My husband and I had been on St. Lucia for a few days and arrived at Ladera around noon. Since 3 pm is the check in time, the staff was very helpful with contacting housekeeping to make sure our room got prioritized by so we could get access to it as soon as possible. We headed to the lovely bar area to get some lunch and found the food both better than what we had at other hotels on the island, and less expensive.
With a glorious view of the Pitons, we kicked back with a rum punch and coco martini and enjoyed the live music from the local musicians playing in the bar area. We even bumped into a honeymooning couple we met at the last resort where we stayed. Ladera Resort is definitely a romantic destination, and the layout isn’t particularly child friendly. This place is pure couples glamping. No surprise it’s a favorite among honeymooners!
Ladera isn’t a beach front property– it’s set clinging to the ridge between the Piton mountains. The resort offers complementary shuttles to nearby Sugar Beach three times a day, but I’m not sure I’ll even go there. I just spent a few days at the beach and between the property’s gorgeous main pool, the room’s in-room pool, and all the activities I’d like to try, I’m not sure beach time is in the cards for me.
Our butler came to get us at the bar about an hour later to drive us to our room, Paradise Ridge #3. When your room is missing a wall, it definitely qualifies as glamping! The room also has it’s own pool (complete with a swing over it) and waterfall. There are fun and stylish madras accents which feel like a nice West Indies touch. The indoor/outdoor layout is very unique. Birds fly in and out, and when there is a touch of rain– the locals call sprinkles “liquid sunshine” here on St. Lucia, you can see the raindrops in your in-room pool. This is definitely rainforest glamping. The room layout seemed to protect well from the wind and rain but you’re definitely one with nature here. It’s fun!
The bedroom is undeniably sexy– the mosquito netting isn’t just for effect! While I’ve had minimal impact with bugs, St. Lucia is indeed a tropical island and you’re one with the elements here. The hotel has citronella burners in the rooms so guests remain comfortable. It’s cooler here than it is at the beach, and the fan keeps the room at a nice temperature. After enjoying our rum punch, a nap was in order. The bed is island chic and comfy. Pack your own eyeshades if you need darkness to nap– with the fourth wall missing, there are (obviously) no blackout curtains.
Paradise Ridge #3 is very unique, with colorful tile, a brightly tiled rain shower in the bathroom, which also has side by side sinks, a separate toilet area and plenty of storage. There is a large closet, and outlets for both US and UK plugs. There is wifi on the property (free). There is a comfy seating area, a dining table, a desk, wifi, and phone provided so you can contact your butler for service or a shuttle ride.
After our nap, we decided to head into the nearby town of Soufriere to watch the sunset and get some dinner. We ate at the local and charming Petit Peak restaurant and bar, which caters to locals as well as tourists. The view of the sunset was spectacular and paired nicely with local Piton beer. For dinner we ate coconut shrimp and outstanding creole chicken. We returned back to Ladera for a little stargazing. Among the in-room amenities with binoculars & a map of the night sky so you can enjoy the view of the stars. It was a bit cloudy, but still a lovely way to end the first, fabulous day at Ladera. Then we climbed underneath the mosquito netting and fell quickly asleep.
The basics:
The most notable downside for 9H is that those staying there must be practitioners of the simplistic lifestyle 9H accommodates. That means luggage… or the absence thereof. The 9H concept is cool for those who only have a briefcase to carry around with them during the day. Having to lug anything more than that through already crowded streets makes the extra price tag for 24h hotel room look very appealing.