St. Lucia's premier resort still has the right stuff, and good bones—both natural and manmade—have a lot to do with it. The open-air rooms and villas are terraced into a lush hillside, and it's a steep 103-step descent to the resort's azure cove and white-sand beach. Some tree-top units feel like rain-forest gazebos, a wonder to sleep in during a good rain. Several offer stupendous views of the Pitons and the blue Caribbean. Those with mobility issues may prefer a room down on the beach, which come with hammocks and private patios. All rooms are attractively furnished with wooden jalousie windows or walls, clay tile floors, original art, and madras-cloth accents. 


Anse Chastanet offers all-inclusive meal plans, spa and honeymoon packages, and dive packages that take advantage of the resort location—the Marine Reserve is a 2-minute boat ride away. You don't have to go anywhere to see plenty of marine life, however; the snorkeling right off Anse Chastanet beach is more than fine. Water taxis deliver guests from the resort into the heart of Soufriere.