A Ladera Resort travel guide based on our adventures.

After paying off our student loans we decided to go on a moneymoon (Phil made up the phrase!) We decided to also go for a more romantic getaway since our fifth wedding anniversary was also coming up.

Since we were in Tampa visiting our niece we decided the Caribbean was too close not to visit. After looking through several islands and resorts we decided on stopping by Saint Lucia so we could stay at the Ladera Resort.

We found the perfect compromise with a room in the mountains with a private pool allowing Kelsey plenty of fun in the sun and Phil plenty of time for watching sports. Our trip was perfect and even more than we imagined it would be.

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Where to Stay

Hilltop Dream Suite

All of the rooms at the Ladera Resort have an open, three wall concept. This means that the 4th wall is non-existent and instead you get an amazing view of the mountains and the ocean.

Every room comes with a free shuttle for the 45-minute ride to/from the airport and free breakfast every morning. There is also daily housekeeping, mosquito nets to keep out the bugs (although the amount of bugs is pretty low) and even turndown service.

We should mention all rooms are available for an all-inclusive rate but we decided the basic rate was better for us. Since we got free breakfast with our basic rate we decided buying one big meal a day plus snacks was cheaper. If you like going all out with three meals a day and lots of drinking, the all-inclusive may be better for you.

The room we decided on was the Hilltop dream suite and it was perfect! This room is not their top option but it was the perfect size for us. The private pool with a swing that faces outward to the mountains was, of course, a huge selling point. We also loved that we had both a downstairs and an upstairs.

The reason why we made the initial decision to try this room was that it not only had a private heated pool but a stocked fridge with beer and soda. For us, this room ended up being a better option than their top rooms but if you want a personal butler then maybe splurge on their fancier room option.

You really can't go wrong with any of the rooms but if you are looking to enjoy your own room, go for the heated pool as we did!

Where to Eat

Dasheene

This is the restaurant located on the property of the Ladera Resort. It has great food and an even better view. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner which all have a variety of options. There are alcoholic drinks as well as complimentary fresh-squeezed fruit juices in the morning along with coffee or tea.

They have plenty of seafood options but also have more ethnic cuisine native to the Saint Lucia Island. We also liked their mixed drinks because they had a cute topical vibe adding to our "beach vacation feel".

Some mornings a cute kitten would come to say hi. Since we were missing our cats this was a nice surprise. We would also get the occasional bird coming to see if we dropped any crumbs.

Hotel Chocolat

Located just across the street from the Ladera Resort, Hotel Chocolat is a perfect option for an off-the-resort meal. The Boucan Restaurant offers great seafood but also puts a chocolate twist on their food items.

If you stop by then make sure to get a dessert before you leave. We tried the chocolate mousse dish but we have heard rave reviews on the history of all of their chocolate dishes.

Hotel Chocolat is close enough to walk since it is located across the street. They have great service and are used to other hotel visitors coming in. We went for lunch and had the whole restaurant to ourselves but they do recommend you get a reservation.

What to Do

Yoga

Yoga is offered (for free!) at the Ladera Resort every morning Monday-Friday. There are also yoga mats in all of the rooms and a studio with blocks and straps to use.

Most of the yoga classes are offered in the pilates room but there is also a deck for more scenic yoga classes where you can listen to the birds and the trees blowing in the wind.

Kelsey is obsessed with yoga and did the class every morning with the most amazing yoga instructor who you can check out at Yoga with Mo.

Hiking

There is a small hike on the property with a perfect view of Petit Piton. The path leads to an observation deck where you can relax and enjoy the views. You can also keep exploring and find other cute gardens with plenty of swings.

You can also hike the Gros Piton Mountain but unfortunately, it will cost you for not only the ride there but also a tour guide. Because we didn't want to hike with a guide or pay for the ride we decided to just enjoy the view of the mountain from our room.

We hope our travel guide for Ladera Resort in Saint Lucia will inspire you and help you plan your next trip. Our time at the resort was unlike any vacation we have had.

It was the perfect mix of relaxation and a romantic getaway. If you ever find yourself planning a trip to the Caribbean then check out the Ladera resort so you can relax and spend time with a loved one. Happy Adventuring!

Click Here for Our Ladera Resort Travel Video Diary