Enchanting, surreal, luscious, exquisite, extraordinary. These are some of the words that come to mind when describing Jade Mountain Resort, Nick and Karen Troubetzkoy’s magnificent retreat in St. Lucia. Still, they don’t do the place justice.  Jade Mountain could easily be the most romantic and magical place on earth. From one’s first welcome to final farewell, all is done with an easy elegance that is understated but comprehensive.

Getting to Jade Mountain is an adventure in itself.  You have a choice of unpaved mountain roads, helicopter, or boat.  We arrived by boat with a beach landing where the soft black sand of Jade Mountain’s private beach welcomed us.  Our bags never touched the ground as they were taken from boat to shuttle. At one point I wondered if the person was going to carry me as well.

As we were approaching on the boat we looked up and saw at the top of the mountain what looked like an unfinished structure rising above the mountain. Moby Dick (our boat captain), told us that was where we would be staying. We wondered how what looked from the distance somewhat like an unfinished construction site could be a luxury hotel.

A short shuttle ride up the mountain brought us to arrival area, which reminded me of an unfinished barn which still begged the question, “Really? This is a luxury resort?” . We were greeted with cool mint scented towels and once again our luggage was whisked away before we even realized it.  As our butler, the incomparable Christus,  led us to our private sanctuary it was as if we were transported into another dimension. A series of walkways appeared, each leading to one of the retreats.  At Jade Mountain, your accommodations are not rooms, they are havens from the outside cacophony of the busy world.

As our butler opened the door to our sanctuary and led us in, my jaw dropped. It was the most incredible space I’d ever seen.  We were greeted by an extraordinary vista with a private infinity pool just steps away from our canopied bed, living room, and breakfast table, all surrounded by a stunning view of the St. Lucia Pitons.  A perfect place for a honeymoon for even the most discerning and demanding bridzilla, and a breathtaking welcome for everyone else.  The cool breeze of the mountains gently informed us that our room had no walls, or windows for that matter.  We were at one with nature while still surrounded in luxury.

Check-in is in your retreat. Your butler will discuss all the amenities and assist you in planning any activity you might desire.  We now understood why there are some who never leave their rooms. It is indeed a sanctuary.  There are no phones or television sets.  Although it is possible to get WIFI, the atmosphere is conducive to absolute rest and relaxation.  Even the whirlpool bathtub has a view.  To some it might be difficult to have a bathroom with no door or a shower with no wall; however, there is total harmony in the design and a freedom to really experience the setting.  Walls and windows would become barriers, a human cage that would reduce the glory that is Jade Mountain.

In the evening we chose to leave our sanctuary to eat at the restaurant.  A reservation, made by our butler, is a must as they have just enough tables to make the space feel engaging while not overly busy or crowded.  Perched atop the rest of the resort, the restaurant also has stunning views and food to match. We have traveled the world and the food at Jade Mountain rivaled some of the best we’ve had.  And the setting is perfect for a romantic dinner.

Jade mountain is a glorious getaway.  It is an oasis of calm, color, and joy.  If you do wish to leave your sanctuary, there are many activities to choose from.  A beautiful snorkeling reef abuts the beach and there is a plethora of water activities.  The property is home to two beaches, the second of which boasts the best hamburger on the Island, which of course we had to try, and it was good.

The owners of Jade mountain understand the requirements for restoration of mind, body and soul.  The food is often grown on their own farms and they even make their own Jade Mountain chocolate.  We took advantage of the opportunity to learn about how the chocolate is made, taste it, and even make our own bar of chocolate to take home.

Most of the guests at Jade mountain were couples celebrating honeymoons or anniversaries.  There is a stunning roof top area where small weddings can be performed.

The most difficult part of our experience was leaving.  Saying goodbye to our sanctuary was heart wrenching.  My husband is already trying to figure out when we can return.