Cap Maison Resort & Spa

The place

On an oceanfront cliff at St Lucia’s northern edge, near the yachting hub of Rodney Bay. The white three-story buildings carry a Spanish colonial air — closer to a small village on the Mediterranean coastline than a resort.

The 49 rooms, suites, and villas keep a white and wooden theme with retro-style furnishing. King-size bedding, a balcony or terrace, coffee facilities, free wifi. Some add a private rooftop and a pool, the Caribbean panoramic below.

An outdoor pool with loungers, a fully equipped fitness center, and a private beach for kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing, and snorkelling. The Sandals Golf and Country Club is minutes away.

The kitchen is a draw of its own. The Cliff at Cap, led by chef Craig Jones, works a Caribbean and French fusion menu counted among the region’s best; The Naked Fisherman, beside the beach, keeps to BBQs and grills.