Brief: A young couple want to spend a week in Saint Lucia on their honeymoon in May. They’d like a twin-centre option with time in the south near the Pitons and the north near Rodney Bay.
Budget: £5,000.
Select Travel
Unit 39, Swan Walk
Score: 32%
This shop was so dark it was hard to tell from outside if it was open, and inside it was cluttered. I was the only customer, but wasn’t acknowledged until I approached the agent. She didn’t smile, and wasn’t friendly or helpful.
She told me as I wanted a twin-centre option she would have to get back to me, and took my contact details. She did no research during my visit and asked few questions – I felt I was supplying information rather than it being requested.
She wasn’t going to offer me anything to take away, but I asked for a brochure. She pointed towards the brochure area and told me to take a Complete Caribbean brochure. This was a very disappointing visit.
Flight Centre
24 West Street
Score: 69%
This agent was very pleasant and friendly, but I was slightly disappointed that she didn’t pay more attention to what I wanted. I was given a copy of Infinity Holidays’ Caribbean brochure and four holiday options, but three of these were for single-centre trips to The Jalousie Plantation, despite the fact I’d specified twin-centre.
After I stressed my preferences she did price up a trip staying all-inclusive at Ladera for three nights and Sandals Grande for four nights, with Virgin premium economy flights for £5,372, but this was a bit over budget. I was given a business card and the agent took my details.
She was very friendly so it was a shame she didn’t accommodate my requests more fully.
Thomas Cook
20 West Street
Score: 79%
This focused, confident agent showed excitement at booking my honeymoon, and met certain aspects of my request really successfully after spending time on the phone doing some research.
She offered me packages with Thomas Cook Signature staying four nights’ all-inclusive at The Jalousie Plantation and three nights’ B&B at Bay Gardens from £3,466 with economy Virgin flights and from £4,261 with premium economy.
She did some research on the phone, took my details, and gave me hers, plus a brochure and printed quotes. She promoted a sale without being pushy and was friendly and chatty.
However, as we were still well under budget I would have liked options with room upgrades and private transfers throughout.
Thomson
56 West Street
Score: 95%
I was greeted immediately with a smile and offered refreshments. The agent was enthusiastic and focused, and I felt unrushed. Despite the fact she didn’t have first-hand knowledge of Saint Lucia, she spent plenty of time on the phone to Thomson Tailormade asking relevant questions and ensuring the hotels were suitable.
She suggested the Rendezvous, which is couples only, and the adult-only Harmony Wing of Coconut Bay. She offered three nights at the former in an ocean-front room, and four nights at the latter in an ocean-view room, with Virgin economy flights and private transfers from £3,712 with Thomson Tailormade.
She offered me insurance and made efforts to close the sale without being pushy – including giving me handwritten details such as her direct phone number, as well as the agency’s card, which was a nice touch.
Winning agent: Rachel Stevenson, travel advisor
“I’m an apprentice and will complete my course this year. We have lots of training and my assessor comes in to the office, which definitely keeps me on my toes.”
Top tips: Selling St Lucia
- Saint Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s Windward Islands and its dramatic volcanic scenery and lush rainforests give it a romantic air, making it popular with the honeymoon market.
- It’s under nine hours from the UK if clients fly direct, with Virgin Atlantic or British Airways, from Gatwick. The airport is near Vieux Fort at the southern tip of the island.
- There’s a range of accommodation from three-stars to deluxe five-star options. Many hotels are in the north of the island near Rodney Bay, and on the southwest coast in the vicinity of the Pitons.
- Younger couples will enjoy the wealth of activities, from zip-lining through the rainforest to sunset cruises. Many hotels offer all-inclusive packages but the Rodney Bay area has many bars and restaurants.
- For information and reviews on Saint Lucia resorts and hotels, subscribe to Gazetteers.com