Serenity at Coconut Bay – St Lucia All Inclusive Adult Only Resort

From North to South – Serenity at Coconut Bay, St Lucia:

Our penultimate day on St Lucia was busy.  Checking out of one hotel, we toured the island from North to South, via Hotel Chocolat and Government House, the official residence of the Governor-General of St Lucia. High up in the volcanic mountains, it’s surrounded by lush forests and protected by a gilded gate with Royal insignia. Built in 1895, it was originally used as the home and office of the Commissioners of Saint Lucia until 1958, then for the Administrators of the island.  Almost but not quite as luxurious as our final destination – a luxury suite resort!

Eventually, we reached our home for the night, just a five-minute drive from Hewanorra airport and our driver dropped us at what we thought was the reception for Serenity at Coconut Bay.  We were in completely the wrong place – this resort is bisected by a private road – on one side is Coconut Bay, a sprawling traditional all-inclusive resort hotel with fabulous beaches.

On the other side is the all-inclusive luxury suite resort, Serenity at Coconut Bay, a pristine, newly opened adult only space with just thirty-six bungalows and its own pool, gourmet restaurant and bar, if that is you can bear to leave your accommodation which is self-contained, suite style, with a large private courtyard.  Oh, and just in case you need anything you’ll get your own butler and a special phone to call him on.

Your butler will take you and your luggage to your bungalow.  Each one comes with a private plunge pool.  Mine was large enough to float around on one of the two lilos – and there was an aquatherapy jet capable of de-stressing the knottiest of shoulders.  We arrived late afternoon, but I just had to go for a dip. I was glad for my luxurious Institut Esthederm sun lotion, which worked well both as a sunscreen and as an after sun and stopped me getting burnt.

My room also had a massive jacuzzi bath inside, a comfortable lounge area and a sumptuous bed with pop-up TV screen (that I didn’t use).  There was a Bose Bluetooth music system so that you could connect up your iPhone and stream your own music and a wonderful selection of Molton Brown toiletries that made me feel right at home.  Robes and slippers too, of course, a kettle and a coffee machine.  Behind the bed, a small screened-off vanity area/desk was a discrete place to work or put on makeup away from the main bathroom facilities.

But, back to that space which Americans would call ‘my yard’.  It came with its own bar – stocked with beer and soft drinks a bottle of fizz and fresh drinking water.  Had I wanted more to drink the all-inclusive service meant I just needed to call my butler.  There was a smoothie machine too, though I had no intention of making my own pina colada, I can see if you were staying for more than a night it would be great to have that option.  There was a hammock strung across two trees.  And, a cute cabana to sit and read in the shade.  Oh, and just in case the bath and shower inside the bungalow weren’t enough, an outdoor shower to cool off under.

It was, in short, the perfect space to chill.

There was a comprehensive room service menu, but I wanted to try out the restaurant in the Great House which looked rather special.

I wasn’t disappointed and enjoyed a three-course dinner with wine by the pool.  Like The Royalton, the adult only part of Coconut Bay prides itself on gourmet food.

After an excellent night’s sleep and breakfast at the Great House, I went for a walk around the pretty tropical gardens, watching the butterflies and hummingbirds at work before enjoying a light breakfast on the terrace looking out over the main pool area.

And, wandered over to the original resort to take a look.  For those with families or looking for a livelier environment, this would be a good place to stay – with seemingly endless things to do.

There’s a beautiful shoreline and for Serenity guests, a butler service to take you to beach cabanas should you wish to relax by the sea.  Personally, I didn’t want to do more than walk along the shoreline for a while, the facilities back at Serenity were too good to miss.

Time for a poolside Pina Colada and lunch.  Serenity has its own pretty and quiet outdoor pool lined with loungers and cabanas and there’s an outdoor bar and cafe to complement the formal service in The Great House.  There’s also, apparently, a full-service spa.  But, we didn’t have time to try that.

Would I go back?  Yes, like a shot.  While I’d like to pretend that I’m an intrepid traveller, I do like comfort and this very exclusive space was just so private and special that I’d love to have stayed for a week or more.  It’s probably not the best place if you want to party – while the Great House had a lively nighttime bar, I suspect it might just be too quiet for some people.  But for me, that peace and quiet was the best aspect of Serenity at Coconut Bay.  As for being a Luxury Suite Resort, it seemed to me that it offered far more – a true home from home in your own, exclusive chalet bungalow.

Fact box

I travelled as a guest of the St Lucia Tourism Authority. For more information about where to stay and what to do, check their website.
I stayed at  Serenity at Coconut Bay
I flew to St Lucia with British Airways. Non-stop flights from London Gatwick take around eight and half hours. British Airways flies to St Lucia seven times a week.