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What were Caribbean hotels like
before the trade winds were replaced by blasts of air conditioning, when morning
exercise was a
walk on the beach and not water aerobics, and when you sat watching the sunset
instead of cable TV? You can still find out at the
Anse Chastanet Resort on St. Lucia's unspoiled southwestern Caribbean coast.
Since architect Nick Troubetzkoy purchased the first 14 hillside units in 1974,
and throughout the expansion and renovation that
have followed, design in harmony with nature, complementing the island's natural
beauty, has remained his focal point. The 500-acre
site is a lush garden of tropical foliage bordering two of the island's best
beaches, where soft silver sands dip into the clear blue waters
of the Caribbean. St. Lucia's trademark green peaks - the Gros and Petit Pitons
- make for a dramatic backdrop.
No two rooms at Anse Chastanet are exactly alike. Twelve beach-level units are
tucked away behind the coconut palms, just steps from the water's edge and the
resort's renowned SSI/PADI dive facility. Perched on the hill are Anse
Chastanet's original rooms: cheery white-washed cottages with wrap-around wooden
balconies. These octagonal-shaped "gazebos" offer splendid views of the Pitons
and the sea, framed by an abundance of flourishing blossoms. Chairs and beds are
covered in madras prints - a traditional island fabric of bright plaid
woven with the same colours as the ginger lilies, anthuriums and bougainvillea
found in every room.
Further up the hill are Anse Chastanet's deluxe suites, where Nick Troubetzkoy's
architectural imagination can best be appreciated. Roomy is hardly the word to
describe them. Immense is more accurate. And the sense of space is even further
enhanced by the fact that as little as possible was put between the guests and
their natural surroundings, leaving entire walls open to the vistas. Indeed it's
even hard to say where the inside stops and the outside begins: a flamboyant
tree drapes its red-blossomed branches gently over the balcony in one room, the
verandah of another was actually built around a red gommier tree. And the famous
showers-with-a-view in the premium suites are a unique luxury of Anse Chastanet.
While the sensuous seclusion of the rooms provides some guests with a perfect
excuse for lazing away the day on their balcony, others head out for snorkeling
on the reef, tennis, or a nature walk among the ruins of a colonial plantation
on the property. There's also a casual beach-side bar, and a hillside terrace
where breakfast, dinner, and afternoon tea are served. Twice a week guests enjoy
evening barbecues on the beach, and every night, there's music by local
entertainers.
Anse Chastanet has 49 uniquely designed rooms 37 of which are scattered about a
flower-decked hillside, and 12 of which are located within a tropical garden at
beach level. All rooms have fridges, electric tea/coffee makers, in-room safes,
and wall mounted hairdryers.
Deluxe and Premium roms have irons and ironing boards. The furniture in all
rooms has been individually designed and handmade in the region with the
exclusive use of the island woods such as teak, mahogany, green heart, purple
heart, red cedar and wild breadfruit.
Please note that there are approximately 100 stairs leading from beachlevel to
the mid-hillside level, thus making the property unsuitable for those with
walking difficulties or cardiac problems. This is never a question of age.
Facilities at the Resort include 2 restaurants and bars, excursions and car
rental desk, 2 beachside boutiques, the Kai Belte Mini-Spa, and a
SSI Platinum /PADI scuba facility, Scuba St. Lucia.
Dining
Evening falls with blazing sunsets
out to sea followed by candlelit dinners in the open air Pitons Restaurant on
the hillside overlooking the Pitons and the Caribbean Sea. In the Pitons
Restaurant, a daily changing a la carte 5-course menu pays homage to local
produce,
transforming it into a gourmet creole cuisine which bears our French chefs
personal touch. The menus include vegetarian and low calorie choices. Twice
weekly, grand buffet dinners are served in beach restaurant Trou Au Diable
where, after dinner, guests can kick off their shoes and stroll along the beach
with the moonlit shadows of the palms dappling the sand before them. Breakfast
is served daily in the Pitons Restaurant, and lunches are always served in the
Trou au Diable beach restaurant. 2 bars, one on the hillside, and one at
beachlevel, serve fresh coconut water and many exotic drinks.
ANSE CHASTANET PRESENTS EXECUTIVE CHEF JACKY RIOUX
Jacky Rioux grew up in the Loire Valley where he received his initial training
at the renowned Culinary Institute in Saumur before embarking on an
international career which began at the Ramada Renaissance in Belgium and then
took him to Bahrein, Khartoum and to the El Sham Palace in Damaskus, Syria.
Jacky also spent 3 years in various chef positions aboard the cruise ship Sea
Goddess cruising the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Asia, Alaska, South Pacific
before signing off in Hongkong. Jacky returned to Bahrein where he became the
Executive Chef in the prestigious Diplomat Hotel. He and his team won many
awards for culinary excellence. In his 4 years there, however, Jacky considers
his most outstanding achievement in Bahrein his ability to keep the gourmet food
going while the Middle East war and finally the invasion went on right outside
his kitchen. Jacky then settled in the United Kingdom with his British wife,
specializing in developing and implementing new concepts for small gourmet
restaurants in Berkshire and Norfolk. His last engagement prior to joining ANSE
CHASTANET was as the Head Chef of "The Swan" in Southwold, Norfolk, voted " Best
Restaurant in Britain ". While cruising on the Sea Goddess, Jacky fell in love
with the Caribbean, and St. Lucia in particular. He sees his involvement at ANSE
CHASTANET as a great opportunity to develop a unique gourmet cuisine with the
use of predominantly local produce. He is particularly pleased to be able to
grow his own herbs and vegetables on ANSE CHASTANET'S lush and fertile 500 acre
estate. The ANSE CHASTANET breakfast menu, besides regular international
breakfast dishes, also offers creole specialities and there is a large buffet of
fresh local fruit and juices. The ANSE CHASTANET lunch menu caters to both small
and big appetites, from sandwiches to steaks, to creole dishes, grilled fare and
a wide selection of vegetarian meals. Dinner menus change daily, with several
choices for appetizers, soups and salads, main courses and dessert. There always
are vegetarian choices available as well as a " lean cuisine" option.
The Spa
Kai Belte, patois for House of
Beauty, is the latest addition to ANSE CHASTANET's facilities. Professionally
trained therapists using only quality products offer a variety of body and
beauty treatments, including massage therapy, deep tissue massage, aromatherapy,
reflexology, facials, paraffin treatments, waxing, pedicure and manicure and
even hair braiding. Massage and aromatherapy treatments can be done at Kai Belte
or in the privacy of the guest rooms. Kai Belte also offers a couples massage
course, especially popular with honeymooners (still) eager to learn yet another
way to spoil each other.
Art at Anse Chastanet
The Art Connection - Anse Chastanet inspires Local and International Artists ANSE CHASTANET's stunning scenic setting and lush tropical surroundings have provided much inspiration not only to local, but also visiting artists, many of whom come back to the Resort on a regular basis. Some have made permanent artistic contributions to ANSE CHASTANET. The internationally acclaimed artist Stefan Szczesny works in ateliers in Cologne, Germany, Croix Valmer in Southern France and New York, and now has added ANSE CHASTANET to his creative residences.
The artist whose acrylics have captured Caribbean colours in their
full vibrance expects to spend 3 months annually at ANSE CHASTANET. The resort
possesses several of his works, among them 2 ceramic tile wall murals depicting
ANSE CHASTANET scenes. Several of his acrylic works are featured in the
TREEHOUSE Restaurant and also in some of the premium category rooms The resort
also owns works by the famous German artist Elvira Bach, another regular visitor
to ANSE CHASTANET, as well as works by Swiss artist Claude Sandoz, to just name
a few. Many rooms at ANSE CHASTANET show the original burlap compositions
by Dutch - Canadian artist Reina Nieland. Her burlap compositions developed as a
result of living in St. Lucia many years ago when art materials such as canvas
were still hard to get. She eventually substituted canvas with burlap and within
a short time recognized that, with burlap, she was dealing with independent
entities who had a life of their own.
Local artworks can also be seen throughout the public areas and guest rooms,
sometimes even in combination with works by a visiting artist. Both local and
visiting artists find the artistic exchange stimulating, and the result of this
can clearly be seen at ANSE CHASTANET. Most of the carved wooden poles, wall
plaques and statues have been created by St. Lucian artist Lawrence Deligny. He
is completely self-taught and has never received any formal training. Naive
paintings and wall murals have been created by artist Matthew Paul. Matthew is
also involved in the ANSE CHASTANET POTTERY, a joint venture between ANSE
CHASTANET and Canadian potters Eric and Cathy Lindgren.
ANSE CHASTANET POTTERY items and other local artworks are offered for sale in
the Piti Piton Boutique right at ANSE CHASTANET. The Resort will also soon have
its own art gallery where works of both acclaimed local and visiting artists
will be available.
Wedding/Honeymoon
Getting married in this tropical
paradise has become very popular, and some of the guests combine their
honeymoon at ANSE CHASTANET with their actual wedding. Only 2 days of residency
in St. Lucia are required in order to get married on the island, and ANSE
CHASTANET can make the necessary legal and administrative arrangements for all
guests staying a minimum of 5 nights.
Expect legal fees and basic wedding package to be around US 550.-. Optional
services include videography, photographer, live music, tailor made national
wedding dress, and private day sailing charter.
ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND PRICE LIST
Time Frame: Guests have to spend at least 2 full days on the island prior to the
wedding date. These 2 days need to be working days. The actual wedding could be
on the third or fourth day of stay.
Required Information & Documents
Passports and/or birth certificates
Full address of both
Occupation of both
If guests are divorced, they must bring along the original divorce papers which must show a proper seal or stamp, an
official signature and must clearly state the decree absolute of the divorce. If the divorce papers are in a foreign language,
guests must obtain a certified translation into English prior to arrival and bring this translation in addition to the original
divorce papers.If guests are widowed, they must bring along the original death certificate and official translation if in a foreign language.
Wedding Day: Weddings are usually
held in the afternoon between 4.00 - 5.30pm
Wedding Location
ANSE CHASTANET gives guests the freedom of choice as to the location of the
wedding. Popular sites are the ANSE
CHASTANET treehouse or the beach. Weddings can also be arranged in the guest'
rooms or on our Old Colonial
Plantation of Anse Mamin, or on board one of our boats. Each wedding is treated
like a unique affair and there is no standardized wedding program. The bride and
groom can get invloved in all details of the wedding ceremony and can decide on
the location of their wedding after their wrrival. In order to prepare the
wedding application prior to guests' arrival all of the required information
should be faxed or mailed to the Hotel in copy a few weeks in advance.
ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE BROUGHT ALONG IN THEIR ORIGINAL.
Wedding Price List (December 1,
1997)
Basic Wedding Package: US$550 includes:- Lawyer and Registrar fees, Messenger
service and transportation of documents, Wedding bouquet, wedding cake and
bottle of champagne, Decoration of wedding location.
Optional Services: US$180 - Photographer, including 70 undeveloped prints, US$5
- Button Hole for Groom, US$100 and up - Live entertainment (Shak Shak Band,
Steel Pan Duo, Full Steel Band, Guitarist - All subject to availability)
US$350 - Private Sailing Charter on 37 ft O-Day including champagne and lobster
(when in season) - full day sailing.
US$280 - Traditional St. Lucian Wedding costume in cotton, madras and with white
lace, plus matching sash for groom.
US$100 - Surcharge for wedding locations at Anse Mamin Plantation.
US$350 and up - Surcharge for underwater weddings. Contact ANSE CHASTANET
for further details on underwater weddings.
Tours, Trips, Hikes, and Cruises
St. Lucia's spectacular scenery offers many sightseeing attractions. The most dramatic ones such as The Sulphur Springs, St. Lucia's famous walk-in volcano, the Louis XVI Mineral Baths, the Tropical Rain Forest and the famous Twin Pitons are within a short distance of ANSE CHASTANET HOTEL. ANSE CHASTANET has created a wide selection of personalized excursions with the aim of showing you St. Lucia at its best. The following excursions are arranged on a regular basis:
1/2 day tour of the Sulphur Springs, Volcano, and the Diamond Mineral Baths
Rain Forest Hikes and Nature Walks
Shopping Trips by boat to Castries, the capital city
Day Sailing Cruises on our 37 ft. O Day Yacht
Sea and Land Island Tour
Explorer Island Tour
Northern Tour to the northern part of St. Lucia
Arts & Crafts Tour to Choiseul
For The Even More Adventurous - On Request
Day Trips to Martinique by Plane or Speed Boat
Day Tours to the Grenadines by Plane
A Two-Three Day Sailing Trip to Martinique
Fishing Trips
Tours to the Maria Island Nature Reserve
Plantation Tours
Climbing the Pitons
Botanical Gros Piton Tour
At The Hotel
Activities right at the resort
include tennis, birdwatching and exploring the Resort's 500 acre estate alone or
with a guide. Guided tours are available to the historical ruins of the old
French Colonial plantation of Anse Mamin which is part of the 500 acre estate,
and where there is a second beach. ANSE CHASTANET's watertaxi PEACH ON
EARTH provides complimentary transfers to the nearby small town of Soufriere and
to the second beach at ANSE MAMIN. ANSE CHASTANET provides a natural work-out
for their guests by virtue of the 100 stairs leading from beach level to
the Resort's hillside level.
Watersports related activities include sunfish sailing, windsurfing and ocean
kayaking. Snorkelling and scuba - diving are another watersports highlight. St.
Lucia's pristine coral reefs which are now all vested into a marine
reserve virtually surround the resort, with the
first reef located just off shore. The ANSE CHASTANET Reef is considered to be
among the best the Caribbean has to offer. Beach snorkelling as well as escorted
boat snorkel tours are available . ANSE CHASTANET owns and operates its own
PADI/ SSI Platinum scuba centre - SCUBA ST. LUCIA.
Anse Chastanet has just introduced an all-inclusive package, called the Total
Romance Package, as an alternative to their Escape and Honeymoon Escape
Packages.
THE TOTAL ROMANCE PACKAGE
Enjoy Anse Chastanet on an all-inclusive package
The Total Romance Package includes: Accommodation for number of nights in
category chosen, all tax and service, airport transfers both ways, breakfast,
lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, all drinks including house wine (but not
bottled wines and champagne), welcome cocktail, tour of Volcano, Sulphur Springs
and Diamond Mineral Baths, guided tour of old French Colonial Plantation of Anse
Mamin, drinks package in room fridge, basket of local fruit, use of tennis court
and equipment, snorkeling, kayaking, mini-sailing, windsurfing, use of beach
chairs and beach towels, a guided boat snorkel trip, a resort scuba diving
course for beginners including 2 dives, bottle of French champagne, a one hour
Swedish Massage for 2, two Anse Chastanet T-shirts, scenic boat shopping trip to
capital of Castries, an anniversary certificate of US$500 to be used on a return
visit.
ANSE CHASTANET'S SCUBA PACKAGE RATES
THE WEEKLY SCUBA PACKAGE INCLUDES:
7 nts accommodation in room category chosen, breakfast, dinner and afternoon tea
in winter, (optional MAP in Shoulder and summer season), all tax and service,
drinks package in room fridge, 12 beach or boat dives, substitution of a day
dive to night dive to maximum of 2, airport transfers both ways, welcome
cocktail, guided tour of old French Colonial Plantation of Anse Mamin, basket of
local fruit, use of tennis court and equipment, snorkeling, ocean kayaking,
mini-sailing, windsurfing, use of beach chairs and beach towels. THE HONEYMOON
SCUBA /ANNIVERSARY SCUBA PACKAGE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL FEATURES AT
SCUBA PACKAGE RATE: BOTTLE OF FRENCH CHAMPAGNE, 2 ANSE CHASTANET
T-SHIRTS, SCENIC BOAT SHOPPING TRIP TO CAPITAL OF CASTRIES, AN ANNIVERSARY
CERTIFICATE OF US$500 TO BE USED ON A RETURN VISIT.
Call Toll-free 877-466-2934. Local 727-254-4373 or email info@MyTravelFind.com About us
EMCO Travel LLC DBA E&M Travel
is registered with the State of Florida as a Seller of Travel. Registration
No. ST36902
California Travel Seller #
2079011-40
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