TRAVEL
Guests can choose from a carefully selected menu of signature spa treatments , again available in the privacy of your own sanctuary or to be enjoyed at the resort ' s boutique spa , Kai en Ciel . There are complimentary yoga classes on the Celestial Terrace , a fitness studio , estate bike trails at Anse Mamin , and escorted walks and hikes across the 600-acre estate each day . And of course , you can descend to the beachfront wonder of Anse Chastenet below ; either by navigating the winding tracks and steps or by hailing a complimentary resort shuttle – this will be utterly dependent on your level of fitness , mobility , the heat of the sun , and just how much rum and chocolate you have consumed … Here you can simply lay back and listen to the rolling waves , join a snorkel or scuba boat trip , grab a snorkel and some fins and head out from the beach , grab a water transfer to Soufriere or join a sunset island cruise .
If , like me , chocolate is your one true snack love , then you must visit the Chocolate Laboratory , and not just for the climate controlled relief of the midday Caribbean sun . Here you will learn all about the resort ’ s handcrafted chocolate , made from the over 2,000 cocoa trees that cascade their bountiful produce across the estate , you ’ ll handtemper liquid chocolate , and will even make your own bar , adding your own delicious flavours and toppings before they are handpackaged before your very wide eyes and promptly devoured before you reach back to your sanctuary ( just me ?). If the lab is not your thing , there are less manual chocolate labour intensive , but still utterly delicious , tutored tastings available in the bar of Anse Chastanet offered too .
And of course everything and anything ; dinner reservation , chocolate replenishment , bike hire , snorkel tour , will be effortlessly arranged by your major-domo .
Tempted to barricade the door and refuse to EVER leave , Mr R and I at least had the sway of completing our island trip with another stay , and not just any stay , but a relocation down the mountain to sister resort Anse Chastenet .
ANSE CHASTENET
Where Jade Mountain is the epitome of forward-thinking architecture and luxurious seclusion , Anse Chastenet ( pronounced with a Creole lilt as a blend into one word : Ann-Chas-Naay – if arriving at the resort was the first hurdle , learning to pronounce it was our next !) is its laid-back , classic Caribbean , bohemian older sister .
Created to truly integrate the flora , fauna , birdsong and seaside natural surroundings into its offering , the hotel is a beautiful mix of 69 properties hidden amongst trees , perched into the mountainside or tucked behind the coconut palms that line one of two beaches .
Where Jade Mountain offers sanctuaries with a view , Anse Chastanet offers a view with a room , with the resort tailored around its beachside , arts focused , disconnected ethos .
While rooms don ' t have the infinity pools of its luxurious neighbour , they do boast incredible views . Our own garden villa in block 7 was reached by some interior steps , elevating our view further . The floorspace was extensive , boasting a separate bathroom with open air shower , expansive lounge and enormous king size bed , with every wall dominated by local art sculptures and 8ft high paintings . There are no TVs here , simply a reconnection with nature , all framed by wonderful shutters that could be thrown open to connect with the tropical surrounds by day and closed to afford privacy by night . But of course the main draw was the panoramic vista , that not only had sunset views of the beach , the rooftops of the other villas glistening beneath us in the glorious sun , but also of those two majestic Pitons too – it really was as incredible as it sounds .
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