Anse Chastanet Resort, St Lucia

Owned by architect Nick Troubetzkoy, whose love for nature is visible in every aspect of the resort, Anse Chastanet boasts a spectacular location on St Lucia’s southwest coast. Set on its own 600-acre tropical estate with a perfect view of the Pitons, the property enjoys access to two bays whose crystal-clear waters, protected as part of a designated marine reserve, teem with tropical fish.

As well as scuba diving and snorkelling over pristine coral reefs, you can fill your days at Anse Chastanet with yoga, sunset sailing, sea kayaking, bird watching and biking along miles of jungle trails. Equally, you could do nothing but be pampered in the expansive Kai Belte spa, or walk down the 100 steps (there’s also a shuttle service) to relax on the soft silver sand beach below.

12 of the resort’s colourful guestrooms sit serenely amongst the coconut palms that line the beach, whilst the rest are nestled into the flower-carpeted hillside. Wraparound, flower-draped balconies, wooden louvre windows and ‘missing’ fourth walls make the most of the striking scenery whilst letting in the breezy trade winds. The open-air Treehouse Restaurant serves fine tropical cuisine, whilst the Emerald’s restaurant offers vegetarian dishes made from produce grown on the resort’s organic farm.