Upon our return from the Gros Piton hike, we dragged our aching bodies up to Jade Mountain’s Celestial Terrace.  Under a sweeping star-filled sky we enjoyed the sweeping panorama of the Pitons and the Caribbean Sea while being introduced to many of this fine hotel’s staff.  Dana struck up a conversation with the Spa Director (Linda) and proceeded to arrange a treat for our aching muscles.  I chatted with Jade’s in-house yoga instructor and politely declined her enthusiastic invitation to a 7:00am class on the hotel’s roof.  We were then introduced to the visionary behind Jade Mountain – architect Nick Troubetzkoy.  We are too excited to be joining Nick and his wife, Karolin, tomorrow evening for dinner where I hope to uncover some of the property’s history and secrets.

Following our reception, we enjoyed another superb dinner at the Jade Mountain Club.  Of particular note was the opportunity to savour a surprisingly flavourful and moist barracuda!  There is something inherently satisfying about turning such a fearsome predator into a beautifully presented fillet on my plate.  I’m just hoping this doesn’t somehow affect my cosmic karma having signed up for an early morning scuba dive tomorrow in waters where my dinner’s friends and family outnumber me by a considerable margin.

This morning we felt obliged to reward ourselves for yesterday’s mountain-climbing heroics.  At Jade, although one can choose to attend the traditional serenity of the spa, the utlimate in decadent luxury has the spa come to you.  Our therapists arrived in our room toting portable massage beds and set themselves up by the non-existent fourth wall in full view of the Pitons and Caribbean Sea.  It is this shocking design move that makes Jade one of the world’s most unique resorts.  Every room is entirely open and exposed to the elements.  A network of fans keeps the rooms comfortably cool while hummingbirds flit about the in-room flowers and geckos scamper across the ceiling.  By removing this wall, the room becomes a luxurious extension of the jungle below.  The glimmer of the water and majesty of the looming Pitons is visible from every spot in the room.  The King-sized beds are protected from wildlife by a thin gauze of sheer netting.  Even the toilet, jacuzzi and shower are exposed with clear views of the landscape giving entirely new meaning to “open concept design”.

Following our massages we finally made our way down to the beach for the first time since arriving in St. Lucia two days ago.  It seems bizarre to travel to an island famous for its sand and surf but spend so little team at the beach, yet Jade Mountain’s rooms are simply so opulent that they overshadow their own natural setting.  Although we appreciated our brief stay on the beach, we both felt drawn back to the room.  I have had the pleasure of enjoying many wonderful beaches around the world but I can safely say this is the first opportunity I have had to soak in a full-sized pool…in my bedroom!

The in-room pools are the heart and soul of Jade’s “sanctuaries” (a term the hotel uses when simply calling it a “room” is clearly woefully inadequate).  Each suite’s pool is unique, crafted in different shapes and sizes but all are finished in free-flowing infinity edges and lined in iridescent glass tiles.  These tiles sparkle under the sunlight and shimmer at night when the pool’s underwater chromatic lighting system is engaged.

Enough blogging…time to see what the chef has concoted for this evening followed by yet another dip the pool.