I still vividly remember my first visit to Stonefield Villa Resort. Having just woken up from a car nap (the winding roads of Saint Lucia rocked me into a deep slumber), I got out of our shuttle and slowly made my way to lunch in a drowsy state. As I walked past the Mango Tree Restaurant sign, I turned my head to the left and my jaw dropped to the ground…
I stared at the magnificent Petit Piton towering in front of me for a few minutes without any words. Is this real life?! I was convinced that I was still dreaming.
Once I came to terms that Stonefield Villa Resort was, in fact, my reality (pinch me), I wanted to seize every moment so I did something spontaneous: I stripped off my sun dress and plunged into the pool! I probably shouldn’t have since we were on a tight schedule and only there for lunch, but I just couldn’t resist knowing it could be my only time visiting this paradise…
As I swam in a pool with one of the most epic views I’ve ever seen, I made a promise to myself that I’d return. I didn’t know how, but I knew it would happen one day. To my surprise, and exactly one year later, I went back to Stonefield Villa Resort with some incredible travel buddies and had a chance to fully immerse myself in all of its glory…
Le sigh. It’s hard to describe the energy of Stonefield in words, but it’s like being given the biggest and warmest of hugs by mama nature. Even when Tropical Storm Dorian came knocking, I felt protected and safe in her arms — the entire place just radiates positive energy.
The more I learned about Stonefield, the more I understood where the good vibes were coming from. Yes, it’s a place rich in history (as recognized by the St. Lucia Historical Society), but it’s also a labour of love. The family-run business is a vision that slowly came to life as Wayne and Anista Brown raised their family of five on property while building a series of creole style villas. Aha! That’s what it was… Not just a resort built by a hospitality chain to make money, but a home. A beautiful home being shared with all those who choose to visit. And that, my friends, I hope you do…
Nestled in the rainforest of Saint Lucia’s west coast, Stonefield Villa Resort is just about as dreamy as it gets. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the adults-only property (a former cocoa plantation) is the kind of place you visit to unplug and get away from it all. Here’s a look at what they offer…
Tranquil Villas
Stonefield’s one-, two- three-, and five-bedroom villas all have a private pool, airy terrace (with hammocks!) and spacious rooms…
Outdoor shower? Yes please! The garden showers are perfect for honeymooners, but if you shower solo at night like I do it can be… interesting (I made a few rainforest friends). So if that’s not your thang, make sure to book a villa that has an indoor shower too.
Although Stonefield Villa Resort is not marketed as a traditional all-inclusive, you can opt for an all-inclusive package when booking. There’s free WiFi (which works most of the time), but there are no TVs in the villas — remember the unplug bit I mentioned earlier? Trust me, you won’t miss it here…
Food And Drinks At Stonefield Villa Resort
Expect local dishes and ingredients at Mango Tree Restaurant. From Dasheen/Taro (local root vegetable) and breadfruit/bwapain to green bananas and chadon beni (a local herb similar to cilantro), you’ll get the true taste of the island here.
Whatever you do, don’t skip the accras (salt fish fritters) with tangy tomato sauce. I still dream about them…
Activities At Stonefield Villa Resort
The goal of Stonefield is to help you escape, relax & rejuvenate. To do that, you’ll want to take advantage of the activities and amenities they offer. From Tapas Sundays and live music to spa treatments and sunset yoga, they have a range of activities to both stimulate your senses and calm your mind…
Activities Off-Resort
If you can peel yourself away from Stonefield, there’s plenty to do in the area. Here are a few activities I recommend:
1. Check out Diamond Botanical Gardens. Six acres of nature await.
2. Take a day trip to Castries (the capital of Saint Lucia) and visit the bustling market and serene Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
3. Attend a local music festival! If you’re visiting in the month of August, put Saint Lucia’s Roots & Soul Music Festival on your bucket list. It’s a bit of a trek from Stonefield (1.5 hrs), but it will be the best $40 you spend on the island (yes, festival tickets are that cheap). I’ve attended two years in a row and have already seen over dozen high profile musicians grace the stage — Ja Rule, Ashanti, Ginuwine, Yemi Alade, Tarrus Riley, Estelle, Mya and UB40 to name a few!
4. Take the free shuttle from Stonefield Villa Resort to one of the most glorious beaches on the planet (5 min ride). I’ll never forget our sunset swim at Sugar Beach…
5. Enjoy a mud bath experience at Sulphur Springs. Relaxing or fun — you decide!
Although there’s plenty to do off-resort, I found myself constantly yearning to go back to my villa (which is rare for me). You see, Stonefield just feels right. It’s integrated beautifully into nature, non-intrusive and a place with no distractions so you can focus on the landscape surrounding the property. It’s serene, a place to rejuvenate and where you head to connect with nature. It’s not for everybody, but that’s what makes it special. If you’re looking for a sleek, ultra-modern hotel that looks and feels like just about everywhere else you’ve stayed, Stonefield is not for you. If you crave something real, unique and secluded, you’ll want to put this gem of a resort on your bucket list. Your soul will thank you.
A huge thanks to the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority for hosting me on this press trip. As always, reviews and opinions are entirely my own.
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