Ladera

Between the peaks

Ladera is set high on a volcanic ridge between Gros Piton and Petit Piton, about 1,000 feet above the Caribbean Sea. Its pioneering three-wall design leaves one side of each room open, so the Pitons are framed from bed, from the bath and from the terrace. Each of the 37 villas and suites is hand-crafted from local wood, stone and tile and has a heated plunge pool.

The resort is above the coast rather than on it, so it suits travellers who value the view and the privacy of height over time on a private beach. Nearby Sugar Beach shows the same landscape from sea level.

Eating and the surroundings

Dasheene is the resort's restaurant, and the Lévé spa and wellness centre is on site. Read our food and rum guide for the dishes and drinks worth looking for across the island.

From the ridge you can reach the main attractions of the southwest easily. The Pitons trails, the Sulphur Springs, and waterfalls and gardens are all close by, and the town of Soufrière is within a short drive.

Who it suits

Ladera suits couples and independent travellers who want a strong sense of place and are happy to be in the hills. Its sister resort, Cap Maison in the north, shares packages with Ladera that pair the peaks with a beach stay, as described on our Cap Maison page.

• Choose it for the view above all else.
• Pair it with a beach stay elsewhere if you want sand on the doorstep, for example in the north around Rodney Bay.
• See the full list of resorts to compare the options.

Practical notes

Allow time for the road from the airport, covered in our getting here guide, and check current rates and policies with the resort.

Living with the view

At Ladera the view is not a feature of the room, it is the room. With one side of the room open, the Pitons fill the opening, and the weather moves across them throughout the day. Early morning mist, midday clarity and a sunset glow each give the same two peaks a different character, and many guests find they spend more time watching them than they expected.

That openness is part of what makes the stay memorable, but it asks something of you. You will hear the forest at night, feel the breeze and share the space with the odd small visitor. It rewards travellers who want to be close to the island and not insulated from it.

Exploring from the ridge

The ridge is well placed for the sights of the southwest. The Sulphur Springs, the waterfalls and the town of Soufrière are all within a short drive, and the trails of the Pitons begin close by. If you want a day on the water, boats leave from the coast nearby, as set out in our sailing and boat trips guide.

When you want a beach, plan a short outing. Many guests spend a morning at a nearby bay and return for lunch with the view. Travellers who prefer to have sand at the door might compare Ladera with Anse Chastanet, and those who want a lively evening scene might consider Rodney Bay for part of their trip.

• Ask the resort about transport to and from Soufrière in the evening.
• Pack warm layers for cooler evenings at height in the wetter months.
• Book dinner in advance in the busy season.

What makes Ladera different from other hotels in Saint Lucia?

Ladera is a ridge-top resort near Soufrière whose rooms have one open side framing Gros Piton or Petit Piton, built by hand from local materials, with a private plunge pool in many suites. Ladera is a place with character, and much of that character comes from how it was made. The resort is built into a volcanic ridge using local wood and stone, with craftspeople shaping the rooms by hand, and the result is a collection of villas and suites that feel as if they grew out of the hillside. Each has its own look, and names such as the Gros Piton and Petit Piton suites tell you exactly which peak will fill your view.

The pools are part of the charm. Many suites have a private plunge pool, and some feature an infinity edge or a swing that hangs over the drop, which makes a wonderful place for a late afternoon drink. Heritage suites have canopy beds and showers that are open to the greenery, and guests often remark that the combination of luxury and the natural setting is what they remember best.

Because the resort sits within the protected landscape of the Pitons area and holds a respected environmental certification, it takes care to be a gentle neighbour. You may see hummingbirds at the flowers, hear the tree frogs at night and wake to the call of birds in the canopy. It is a stay for people who enjoy that company, and who understand that a few insects and a damp morning are part of living in a rainforest.

Where should I eat and drink at Ladera?

At Ladera in Saint Lucia, eat at Dasheene for a sunset dinner, try the Hideaway rum bar and the Wine Room, and book a table early in busy periods. Food is an important part of the Ladera experience, and the main restaurant, Dasheene, takes full advantage of its position on the ridge. A table on the terrace at sunset has become something of a rite of passage for couples, with the sea far below and the peaks turning pink. The menu leans on local ingredients and Creole influences, and our guide to farm to table tastings explains how that approach works elsewhere on the island.

There are other places to settle in. The Hideaway is a rum bar, the Wine Room offers a tasting experience for those who enjoy a good bottle, and a treehouse hosts evening film showings. For travellers who want to understand rum properly, the guide to rum and local distilleries suggests where to go next, and the resort offers its own classes for guests who would like to try mixing and infusing.

The lévé spa and wellness centre offers treatments for individuals and couples, and complimentary yoga is on offer too. A massage after a morning on the trail, followed by a long soak in your own plunge pool, is as good a way to spend an afternoon as any in the Caribbean.

Is Ladera a good choice for a wedding or an adventure holiday?

Ladera suits couples planning a wedding or honeymoon in Saint Lucia and active guests wanting guided Piton climbs and boat trips nearby, but not those who want a private beach on the doorstep. Although many guests come to do very little, the resort is a handy base for adventure. It arranges guided climbs of Gros Piton, boat trips, whale and dolphin watching, horse riding and rides on the back of an all-terrain vehicle, and many of these are described on our pages about whale and dolphin watching and off-road jeep adventures. Those who enjoy heights may like the treetop zipline through the forest canopy, covered in the guide to jungle ziplining.

Ladera has a strong reputation for weddings and honeymoons, and the dedicated page on weddings at Ladera explains how ceremonies are arranged with the peaks as a backdrop. Packages exist for proposals and honeymoons as well, so ask the team what is available when you book. For couples wanting ideas beyond the ceremony, the guide to honeymoon inspiration suggests how to spend the days.

As with any ridge-top stay, comfort depends on small preparations. Comfortable shoes help with the slopes, a light jacket is useful on breezy evenings, and it is wise to arrange transport to and from the airport in advance so that you arrive in daylight and without stress.

Reading the hillside around Ladera

Ladera is known for its position among steep green slopes, and a little background makes the scenery more meaningful. Start with the volcanic origins of the island, then see rainforest and plant life for what grows on those slopes.

Farming has long shaped the countryside here, and agriculture and bananas tells that story. Heritage and historic sites suggests where to spend an afternoon away from the resort.

Choosing Ladera for your holiday

Ladera is a good answer for travellers who ask for the best hotels in St Lucia with a view of the Pitons. It sits comfortably beside Jade Mountain and Sugar Beach among the luxury resorts in St Lucia, and the private villas and VIP stays guide shows similar ideas if you want more space.

It also appeals to couples planning a honeymoon in St Lucia, and the Ladera wedding page explains how ceremonies are arranged. To build the rest of your holiday in St Lucia, see when to go, getting here and the iconic Saint Lucia itinerary.

Ladera at a glance

Ladera is set on a ridge between Gros Piton and Petit Piton, in the Soufrière district on the southwest coast of Saint Lucia. It stands about 1,000 feet above the Caribbean Sea. The nearest town is Soufrière, a short drive away. The nearest international airport is Hewanorra, reached by road. The style is a hand-built hillside resort whose rooms have three walls, so that one side is open to the Pitons, and each has a plunge pool. It suits couples and independent travellers who value height, privacy and a view more than a beach on the doorstep. A typical stay includes sunset at Dasheene, treatments at the lévé spa and day trips to the sights below.

What is near Ladera?

Ladera sits inside the UNESCO World Heritage site, so the walking starts nearby. The Gros Piton hike is the island's best known climb and is best done early with a guide, while the Tet Paul Nature Trail is a gentler guided route of easy to moderate effort with views of both peaks. Near Soufrière, a short walk leads to Toraille Waterfall and its natural pool, a welcome cool-down. Our Pitons guide explains the geology and the viewpoints, and the botanical gardens and nature parks page covers the Diamond Falls gardens, with their mineral-rich waterfall and easy paths.

The sea is a short drive below. Sugar Beach shows the same valley at sea level, and the harbour town of Soufrière has a market and small restaurants. Ladera lists a wide menu of excursions, including horseback riding, jungle ziplining, sport fishing, sailing and whale and dolphin watching, and it can arrange a sailing day to Marigot Bay further up the coast. The Sulphur Springs drive-in volcano makes an easy half day, with warm mineral mud on offer.

For food, Dasheene on the terrace serves Creole cooking with Indian influences, with live music on some nights and a Piton view that is hard to beat at sunset. Away from the resort, Orlando's in Soufrière is known for small plates of Caribbean food built on local produce and fresh fish, and Rabot Restaurant, beside Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat, uses cocoa in savoury dishes. On the West Coast Road, Bamboo and The Creole Pot at Château Belair serves Creole lunches. For more tables with a view, see our guide to restaurants with a view. On Fridays, the Friday night street parties guide explains both the fish fry at Anse La Raye, the closest to the southwest, and the Gros Islet party in the north. Local sources differ on whether the Anse La Raye event is weekly or monthly, so check before you go. The lévé spa, fitness centre and daily yoga make a restful counterpoint to the climbs, and our page on spa rituals and mud baths explains the island's treatments. Creative days are possible too, with an art studio, pottery and woodwork shop tours, and rum mixology and wine tasting classes, which pair well with our food and rum guide. Couples planning a celebration can read about weddings at Ladera, and all guests should ask the resort which guides it recommends for the longer walks.

The location makes a strong base for walkers and for anyone who wants the landscape to be the main event. The trails, waterfalls, volcano and cocoa estates are all close, and the resort can arrange guides and drivers, which matters on roads that are steep and dark after sunset. Anyone who likes rainforest and a big view will find the area richer than its small size suggests.

Questions travellers ask