Saint Lucia’s Ladera Reopens with New Dining and Wellness Options

Following an extensive multi-year transformation, Ladera, one of St. Lucia’s most iconic luxury resorts, has officially reopened.

The resort that overlooks the UNESCO World Heritage site Pitons, Ladera now features a brand-new rainforest wellness centre, redesigned suites and villas, and four new restaurants that celebrate local flavours. The refreshed property also introduces new staff uniforms created in collaboration with St. Lucian designers, eco-friendly electric Mini Moke vehicles to transport guests across the resort, and lush new landscaping

“We have the most special setting on all of the island: The resort was built on a ridge and it feels like you can reach out and touch the Pitons in either direction,” says Property Manager Eustace Augustine, who helped to build the resort and has been working at Ladera for 41 years. 

The 43-year-old resort first began as a restaurant and villa built on the site of the former Rabot Estate cocoa plantation, designed by visionary owner-architect John DiPol who unwittingly created an endearing legacy: the Caribbean’s first open-walled resort.

His restaurant Dasheene has since been named one of the “world’s most amazing restaurants,” which in the last 20 years under the direction of Chef Nigel Mitchel, became a pioneer in the farm-to-table movement known for its innovative takes on St. Lucian flavours, earning it multiple accolades including a James Beard Award.

“It would be hard to get closer to nature anywhere in the world,” adds General Manager Christian Gandara, “Ladera is total immersion, and our new renovation connects guests even closer to this St. Lucian paradise.”

The centerpiece of Ladera’s transformation is its newly built lévé Wellness & Spa, the 25,000-square-foot oasis with panoramic views of the rainforest valley, was created in partnership with the world renowned natural beauty and spa experts, ESPA. 

The new Jako Wellness Cafe at the spa fresh dishes, tropical smoothies and cold-pressed juices for breakfast and lunch and nutrition-packed meals using many ingredients grown on property.

Hideaway Rum Bar offers a candlelit Caribbean cave ambience, and an opportunity to experience small-batch rum producers from Saint Lucia and across the Caribbean, along with tapas and cheese plates, led by a “rummelier.”

An intimate dining experience was added to the Wine Room of Dasheene where guests can enjoy Chef Nigel’s island-inspired tasting menu (with gluten-free options), while they sample from one of the largest selections of wines on Saint Lucia with more than 170 meticulously curated options. 

For more information visit www.ladera.com.