City Style and Living Magazine Blog: luxury hotels

A view of the Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), from Anse Chastanet

All smiles (and a few appetizers and sparkling wine) aboard the catamaran Lucky T on the Anse Chastanet Jazzy Champagne Sunset Cruise. Though we didn't spot any dolphins that day, we did see plenty of flying fish, bats (later that evening), and a spectacular pink and amber sunset while saxophone notes lingered in the air.

Chocolatier Peter at Anse Chastanet's sister property, Jade Mountain's Chocolate lab. Using cocoa from their own estate, Emerald Farm, the Chocolate lab creates bon bons, chocolate bars, chocolate coated nuts and other delicacies. To see the process from the beginning, another day, CSL spent the morning touring Emerald Farms with consulting chef Allen Susser spotting everything from mangoes (brought to the island by Indian labourers in the 19th century) to peppers, aubergines, orchids and of course, cacao.

Fond Doux Plantation and Resort Owners Eroline and Lynton are warm and gracious, and the resort offers luxurious plantation style cottages - an ideal wedding location! The lavish grounds are plentiful with fruit trees and winding pathways that feel like a tropical hideaway. This colonial house once stood in the capital of Castries before being moved piece by piece to its current location. His Royal Highness Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker-Bowles visit to the property was instrumental in putting the property on the map.

Modern interpretation of breezy gingerbread style cottages and a tranquil water feature at Boucan by Hotel Chocolat.
Near the nursery a flourishing lake (in the wet season) is verdant with brush and grass no water evident at this time of year, the "ridge" overlooking the ocean and piton is a great spot for a wedding, while the infinity pool with its ebony details makes for a perfect dip on a hot day.

A worker at Boucan by Hotel Chocolat's nursery shows off a fresh cocoa pod. Situated on Rabot estate, the hotel supplies beans to its parent company British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat. CSL was fortunate enough to have a bean to bar experience - literally. After a walk through the grounds to view the array of cacao trees, seeing how the cocoa is fermented and dried, CSL planted their very own cacao that may one day be used in the chocolate made here. From there, we hand ground our very own chocolate- makes you really appreciate the dark and rich treat!

Lunch at Boucan restaurant, cacao is creatively infused in every element at the restaurant - including a grinder filled with cacao nibs on the table, next to the ubiquitous salt and pepper! The stunning view of the Piton every morning was a delight!

A golden cast at Royal St. Lucia by Rex Resorts in Rodney Bay in northern Saint Lucia. Set on Reduit Beach, near bars, restaurants, and shopping, the hotel has a generous, friendly atmosphere.

CSL's modern and spacious room at Royal St. Lucia by Rex Resorts, which was newly renovated featured a separate living area and balcony, luxury bathroom and a king bed (beautifully decorated with fresh flowers no less).

An uber creative and delicious dish at La Chic at Royal St. Lucia by Rex Resorts from Executive Chef Eike Lauff's Chic supper club menu- Mahi Mahi gently steamed in a saffron peppercorn creme with mango ash pasta, sautois of zucchini and leek and watermelon caviar paired with a refreshing Jordan Estate sauvignon blanc.

Executive Chef Eike Lauff of Royal St. Lucia by Rex Resorts. At breakfast look out for the clay pot filled with local cocoa tea - the best we tasted on the island.

Little wonder the French and English fought over St. Lucia 14 times, dubbing this Caribbean island, the "Helen of the West Indies," (a reference to ancient Greek beauty Helen of Troy). In the south of the island the Piton Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lush tropical rainforest, one of the world's few drive-in volcanoes, sulphur springs (take a dip to keep up on your beauty regime) and recreational diving and snorkeling make it an active getaway.

In the north Reduit beach considered locally as the best on the island, shopping, restaurants, the local Castries market and several marinas make it a relaxing choice. Local patois is still alive, and the island is undergoing a cacao resurgence not only producing chocolate locally, but infusing cacao into its cuisine.

To maximize on the range of accommodation on the island, CSL chose three very different properties - Royal St. Lucia by Rex Resorts, Boucan by Hotel Chocolat and Anse Chastanet. Located, respectively from North to South of the island, each hotel was unique- from bean to bar cocoa experiences, to up close and personal views of the Pitons and relaxing days on the beach watching the sun set, there was plenty of things to do and many ways to experience la belle Helene. - Photography and Words by Kailash Maharaj and Shivana Maharaj

Read more in an upcoming issue of City Style and Living Magazine.

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The exterior of Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa, the Relais & Châteaux property which features 52 luxurious guest suites. The gorgeous location in Cambridge, Ontario is just one reason to visit.

Interacting with guests in the dining room, taking them on foraging tours on Langdon Hall's grounds and picking vegetables in the beautiful garden, Chef Jason Bangerter is electric as he speaks about food. "Being here has revitalized me," he says.

Recently awarded the 2015 Relais & Chateaux – Rising Chef Trophy, Chef Jason Bangerter creates a colourful plate of foraged ingredients as the focal point of a plate featuring farmer's hands.

The grounds feature a British style garden replete with flowers, fruits and vegetables.

A basket of freshly foraged ingredients for tonight's menu, in the background one of the hotel's water features.

Lounge chairs beneath a portico near the hotel's pool.

A sun room leads to the original residence (each room on the ground floor is now used for meetings and private events is decorated uniquely).

The hotel is a font of tranquility and relaxation.

'Terroir'- a visual and flavour feast of intoxiating herbs and berries foraged from around the property at Langdon Hall.

A path leads to the Spa (plans are in the works for a brand new spa and more rooms).

Afternoon tea served in classic British style by pastry chef Rachel Nicholson

Initially built as a country estate by wealthy American Eugene Langdon Wilks in 1902, Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa has all the grandeur of an old world chateau. Situated in Cambridge, Ontario the hotel's spectacular grounds feature a Victorian style garden, greenhouses, pool, and trails amidst Canadian forest. Flowers blossom at every turn, and native herbs grow wild in the surrounding primeval forest.

While the Hall itself is spectacular with its Federal Revival style architecture, the food inspired by local, seasonal ingredients is equally astounding. Chef Jason Bangerter uses the natural colours of locally foraged plants to offset white plates and infuses modern techniques and playful artistry in his food.

At the spa, an array of treatments help to revive the senses after a long flight. Our stable loft suite is spacious, with a sitting area and wood burning fireplace that makes it even more cozy.

Read more in the Winter 2015/16 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.

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Thursday, October 8, 2015

3 HOTELS IN ST. LUCIA THAT WILL MAKE YOUR EYES POP

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

11 WAYS LANGDON HALL WILL SPOIL YOU