Falling asleep to the gentle sounds of lapping water while relaxing in your own private overwater bungalow? That’s pricey.
So what do you get for $6,000 a night when you stay at the overwater bungalows at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian? Located at the southwestern end of the resort on a secluded, man-made peninsula, the nine thatched-roof cottages are perched over the blue Caribbean Sea with views of Rodney Bay and Pigeon Island. Each cottage comes with two personal (and very attentive) butlers, a king-size bed (with a pillow menu), a galley kitchen that always has delicious treats, and a minibar that’s stocked with full-sized bottles.
There’s even a glass floor panel for fish viewing and the water can be illuminated at night for optimal views (the light can be turned off if it’s too intrusive). Plus, cottage guests get a welcome gift that includes a Sandals beach tote and towel set–the towels are so huge that you almost won’t be able to fit them in your suitcase but believe us, you’ll make room.
The butlers, who train with the Guild of Professional English Butlers, handle every detail of your vacation. Bags unpacked and/or packed? Done. You want that ironed? No problem. You want to sleep in but you also want a specific cabana or beach chair reserved? Also done. A romantic dinner on the beach? Consider it planned.
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The bathrooms have two sinks, Molton Brown bath products, and a walk-in rain shower with wood-slat shutters, and a door that leads to the outdoor shower on the private sundeck. The sundeck has an over-water hammock, sun loungers, a bistro set for two (perfect for breakfast al fresco), and an outdoor soaking tub that fits two. Don’t be surprised if you arrive back to find the most perfect bath complete with rose petals awaiting you. (And if you figure out how the butler manages to time your arrival with the bath so the water is always the perfect temperature, please let us know.)
If you can’t pull yourself away from the bungalow—and why would you?—an extensive 24-hour room service menu that’s exclusive to the bungalows is available for every meal and delivered by your personal butler. The menu is divided into themes like ‘Relax’ (mimosas and bloody Marys), ‘Rebalance’ (yogurt with honey or fruit), ‘Recharge’ (afternoon tea), and ‘Restore’ (small bites, large bites, and sweet bites). There’s nothing like having a full breakfast of omelets, sausage, and pancakes served to you on your sundeck while gazing at the clear blue water and sipping on a champagne mimosa.
No need to leave your abode to take advantage of the resort’s Red Lane Caribbean Day Spa either. Therapists will come to you, as will yoga instructors for private yoga classes. When you do need to leave, a special water taxi service can take you to and from the resort. You will, however, have to leave your luxury nest to use the nine-hole golf course at nearby Sandals Regency La Toc—you can rent clubs, but the greens fees are included—or to try out the plethora of watersports. There’s tennis, beach volleyball, croquet, and Hobie Cats, Hydrobikes, and paddleboards for rent. There’s also unlimited scuba diving at 21 sites around the island; La Roche, which has underwater trenches and valleys that are home to triggerfish, lobsters, and barracuda, is the closest to the Grande St. Lucian.
Airport transfers with a personal airport greeting and expedited immigration are also part of the package, but why not splurge for the private VIP transfer by a Rolls Royce or Mercedes Benz vehicle? At this point, the additional charge is just peanuts.