Rendevous St. Lucia

Few would argue that jetting off to the Caribbean is the quintessential honeymoon escape. Blessed with powder-soft sands, warm waters teeming with tropical fish and endless sunshine, the region has all the crucial ingredients for a holiday of a lifetime.

Where should we go?
While there's dozens of postcard-perfect islands to daydream over, St. Lucia in the West Indies is amongst the most popular. Nicknamed ‘Little Hawaii’, the stunning island combines pristine beaches and dramatic mountains - including a drive-in volcano! - with luxury resorts for a honeymoon you'll treasure in the years to come. Winter is dry season, making it the perfect time to go; average temperatures reaching the balmy mid-20s during the day, falling a few degrees after sunset.

Where should we stay?
Situated on Malabar Beach (the island’s longest stretch of sand) is Rendezvous, an all-inclusive, couples-only boutique resort with a lazy river pool, seven-acre garden and the Spa in the Water Garden, a temple of wellness where newlyweds can recharge wedding-worn batteries at the hands of expert therapists.
Self-described as 'The Boutique Hotel for Couples', the five-star Rendezvous is truly built with couples in mind. There’s double sunbeds to curl up on together, Jacuzzis with just enough room for two and candlelit dinners under the star-strewn Caribbean night sky, all a simple request away.
Offering only 100 rooms and suites to maintain an air of intimacy, a stay at the Rendezvous is a truly personal experience, in contrast to larger resorts where you can easily become just another face in the crowd.

What’s best for couples?
The Seaside and Verandah suites are spectacular. They’ve recently undergone serious revamping and as their name hints, they sit right on the golden sands of Malabar Beach. With five types of luxury rooms, there’s a style for any couple.

Spa Bliss
Set in the former owner’s home, the spa is in the centre of the resort yet offers a hideaway for honeymooners. Treatments include specialist massages, facials and body treatments. The Bamboo Massage, which can be experienced as a couple’s massage, involves hot bamboo sticks rolled across tense muscles, leaving you feeling blissfully revived and relaxed. Retreat to the nearby hot tub for the ultimate in island relaxation.

Foodie Fun
The Trysting Place offers candlelit intimacy while the Terrace Restaurant takes you on a gastronomic voyage by the beach. The jewel in Rendezvous’ crown is the brand new Malabar Beach Club. Fresh from $12.5m renovation works, diners are set right on the golden sands of the beach for a true island-style dining experience. À la carte menus rotate every three days so you’ll always get to savour something new.

The Rooms
Adorned with contemporary Caribbean décor, all suites come with patios from which you can soak up the magnificent views. Comfort is king; you’ll find polished teak coffee tables and chairs while the four-poster maple bed sits pride of place in the master bedroom, just feet away from the lapping waves of the sea.

To Do List
The hotel’s team of friendly staff organise a daily schedule of events to allow you to mingle with your fellow guests, but are respectful of your privacy if all you want to do is luxuriate in the peace and quiet of paradise. Take your pick from volleyball and table tennis or try a beachside yoga class for a little zen. Watersports feature highly – there’s everything from catamaran, kayaks and waterskiing. Rendezvous also has a scuba diving centre which arranges PADI courses and daily snorkelling trips in the beautiful marine park.

The Khush Verdict
The Rendezvous’ exceptional team make you feel more at home and more looked after you could possibly imagine. Nothing is too much trouble, and they take care to remember details like your name, your favourite cocktail and how you like your eggs prepared in the morning – personal touches that are the hallmark of high-quality customer service. The resort is small enough to feel at ease in, but large enough to escape the world. The enchanting atmosphere and easy charm of Rendezvous is what honeymoon dreams are made of. It’s the standard to hold all other Caribbean hotels up against.­­­

www.theromanticholiday.com