A Sublime Oasis in St. Lucia at Viceroy’s Sugar Beach

Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, is a former sugarcane plantation on the west coast of St. Lucia, just outside the town of Soufriere. Built into a mountainside overlooking a pristine white beach between the majestic Gros and Petit Pitons (St. Lucia’s famous twin peaks), the resort offers a wealth of choices for both adventure-seeking and sun-soaking families.

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View from grand luxury villa

Family-Friendly Review of Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort

Accommodations

All of the guest rooms, bungalows, villas and residences are clustered amid lush foliage to provide privacy and embrace the natural surroundings. The one-, two- and three-bedroom Grand Luxury Villas are perfect for families. They have gracious plantation-style architecture with pure white decor, and four-poster beds swathed in mosquito netting complemented by dark hardwood floors.

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Sunporch at grand luxury villa

We stayed in a one-bedroom Grand Luxury Villa with a fabulous sun porch, a luxurious rain shower, a private plunge pool and a sprawling deck with breathtaking views. The resort also has one- to five-bedroom residences for larger families or those who prefer the convenience of a full kitchen, a sizable pool and a living room.

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The pool is nestled between Gros and Petit Piton

Amenities

Butler service is available to every guest. Our butler, Mosiah, was phenomenal at anticipating our needs without being intrusive. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when he suggested that he unpack for us while we went to lunch. He also packed for us on our departure day — what a nice way to end the vacation!

Villas are high on the hill above the main resort area and a good 10-minute walk to the beach and pool, so guests can call for a tuk-tuk or shuttle via in-room two-way radios.

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Tuk Tuk rides were a huge hit with the kids

There’s no lack of swimming options at Sugar Beach: the resort pool, with a magical setting between the Pitons; private plunge pools for every room; and, of course, the stunning Caribbean Sea. 

Two complimentary kids’ clubs keep kids of all ages entertained. The Sugar Club, for kids ages 4-12, has fun, supervised activities such as coconut bowling and treasure hunts. The Spice Club is a cool hangout for tweens and teens, with everything from table tennis to pinball machines and video games. They also have special activities like tennis and billiards tournaments and kayaking.

The award-winning Rainforest Spa is an absolute must, and offers children’s treatments for kids as young as 5. We indulged with a couples massage in one of the treehouse cabanas with a private watsu pool for relaxing afterward — pure nirvana.

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View from Terrace Restaurant

Dining

There are plenty of dining options on the property, and the food was so good we never felt the need to leave the resort. Bayside Restaurant offers a relaxed beachfront setting for lunch and dinner; breakfast is served in the Terrace Restaurant, overlooking a tranquil lily pond.

Our favorite dining experience was using the iPad in our villa to order room service. Enjoying dinner on our deck while watching the gorgeous sunset is a memory we won’t soon forget.

TIP: Food is expensive, so families may want to consider booking one of the meal plans, from breakfast only to all-inclusive.

Activities

The well-equipped water sports center offers everything from snorkeling gear to Hobie Cats. In addition to setting guests up with equipment, the friendly staff is happy to rescue novice paddleboarders who have gone out too far. Kids ages 10-17 can take sailing lessons at the Sugar Beach Youth Sailing Club. 

The resort has one of the best PADI-certified dive centers on the island, adjacent to the National Marine Reserve, which has some of the top diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean. Guests can also try snuba, a cross between snorkeling and scuba.

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Best way to explore the island is a sunset cruise on the Manatee

Excursions

Depending on their fitness level, families can take a guided hike in the Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views from the top are amazing, and there is nothing more satisfying than gazing at the peaks from a poolside lounger and being able to say you’ve climbed them. 

Butlers can arrange a private or group evening cruise on the resort’s sloop, the Manatee, from which you might catch sight of dolphins as the sun sets. Guests can also choose to explore the world’s only drive-in volcano, with bubbling mud pools and sulfurous steam. After bathing here, some visitors slather themselves with mineral-rich sulfur mud, excellent for the skin.

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Magical sunset

Location

JetBlue flies direct from New York to Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort, about 45 minutes from the resort. United Airlines flies direct from Newark.

Want Help Booking a Room at Viceroy’s Sugar Beach or Planning a Family Vacation to St. Lucia?

We can help! Our Family Vacation Consultants can work with you to plan an unforgettable custom itinerary, including accommodations, kid-friendly tours and guides, activities, and more. Send a request from the complete family-friendly review of Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort in the CB! Hotel Collection or visit CB! Vacation Consultants to get more details and send us a request.

Relevant Links:

Best family resorts and things to do in the Caribbean with kids

Family-friendly review of Sugar Beach in the CB! Hotel Collection

Secrets to an affordable Caribbean vacation

Editor’s Note: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort offered Sandy a media rate to review the property for families. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Sandy Pappas.

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