Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort covers about 60 acres of hillside above Labrelotte Bay on Saint Lucia's northwest coast, with roughly 64,000 square feet of white sand at the foot of the slope. The accommodation is a mix of rooms and suites near the beach, one and two-bedroom hilltop villas, hilltop pool villas up to five bedrooms and a collection of six manors with private pools and butler service. The property has six resort-wide pools, several restaurants and bars, a children's club and watersports on the beach, including motorised and non-motorised options and a dive site. The mix of space, activity and scenery makes it one of the island's most popular choices for families and groups.

Location and getting around: Windjammer is on the northwest coast, a short drive from Castries and Rodney Bay. That puts Pigeon Island, the Rodney Bay restaurant strip, the aerial tram and the zipline courses of the north within easy reach, while the Pitons and Soufrière are a long day trip of around an hour and a half or more each way. The hillside layout means a lot of steps and slopes, so the resort provides shuttles around the property, and guests with limited mobility should request a room near the beach or the lobby.

The rooms and villas: the Coastline rooms and suites suit couples and small families who want to be near the sand, while the hilltop villas add kitchens or extra bedrooms, balconies and in some cases private plunge pools. The manors suit larger groups or special occasions. Views of the bay from the upper villas are a highlight, but the climb to the beach is steep, so factor that in with young children.

Good to know: the resort is large, with dining options ranging from casual poolside food to restaurants for dinner, and a children's club called Jacquot's. Prices are upper-mid-range and rise in the winter season. It works well for multigenerational trips, with lots of space, and for couples who prefer a lively resort. Plan your airport transfer in advance, since the drive from Hewanorra in the south is long, and consider booking a rental car or a driver if you plan to explore. Note that the property did not list any closures or renovations on its website at last check, but always confirm facilities for your dates.