Editor’s note: Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa provided a complimentary stay so TPG could get an inside look at the resort and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa or any external entity.
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St. Lucia has been on my travel wish list for many years. Though small (just 238 square miles), the island is home to palm-fringed beaches, lush forests, cerulean waters teeming with marine life and, of course, the iconic Gros Piton and Petit Piton.
When I received the opportunity to check out Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, I jumped at the chance. The popular all-inclusive St. Lucia resort earned a spot in two of TPG’s “best of” articles: the best all-inclusive resorts for families and the best all-inclusive resorts in St. Lucia for a picturesque Caribbean getaway.
Here’s everything you need to know about Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia.
What is Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa? KRISTY TOLLEY/THE POINTS GUY
Situated in Vieux Fort on the southern end of St. Lucia, Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is less than a five-minute drive from Hewanorra International Airport (UVF).
Originally a Club Med, the resort closed shortly after 9/11. The resort was revamped and reopened in 2005 as Coconut Bay Beach Resort. It’s been independently owned by the same folks since it reopened, which is part of its charm. The family vibe is strong here, and not just with actual families. Couples and friend groups seem to connect with the staff, providing a close-knit feel throughout the resort. During our stay, I didn’t notice a high concentration of one type of traveler. We saw couples, bridal parties (a wedding took place during our stay), girlfriend groups and families — including some multigenerational groups.
The 250-key property comprises two resorts: Harmony (an adults-only resort) and Splash, a family-focused resort that boasts St. Lucia’s largest water park. A third all-suite resort, the couples-only all-inclusive Serenity at Coconut Bay, is on the property but is considered separate from Harmony and Splash. The Splash wing includes 64 connectable rooms, ideal for large families or reunion groups who want to stay close but have their own space.
Coconut Bay closes the month of September every year for refreshes and renovations, including a resortwide room face-lift expected to be completed by the end of 2025 (more on that later).
How to book Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is independently owned and doesn’t participate in any major points programs. However, consider using a travel credit card like The Platinum Card® from American Express, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to earn points on your booking.
Rates for a stay at Harmony or Splash start at $438 per night for double occupancy. Rates for the all-suite Serenity start at $1,120 per night for double occupancy.
Checking in
Check-in couldn’t have been simpler. We received a refreshing (and delicious) welcome rum drink and were guided to the front desk. The entire check-in process took probably less than 10 minutes, and then a friendly steward guided us to our room.
Its beachfront location is ideal
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa unfolds across an 85-acre coconut plantation along an idyllic milelong stretch of honey-hued sand. Although there are no private beaches in St. Lucia, Coconut Bay Beach’s location on Anse de Sables Beach is beautifully unpeopled. With the exception of a handful of vendors on the beach, you’ll likely only encounter fellow resort guests and staff members. You’ll also have unobstructed views of the Maria Islands from just about any vantage point on the property.
I was impressed with how uncrowded it felt around the pools, at the bars and in public spaces, even though the resort was 80% occupied during our stay.
AvGeeks will love its proximity to the airport — what’s better than planespotting on prime tropical real estate with a cocktail in hand? (The resort also provides complimentary airport transfers to and from UVF).
You’re within a 45-minute drive from St. Lucia’s iconic Pitons and other natural attractions in Soufriere to the north. The resort can arrange tours and adventure excursions (read on for details).
There is a familial vibe here
A low-key atmosphere and sense of community seem to define Coconut Bay.
When I asked about the absence of resort bands on guests’ wrists, I was told they didn’t need them. “We know our guests,” Natalia Greene, vice president of sales and marketing, explained. From remembering guests’ names to their favorite drinks, personal attention creates a strong following. I was told that some guests have more than 30 visits under their belt, and it didn’t surprise me.
I witnessed the sweetest reunion between a family and a staff member. The family had just checked in and bumped into the staff member in the lobby. It was like watching an exchange between old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time.
Coconut Bay feels community- and environmentally-minded
The sense of community extends beyond the sprawling resort, too. During our stay, I had the opportunity to attend a press conference announcing the resort’s sponsorship of a local preschool, ABC Funhouse Learning Center. Part of the resort’s CocoLand Cares initiative, the project includes a complete remodel of classrooms with new bathrooms, furniture, flooring and updated lighting. Additionally, the resort will provide curriculum and school supplies, as well as purchase and install new playground equipment.
And beyond the friendly and welcoming staff, Coconut Bay showcases the talented people of St. Lucia. Murals created by local artists grace the buildings, and the resort hosts a local artisans marketplace on Tuesdays and Saturdays each week. Additionally, a well-curated resort boutique features a selection of island-made products.
Note that if your stay falls during sea turtle nesting season (between March and November), you can participate in the resort’s endangered sea turtle program, Sea Turtle Scouts. The program educates guests about the importance of protecting the nesting turtles that come ashore and hatchlings emerging from their nests.
Rooms are airy with lots of storage space
For my three-night stay, I was booked in a Concierge Junior Suite Oceanview room in the 18-plus Harmony side of the resort. Our fourth-floor room included a private balcony overlooking the adults-only pool area and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Our room was spacious, with plenty of room for my husband and me to spread out. In addition to substantial drawer space, two closets held a safe, ironing board and iron and included a good amount of shelving and room to store our luggage.
The front of the room had an efficient desk space with a large mirror, a lighted vanity mirror and an alarm clock. Outlet space was a bit limited, though, and I found myself needing to unplug the lighted mirror in order to plug in my flat iron. Outlets at the bathroom vanity would have been ideal, for example. I couldn’t locate any, though, unless they were well hidden. Also, there were no outlets bedside to charge our phones.
A large corner cabinet held a coffee maker with coffee- and tea-making supplies, a portable ice maker and a minifridge stocked with sodas, water, local beer and a bottle of Champagne. Though incredibly convenient, the ice maker dropped ice a few times in the middle of our first night, waking me up. We unplugged it the next morning. If you’re a heavy sleeper, this may not be an issue for you.
The room also featured a small sitting area with a loveseat and coffee table, and our balcony had two chairs and a small table.
I slept incredibly well in our four-poster king bed — the mattress was firm enough for support without being too hard. Additionally, the pillows were huge and had the right amount of give for a comfortable neck position.
Other room amenities included robes and slippers, free Wi-Fi, a Coconut Bay Beach Resort-branded beach bag, and a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries and other homemade sweets. The resort confirmed that all concierge-level guests get these welcome amenities.
I was particularly impressed with the housekeeping service. Each visit included a handwritten note. It was such a sweet way to begin or end our day and was another example of the personal details that make guests feel welcome. Also, concierge room guests receive a 20% discount on Sanctuary Spa services, which I recommend taking advantage of (more on that below).
The bathroom was a very good size for us. It showed slight signs of wear — minor rust spots and a few nicks here and there — but they were hardly noticeable (and will not even be an issue after the room upgrades are complete). It had a big walk-in shower and several towel racks and hooks for wet swimsuits. The sink area was quite big, with space for my makeup and toiletries bags. It included a wall-mounted hair dryer and Molton Brown bathroom amenities.
Annual renovations mean freshly updated rooms are still coming
The aforementioned renovations that happen each September include resortwide room upgrades. During our stay, we toured two renovated rooms — one in the Harmony wing and one in the Splash wing. In addition to a reconfigured layout, fully refurbished bathrooms and new bedroom decor, the updated rooms sport outlets by the bed.
Guests have access to on-site laundry
If you need to do laundry during your stay, an on-site laundry facility is located on the Splash side. It includes three washing machines, two dryers and clothes baskets. It’s free for guests to use, but you must provide your own detergent and fabric softener or purchase it in the resort store.
Ample and delicious dining and drink options
One of the big lures of all-inclusive resorts is that meals and drinks are typically included with your stay. You enjoy unlimited access to food and beverages without pulling out your wallet every time. Although the food quality at all-inclusive resorts can sometimes be hit or miss, I was consistently impressed with the variety and quality of my meals here.
Coconut Bay Beach guests can choose from nine on-site restaurants and seven bars. Dining venues include Coconut Walk Marketplace (the resort’s main restaurant), Flip Flops Burger Bar and Pizzeria (outdoor walk-up restaurant), Trattoria (casual Italian), Silk (Thai, Indian, Japanese and Chinese cuisine), Calabash (breakfast for Harmony guests featuring Caribbean dishes for dinner), Veranda (adults-only alfresco dining) and Jerk Treehouse (poolside venue for casual Caribbean dining).
Couples seeking a romantic evening can book a gourmet three-course private dinner at La Luna, the resort’s extra-fee restaurant. For $159 per couple, you can savor dishes like..