We often extoll the virtues of island hopping in destinations such as the Caribbean and Indian Ocean. Trading one sun-kissed tropical paradise for another, what could be better than two completely different island experiences in one holiday? Whilst island hopping will always be one of our favourite past times, some destinations offer such diverse experiences that a twin centre stay on the same island can be just as rewarding and can offer just as much variety, without the hassle or the expense of an internal flight. To give you some food for thought, here are some of our favourite islands, looked at from two perspectives.
Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Jamaica + Jamaica Inn, Jamaica
Jamaica needs little introduction; we love the cool vibe of the island, its effervescent culture and overpowering natural beauty. Start your trip at Montego Bay’s stunning Round Hill Hotel and Villas, which we couldn’t recommend more highly as one of the best hotels for a wellness retreat in the Caribbean. Indulge in the ultimate experience of blissful R&R with a professional coach to guide you and recharge your batteries in their tranquil Elemis spa. We love morning yoga at the secluded pavilion and for some peace and quiet, the adult-only swimming pool and sun terrace are perfect for looking out over the ocean. With delicious fresh food from the hotel’s organic vegetable garden, complimentary non-motorised watersports and a fantastic complimentary kids club taking care of the little ones, guests have everything they could possibly wish for. Then, when you are ready to start exploring, we suggest moving over to the gorgeous Jamaica Inn at Ocho Rios, where the array of exciting activities include kayaking, sunfish sailing, paddle boarding and snorkelling. The hotel can arrange a number of adventures for you to explore the island further, such as cycling the plantations of Blue Mountain, shopping in a local farmer’s market with executive chef, Maurice, and turtle watching from August to October. Jamaica Inn will charm you with its elegance and style. Set on a private white sand cove, all the suites are stunning, with unique open air furnished balconies or verandahs and spectacular views. It’s all about chilling out here, with a fabulous Ocean Spa and enviably peaceful atmosphere, and the fantastic staff will ensure you experience the holiday of a lifetime.
Sugar Beach Golf & Spa Resort, Mauritius + Long Beach Golf & Spa Resort, Mauritius
Mauritius is bigger than you think, and because of that we would recommend staying at two resorts on different sides of the island so you can really get under the skin of this fantastic destination which has so much to offer. Sugar Beach is on the west coast of the island, where you will be totally spoilt by the most beautiful sunsets, and you can’t help but fall in love with its spectacular beach. The underwater adventures to be enjoyed on this side of the island are outstanding; amazing diving and snorkelling sites are reason enough to stay at Sugar Beach. For something extra special, spend a morning swimming with dolphins, followed by a delicious BBQ lunch on the beach. Foodies have to taste the speciality wood-fire pizzas at Citronella restaurant, and a Hammam treatment at Aura Spa is the ultimate indulgence. Then, traverse up to the north east, where the perfect white sand beaches stretch on for miles. Long Beach is a spacious luxury resort with an exclusive feel, and there are lots of beautiful secluded coves to explore nearby. Whilst you can have a fantastic time out on the water, with complimentary kayaking, glass-bottom boat trips and windsurfing, this area is also perfect for those looking to be active on land. There’s archery, a climbing wall and it’s a golfer’s paradise with three amazing courses nearby. If you’re in search of adventure, look no further.
Cap Maison, Saint Lucia + Anse Chastanet, Saint Lucia
Start your Saint Lucia adventure at the foodies’ paradise of Cap Maison, situated in the north of the island. This boutique, Spanish-style hacienda resort is a tranquil paradise, with epic views across to Pigeon Island, spacious suites and attentive staff - the perfect place to really relax. They love good food and wine at Cap Maison so guests can look forward to creative menus, exciting dining options and fine wines from the resort’s extensive wine cellar. Dinner at the Cliff at Cap Restaurant features a delicious, daily changing à la carte menu, The Naked Fisherman on the secluded beach serves the tastiest seafood and salads, and then there are other exciting options, such as private dining at the base of the cliff at Rock Maison, wine paring dinners in Cellar Maison, or join-in cooking classes with the resident chef, Craig Jones. One thing is for sure, you will never go hungry and the choice is often too difficult to make! Then, when it’s time to sink your feet into the sand, head down to the south of the island to Anse Chastanet, renowned for its secluded location, wonderful views and pristine reef just off shore. People come from all over the world to experience the marine life here, but if you just want to relax, the beach team will look after your every need. Anse Chastanet is built into the hillside overlooking the bay, and many of the rooms have the fourth wall missing, allowing you to immerse yourself in the stunning view of the Pitons as soon as you wake. All the beautiful rooms have been individually designed with original works of art by local and international artists, and you will be spoilt for space as you relax into your luxury home away from home. The dining here is exceptional, with fresh seafood in abundance. There are also so many excursions nearby from climbing the Pitons, to visiting the volcano, or hiking up to breathtaking waterfalls. There is so much to do here; you won’t know what to do first.
Fort Young, Dominica + Secret Bay, Dominica
The little known island of Dominica has a unique landscape and is totally incomparable with other islands in the Caribbean. With nine dormant volcanoes, numerous fresh water lakes, vast tracts of pristine rainforest, spectacular views, incredible bird watching and abundant marine life, Dominica really is all about exploring. To really get a feel for this amazing island we would recommend staying at two of our favourite hotels which offer two very different experiences. We would suggest starting your trip with a stay at Fort Young, a historic hotel located on the waterfront in the heart of the island’s capital, Roseau. Perfectly located to explore the colourful, bustling town, you must visit the local market where the islanders meet to swap fresh food and locally made goods and catch up on what’s going on. For those who want to explore a little further, there’s a whole host of excursions you can enjoy, from hikes through the rainforest to secluded waterfalls, to ocean kayaking, bird watching and scuba diving. And during whale watching season, with Fort Young’s superb oceanfront location, you’ve got a great chance of spotting sperm whales right in front of the hotel. When you’ve had your fill of exploration, head north to the tranquillity and seclusion of Secret Bay, an award-winning boutique hotel, which is just perfect for a few days of complete relaxation. Immersed in the rainforest, Secret Bay consists of just eight sustainable luxury villas and bungalows, all of which are supremely private with plenty of outdoor space where you can just relax, unwind and take in the views. It’s impossible not to just melt into your surroundings at Secret Bay, but if you’re struggling to de-stress, the resort’s excellent yoga and meditation classes should do the trick. And if, after all this relaxation, you can still summon up the energy for some gentle exercise, guests have access to two gorgeous beaches with a range of watersports at your disposal – all non-motorised, of course, to maintain the perfect peace of this secluded setting.
If you would like to hear more about any of these One Island Two Perspective experiences or to book a holiday, call us on 01431 9700.
