While other hotels on Saint Lucia might be aiming for the ‘most exclusive’ title, Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences is arguably going for the opposite: easily among the most inclusive places to stay on the island, this large and vibrant hotel with views over Labrelotte Bay has long welcomed LGBTQ+ travellers with open arms… And a new villa offering makes the resort more OutThere than ever.
When we heard that Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences was to unveil an updated look in 2023, having spent some $12 million on extensive renovations over the past few years, we knew we wanted to be among the first to experience the hotel’s sparkling, new facilities. You could say that the resort, which first opened in 1989, has held somewhat of a special place in our hearts, for making a dedicated effort to make diverse travellers feel right at home on its sandy shores. With its most recent refurbishment, it’s also made sure they – and everyone else – can vacation in style, having decked the 220 guest rooms, villas and residences scattered across its 65-acre estate in natural shades of beige and blue, while marine motives and artworks showcasing Caribbean talent invite guests to immerse themselves in the destination.
All updates and improvements aside, the DNA of the hotel hasn’t changed: you’ll still find a total of six swimming pools on its grounds; there continues to be the elaborate offering of activities for children and young guests that have made Windjammer Landing perhaps the most family-friendly on Saint Lucia; and the resort has retained its signature style of Mediterranean villas set amidst the lush landscapes of a tropical environment. The recently added Ocean Point Residences, however, are architecturally modern, making them real stand-out options for those looking for a more contemporary feel. They also come with the added value perk of the Ocean Point Club Lounge, where private check-ins are facilitated in no time, and a dedicated concierge desk can make special arrangements for you (which translates to more time on the beach… hooray!).
We chose to stay in an Ocean Point Two Bedroom Residence, which instantly impressed us with its bright, open living space that fused a lounge area with a dining room and a fully equipped, state-of-the-art kitchen, all of which offered near-uninterrupted views of the Caribbean Sea thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. A glass door by our dining table also gave us access to an outdoor dining area set by our Residence’s central feature, a generously sized mosaic-floor infinity pool with underwater lights for late-night laps. Often with two-bedroom villas, we feel as though one bedroom is clearly superior to the other, and though our master bedroom had a slightly larger bathroom featuring a freestanding bathtub and an outdoor shower, both bedrooms offered amenities and space aplenty, with walk-in closets, double basins, smart TVs and a pair of luxuriously padded sun loungers on the adjacent terrace each.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Escapist | UVF | GMT -4 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Water sports are unsurprisingly big at Windjammer Landing, and there are countless to choose from right off the hotel’s beach. Wanting to explore further, we got the team to take us out on a small boat, so we could explore the nearby marina of Rodney Bay as well as Pigeon Island National Park. The snorkelling here isn’t as epic as it is in the south of the island, but with the area’s white sand beaches, shining yachts and glittering sea, you’re still guaranteed a pretty spectacular time. |
It’s perhaps unsurprising that we enjoyed room service on more than one occasion, though you’d be a fool not to want to try out the different restaurants at Windjammer Landing, too. There’s beachside Jammers with classic light lunches and comfort food, the more elevated, dinner-only Upper Deck, Masala at Embers, where Indian flavours take guests on a culinary journey, as well as Papa Don’s for Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and Dragonfly, which also includes the newly renovated The Perch lounge. The resort had created a bespoke menu for us to cater to our vegan diet, and they did an excellent job at this, with each meal being exciting and different from the last. Variety is of course of utmost importance, not least at a hotel which attracts longer stays. Having looked at the menus of its different eateries, we noticed that some were decidedly more dietary-inclusive than others, and we found ourselves glad that they had made special arrangements for us (phew!) – if you too should have a dietary requirement or preference, rest assured the team will cater to these and create a varied menu for you to enjoy during your time on resort… Just let them know in advance.
Our favourite meal was probably at the hillside Papa Don’s, where we savoured Italian delights while local cats slept in plant pots or chased one another around an adjacent pool, and the chatty manager June regaled us with her rather impressive knowledge of our mother tongue, German. Service here, like everywhere at this ‘happy hotel’, was as warm-hearted and rich in smiles as you’d expect from a Caribbean island nation, and the musical backdrop of a live guitar created a relaxed – and, depending on who you’re dining with, romantic – atmosphere. We much preferred this to the buzzy Dragonfly, where each time the (admittedly talented) saxophone player took a breath during his energetic set, we could hear equally lively music from nearby Jammers, which was just a little more stimulation than we’d hoped for. At times, when all we wanted was to hear the sound of waves in the knowledge that we’d escaped our hectic lives back home for a few days of peace and calm, we felt over-entertained by all the music and buzz.
Thankfully, Windjammer Landing is home to the pretty Serenity Spa, which those wanting to switch off during their stay at the resort would be well advised to pay a visit to. We treated ourselves to the hotel’s Signature Massage, which was commendably thorough, starting with an exfoliation treatment and featuring both hot stones as well as bamboo elements. Our therapist, the lovely Sparkle, really took her time and made sure to answer any questions relating to our stress levels and overall health post-treatment. So often, we feel the aftercare element of a massage is cut short, but this certainly wasn’t the case here. Looking to ease back into the outside world slowly, we then headed for the steam room, though as this wasn’t on, and these things need time to really heat up, we recommend you call the spa ahead of your visit so you don’t have to wait around.
The best thing about this sprawling and diverse resort is arguably that even if you did have to wait around at some point, the staff would be delighted to keep you company and assist you in any way they can. Like so many before us, we were welcomed to Windjammer Landing with an incredibly warm embrace by the hard-working team who make the hotel the most ‘inclusive’ on the island. Saint Lucians, in our experience, are some of the friendliest and most jovial folk we’ve met on our travels, and though the resort’s staff make-up is a mix of locals and employees from further afield, the island’s spirit of cheerfulness was palpable throughout our time here (not least thanks to our butler, Ian, who spared no efforts to make our stay as convenient and memorable as possible).
In many ways, this beachside hideaway punches above its weight – ensuring diverse visitors are celebrated and their needs catered to, offering a stylish villa product that leaves nothing to be desired, and even achieving Green Globe certification in late 2023. We certainly appreciate this kind of ambition in a well-established resort that could no doubt rest on its laurels for a minute or two. For what it’s worth, we can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
Photography courtesy of Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences
At OutThere, we believe in boundless travel. But we understand that some destinations can pose challenges to travellers that complicate visiting them. We advise all visitors to inform themselves about local legislation and customs, and to work with a trusted travel provider in order to ensure a safe and pleasant holiday.
