Marigot Bay, Saint Lucia

Situated at Marigot Bay in Saint Lucia, one of the main locations for the movie Dr Doolittle, Capella Marigot Bay is no ordinary resort. From the moment you are collected from the airport to the moment that you leave, Capella offers a personal experience that I have not found anywhere else.

The founder’s vision was of a general caring hospitality, where guests are made to feel looked after and cared for, with staff that make you feel that they are just there for you, and the personal assistants do just that. From being greeted with a cold towel as you arrive, to every member of the Capella staff addressing you by your first name, these little touches made my stay a memorable one.

Named after the brightest star in the constellation Auriga, Capella treats each guest as a star and wears a star on their colourful attire to show that they are here for the guest. Each staff member is hired for their positive high energy and great work ethic, and make you feel incredibly comfortable, especially if you are here alone.

About Capella Marigot Bay

Everything here is carefully thought out, and privacy is one of the key elements with the property feeling exclusive. There are many private areas here so it never feels crowded, whether it is on a beach cabana at the infinity pool or within the library where you’ll find the personal assistants. Canopies and beverage tastings are found at the main pool in the late afternoons so you don’t even have to move from your cabana to try a hand-made chocolate or a sample of cold rose wine.

Unlike other resorts where you’re confined to the premises, Capella is in a special location and the green waters of Marigot Bay are just a short stroll away with a wooden bridge connecting you to the marina. Water taxis take you across the bay to a sandy beach where you’ll encounter the local people for a more authentic experience.

The Spa

The Auriga spa doesn’t just offer spa treatments, it offers the whole spa experience. Using indigenous products unique to St Lucia, treatments are given according to the cycle of the moon. A hot stone massage works more with pressure points and acupuncture and uses bamboo instead of hot stones – St. Lucia’s national plant, a natural element which their ancestors used to use.

The Rooms

Choose from Resort View Rooms & Suites, Bay View Rooms and Suites or for those ready to splurge, the Penthouse Suites. Each room or suite comes with a balcony, and mine overlooked the main pool. I stayed in the One Bedroom Bayview Suite, which had so much living space, I could live in it! Rooms can accommodate up to 5 people but being alone, a one-bedroom suite was just perfect for a solo.

Surrounded by lush scenery, all the rooms are inspired by the West Indies and with dark wood and hints of blues and greens.

Everything you could even need in an apartment is here, from cooking appliances to an expresso machine, and even a washing machine for washing your clothes. There is a lounge area with a flat screen TV & DVD and a Bose sound system for listening to your favourite tunes.

The kitchen is huge and perfect for a private chef dining experience. Even if you don’t stay in a suit, the standard rooms come with a fridge and expresso machine. My suite came with a jacuzzi which was just perfect for relaxing at dusk whilst listening to the sounds of the crickets, and admiring the green scenery.

For those looking for more privacy, the penthouse overlooks the resort, or the Bay View rooms offer a view of Capella Bay, so you can have a morning coffee and watch the yachts in the morning.

The Bathroom

The bathroom was large and had a walk-in rain shower, plenty of fluffy towels and amenities including shampoo, conditioner, soap, and mosquito spray, sewing kit, toothbrush kit and cotton buds and a white make-up bag with cotton buds.

There are two sinks to choose from, plus a dressing gown which I happily spent a few nights lounging around in.

Why I love it!

Being someone who likes to stay fit when I travel, I loved the fact that the gym was open 24 hours so that I could go early in the morning or late at night. There were also complimentary yoga mats so I could do yoga in the mornings. The Wifi was very fast and throughout the property so I could lay on a pool cabana and still be on the internet.

You can enjoy breakfast overlooking the marina. Plus the personal assistants arrange your itinerary before you even depart so you can have a personalised tour plan waiting for you when you arrive.

The Pros

• Complimentary soft drinks and a bottle of rum and cookies greeting you as you check into your room.
• Each afternoon they deliver plantain chips with a home-made salsa, and two local beers to your room.
• You can walk down to the marina within a couple of minutes.
• The mosquito net over the bed makes you feel like a princess.
• They have daily activities such as a body scrub making class where you can take home your very own body scrub.
• A turn down service each night with cookies left by your bedside.
• The Rum Cave with rums with various spices from old traditional St Lucian recipes.

The Cons: There aren’t any. Even if you are on a budget you can purchase food from the onsite shop to cook in your own kitchen so they cater for everyone.

Friendly Staff: Being a romantic location, I felt so welcome and part of the hotel. All of the staff said “hello, how are you?” each time they saw me and ones that I had met only once addressed me by my first name. The personal assistants are there for your every need. Reception even called to ask if I needed someone to collect my bags.

Location: There is something so special about Marigot Bay. It is such a peaceful location.

Cleanliness: So clean.

Security: St Lucia is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean and Capella feels incredibly safe.

Restaurants: There are three restaurants on site, as well as a shop where you can purchase food to cook. Or you can take a water ferry just a quick ride to any of the other five local restaurants in the bay.

What Is There To Do In The Area?

• Shop at the Saturday market in Castries.
• Take a boat across to the beach and enjoy a complimentary kayak.
• Take a trip to a nearby banana plantation.
• Visit the Rum distillery.
• The resort provides a free shuttle to a nearby beach but if you fancy laying on some sun on a sunday (when the boat doesn’t run), you can take a beach towel and hop across the bay to a stretch of beach where you can take a complimentary kayak on the water.

 

How to Get To Capella Marigot Bay

Take a taxi from the airport for US $35 or Capella arrange a VIP service for you for an additional cost.

Type of solo traveller: Those looking for a relaxing authentic personal experience.

TOP TIP: Visit in July for a cheaper room rate and very lush scenery.

My Conclusion

Capella have definitely achieved what they set out to and have provided the most special experience for the guest. This isn’t a resort. It is an amazing experience and one which will keep you wanting to come back for more. In my opinion it is one of the best St Lucia hotels.

How To Book – Find out more on the Capella Marigot Bay website.

N.b. My stay at Capella Marigot Bay was complimentary but as always, each opinion is my own. I only include the best accommodation for solo females within the hotel review section, and this resort and its experience blew me away.