The first thing you notice as you step into a Sanctuary (note it’s a sanctuary, not a suite) at Caribbean resort Jade Mountain is the missing fourth wall – that’s right, you’re sleeping in the open air. The second is the unbelievable view of St Lucia’s two iconic mountains, Gros Piton and Petit Piton. 

It’s spectacular in every way, particularly the location high on a hillside in 600 wild acres. The architecture’s futuristic (think Bond movie lair), yet despite the modernism it still feels like you’re immersed in nature, with no TVs and the sounds of the forest and sea below.

So what’s it like inside? There are 29 sanctuaries, we stayed in a Galaxy Sanctuary with a four-poster bed swathed in mosquito nets, incredible infinity pool which shimmered with iridescent tiles and a vast bathroom on another level (literally). 

Beyond the initial wow factor, it was all the smaller details that made us swoon. For starters we were handed a mobile phone by our major domo (that’s Jade Mountain speak for butler) with their number already stored should we want for anything, which we didn’t because there were two fridges, one for our wine (!) and one filled with soft drinks and beers, including Jade Mountain’s own brand water, and a complimentary daily Bento box with sweet chilli fish skewers, fruit and slices of moist chocolate cake. 

Towels decorated with bougainvillea flowers were thoughtfully placed by our pool, a writing desk was stocked with interesting books and pens, yoga mats were rolled and ready for action and Voya toiletries had been lined up in the sublime bathroom, where a shower shot jets from above and the side and a chromotherapy tub with a view was filled with bubbles by our butler after sunset. 

Special touches at turndown included chocolates left by our bed in a crystal heart with a tiny note detailing how they are made – the resort grows and harvests its own cacao and there’s a chocolate laboratory on site – and a heart of towels and petals arranged on the bed. 

A chat with the hotel’s co-owner, Karolin Troubetzkoy, revealed some guests barely leave their Sanctuary, despite the resort having an intimate candle-lit restaurant and spectacular celestial rooftop terrace, where 7am yoga classes at sunrise and sunset cocktails are a great way to bookend the day. It’s little wonder so many celebrities check-in here, craving the privacy and discretion. 

Guests at Jade Mountain can also use facilities at Anse Chastanet resort further down the hillside. It’s set on lots of levels cascading down to a curve of soft volcanic sand and a house reef (popular with snorkelers and divers) and is a more laidback, colourful (and cheaper!) affair, with cute hexagonal rooms with handprinted ceilings, and a popular vegan restaurant as well as treehouse and beach dining. 

THE MUDDY VERDICT

It’s the ultimate honeymoon suite, but why should newlyweds have all the fun? We can’t think of anywhere better for a bucket-list stay, if only for a night.

From (drum roll) £1149 per night! For more details visit Jade Mountain.