If there is one way to make any accommodation instantly better, then it has to be perching it on the edge of the sea with direct access to an over-the-water hammock and a bathtub that looks out over the setting sun. Fortunately for us, our Over-The-Water Bungalow at Sandals Grande St Lucian pretty much ticked all of those boxes, and then some. Our jaws were literally on the floor (and almost in the ocean) when we were shown around our palatial accommodation for the night of our one-year wedding anniversary. The accomodation was simply stunning.
Obviously the focus should be on the back decking outdoor area which looked out over the ocean, but Sandals Grande St Lucian haven’t neglected the interior either. The front door opened up to a lovely kitchen space with modern amenities and views out over the water, which then flowed into the main living space; a beautiful king-size bed and a huge 65-inch TV with surround sound, only surpassed by the huge French windows and a glass floor that looked down onto the fish below. Moving further through the bungalow, an indoor shower opened into an outdoor shower in a truly oceanic experience. Every little detail drew your eye to the turquoise water below your feet.
The afternoon was spent lounging in the hammock, drinking rum cocktails and generally pondering a permanent move to St Lucia. Huge Frigate birds swooped overhead as the fisherman arrived back to dry land with huge catches in tow as we settled in for a romantic meal for two on our very own back deck. With the light all but gone, we opted for an early night in order to maximise our morning the next day. The sound of the ocean and flying fish provided the final soundtrack to an incredible afternoon and evening at Sandals Grande St Lucian.
The next morning I woke early. Very early. A 5am start allowed me to catch up on my work and emails and kept my diary clear for an increasingly sunny morning. It was probably one of the best mornings I have ever experienced; moving between the ocean, the hammock and the breakfast table was the extent of my activity as we lapped up the sun while sipping on fresh coconut water. That afternoon we (almost tearily) said goodbye to our bungalow and moved into mainland accommodation. The hammocks and swings in the ocean provided hours of entertainment, and we once again watched the local fishermen bring in their catch as the sun began to set.
That evening we strolled along the beach for a meal at Gordon’s; one of the Grande St Lucian’s standout restaurants perched on the edge of a pier in the bay. A delightful three-course dinner was washed down with more rum, before we headed to bed via local dance-off competition hosted under a moonlit beach. The next morning we had breakfast on-site, amongst a band of very boisterous sparrows, and then headed to the top of Fort Rodney on Pigeon Island. Set high above a national park, this huge green space and cliffside served as a strategic British outpost during one of our many Caribbean conquests. While the wind did get the better of us eventually, it offered unparalleled views across nearby Rodney Bay and beyond; the perfect send off for an unforgettable stay at Sandals Grande St Lucian.
