My Winter Trip to St. Lucia: The Perfect Reset in Paradise
There’s something about starting the year with sunshine, ocean views, and a slower pace that just hits different—especially when you’re able to escape a snow storm at home lol :)
For the second year in a row, my husband and I kicked off January with what we’re now calling our annual reset trip. It’s essentially a few days away from work, parenting four kids, and the everyday hustle to simply reconnect, relax, and explore somewhere beautiful. This year we chose St. Lucia, and it was such a full circle moment. The last time we visited the island was back in 2009 for our honeymoon, so it felt really special to return and experience it again together.
Before the trip, someone I know who’s originally from St. Lucia shared a list of places we should check out. Her recommendations were so helpful that I’m hoping sharing our experience does the same for you if you’re planning a trip to the island.
Here’s a full recap of our St. Lucia getaway, including where we stayed, what we did, and the spots I’d absolutely visit again.
Arriving in St. Lucia: What to Know Before You Land
One of the first things you should do before arriving in St. Lucia is complete the immigration form online. It’s required upon entry, and filling it out ahead of time will save you a little time once you land.
We flew into Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) and arranged private transportation with Amstar to take us to our resort. If you’re staying in the northern part of the island like we were, just know that the drive from the airport is about 75 to 90 minutes. The scenery along the way is beautiful, but it’s definitely a long and winding ride.
Before heading out, we grabbed a quick snack from the small restaurant right outside of the airport. We ordered a beef patty and a chicken patty, and honestly, nothing hits like a good Caribbean food. It was the perfect start to our trip before settling in for the drive to the hotel.
Where We Stayed: Secrets St. Lucia Resort and Spa
Our resort was located on the northwest coast of the island in Castries, specifically on Choc Bay. We stayed at Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa because we are members of Unlimited Vacation Club (UVC), and this property is part of their network. The resort sits right on the beach and is conveniently located near Rodney Bay and the capital city, which made it easy for us to venture off the property.
Overall, we did enjoy our stay, but I probably wouldn’t stay here again. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t nice. There were definitely things I appreciated about the resort.
Our room was nice, and that’s always something that matters a lot to me when we travel. Our concierge was also incredibly helpful and gave us great recommendations for places to visit around the island. He even connected us with a driver who was friendly, knowledgeable, and made our day exploring the island really easy.
I also have to give a shout out to the coffee shop because the coffee was really good. That may seem small, but if you’re a coffee person, you know it matters. We spent plenty of time relaxing by the pool and taking walks along the beach, which was exactly the type of energy we wanted for this trip. And when it came time for a cocktail, my Chairman’s rum and coke never failed me.
One unexpected highlight was when our flight home was canceled because of a snowstorm back home. The resort was able to accommodate us for two additional days, and I wasn’t exactly mad about being stuck in paradise a little longer (although I did miss our kids).
The main reason I wouldn’t stay again comes down to the food options and overall resort vibe. The food selections were a bit limited and just okay overall. The hibachi restaurant was good, which is pretty standard at all-inclusive resorts, and the made-to-order omelets at breakfast were solid. But I would have loved to venture off the resort for breakfast or lunch, and there weren’t really any spots within walking distance.
When we choose all-inclusive resorts, I personally prefer for them to be brand new or no older than about five years. This one was recently renovated but still was cookie cutter in some areas. Overall, I’d give the resort about a 7 out of 10. It was a good stay, but we’ve visited other Caribbean resorts that felt more elevated.
Gros Islet Friday Night Street Party (10/10)
If you’re visiting St. Lucia on a Friday, you absolutely have to experience the Gros Islet Friday Night Street Party and Fish Fry. Our hotel arranged transportation for about $30, which made it easy since we didn’t have to worry about driving or finding parking.
When we arrived, the streets were packed with both tourists and locals, and you could instantly feel the energy. It was clear that this is the place to be on Friday nights. The entire strip is lined with bars and restaurants, and there was a DJ set up in the middle of the street playing music that had everyone dancing.
At one point they played Before I Let Go by Frankie Beverly and Maze, and that alone made my whole night.
The fish fry section runs like a well-oiled machine serving food quickly, even though the line was long. We ordered grilled barracuda with rice, and for $12 we got a huge plate. It was fresh, flavorful, and easily one of the best meals we had during the trip.
Between the music, the food, and the crowd, it was such a fun and memorable experience.
Rodney Bay Nightlife: Big Chef, Keebees and EDEN
Another evening we decided to explore the Rodney Bay area, which has a lot of restaurants and nightlife options. We started the night with dinner at Big Chef Steakhouse, which has more of an upscale steakhouse vibe. I ordered the Thai glazed short ribs, and they were a solid 10 out of 10. I would absolutely go back there again the next time we visit.
After dinner, we walked down the street to Keebees, which is a sports bar, and grabbed a drink there. From there we made our way to EDEN Bar and Lounge, also on the same street, to finish the night. EDEN definitely has more of a nightlife vibe with music, cabanas, a full bar, and food available. One thing to note is that the party doesn’t really get started until later in the night, so it’s best to arrive after 10 or 11 PM if you want the full experience.
Visiting Sugar Beach and Viewing the Pitons
One of the most memorable days of our trip was visiting Sugar Beach, which is located near the town of Soufrière on the southwestern side of the island. The beach sits in the Valley of the Pitons, directly between the island’s two iconic volcanic peaks, Gros Piton and Petit Piton.
Since the drive from the north side of the island is about an hour and a half, we hired a driver so we could make a few stops along the way. It ended up turning into a full-day adventure, and I’m really glad we chose to do it that way.
Along the drive we stopped at a few scenic viewpoints, including Horizon Cocktails Viewpoint. It’s a great place to grab a drink, take photos, buy spices, and use the restroom before continuing the journey. We also made a quick stop to try cassava bread, which was a fun local experience. But the real highlights were the waterfalls.
First we visited Toraille Waterfall, which has cool refreshing water and is surrounded by lush greenery. After that, we stopped at Piton Falls, where the water is naturally warm because of the volcanic minerals in the area.
Our final destination was Sugar Beach, which is connected to the Viceroy Sugar Beach Resort. To access the resort amenities, you can purchase a day pass or pay about $15–$20 to take the shuttle down to the beach. We opted for the shuttle.
The beachfront restaurant is open to the public, but we arrived right after 3 PM when they were transitioning to dinner service, so we missed the window to order food. Instead, we grabbed chicken sandwiches, snacks, and drinks from a small market on property. And let me tell you… maybe I was just hungry, but that chicken sandwich was so good.
After eating, we spent some time walking along the beach, taking photos, and looking at fish in the crystal-clear water from the dock. While we were there we saw a group boarding a yacht and a couple of party boats pulling in, which definitely made me think we’ll need to add a boat excursion to our list the next time we visit.
All in all, this trip was exactly what I needed. Between exploring the island, relaxing by the water, and enjoying the local food and nightlife, it ended up being the perfect way to start the year and reset. I look forward to coming back!
Let me know if this post was helpful or if you’ve been to St. Lucia, what else would you add to this list?
Until next time, keep going, growing and glowing!
Shalyce