A rainforest retreat in the Caribbean - luxury villas with private pool in mountainous St Lucia rainforest setting

If, like me, you are captivated by the sounds of the tropics and love everything about rainforests then the Jalousie Plantation in St Lucia might just possibly be your perfect chill-out hotspot.

Sophisticated accommodation in St Lucia
Perched on a steep hillside on the mountainous Caribbean island of St Lucia, is where you will find the Jalousie Plantation surrounded by a dense rainforest. Nestling in a World Heritage Site, the setting is stunning as the intimate plantation resort sits between St Lucia's famous Pitons: two dramatic and scenic volcanic plugs (Gros Piton is 771 metres high and Petit Piton is 743 metres high).

Ultra chic bars and great recipes for Caribbean cocktails
In this very tropical natural 'down to earth' rainforest setting, the air-conditioned funky contemporary Cane Bar comes as a surprise: it’s very chic London/New York style. Cocktails have a kick... try the lemon drop martini, irrisistible and refreshing.

Caribbean luxury hotel in the rainforest
The resort is nearing the end of a massive rebuild and refurbishment (check building works progress before you book) and the new villas dotted around the hillside are gorgeous with dark wooden floors and all-white chic interiors, with outside wooden decks, comfortable terrace furniture, and a private plunge pool to each villa.

It would be easy to spend your whole vacation in the villa - just the sights and the sounds of the rainforest within touching distance, coupled with your own pool and terrace(s) is absolute bliss. Plenty of books and a good supply of champagne, that's all you need. Oh... and the services of your villa butler. Perfect.

Trekking in the rainforest
Most of the villas are located away from the beach area, restaurants and bars, but there is a constant mini-bus service so that's not a problem. Unless you are very fit you'll need to use the mini-bus as the road to the accommodation is extremely steep and it's a long trek. BUT as the food is pretty good here, look on the positive side... you can burn off tons of calories tackling the slopes. We did, and enjoyed the daily exercise. Crampons might prove useful though.

Unique rainforest spa
A stunning Spa has been built in the Rainforest: the elevated treatment rooms, reached via wooden walkways, feature thatched roofs and outside bamboo showers.

Insider’s advice on accommodation
Choose one of the new hillside villas if you want to be away from it all - idyllic for honeymooners.

If your budget won’t stretch that far, the new Sugar Mill rooms are lovely - they are at the bottom of the hill near the small beach, within yards of the cocktail bars and restaurants.

All categories of accommodation enjoy butler service.

The cool white villas in this luxuriously stylish intimate resort are architecturally individual, many enjoying lovely views, and each having a private plunge pool is absolute bliss on a hot steamy day.

When all the rebuilding is complete this will probably be a much sought after exclusive rainforest hideaway - can imagine celebs liking Jalousie Plantation because of the privacy many villas afford. So make the most of any St Lucia special offer holidays here while work is still in progress - those offers are certain to come to an end at the same time the buildings works do.

The rainforest spa is amazing - thatched 'cabins' on stilts in the rainforest... back to nature, yet so stylish. How cool is that?

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For more information contact the St Lucia Tourist Board >>

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