The American novelist James A Michener famously described Margiot Bay as the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean. Sitting on my balcony, overlooking the boats bobbing in the tranquil marina with the backdrop of the lush hillsides, it's easy to see why.
The rooms in the resort are all bay-facing and with their dark wooden structures, blend harmoniously into nature. The bay has caught many a location scouts eye with Dr Doolittle starring Rex Harrison, Water featuring Michael Caine and Fire Power with Sophia Loren all being filmed here. What better place to make a few movie worthy memories of my own?
At Capello every guest is allocated a personal assistant. The relationship starts before you even leave for the resort, to ensure that your stay meets all your requirements. For example, you need to be quite agile to reach the rooms at the top, but, wow, is the view worth the climb. Our personal assistant Michelle was delightful, and regularly greeted us with her stunning smile.
Guests are treated to a truly five-star service by the warm and friendly St Lucian staff. As you lounge by the pool you are spoilt with healthy treats, whether it's coconut juice sipped from a freshly cut coconut, a passion fruit smoothie, or a taster of the delicious sushi.
The Spa
Relaxation and tranquility are the order of the day, and the spa is nestled in a quiet corner of the resort. The reception, relaxation room, sauna, steam and 3 treatment rooms are housed in individual wooden structures, surrounded by lush greenery, including coconut trees, ginger lily plants and even a ylang-ylang tree, the flowers of which are used in Channel No 5.
There is a waterfall Jacuzzi, but the pièce de résistance has to be the spa treehouse.... It seems it isn't just the little ones who get excited to be in the treetops.
The Treatment
I enjoyed the Waxing Moon Full Moon The Height treatment, which is a 180 minute treatment and one of 4 signature treatments, which have been developed to represent the varying energies in the lunar cycle. The full moon is the time to realise your potential and achieve balance, whereas the waxing moon is the perfect time to cleanse and renew. All of these treatments use 100% organic products from The Organic Pharmacy. To begin my feet were anointed with the scent of rose, and my expert therapist Giftare then gently massaged my feet. They were wrapped in a warm towel, whilst my body was exfoliated using the Cleopatra Body Scrub. This was followed by an application of the gorgeous Organic Pharmacy Rose mud wrap. After it had worked its magic in nourishing my skin I took a very pleasant rain shower in the outdoor area. And if that wasn't enough to leave me feeling well and truly spoilt, the treatment concluded with a facial, which used the Carrot and Butter Cleanser and the Honey and Jasmine mask. Pure uninterrupted bliss!
Other Treatments
The Fiksyon Fwote Massage - This 90 minute treatment uses a local potion of coconut milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, soft candle, and red and white lavender. The massage uses a combination of traditional rub techniques and warm bamboo sticks to stimulate the natural healing powers of the body and relax the muscular system. Any aches and pains disappeared into thin air!
To Stay
I stayed in a one bedroom bay view suite. With two balconies, a large bathroom, a bedroom with a 4-poster canopy bed, a lounge with sofa area and dining table, a fully equipped kitchen and even a utility room (not that doing the washing featured highly on my 'to do list'), the suite was bigger than my flat in London. It was tastefully decorated with dark wood furniture and given a soft touch with the pastel soft furnishings and beautiful silver accessories. The stunning silver sea urchin lamps were a focal point of the bedroom. No little luxury has been forgotten; whether it's the sumptuous bed and linen, the pillows that mould around you, the Bose sound system, the Nespresso machine, the great selection of teas, the DVD player or the Acqua Di Parma in-room toiletries.
The personal touches couldn't help but make me feel special, housekeeping left handwritten notes on my pillow each day, one of my favourites was 'with each new day there comes new strengths and thoughts'. Beers and nuts were delivered each afternoon, complimentary soft drinks were stocked in line with my preference, and cookies were left by my bed.
To Eat
The Grill and Bar at 14°61° - I loved the open kitchen concept and you can dine indoor or outdoors. Breakfast is served buffet style. Offering a selection of teas and fresh juices, eggs cooked to order, a range of hot sides (such as black beans, bacon and country style home fries), cereals, fruit, yogurts and a selection of delicious pastries (the banana cake with a little banana jam is a must), it is impossible to tire of this feast. Under the culinary eye of chef Brendan McGowan, dinner is a meal to savour. Enjoy fresh cut meats cooked on the wood burning grill and seafood freshly caught and delivered to the marina, served with locally sourced vegetables. Leave room for the divine Banoffee pie, which uses bananas grown on the island.
The Rum Cave boosts an authentic cellar design with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the marina and is open for lunch and dinner. Dishes include choices such as jerk chicken ribs, the grilled local pork sandwiches, and chicken roti, as well as a few western favourites such as fish and chips. Novices and connoisseurs alike can learn about the local rum with the rum tasting sessions hosted by the extremely knowledgeable Denis.
Brut Pool and Bar - With stools in the pool, you can dine and drink without even having to leave, let alone dress for lunch. The pool bar has a great menu including local ceviche, sushi plates, salads, seafood dishes, along with grilled burgers and sandwiches. Serving a huge selection of drinks, you can even indulge in champagne which is included in the all inclusive package. I had a taste for the rum goddess; you will certainly feel like one after a few of these delicious cocktails.
The Bay Café situated by the marina is a casual place to enjoy breakfast or lunch. There is also a grab-and-go counter if you just want to get a sandwich or snack.
Private dining is available.
Don't Miss
The discover St Lucia tour where you will speed down the island in a boat, take in a spectacular view of the Pitons, learn about the unique history of the island and its produce, enjoy a spectacular local lunch, before hiking to a waterfall, where, if it takes your fancy, you can indulge in a local mud scrub. I rubbed it into my skin and then let the warm water from the waterfall gently erase it. Finally I bathed in the mineral pool - it's supposed to make you look younger; well why not? I will give anything a go in my anti-ageing quest. On the way home we stopped for a snorkel by the coral reefs.
The body scrub making class. Souvenirs don't get much more personal than a scrub which you have made bespoke to your skin using local ingredients. It seems that the note on my bed was pretty spot on that day; each day brings a chance to learn something new!
Words: Amanda Camilleri
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