Stretched along a crescent-shaped beach on St Lucia’s northwest coast, the lively Regency La Toc is a sprawling resort, home to Sunset Ocean Bluff,
a clifftop resort-within-a-resort.
Facilities: The nine-hole course suits most golfers but caddies are compulsory and expect to tip them. Three pools, two with swim-up bars, range from the lively main pool, to the Bluff’s quieter Sunset Pool. This spacious resort offers direct access to the beach and has a good water sports centre. Entertainment includes late-night chocolate buffets to Lovers’ Night.
Food: The choice is good with eight eateries including fine-dining French restaurant La Toc, and the Caribbean-inspired Piton. The à la carte breakfast at the Bluff’s Italian restaurant Armando’s is particularly good, the beachfront Arizona is convenient but average, and the Cricketer’s Pub stays open until 3am.
Spa: As soon as you enter, you know you’re in a Sandals’ signature Red Lane Spa with its rich red interior. A full range of treatments includes couples’ baths and massages.
Rooms: Privacy aplenty with villas lining the road up to Sunset Bluff. In the Villa Suites with plunge pools, furnishings are not overly luxurious, but the views compensate. At the top end are the Suites with private pool deck and 180-degree ocean views. Some Deluxe, Grand Luxe and Premium rooms only have French balconies (or none) and the lower category rooms are less impressive.
Internet: Extra cost for wi-fi and wired access. Terminals in the Business Centre and Cyber Oasis Kiosk.
Key selling points: The tranquility of Sunset Bluff, golf course and free shuttles to Sandals Grande and Halcyon Beach resorts.
Sample product
Funway Holidays has seven nights all-inclusive at Sandals Regency St Lucia in March, staying in a Romeo and Juliet Oceanview Luxury one-bed suite with butler service, for £2,888 per person, including flights from Gatwick – a saving of £1,394.
There are savings of up to 35%, plus free nights for bookings up to February 28 for travel in 2010/11. sandals4agents.co.uk, 0844 573 5888
Island overview
At 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, St Lucia is an eastern Caribbean gem, characterised by the towering peaks of the extinct Piton volcanoes, and British and French colonial influences.
Highlights: Its beaches and bays from Reduit Beach on Rodney Bay in the northwest, to Marigot Bay in the south. Further south are volcanic black-sand beaches such as Anse Chastenet.
Water sports: Diving and snorkelling are a treat, with the best dive sites concentrated between Marigot Bay and Gros Piton – the Anse Chastanet reef is particularly popular – while mega yachts dock at the millionaires’ playground of Rodney Bay marina.
Active pursuits: At the Treetop Adventure Park, visitors can fly above the lush rainforest on high-wire courses or on an aerial gondola. Horse riding on the beach and jeep safaris are popular.
Tours: Day cruises to Soufrière pass by old sugar plantations, the Pitons and the famous bubbling Sulphur Springs. Special events include May’s Jazz Festival and July’s Carnival, while Friday street parties in Anse La Raye and Gros Islet are lively affairs. For retail therapy, visit the capital Castries and Vieux Fort.
