A Review of Windjammer Landing Resort

I am so over the cold weather we’ve been having so I’ve been reliving some of my past warm weather vacations as I hibernate at home to avoid having to go out in the snow and ice. Our last Caribbean adventure was to St. Lucia in December 2018 (pre-Arielle!) when we basically sat on a beach for seven days and enjoyed the hospitality of Windjammer Landing Resort. 

This beautiful secluded paradise is ranked #18 in Best St. Lucia Hotels and #17 in Best St. Lucia Resorts by U.S. News and it’s easy to see why. The resort features spacious beach front and hillside villas, luxury amenities and the staff is so personable and charming! 

Location 

Windjammer Landing is nestled along 60 acres of St. Lucia’s northwest coast of Labrelotte Bay, a beautiful location that features unparalleled views and beach access. But it’s secluded location can mean exorbitant transportation fees and it takes about an hour on the winding roads of St. Lucia to get to and from the airport. 

On our first trip our return flight was canceled and we had to be bussed to another hotel until our flight could be rescheduled and I got so car sick from traveling in the dark on the twisty, bumpy roads that Alex was scared I would end up in the hospital. I didn’t and we did eventually get home, but that was not fun. Luckily that did not happen on our second trip. As long as you can avoid any travel sickness the drive to Windjammer Landing is definitely worth it. 

My advice is to have your airport transportation to and from your hotel pre-booked and do your homework on the best rates as cabs and bus services charge a premium at the airport. 

The Resort

When you arrive at Windjammer Landing you are welcomed with a fruity cocktail (or mocktail as I enjoyed our second trip since I was 3 months pregnant) that you can enjoy as you check in. The lobby is open air and the walls are a pristine white stucco with accent tiles the color of the ocean. Several events are held in the lobby for guests throughout the week and with comfortable wicker and wood furniture, you could easily spend an afternoon reading (they also have several books available to borrow in the lobby). 

The Villas

Both times we have visited we stayed in Mediterranean-style villas carved into the hills of the bay. These villas can be sectioned off or opened up to accommodate one-, two-, or three-bedroom suites, making them perfect for both family/group vacations or a romantic getaway. Some have private pools like both of the villas we’ve stayed in, as well as full private kitchens and living rooms. There are also four-bedroom suites located at the top of the hill and you can make arrangements for a private chef to take care of all of your dining needs during your stay. One thing you can be sure off, all villas overlook the ocean and every unit has a front-row seat to the beautiful sunrises and sunsets of St. Lucia. 

Since the hill is extremely steep, when you want to leave your villa you must call for a shuttle to get to the lobby, restaurants, pools and the beach. While all of the drivers are wonderful, I would prefer to be able to move a bit more freely on the property but this isn’t really a large issue as the shuttles are usually very efficient. 

There are also several ocean-front beach houses that I have not had the opportunity to check out as they are newer additions to the property. While they offer better access to the beach, pools, and most of the restaurants, I wonder if they are as private and quiet as the villas up on the hill can be. 

The Beach

The resort offers exclusive access to 1,500 feet of white-sand beach on calm La Brellotte Bay. Non-motorized water sports like windsurfing, pedal boating, paddleboarding, tube rides, snorkeling, kayaking, and Hobie Cat sailing are complimentary. Kneeboarding, waterskiing, and wakeboarding require a fee. You can also enjoy windsurfing, sailing, and waterskiing lessons which can be arranged at the water-sports facility on the beach.

But my favorite beach activity is curling up on one of the many large lounge chairs beneath a rustic canopy with a fruity drink and a good book and you can do plenty of that during your stay at Windjammer Landing. I also enjoy lying in the water hammocks as a cool down after spending hours in the hot sun.

The Amenities

If you stay at Windjammer a visit to its 5,000-square-foot spa is a must. This amazing oasis has four treatment rooms and two couples suites, a private Japanese soaking tub and outdoor shower, steam rooms, relaxation lounge, and hair and nail salon. Both times Alex and I enjoyed a couple’s massage and both times we felt like we were in heaven. You can also take a yoga class or practice Tai Chi. 

If you’re not into the beach or if you have littles that are intimidated by the ocean the resort has six pools. The main pool is located right off the beach, there are another two that are perfect for small children, and then three others that are secluded on the hillside. 

If you are traveling with kids, the Jacquot Fun Club provides daily programs, such as puppet shows and tennis lessons, while the teens club activities range from water balloon competitions to jewelry making. 

You can also make arrangements for various excursions such as a Cocoa Fermentory tour, a visit to a local botanical garden or ziplining. And there is a “fun committee” that hosts daily games on the beach that you can compete in to win prizes like Windjammer tees and small bottles of rum (for those over 16 as that is the legal drinking age on the island). 

And for those of you who must stay connected with the outside world, complimentary WiFi is available throughout the resort property.

The Food & Drinks

With five on-site restaurants, there really is no reason to leave Windjammer Landing during your stay. 

Dragonfly, which overlooks the beach and main pool, serves buffet-style breakfast and dinner and they even have themed cuisine nights. Embers, a beach bar and grill, serves lunch and hearty snacks. This is where we ate most of our lunches and they offer a kid’s menu in addition to their extensive drink selections so this is a great choice for families. Jammer’s is another great option for lunch and it serves dinner as well. Upper Deck is a steakhouse and seafood grill that only serves dinner and would be considered the resort’s fanciest offering. Papa Don’s specializes in regional Italian cuisine, including pizza and pasta, and also has a kids menu. 

If you prefer to to make your own meals, most villas have kitchens and you can get most staples at the on-site bodega. There is a full grocery store about 10 minutes away from the resort and the front desk can call a shuttle. You can also make arrangements for a personal chef to handle all of your meals at Windjammer Landing. 

I already mentioned Embers beach bar but the resort has three other bars; 96 Degrees in the Shade is in a tiki hut on the shoreline and is the place to grab a drink when you are sitting on the beach. Papa Don’s also has a wine bar and Jammer’s is open until 1 a.m. and hosts nightly live entertainment. 

If you are traveling on a budget, I will say that eating and drinking at the resort can get expensive, so consider going with the all-inclusive option. You can opt to do the all-inclusive for only part of your trip. What we’ve done is planned our excursions and then arranged our all-inclusive package for the days we know we’ll be staying at the resort. That way we are getting the most out of everything. 

Final Thoughts

Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia, with its activities, spa, and restaurant offerings,  is the perfect place to sit back, relax and soak up the sun whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or if you’re planning a family trip. If you are looking for a place that is more centrally located, you may want to look elsewhere as you will need a shuttle to leave the property to explore Castries, the botanical gardens, and the Pitons. But if you are planning a trip where you alternate relaxation and adventure, Windjammer Landing is a fantastic place to be. What I love about the resort is that everyone there is so kind and helpful. When we can get back to traveling we’ll be happy to visit again. 

For more information check out Windjammer Landing’s website.