Review: BodyHoliday

How did it strike you on arrival? Since it first opened in 1988, this beachfront all-inclusive has become renowned for its unique approach to health, fitness and wellbeing. Venture about thirty minutes from capital city Castries to the northwest tip of St. Lucia to find this idyllic and—as the name may imply—wellness-focused getaway. Set directly on a crescent-shaped beach and surrounded by 32 acres of tropical gardens, the place at first glance seems like a typically lovely island resort—albeit one that’s made extra serene by the 16 years-old-and-up policy. Glittering white sand slopes gently down to glass-still blue-green waters, the public buildings are mainly colonial-inspired and lined with outdoor seating, and everyone appears particularly upbeat and glowing—which, as you soon learn, is the resort’s not-so-secret ultimate goal. Because while you can enjoy wine tastings and "booze cruises," laze on the beach and dine on elevated food, the resort weaves in fitness, spa, and well-being along the way. Guests can except custom-tailored itineraries prior to their arrival, more than 40 included activities per day, and an inclusive 50-minute spa treatment each day (apart from arrival and departure days).

What’s the crowd like? Given the 16-and-over policy (save for special weeks in the summer, when that drops down to 12-and-up), the resort is mainly the domain of couples, groups of friends, and a healthy number of repeat solo guests, who appreciate that there's no single supplement added to the all-inclusive rates.

The good stuff: Tell us about your room.
Many of the rooms have been renovated over the last few years, and while they aren’t necessarily state-of-the-art, they are perfect for the location and the vibe, with an overall colonial-inspired style and a color palette that may feature rich woods, bold blues, or fresh, light tones, depending on the category. Options range from Standard rooms with garden views, and Luxury rooms with garden or ocean vistas (or even oceanfront locations), to Grand Luxury rooms, junior suites, suites, and a Penthouse, each increasing in size of the room and the breadth of the views. All feature amenities like REN toiletries and iPod docks, while tubs, Kohler multi-jet showers, furnished terraces, four-poster beds, mahogany writing desks, and other unique touches. Interestingly, some of the most standout elements are found in the entry- and top-level rooms; the Standard Gardens have “noise-cancelling walls” and built-in Bluetooth systems, while the Penthouse has its own Turkish-style marble hammam.

Wifi: reliable and reasonable? High-speed wifi is included in the rates.

Room service and food: Worth it? Enjoy freshly cooked breakfasts, internationally themed buffet lunches, and a la carte dinners that cater to dietary restrictions at the sea-view Cariblue, which also hosts a live steel band once a week. (Most dishes here are part of the all-inclusive plan, and wine is served at lunch and dinner.) On the more casual front, a Deli offers grab-and-go-options, and The Grill Pavilion serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes, from grilled fish to pizzas and flatbreads, by the Clubhouse for lunch and dinner. At the other end, an outpost of the award-winning Tao serves its signature East-meets-West menu, and the Cariblue Windows chefs tables serve tasting menus (with or without wine pairings) at two seatings a night. A dedicated Wine Salon hosts sommelier-led pairings and info sessions. For a signature experience, book a meal at the resort's I-Tal farm, where you'll learn about the produce, help harvest some items, then enjoy a vegan feast overlooking the Coubaril Valley.

Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you. Chill out in the two-tiered infinity pool, which is lined by loungers and underwater raised stone perches for when you feel like enjoying an in-water cocktail. Set above the main resort, the 33-room Mediterranean-style Wellness Centre is the hub of all that is wholesome. With twelve 50-minute treatments included in the typical package, plus dozens of more available for an additional charge (including Ayurveda and high-tech skin therapies), all guests find themselves spending quality time up in the sanctuary. A more in-depth BodyScience program offers guests a full physiological work-up and targeted itineraries for de-stressing, detox, healthy aging, weight loss, digestive health and more, while those who want to take their activities outdoors will find everything from scuba, archery, and tennis, to a 17-station fitness trail, a treetop spinning studio, and adventure programs like the Quadrathlon, a hiking-mountain biking-swimming-rappelling hybrid.

Bottom line: worth it, and why? Whether you'd like to vacation at your own pace or go home with a full mind-body tune-up, the wealth of included facilities, activities, and culinary options here make it ideal for all goals.