Anse Chastenet

Description
Accommodation
Things to Do
Scuba St Lucia

Anse Chastanet is all about nature. The hotel was designed to make the foliage and the flowers, the perfumes and the peaks, the sea and the bird song an integral part of your vacation experience. The estate encompasses 600 lush tropical acres bordering two soft sand beaches. Not only do you get a World Heritage Site anchored by the twin peaks on land, the resort’s two crystal-clear bays are part of a designated marine reserve protecting miles of colorful coral reefs teeming with tropical fish.

A dozen rooms are tucked in behind the coconut palms that line the beach and the remainder tiptoe up a flower decked hillside. To make the most of the panoramic views and the refreshing tradewinds octagonal whitewashed cottages come with wraparound flower draped balconies and louvered windows.

Anse Chastanet’s boasts an impressive art collection. There are impressive wooden sculptures and plaques, earthy burlap compositions, painted “sky ceilings” and vibrant acrylic paintings invoking memories of Matisse and Picasso.

The hotel is perfect for doing as much or as little as you would like. Rooms are perfect for lolling away the day on the balcony enjoying the stunning views though you may be tempted by the many activities on offer; yoga, snorkeling, scuba diving, tennis, sunset sailing, sea kayaking or jungle biking, hiking and bird-watching among the ruins of an 18th century colonial plantation.

The less actively inclined simply do nothing, lie on the beach or get pampered in the resort’s spa, Kai Belté. There is a casual beachside bar and restaurant; on the hillside, a panoramic hillside lounge and two treehouses provide the romantic setting for candlelit dinners, with musical backdrops by local entertainers. Tranquility, Romance and Adventure at Anse Chastanet.

ANSE CHASTANET is St. Lucia's only resort property with the iconic view of both the Piti and Gros Piton mountains floating upon the Caribbean Sea. The location of the property is unsurpassed, a private estate of 600 lush tropical acres bordering two soft-sand Caribbean beaches with pristine coral reefs just offshore. The resort property includes the historical plantation of Anse Mamin and Emerald Estate where the resort grows its own organic produce.

Standard
When booking standard category, please know you could be located on either hillside or beachside - the category is based on "run of house" principle which may lead to a complimentary upgrade to superior or beachside deluxe location, at the Resort's discretion but never guaranteed.

The standard rooms have either coralina tiles, clay tiles or tropical hardwood floors, glass or wooden louvered windows, balconies with varying views. Average size: 350 sq ft

All rooms have king size beds, ensuite bathrooms with sink, shower and toilet. Upon request, extra bed or twin beds can be provided.

In room amenities include fridge, tea/coffee/espresso makers, in-room electronic safes, hand made bathrobes, slippers, hair dryer, Molton Brown amenities, free WiFi, twice daily housekeeping service with complimentary bottled water.

Superior
Anse Chastanet’s Superior rooms are located at various levels on the hillside and they are octagonal or rectangular in shape.

The superior rooms have either coralina tiles, clay tiles or tropical hardwood floors, glass or wooden louvered windows, balconies and beautiful views of the Pitons and/or the Caribbean Sea. Average size: 400 sq ft.

All rooms have kingsize beds, ensuite bathrooms with sink, shower and toilet. Upon request, extra bed or twin beds can be provided.

Deluxe Beachside
All of Anse Chastanet's beachside rooms are deluxe category rooms. The beachside deluxe rooms are generous in space, with coralina or clay tiles and wooden jalousie louvre windows and large balconies or patios. All beachside rooms offer a tropical garden view and are just a few feet away from the beach and water's edge.

The beachside deluxe rooms at Anse Chastanet are air-conditioned. This is an optional feature as louvres can instead be opened for natural air flow. Average size: 750 sq ft

All rooms have kingsize beds, ensuite bathrooms with 2 sinks, shower and toilet. Upon request, extra bed or twin beds can be provided.

Hillside Deluxe
The spacious hillside deluxe rooms are located at various hillside levels with beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea and/or St.Lucia’s Pitons.

Some hillside deluxe rooms have the fourth wall missing entirely whilst others have wooden louvre walls and open room dormers allowing for excellent natural airflow.

Some of the Hillside Deluxe rooms have a formal separation between bedroom and living room, others are wide open spaces flowing into each other, with either coralina tiles, clay floor tiles or tropical hardwood floors, with patios and/or balconies. Average size: 700 sq ft

All rooms have kingsize beds, ensuite bathrooms with 2 sinks, shower and toilet. Upon request, extra bed or twin beds can be provided.

Premium Hillside
Anse Chastanet’s Premium rooms offer picture postcard perfect views of the St.Lucia’s Pitons – a Unesco World Heritage site- and the surrounding Caribbean Sea by virtue of their location on the higher hillside level.

Some Premium rooms have the fourth wall missing entirely, whilst others have wooden louvre walls which open to balconies/patios.

All rooms have kingsize beds, ensuite bathrooms with 2 sinks, shower and toilet. Upon request, extra bed or twin beds can be provided. Average size: 700 sq ft.

Piton Pool Suite “Casuarina”
Exquisitely finished with coralina stone tiles and hand crafted furniture made from tropical hardwoods. Casuarina is nestled amidst lush foliage in a private hillside setting at Anse Chastanet Resort, facing towards St Lucia’s famous Pitons mountains and the Caribbean Sea. The spacious bedroom with walk in closet opens to a 420 sq ft open walled patio-living room area. The grand bathroom with Pitonview features a “Couples” Shower with “His" and “Hers" rain shower heads. Casuarina has a private 160 sq ft pool surrounded by a pool deck of 135 sq ft.

Upon request, the suite can be connected to a second room, creating an inter-connecting two bedroom two bathroom suite.

The Beach House
The Beach House at Anse Chastanet is located on the north corner of Anse Chastanet beach where you can sit and relax, looking out over the sparkling Caribbean Sea, watching sunsets year round from your elevated brick deck in the landscaped oceanfront garden. The interior is bright and airy, bathed in warm Caribbean sunlight shining through its French doors and windows.

The interior decor of the Beach House is a celebration of Saint Lucia’s heritage which saw the island change hands between the French and the British 14 times. From the beach level next to the flower garden, you walk up a few hand-hewn stone steps, across your personal stone-column, gated bridge, onto the brick pathway, with its wind sculpture and antique sundial, leading to your spacious 450 square foot covered patio (1600 sq ft total). To rinse off sea salt and sand, simply dip under the outdoor shower adjacent to the brick pathway. The covered patio has a garden and roses on one side and an herb garden, flowers and a water feature on the other.

The expansive bathroom off the main living area features two large, rectangular white porcelain pedestal sinks with inset mirrors and glass wall sconces. A large, open custom rose glass tile shower area provides you with two rain showers, bench and an additional hand held shower. A cast-iron clawfoot slipper tub is set in front of a garden window with a view of the unique water fountain and pond, with water lilies and Koi fish.

In room amenities include air conditioning, fridge, tea/coffee/espresso makers, in-room electronic safes, hand made bathrobes, slippers, hair dryer, Molton Brown amenities, free WiFi, twice daily housekeeping service with complimentary bottled water.

Snorkeling
ANSE CHASTANET is situated in the heart of the St. Lucia marine reserves and virtually surrounded by most of the island's coral reefs which are excellent not only for scuba diving but also for snorkelling. Snorkelling can be enjoyed right off the Anse Chastanet beach. The Anse Chastanet reef starts just 10 yards beyond the water's edge. The reef's remarkable ecosystem offers an amazing profusion of unusual tropical marine life in shallow calm and clear water. Anse Chastanet Reef is home to more than 150 different species of fish. Anse Chastanet guests can obtain snorkel equipment on complimentary basis from the scuba centre at the south end of the beach. Snorkelling can be enjoyed unsupervised at the south and north end of the bay. In addition, guided boat snorkel trips are offered to other nearby reefs at a small charge.

Windsurfing and Sunfish Sailing
The Anse Chastanet watersports center located at the north end of Anse Chastanet beach offers guests on a complimentary basis windsurfs and sunfish sailing boats. The resort beach attendants are able to provide beginner lessons if required. Being located on the calm Caribbean side of the island, the tropical breezes are gentle and easy to manage.

Ocean Kayaking
"Sit on top" easy to use kayaks are available on a complimentary basis from the Anse Chastanet watersports center. In addition, and against a charge, Anse Chastanet guests can also enjoy special "sit in" Prijon sea kayaks with our kayak centre KAYAK ST. LUCIA. The prijon kayaks feature rudders, ergonomic seats, knee braces and carbon fiber paddles.

Professionally trained guides provide first class training to newcomers to this sport. The first part of the beginner’s course is a fun learning experience on and in the water. Learn techniques on how to safely exit and re-enter kayaks on open water, basic paddle strokes and balance, as well as dry entry/exit from shore. Once the theory is completed, the fun begins: Don your PFDs, Personal Flotation Devices and paddle up the coast over reefs to examine the weathered volcanic cliffs that give St. Lucia its renowned rugged beauty.

Jungle Biking with Bike St Lucia
Whether or not you are an absolute novice or experienced rider, Bike St. Lucia's exclusive 12 miles of private trails through the tropical jungle located on the grounds of one of St. Lucia's first colonial plantations, Anse Mamin, are "unique in the world of mountain biking" according to Tom Bierl, editor of Bike magazine. Bike St. Lucia's custom trails were designed to accommodate both the first time rider and the experienced rider on Cannondale suspension bikes. Bike St. Lucia also offers a skills area where you have the option to learn the secrets of successful techniques used by experts under the watchful eye of an instructor before exploring the trails.

For the experienced rider, single track loops were built to challenge their skills. The test editor of Rodale's mountain biking magazine, Matt Phillips, who tested the trails a few months ago, considered the entire setting to be simply "incredible".

In addition, each rider is issued a bell helmet meeting all industry safety standards, and a complimentary souvenir Cannondale/Jungle Bike water bottle. There is a 4,000 square foot covered bike facility and retail center on site for guest convenience and safety, and there also are trail patrol staff. Everyone receives a trail map and signs mark the trail areas according to experience levels recommended.

Guests will have the opportunity to see the 18th century French colonial ruins of a sugar mill, and old church, a 3 million gallon freshwater reservoir among others. There is an abundance of vegetation, including wild orchids and there is also a good variety of birds to be observed. For cooling off, there is even an old-fashioned river swimming hole.

Excursions
ANSE CHASTANET is located near most of St. Lucia's most important sightseeing attractions: The Sulphur Springs, St. Lucia's famous walk-in volcano, the Louis XVI Mineral Baths, the Tropical Rain Forest and the famous Twin Pitons - all these sites are within a short distance of ANSE CHASTANET.

In addition to the great variety of resort activities available on the 600 acre resort property itself, ANSE CHASTANET offers a daily exclusive excursion schedule for resort guests to sign up for and partake in. Excursions can also be arranged on a private basis. Excursions are offered both by land and by sea. Helicopter tours can also be arranged, as the resort has its own helicopter pad. For the truly unstoppable, island day hopping is also available, to the island of Martinique or to the Grenadines.

Very popular with Anse Chastanet guests are the half day, full day and sunset cruises offered on the resort yacht 'Searenity', a 42' v-hull sailing vessel. Very often, schools of dolphins can be seen swimming alongside.

Once a week the resort double decker motor catamaran Lucky T takes guests out on a " Jazzy Champagne Sunset Cruise ", with live music by one of St.Lucia foremost saxophone players. This is a lively event with many of the guests dancing into the sunset on the upper deck. The Lucky T or one of the smaller motor boats take guests Zip Lining, a new and popular excursion on the east side of the island, reachable by a combination of watertaxi and land taxi and well worth the time spent to get there.

The very fit and active may consider one of the Rainforest Hikes or even climbing Gros Piton itself.

No St. Lucia visit is complete without a visit to St. Lucia's famous walk-in volcano, the Sulphur Springs and the waterfall and botanical gardens part of the Louis XVI Mineral Baths. Why not take a bathing suit along and soak away in the small pools with hot spring water.

There are many more excursions available including deep sea fishing, whale watching, horseback riding, around the island tours, tours to Marigot Bay, the island capital of Castries and to the North of the island including a visit to Rodney Bay and Pigeon Island National Park. The 18 hole Cap Estate Golf & Country Club welcomes non-members and also is located in the very North of the island. The resort can arrange a water-land taxi combination to get there.

Anse Chastenet is in the heart of St.Lucia's very best diving: the entire region surrounding ANSE CHASTANET is vested into an award winning marine reserve (SMMA) which has been established since 1995 to protect the pristine beauty of St.Lucia's coral reefs.

SCUBA ST LUCIAis a PADI 5 Star Dive Operations and DAN (Divers Alert Network) Partners in Dive Safety facility, located at the south end of ANSE CHASTANET beach. Founded in 1981, Scuba St.Lucia has established itself as one of the world's top diving destinations. Scuba St.Lucia offers great diving and comprehensive facilities for divers of all levels.

Perfectly set up for both beach and boat dives, Scuba St. Lucia offers guests gear storage; a well- equipped scuba store; three compressors; rental dive gear and an underwater Photo and Video center. All dives offered by Scuba St Lucia are guided by an instructor or dive master to maximize diver safety and enjoyment.

The Diving
The Anse Chastanet reef starts just 10 yards beyond the water's edge. The reef's remarkable ecosystem offers an amazing profusion of unusual tropical marine life, in 20 to 140 feet of calm, clear water. Anse Chastanet Reef which is home to more than 150 different species of fish makes for an amazing dive day or night. In the shallow areas be sure to keep your eyes open for peacock flounders, octopus, needle fish and turtles. Or drop down a little deeper over dense coral growth to see puffers, moray eels, parrot fish, lobsters and even sea horses. A unique dive site for all abilities and especially good for macro photography

The shore dive is a required "first" dive for dive guests. It allows divers to feel ensured that all equipment is functioning properly, that their buoyancy skills are adequate for entering the marine reserve and to provide an orientation to the type of diving for which St Lucia is known. This reef is a favorite of most professional underwater photographers and videographers who visit Anse Chastanet.

The boat dives should also not be missed - dramatic walls beneath the majestic Piton Mountains, Superman's flight, a drift dive in the shadow of the Petit Piton, Coral Gardens and Jalousie under the Gros Piton, Piton Wall, the wreck of the "Lesleen M", Anse La Raye and Anse Cochon. Closer to home for the afternoon boat trips but no less spectacular sites, the diver can explore Fairyland, Turtle Reef, Grand Caille, Trou Diable, the Pinnacles and much more...

Night dives are offered at least twice weekly on Anse Chastanet's Reef, which really "wakes up" at night, with many interesting crustaceans on the move, large basket stars, sleeping parrot fish, octopus and squid, bioluminescence and the "THING".

Scuba Courses
Scuba St Lucia is an ideal place to learn to dive, with warm clear waters and a shallow, protected reef so close to the Dive Center. The introductory Scuba course is offered most days a week and Open Water Certification courses start every week. A full range of courses; Advanced Open Water, Rescue diver, Dive master, Assistant Instructor, Specialties, are available by arrangement. The pace in St Lucia is always slow and relaxed, but the diving, activities are efficiently organized with the minimum of fuss - the staff are very accommodating and will do their best to help out with "special requests".

The Staff
Scuba St Lucia has a talented and friendly multinational staff. Scuba St Lucia's local dive leaders are true professionals who have logged thousands of dive hours in the marine reserve and will show you the fantastic sights on the reefs.

Boats
Scuba St.Lucia operates with three dive boats: Miss Ina, Miss Bertha and Miss Ta Ta. The dive boats are all equipped with fresh drinking water, full safety equipment, first aid kits and a DAN Oxygen unit.

Compressors
Scuba St.Lucia recently upgraded their filling station by adding a BAUER SECURUS AIR SYSTEM. This is the first and only filtration system of its kind in St. Lucia providing the purest air quality available in the industry. There are two BAUER K14 and a BAUER K15 compressor supplying close to 40 cfpm. Nitrox is also available.

Scuba Tanks
Scuba St. Lucia has over 200 Aluminum scuba tanks in both 63 cu.ft. and 80 cu.ft. All tanks are tested and serviced on a regular basis to ensure top quality and safety.

Equipment Rental
The rental facility is fully equipped with the latest scuba gear: Scuba Pro regulators with Octopus, low pressure Inflator, depth and pressure gauge and our BCD's are from Seaquest/Aqualung and 3mm shorty wetsuits. Also available for rental to certified divers are masks, fins, snorkels and wetsuits.

All rental gear is serviced on a regular basis to ensure top quality and safety. The facility is equipped with four large freshwater rinse tanks with disinfectant inside and all gear is washed after each use.

Photo and Video
Scuba St. Lucia offers clients an underwater Photo and Video center with camera rentals and custom videos. Digital underwater cameras are also available for rental. The staff can assist with all camera and video needs as well as offer a range of courses such as Underwater Videographer and Underwater Photographer.