Susan Emmett
A tree-house spa based in traditional Rastafarian-built huts that uses the island’s natural produce in treatments
USP: The new Rainforest Spa in St Lucia is not your usual wellness centre. As part of the ongoing US$100million transformation of the Jalousie Plantation (soon to be renamed Sugar Beach), the spa, which opened last December, has been well worth the wait. Nestled under a tropical canopy in a UNESCO world heritage site, the spa is formed by a cluster of little tree-houses where treatments using the island’s natural produce such as coconut, aloe vera and cocoa butter are the order of the day.
AMBIENCE: Rustic chic. Each of the thatched huts was built by local Rastafarian craftsmen from island-grown hardwood using the same traditional weaving techniques employed by the native Arawak Indians 900 years ago. The huts are joined by swinging walkways and suspended on stilts over a little stream that flows down from the Petit Piton, one of the two volcanic plugs at the south of the island. It’s all connected to the main hotel by a very long low-lit corridor woven out of dark local wood that literally forces you to slow down before you get to the main spa reception.
QUALITY OF THE EXPERIENCE: Totally blissful. I went for the deep tissue massage to sort out my sore legs after climbing 771 metres to the top of Grand Piton in the morning. It worked. My therapist, Vanelsa, soothed away aches and knots using nothing but locally-grown coconut oil. The sea breeze and nearby stream provide the perfect soundtrack. Further unwinding can be done in the Tamascal, an Amerindian steam dome, before jumping under an icy-cold outdoor shower.
IN-CROWD: You are unlikely to bump into anything resembling a crowd. It’s all very low key and private. The few people I saw padding across the walkways tended to be British or American mummies escaping their children on a beach for a few hours. That said, there were some small people about. The spa offers kids’ treatments from the age of five.
FOOD AND DRINK: The spa itself doesn’t do food. But there are plenty of options within the resort. The Bayside Restaurant on the beach serves wonderful smoothies and lots of fresh fish. The ceviche (the head chef is Mexican) is light enough to enjoy before or after a treatment.
WALLET WATCH: My full-body deep tissue massage cost US$130 (£79) for 50 minutes but a basic Swedish massage is $95. A sulphur and lime wrap is $100 while all manner of scrubs using cocoa, coconut and papaya cost the same. The Sulphur Seduction, a bizarre name for a treatment which involves a trip to the local volcanic sulphur springs, is $170 for three hours. The mud will leave your skin silky smooth though there is nothing seductive about the eggy smell of sulphur.
Look out for special offers. The hotel is currently offering a Spa Break Away deal at US$590 (£362) per night at a Superior Sugar Mill Luxury Room including breakfast for two. Every fourth night is free and includes one massage and one pedicure or manicure per stay.
