Endless Summer, volcanic rocks and stunning beaches: Discover St Lucia

It had been a full-on day and a great introduction to the island, but with only a week to spend in paradise we were keen to retreat to the beach the next day for some RR. Luckily, Windjammer Landing boasts one of the best beaches in St Lucia, the picturesque Labrelotte Bay, where we whiled away blissful hours under the shade of the swaying palms.

In-between, we kept ourselves refreshed with Fruit Passion cocktails and enjoyed long lunches at Jammer’s (one of five alfresco restaurants), on the beachfront. 

It’s a family-friendly resort, the vibe relaxed and traditionally Caribbean, and is ideally located five miles south of the capital and just 10 minutes from buzzing Rodney Bay, with its restaurants and duty-free shops. The 42 rooms and 116 suites and villas – all within attractive whitewashed villas, with red-tiled roofs – are dotted, Mediterranean style, over the hillside and it feels more like a village than a hotel. 

Our one-bedroom Hibiscus Suite was large and luxurious, with a separate kitchen and living room, set up high with panoramic views over the ocean (though shuttle buses run to and from, to save your legs). But best of all was the expansive balcony with a plunge pool.

Currently, the resort is being updated and expanded in parts, and has recently opened its ultra-luxurious The Spa at Windjammer Landing, spread across 6,500 sq ft. There’s a gym and studio, outdoor yoga deck and six treatment rooms, with an eye-popping treatment menu. I paid a visit on our last day, where I enjoyed a full-body Signature Massage, the masseuse using hot stones and cool bamboo to knead out knots and tension. 

Sleepily, I headed back to our hilltop balcony to see the sun set – which had become an evening ritual – watching the sky turn crimson and listening to the hypnotic chirp of crickets and frogs in the lush foliage. 

We had come here looking for rest, relaxation and rum punches on the beach, but along the way we had discovered an island of astounding natural beauty – and it is this that really sets St Lucia apart from its Caribbean neighbours.

Way to go:  Caribtours (020 7751 0660, caribtours.co.uk) offers seven nights from £959pp at Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort; windjammer-landing.com. This is for two adults sharing an Ocean View room on a room-only basis, including return flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick, private transfers and use of a UK airport lounge. This includes a saving of up to 45 per cent for travel from January 4 to December 20, 2016. Offer is valid until January 31, 2016. For more information on St Lucia, visit saintluciauk.org.