Saint Lucia (Mar. 9, 2010) � Expecting a strong increase in visitor
arrivals this year, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board is welcoming new explorers
and returning friends looking for a rejuvenating vacation filled with sun,
fun, and relaxation. The legendary island continues to accommodate travelers'
every need with increased airline seats, hotel, spa and restaurant enhancements,
as well as new excursions and active adventures.
Taking Off
Airline partners are scheduling more flights, making travel to Saint
Lucia more accessible and affordable than ever. Last October, JetBlue Airways
launched thrice-weekly nonstop service from New York and will announce
additional flights shortly. Delta Airlines from Atlanta recently added
additional seats to the island, while American Airlines will increase service
from New York and Miami starting in July. US Airways will introduce a second
non-stop flight from Charlotte beginning May 9, which will continue until
August 15.
Resort Renovations
From the most intimate boutique properties to the larger traditional
and all-inclusive resorts, new wedding venues, restaurants and spas are
meeting visitors� vacation aspirations:
Coco Palm: Little Chef Restaurant and Bar opens in March,
bringing a second dining option to guests of the friendly resort while
Ti Bannane Caribbean Bistro and Bar will continue to serve dishes with
its unique blend of Caribbean fusion.
Cap Maison: Celebrating its first anniversary, guests of this
luxury boutique property located atop a bluff overlooking the Caribbean
Sea, can book the �New Year Special� package to enjoy a fifth night free
after a consecutive four-night stay.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa: Couples can now say, �I do�
in the new mountaintop lighthouse-wedding gazebo, providing romance to
that special day. For those seeking soft adventures, new kite surfing,
snorkeling and sailing programs are on offer.
Jade Mountain: James Beard award winner and consulting Chef Allen
Susser hosts several food festivals in 2010 at this upscale, intimate luxury
property. Focusing on the plush and delicious local fruits and ingredients
growing in the resort�s backyard, Chef Allen will have guests� mouths watering
with events including: Cooking in Paradise (April 9-11), Mango Madness
(June 11-13), Spices of the Caribbean (October 9-11) and Discover Chocolate
Festival (December 10-12).
East Winds Inn: Opens a new open-air 3,000 square-foot Yoga and
Fitness Pavilion, perfect for morning stretches and afternoon classes.
Nestled between Castries and Rodney Bay, the Inn is located on the waterfront
at La Brelotte Bay and features 30 cottages scattered throughout the lush
garden estate.
Ladera: Now weds happy couples in the new 1,200 square-foot Paradise
Pavilion, a picturesque open-air venue overlooking the Pitons and the Caribbean
Sea.
Sandals Halcyon Beach Saint Lucia: Completes a 60-room refurbishment
along with the resort�s popular Piano Bar and Bayside Restaurant, which
serves international fare in an open-air setting overlooking the water.
The Body Holiday, LeSPORT: The resort presents a seven-day
program geared towards helping travelers cope with the winter blues through
acupuncture, meditation and yoga.
The Landings: Unveils a new fine-dining restaurant, The Palms,
featuring sustainable cuisine with Caribbean flavor and offers the latest
seasonal produce and seafood purchased from local Saint Lucian farms. In
addition, guests can experience a laid-back atmosphere at the newly transformed
The Beach Club restaurant and bar.
Ti Kaye: Adds a newly renovated gym to its Kai Koko Spa where
guests enjoy the natural sound of the ocean as treatment rooms are perched
on a cliff overlooking the bay.
Retail Therapy or Win Big
For vacationers who like to shop until they drop, Baywalk Mall located
next to Coco Palm will officially open in April. The 60-store complex includes
boutiques, restaurants, a beauty salon, jewelry and souvenir stores. The
Mall will feature the island�s first casino.
As Seen on TV
Recognized as one of the most romantic places on the planet, the legendary
island of Saint Lucia was the ideal setting for episodes of �The
Bachelor: On The Wings of Love,� which showcased the romantic side of the
destination.
Up Next Saint Lucia Jazz
Each spring, visitors from around the globe head to Saint Lucia�s Pigeon
Island to dance, sing and groove with legendary international, regional
and local jazz musicians. Grammy Award winner Corinne Bailey Rae and many
other chart-topping artists will perform at the 19th anniversary of Saint
Lucia Jazz from May 1 to 9.
For more information about the island of Saint Lucia and its wonderful
resort vacation packages, call 1-800-456-3984, or visit www.saintlucianow.com.
About Saint Lucia
One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies' Lesser Antilles, Saint
Lucia (pronounced Saint LOO-sha) is nestled halfway down the eastern Caribbean
archipelago. The "Helen of the West Indies," Saint Lucia is known for its
natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains
- a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a tropical rainforest and one of the world's
few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling
marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the
coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz festival. Saint Lucia's wide
range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive
resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties. |