Cap Maison

With its picture-perfect courtyards, whitewashed buildings, and immaculate tropical landscaping, Cap Maison Resort feels more like an affluent residence than a hotel. It begins at the wrought-iron entrance gate, which opens to reveal a wide brick pathway and a gently bubbling stone fountain. The intimate lobby, with its delicate chandelier and Spanish-influenced architecture, heightens the sense that you’re being welcomed into a private hacienda. Set on the site of a former sugarcane plantation, the lush property is home to herons, hummingbirds, ospreys, and dozens of other birds. Most guest rooms, the main restaurant, and one of the pools showcase the striking sea views afforded by the resort’s clifftop location. Both of the two restaurants are remarkably good, but pricey.

Cap Maison’s romantic ambiance makes it a natural choice for couples and honeymooners, but the resort does aim to be family-friendly as well. Children under 12 stay and eat for free when sharing rooms and meals with their parents, plus the restaurants have kids’ menus. That said, the resort’s peaceful, luxury vibe feels quite adult, and it may not be a good fit for families with young children. 

Cap Maison is located along a quiet, tree-lined road in the upmarket Cap Estate area. Aside from Smuggler’s Cove beach, which is located at the foot of the bluff on which the resort rests, there’s not much within walking distance. The nearest hub of restaurants and shopping is in Rodney Bay, a 15-minute drive away. The Jack Nicklaus-designed St. Lucia Country Club Golf Course can be reached in about five minutes by car. Other nearby attractions include Cas en Bas beach and Pigeon Island National Park, which are both about a 10-minute drive away. The majority of St. Lucia’s top attractions, including the Pitons and the cocoa plantations, are around 90 minutes away by car, toward the southern end of the island. Hewanorra International Airport can be reached in about an hour and a half as well. 

Cap Maison’s glamorous guest room decor artfully juxtaposes features of Spanish and Caribbean design. Colorful bed runners and throw pillows pop against cream-colored walls and sleek tile floors. Wood and rattan furniture is paired with Jalousie shutters, giving the rooms a timeless elegance. Walls are adorned with vivid local artwork. All rooms have iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and Bose speakers. Tea- and coffee-making facilities include French presses. Guests are welcomed with a neat package of homemade cookies tied with a ribbon, along with mini bottles of rum. Most rooms have minibars stocked with premium liquors, wines, and beer. Little baskets of local snacks are accompanied by a price list. Bathrooms -- many of which feature gorgeous hand-painted tiles and ceramic sinks -- have showers and separate toilet vestibules. Bath products by Acqua di Parma or Tarocco are provided. Some Junior Suites also have outdoor showers. All rooms have furnished balconies or terraces, the majority of which have full or partial sea views.

Villas add separate living and dining areas, as well as stunning full kitchens with wood cabinets and mosaic-tile backsplashes. Bathrooms are accented with travertine, and washers/dryers are also provided. Air-conditioning is only available in the bedrooms, with the kitchen and living areas cooled by ceiling fans. Split-level Villa Suites with Jacuzzis have four-poster beds, walk-in wardrobes, and terraces with whirlpools. Villa Suites with Pools have private pools with sea views. The Villas Suites with Pools and Roof Terraces are the most luxurious room category, featuring bathrooms with separate bathtubs as well as huge roof terraces with pools. Interconnecting rooms and suites are available for families and groups of friends. 

Cap Maison Resort’s excellent on-site features enhance its appeal. The resort has two pools, one of which is set in a picturesque courtyard surrounded by the hotel’s hacienda-style buildings. There’s also a two-tier cascading pool located at the edge of the bluff. This pool is bordered by a lovely wooden deck with loungers and patio tables, which faces toward eye-popping views of the sea. 

While the resort isn’t right on the beach, a gate at the far side of the property leads guests outside and down a long, steep stairway to Smuggler’s Cove beach. Be aware that it’s a climb that leaves even relatively fit guests winded, and makes the beach inaccessible for those with mobility issues. All beaches in St. Lucia are technically public, but this small crescent of beige sand is usually quiet. Backed by lush greenery, the beach is ideal for snorkeling and swimming. The resort provides loungers, along with kayaks and snorkeling gear. 

The resort’s main restaurant, The Cliff at Cap, offers a fine menu of French Caribbean fusion cuisine. It displays panoramic views over the sea, with Martinique and Pigeon Island visible on clear days. The restaurant’s breezy interior is simple and refined, decked out floor-to-ceiling in dark wood with the mint green bar area infusing a hint of color. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant is one of the best in northern St. Lucia and provides an exceptional wine list. Set on Smuggler’s Cove beach, The Naked Fisherman offers a more casual dining alternative. This compact, open-air restaurant features a thatched roof bar area and a wooden deck overlooking the beach. Open for lunch as well as dinner on some nights, the restaurant specializes in meat and seafood dishes. Private dining is available, as well as an all-inclusive option called “Cap it All.” 

The three-room spa has handsome wooden flooring and a soft, pastel color scheme. A range of treatments are on offer here, including couples’ massages and scrubs that incorporate ginger, cinnamon, and orange essential oils. Nail treatments and waxing are available in the salon area. Guests also have the option of arranging treatments in-room or under a gazebo in the garden. The large, bright fitness center features Cybex machines, including a cross-trainer, an exercise bike, and treadmills, as well as free weights and balance balls. Free snacks like bananas and granola bars are set out on a tray for guests. 

The resort’s boutique sells local artwork, beachwear, wines, as well as basics like sunscreen. The boutique is unstaffed, so guests are asked to make a note of any purchases in the Honor Book. The bar in the adjacent lounge is also operated on an honor basis, with guests writing down any drinks they serve themselves. This lounge also features a PC station, a big bookshelf, and a variety of comfy seating areas.