I found it more than a little difficult to put my finger on exactly what makes Jade Mountain in Saint Lucia so incredibly special. Where to start? Well, it could be the bold, unique design of the luxury mountainside resort, the brainchild of Canadian architect and owner Nick Troubetzkoy, with its spiderweb of bridges (and stone-faced columns that reach for the sky) that lead guests to an array of suites, called sanctuaries, built on the green slopes of Morne Chastanet. It could be the spectacular view of the majestic twin Piton mountains — Petit Piton and Gros Piton, two volcanic plugs that have been designated a World Heritage Site — that rise from the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea a short distance from Jade Mountain .
It could be the five-diamond resort’s 29 individually designed, environmentally conscious sanctuaries, most of which come with a private infinity pool that offers an unobstructed view of the Pitons and the sea, and the three-walled layout that allows local wildlife — bird and lizards, nothing frightening — to become part of the experience. It could be the mouth-watering cuisine created by James Beard Award winner Chef Allen Susser at the Jade Mountain Club, one of a handful of restaurant options. Or the decadent chocolate made on-site from locally sourced cocoa beans.
It could be the romantic vibe that seems to encapsulate every aspect of the resort and its sister property, the 600-acre beachside estate and resort Anse Chastanet. And it could be t.