With a laidback vibe, golden beaches and tranquil sea, the Caribbean is the ideal place to escape the colder months for some winter sun. Sugar Beach in St. Lucia ticks all the boxes for a family stay.
Direct flights from the UK make the island very accessible – even with little ones in tow – and once you arrive this five-star Viceroy resort will take care of your every need. Citizen Enfants checked in to discover why guests return with their children, year after year.
The Vibe
There’s something special about St. Lucia. The tear-drop shaped Caribbean island is known for spectacular landscapes (black sand beaches, lush jungles, mighty mountains) excellent cuisine (thanks to local farmlands and cocoa plantations), warm hospitality, and an authentic, laid-back vibe. This also rings true for the island’s standout hotel, Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, tucked away on a crescent-shaped pair of beaches between the two Pitons, St. Lucia’s iconic twin peaks that boast UNESCO World Heritage Site status (and for good reason: floating out on topaz-blue water looking up at the towering volcanic spires is an unforgettable, cinematic experience that can’t be matched anywhere else on the planet).
Without a doubt, Sugar Beach is the place to soak up the sun in St. Lucia for families with little ones in tow. Breezy villas and cottages are scattered across more than 100 acres – the grounds of an 18th-century sugar plantation – home to hummingbirds, butterflies and a rainbow of tropical flowers. The main house and restaurants are perched above an expansive, elegant swimming pool and a glorious stretch of white sandy beach dotted with palm trees and shaded sun-loungers; perfect for little ones to play on. To complement this stylish aesthetic, the resort has acquired an impressive art and sculpture collection that would give many galleries a run for their money, including pieces by Andy Warhol, Banksy, Damien Hirst, KAWS, Jeff Koons and Tom Sachs. Facilities are excellent – the property’s incredible Rainforest Spa is surrounded by verdant jungle, with treehouse treatment rooms built on stilts and perched high above the ground. Book in here for world-class massages, wraps, scrubs and facials using natural local ingredients that will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed. For more energetic travellers there’s a fully-equipped gym with a yoga studio that hosts an array of wellness and fitness classes.
The Food + Drink
Culinary experiences at Sugar Beach are second to none, offering a wide range of cuisines while also celebrating St. Lucian culture and supporting local farmers, fishermen and chocolatiers. The Terrace is open for breakfast each day and offers a sumptuous buffet with everything you could possibly think of, including fruit, pastries, cereals and stations for fresh eggs, waffles and acai bowls. It’s a dream for little ones who can fill their plates with all manner of treats.
Down by the beach, the relaxed, open-air Jalousie Grill is the place to go for colourful salads and of course grilled fish, seafood and meats, enjoyed al fresco with the glittering ocean as a backdrop. Adjacent Bonté Restaurant & Bar (meaning ‘good times’ in Creole) is the best spot for lunches of shrimp tacos, tuna poke bowls, curries and wood-fired pizzas, which can also be eaten poolside for the ultimate R&R. During your stay there might be a themed evening buffet, such as barbeque or Latin night, featuring food stations with endless incredible options. For fine dining, head to Saltwood for steak tasting (including an excellent Wagyu) and crab cakes, and for casual bites, head over to the smaller beach where an outdoor grill on the pier serves up delicious smash burgers and fries a couple of times a week. Last but not least, don’t miss an evening of Asian-fusion at the chic Cane Bar where the sushi and cocktails are to-die-for. There are plenty of children’s options, or ask the team to rustle up a kiddie version of something on the menu – nothing is too much trouble.
The Rooms
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The wide selection of recently renovated accommodation offers something for all types of traveller, from contemporary beachfront bungalows with outdoor hammocks and private terraces to more traditionally designed villas higher up the mountain, with plunge pools overlooking the Pitons – the ideal spot to watch St. Lucia’s famous sunsets with a cocktail in hand. Throughout, interiors are a breath of fresh air with a bright and light colour palette, huge ceiling fans, and simple and sleek furnishings that don’t distract from the incredible views through the shutters. Vast marble bathrooms have freestanding tubs as well as double showers leading to an outdoor shower area. Clever landscaping ensures that privacy and serenity are top priority, and should you require anything during your stay, your personal butler can be reached via a mobile phone that you’re given at check in. A godsend for parents. It’s worth noting that getting around the property means contacting a shuttle driver since many of the rooms are built into the mountain, but the staff are brilliantly accommodating with buggies so it all feels effortless. For those travelling with children, cots, high chairs and baby baths can be supplied. If you suddenly realise you’ve forgotten a vital piece of baby kit simply ask your butler.
The Child’s Play
Sugar Beach’s setting is perfect for little ones who love to explore nature – there’s a protected coral reef right off the sands, so even rookie snorkellers can grab a mask and fins to search for sea life including angel fish and seahorses. Both beaches have floating mesh rings in the water, ideal for sunbathing, chatting or – for the grownups – sipping on the hotel’s famous frozen piña coladas. Older kids can make use of a full PADI dive facility and multiple activities available, such as tennis, sailing, kayaking and Snuba. Parents looking for the ultimate downtime will appreciate the kids’ club offering: V Team Kids is where those aged four and up can have fun getting involved in treasure hunts, arts and crafts, archery, coconut bowling, fish feeding and sandcastle building. The entire family can join guided nature walks, learning about the native species of St. Lucia. The resort also offers a babysitting service so couples can enjoy a date night or even a kid-free afternoon drinking margaritas on the beach.
The To-Do List
The hotel is perfectly located to explore a number of St. Lucia’s sights, including the nearby Sulphur Springs, where you can slather yourself in nourishing volcanic mud and rinse off in naturally warm pools leaving your skin super soft. Just across the road from the entrance to the resort is the Mourne Coubaril Estate, where you can join a chocolate tour and learn about St. Lucia’s cocoa economy; walk through the plantation, learn how the beans are dried, and taste the raw product. If you don’t have the energy to join those hiking the Pitons, there is a short stroll you can take to the nearby Piton Falls where you can often have the warm clear waters all to yourself. For a taste of local life and to stock up on gifts to take home, it’s worth the short trip to the town of Soufriere which has a pretty church square and a selection of shops and cafés to dip in and out of.
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