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Ladera Resort – Hotel Terrace with an Unbelievable View
Condé Nast Traveler, described as the “know-all” of Travel and Accommodation has published their Top Ten Hotel Terrace with Unbelievable Views. In addition to this, all of the properties are also listed in their 2012 Gold List. Much to our prediction and not surprising to us at all was the amazing reviews of our picturesque Ladera Resort.
Their readers say: “Anticipate ‘the experience of a lifetime’ at this ecolodge built with Caribbean timber, local stone, and terra-cotta tiles on the site of a former cocoa plantation. It’s in ‘a calm, beautiful, very floral setting’ on a forested ridge overlooking the Pitons and the sea. Rustic suites have private plunge pools and are minus the fourth wall, allowing unobstructed views. Indulge in a hot volcanic stone massage at Ti Kai Posé Spa or take a dip in its mineral pools. ‘We loved, loved, loved the St. Lucian dishes’ of local pork and shrimp at Dasheene, served in an open-air dining room overlooking the Caribbean. What a lovely, restful resort.”
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Anse Chastanet Recognized in the UK
What better way for Mrs. Troubetzkoy to arrive in London than to find a “surprise” in the first travel magazine she pick up, than to be delighted to realize Anse Chastanet is back in the Top 20 Resorts List of the Americas and the Caribbean, of the Condé Nast Traveler UK October issue.
“It is a wonderful testament from our British guests to showcase their affection and loyalty to our property and through their vote, vouch for the high level of service and warm Caribbean hospitality that guests may expect at Anse Chastanet.” Mrs. Troubetzkoy wrote.
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Featured Article
The Caribbean Spa & Wellness Association (C-SWA), an extension of Caribbean Tourism Organization will be hosting the firstRegional Spa & Wellness Retreat for the industry. The Retreat will be held from 11 – 13 November 2012 at theGrand Royal Antiguan Beach Resort, Antigua & Barbuda under the theme: Let’s Discover a True Caribbean Experience Together – In True Caribbean style”.
The main objective of the Regional Spa & Wellness Retreat is to bring together regional and international persons from the health and wellness sector to provide training to enhance skills, to showcase products, to improve standards across the industry, and to allow opportunities for professional networking.
We look forward to your participation in the Retreat and we encourage you to send the information to other persons who can benefit from the Retreat.
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Bay Gardens Resorts Awarded
 Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa was recently honored as the only Saint Lucian hotel ranked on the Expedia® 2012 Insiders’ Select List. This is an annual crowd-sourced list of the world’s best-reviewed hotels. To celebrate, Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa, located in the heart of Saint Lucia’s entertainment capital, Rodney Bay Village, is offering travelers a Suite Deal this Fall with savings up to 55 % on accommodations.
Only 650 hotels from among the more than 150,000 properties available on Expedia sites are designated as Insiders’ Select hotels. Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa was one of two Caribbean hotels to be ranked among the top 100 hotels worldwide. During 2011/2012, the hotel received a commendable 4.6 out of 5 stars based on guest reviews. Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa was also ranked as one of the world’s top 15 hotels in the family-friendly, beach and spa hotel categories.
“We are thrilled to be recognized on Expedia’s coveted Insiders’ Select list,” said Joyce Destang, O.B.E., Bay Gardens Resorts’ Managing Director. “We’re committed to delivering high-quality value and service. This adds to our collection of awards including the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award that was earned in both 2011 and 2012 by all three of our properties – Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa, Bay Gardens Hotel and Bay Gardens Inn. Our Suite Deal special is a gift to our guests to show our appreciation.”
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Oktoberfest En Kweyol
 The annual Oktoberfest En Kweyol, staged by Windward and Leeward Brewery Limited (WLBL) was launched on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 with a cocktail reception and presentation at the Bay Gardens Hotel. Oktoberfest En Kweyol which is now into its fifth year is held the first Sunday in October each year and forms part of the first major activity for “Kweyol Heritage Month” here in Saint Lucia. The event, which features “live” performances, Creole Food and a variety of locally brewed as well as imported beer, has grown in crowd attendance drawing a record mammoth crowd last year.
In welcoming attendees at the launch, Sylvester Henry of WLBL stated; “the original Oktoberfest in Munich is centuries old and though we are a long way off it is still a milestone for us to welcome you to the launch ahead of our fifth hosting of “Oktoberfest En Kweyol.” “Oktoberfest En Kweyol” is fast becoming the way to herald the start of Creole Heritage Month and of that we are very proud,” Henry added. He went on to state that like the world renowned Oktoberfest in Germany it was the hope of WLBL that people from all over the world would begin to come to Saint Lucia for Oktoberfest En Kweyol. “That’s why we will continue to strive to do it right and continue to get Saint Lucians, with your help, to embrace this event,” he concluded.
The Marketing manager, Shelley Black also addressed the steps being taken for the comfort of patrons this year. “We are literally at capacity at Samaans Park so this year we will move the food concession into the oasis area with a large screen, thereby using the oasis as the main entrance, to make for additional space in the actual arena itself so that patrons can enjoy great entertainment,” he said.
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A Decade of Being the Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination
 Honored for the 10th time in the past decade, Saint Lucia accepted the award for “Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination” at the 2012 World Travel Awards Caribbean & The Americas Gala Ceremony held on September 14. Hosted at the Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spas, the event, now in its 19 th year, was established for the purpose of recognizing and celebrating achievements in all areas of the world’s travel and tourism industry.
“Being acknowledged as a leading romance destination, not only within the Caribbean but worldwide, is something we look forward to maintaining and are thrilled with this recognition from the World Travel Awards, especially since we are selected by consumers and the trade,” said Louis Lewis, Director of Tourism for Saint Lucia. “We plan to retain the leadership position, by continuing to create new and exciting ways to entice travelers. Saint Lucia is naturally made for romance and we have embraced it and want to share the love with visitors to the island. As we move into 2013, Saint Lucia is poised for additional growth, product improvement and increased airlift which will make getting to the island much easier.”
A number of Saint Lucian companies and properties also received recognition at the recent ceremony including Barefoot Holidays DMC Saint Lucia, which was named the Caribbean’s Leading Tour Operator. The Jalousie Plantation was awarded Saint Lucia’s Leading Hotel. The Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort was awarded Saint Lucia’s Leading Resort and Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa was awarded Saint Lucia’s Leading Spa Resort.
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St. Lucia Beckons Canadians to Extend Summer
 “Within the past year Canadians have been flocking to Saint Lucia in record numbers,” said Louis Lewis, Tourism Director. “We have seen a 10% increase in visitors from January to June, over the same period last year with strong numbers expected to continue for the fall and winter season. The arrival figures coincide with strong airlift via Air Canada and West Jet.”
As the days get shorter and cooler with the approach of fall, top hotels in Saint Lucia are offering Canadians value-added ways to hold onto summer longer, including free-nights, food and beverage credits and special discounts. With an array of upcoming events such as Saint Lucia’s “Elevate Yourself” 2nd Annual Health and Wellness Retreat from October 4th through 7th, 2012 and Oktoberfest, as a part of Saint Lucia’s “Creole Heritage Month” makes now the perfect time to getaway.
Increased air and hotel promotions make discovering – or revisiting – Saint Lucia’s majestic Pitons, warm Caribbean breezes, pristine beaches and picturesque properties even more enticing. Current hotel include: Anse Chastanet Resort, The Landings St. Lucia, Smugglers Cove Resort & Spa, Ti Kaye Village and Villa C’est La Vie.
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| The SLHTA is pleased to announce that the long awaited Rhythm and Spice Festival 2012 is on stream and the planning process has vigorously begun. Rhythm and Spice was conceptualized and first hosted by the SLHTA in 2006. The main objective of Rhythm and Spicewas to amalgamate some of the SLHTA’s traditional fundraising efforts into one major event. The rationale was to provide members with a stage for showcasing their major products and service offerings. Additionally, the event would serve as a medium to highlight the essence of St. Lucia’s tourism and to provide the public with an opportunity to be a part of this ever expanding sector. The SLHTA is pleased to have Baron Foods on board this year at the events Title Sponsor thereby officially dubbing this year’s event the “Baron Foods/SLHTA’s Rhythm & Spice Festival” 2012.
In addition to our showcasing of local food, beverages, fashion and music, the festival will also focus on the human resource development aspect and highlight career opportunities in the travel and tourism industry and showcase them through skits, displays and distribution of literature. We also expect to re-introduce competitions designed to showcase careers in hospitality, which will hopefully appeal to school leavers.
The festival, Rhythm and Spice 2012, will be held on Sunday 30thSeptember 2012 at the Pigeon Island National Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It continues to promise an excellent family experience showcasing the best of St. Lucia’s music, arts, culture, food, fashion, products and service offerings. |
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