a0is served by many airlines (click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for a direct link to their websites):<\/p>\nToday (July 8, 2015): Review of\u00a0Ladera (St Lucia).<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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\nPROS & THINGS I LIKE<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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\nCONS & THINGS TO KNOW<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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\nMY\u00a0VERDICT<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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\nTIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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\nCOMPARISON OF ST LUCIA WITH OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\nCOMPARISON WITH OTHER LUXURY RESORTS IN ST LUCIA<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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\nBEST TIME TO VISIT<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\nHOW TO GET THERE<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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