Caribbean Paradise at Cap Maison, St. Lucia

The tiny island of St Lucia is located 21 miles south of Martinique and 90 miles Northwest of Barbados, in the centre of the Eastern Caribbean island chain. At just 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, you can drive from one end to the other in roughly an hour and a half. Although St Lucia is often regarded as a romantic honeymoon destination, being a single gal in my late twenties, besides the obligatory sunbathing, my plan was to escape from the city and explore in comfort what the island had to offer in terms of culture, nightlife and activities. I was not disappointed.

Welcomed by smiling staff and a chilled glass of champagne, I arrived at the stunning Cap Maison hotel. Opened in January 2009, Cap Maison is a family run, 50-room boutique hotel set within a breathtaking four- acre, cliff-top estate overlooking the ocean. Although set in a tranquil, secluded location on the North-West tip of the island, it’s just a few minutes from the lively restaurants and bars of Rodney Bay. Undeniably a luxury hotel, Cap Maison possesses an overwhelming homely feel. Unlike many other resorts of its standard, which often feel stuffy and soulless, the incredibly warm staff and features such as the hotels Honesty Bar (something I’ve not seen outside guest houses in Thailand) create a relaxed, informal atmosphere.

My suite, or ‘house’ as I affectionately referred to it, was set over two floors, boasting ample space, a kitchen area, living room, 2 bathrooms, 3 balconies and a giant roof terrace with my own pool! Perfect for a family, romantic getaway or Sex and the City style holiday with the girls!

Once settled into my house I was treated to dinner at the hotels infamous restaurant, Cliff at Cap. Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Cliff at Cap’s contemporary French-West Indian menu will stimulate any foodie’s palate. After dinner I headed to a ‘Jump Up’ local street party in nearby Gros Islet. The rum was flowing and it was a great way to gain an insight into local life. Dancing in the street to reggae and calypso beats, the music was so infectious I couldn’t help but join in. And the friendly locals were only too happy to teach their moves! Exhausted from the journey I left at the pitiful hour of 1am, however the party was only getting started!

Nothing clears a hangover like plunging into your private pool in your pyjamas. Once that was sorted I was raring to go and explore the market in Castries, St Lucia’s capital city. As a certified shopaholic, this was something I’d been looking forward to. The market carries an extraordinary range of exotic fruits and spices. However, I headed straight for the arts and crafts stalls! With this summer’s ‘Afrique’ trend in full swing, the clothing and accessories on offer would not have looked out of place on the runways of Marc Jacobs or Louis Vuitton. Stunning beaded jewelry, maxi dresses, shorts and blouses in tropical African prints.

Following the hustle and bustle of Castries there’s no way better to unwind than a relaxing massage at the hotels spa. Spa Maison offers a wide range of beauty and wellness treatments. I enjoyed their signature massage ‘St