What were Caribbean hotels like before trade winds were replaced by blasts of air conditioning, when mornng exercise was a walk on the beach and not hot water aerobics, and when you sat watching the sunset instead of cable TV? You can still find out at Anse Chastanet Resort on St Lucia's unspoiled southwestern Caribbean coast. Ever since architect Nick Troubetzkoy first purchased the first 14 hillside units, and throughout the expansion and renovation that followed, design in harmony with nature, complementing the island's natural beauty, has remained his focal point. The 6OO-acre site is a lush garden of tropical foliage bordering one of the island's best beaches, where soft silver sands dip into the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean. A second beach, Anse Mamin, belonging to the estate is just around the corner and can be reached by the Resort's water taxi. St Lucia's trademark green peaks - the Gros and Petit Pitons - make for a dramatic backdrop. No two rooms at Anse Chastanet are exactly alike. Twelve beach level units are tucked away behind the coconut palms, just steps from the water's edge and the resort's renowned SSI Platinum Pro/PADI dive facility. Perched on the hill are Anse Chastanet's original rooms; cheery white-washed cottages with wrap-around wooden balconies. These octagonal-shaped "gazebos" offer splendid views of the Pitons and the sea, framed by an abundance of flourishing blossoms. Chairs and beds are covered in madras prints - a traditional island fabric of bright plaid woven with the same colours as the ginger lilies, anthuriums and bouganvillaea found in every room.

ANSE CHASTANET offers 49 individually designed rooms, 37 of which are scattered about a lush hillside, and 12 which are nestled within a tropical garden at beach level. ANSE CHASTANET emphasizes the use of local woods and other local products in the room decor and furnishings. Cushions and bedspreads are made from colorful cotton fabrics called madras, the island's "national cloth." Even the resort bathrobes are locally made and have become a popular souvenir item! The furniture has been individually designed and handmade in the region with the exclusive use of the island woods such as teak, mahogany, green heart, red cedar and wild breadfruit. All rooms have fridges, electric tea/coffee makers and wall mounted hair dryers, and in-room safes. Deluxe and Premium rooms also have irons and ironing boards. Please note that there are approximately 100 stairs leading from beach level to mid-hillside level, thus making the property unsuitable for those with walking difficulties or cardiac problems. This is never a question of age. A complimentary shuttle service from beachside to hillside level is provided any time it is requested. Facilities at the resort include 2 restaurants and bars,an excursions and car rental desk, 2 beachside boutiques, the Kai Belte Spa, Scuba St.Lucia, watersports center, art gallery, library, Bike St. Lucia and now also Kayak St. Lucia. Superior rooms are located on the hillside and are octagonal or rectangular in shape, with 2 twin beds or one king size bed, with ocean and/or Piton view. Standard rooms are slightly smaller than Superior rooms with twin, queen or king size bedding, with garden or partial ocean view. When booking Standard category, you could be located on either hillside or beachside - the category is based on "run of house" principle which may lead to a complimentary upgrade to Superior or Beachside Deluxe location, at the Resort's discretion. Both Standard and Superior rooms have either clay or tropical hardwood floors, either glass or wooden jalousie louvre windows, ceiling fans and balconies, ensuite bathrooms with shower and toilet. All beachside rooms are Deluxe category rooms. Beachside Deluxe rooms are very spacious rooms with either 2 doubles or 1 king size bed, ensuite bathroom with 2 sinks, shower and toilet. They have clay tiles, wooden jalousie louvre windows, ceiling fans and large balconies or patios. All beachside rooms offer a tropical garden view, just a few steps from the water's edge. Hillside Deluxe rooms are extremly spacious and individually designed, some in a very open-air style with the fourth wall missing and some with dramatic open roof dormers. Some rooms have a formal separation between bedroom and living room, others are wide open spaces flowing into each other. Clay floor tiles or tropical hardwood floor, king size bed, wooden jalousie louvres, ceiling fans, balconies, and very large ensuite bathrooms with 2 sinks, shower and WC, Piton and/or ocean view. Premium rooms are ANSE CHASTANET's rooms numbered 7, which offer picture postcard perfect views of the Piton mountains and the surrounding sea by virtue of their very elevated and strategic location. Some Premium rooms have fourth wall missing. All Premium hillside rooms have ceiling fans, clay floor tiles or tropical hardwood floors, wooden jalousie louvres, large ensuite bathrooms.

2 restaurants, 2 bars, complimentary daily escorted walks and hikes on estate and water taxi from Anse Chastanet beach to a second beach, Anse Mamin. Snorkelling, sunfish sailing, ocean kayaking, windsurfing, 12 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails

Soufriere. 45 mins transfer (Hewanorra).