White sands, crystal clear waters, luxurious spa treatments and a buffet to die for – there’s a lot to love about St Lucia’s boutique Rendezvous resort. But the one thing that makes this corner of the Caribbean more special than the rest is that it literally oozes romance – and you can’t help but fall in love.
Our first evening at the all-inclusive resort was spent dining under the stars, we had a private candle lit dinner surrounded by a lazy river and an abundance of exotic flowers. It wasn’t hard to see why Prince Harry, Gwyneth Paltrow and Oprah Winfrey line up to visit. And what’s special about this hotel, if you’re seeking some special R&R with your significant other, is that there’s no kids and couples only.
Couples keen to do more than sunbathe and dip in the pool can pick from an array of activities – either just the two of you, or socially, with other happy pairs. We enjoyed the iconic Piton nature trail, snorkelling amongst tropical fish and relaxing in the sulphur springs with a refreshing natural rainforest bath.
Rendezvous is the world’s first boutique couples-only all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean. Its size allows an intimacy not possible in larger resorts. Situated within a seven-acre tropical garden on St. Lucia’s Northwest coast and located on the island’s longest white sand beach. This charming and unspoilt corner of the Caribbean is so much more than a beach retreat.
Rendezvous is owned and operated by the Barnard family who opened their St. Lucian family home as a hotel nearly 50 years ago. In the 1950s, founding father Denis Barnard was encouraged by his wife Marguerite, to buy a plot of land on Vigil beach to build a small getaway. He built a house nestled amongst the palm trees and looked gracefully down onto the Caribbean Sea, which had a large tiled bar that opened up onto the beach. Denis was quite a character and his fondness for company meant that he invited many of the tourists walking on the beach in for lunch or dinner. Imagine their surprise when they asked for the bill only to be told that they were actually in someone’s private house.
The 1960s saw a surge of tourism in St. Lucia and Denis soon saw an opportunity. He built a series of guest cottages on the beach next to the main house that eventually became the main guest rooms when it turned into a hotel. There have been many famous guests wandering in and out of his house and the hotel over the years, such as Led Zeppelin and 10cc.
This now 100 bedroom boutique resort is the ideal place for a wedding, honeymoon, or to escape from everyday life. An all-inclusive holiday at Rendezvous includes unlimited use of the facilities at the resort, breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner daily, all beverages including premium brand alcohol from the unique Champagne Bar and a swim up pool bar. The Spa in the Water Garden features three treatment rooms including a couples’ massage suite. The luxury resort features three restaurants and three bars, including Malabar Beach Club, a barefoot restaurant, with views overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
Rendezvous offers an escape from everyday life, so that couples can create new memories together. Time is a rare commodity the days - we need to make time for one another, even with all the technology. The resort allows you to find time to relax, time to talk. It gives you time to reconnect and reflect. It gives you time to be together. “At Rendezvous we do not schedule time, Instead we make time; take time, have time, enjoy good times, get quality time. Rendezvous is the place of stolen time.”
If you're looking for the perfect tropical wedding Rendezvous takes away the stress of planning a wedding. Wedding ceremonies can be held on the beach, in the tropical gardens, on a private island or in the Cathedral in Castries and are personally arranged by the dedicated Wedding Co-ordinator. And if your own wedding day is a dim and distant memory, those inspired by the romance of the place can renew their wedding vows - at no extra cost!
Rates at Rendezvous over the summer period start from $341 per person, per night, all inclusive. Rendezvous’ Adventure programme is available to all guests at an additional cost. For further information visit: theromanticholiday.com.