Our Review of The Windjammer Landing Resort in St. Lucia
Our Hello Agency team recently spent two days at Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences in Saint Lucia, giving us the opportunity to experience the property firsthand and get a better feel for what staying here is actually like.
If you're planning a trip to Saint Lucia and looking for a resort that offers more than just a beautiful beach, Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences is one to put on your list.
Located on the northwest coast of Saint Lucia, Windjammer Landing is set across 60 acres of lush tropical landscape overlooking the Caribbean Sea. What makes it different from a traditional resort is its collection of villa-style accommodations, giving guests more space and privacy while still offering the amenities, dining and activities you would expect from a full-service Caribbean resort.
First Impressions
When our team arrived at Windjammer Landing, one of our first thoughts was how well we could see this resort working for families and multi-generational travelers. The biggest appeal of Windjammer Landing is its versatility.
The layout of the resort creates a feeling of space and privacy, which we think is especially valuable when you're traveling with multiple generations or a larger family. Everyone can have their own space, while still being together for meals, time at the beach, pool days and activities.
We also loved that Windjammer gives different generations the freedom to vacation differently. The grandparents can enjoy a quiet morning, the kids can head to the beach or participate in activities, and everyone can come back together later for dinner.
The resort offers a combination of villa-style accommodations, pools, beach access, dining, water sports, fitness activities and programming for families, all within the resort. That makes it an especially appealing option for travelers who want choices without having to build every day of their vacation around an itinerary.
One thing to know before booking is that the resort is built into a hillside. That is part of what gives many of the villas their beautiful views, but there is elevation throughout the property. Resort shuttles are available to help guests get around, which is something we would definitely consider when choosing an accommodation for families traveling with grandparents or anyone who may have difficulty navigating hills.
Windjammer Landing Accommodations
One of the defining features of Windjammer Landing is its unique accommodations.
Rather than one large hotel building, villas and ocean point residences are spread throughout the tropical grounds, creating a more residential feel. Accommodation options range from studios to larger multi-bedroom villas, making the resort a particularly good fit for families and groups traveling together.
Depending on the villa/residence category, accommodations can include features such as:
Spacious living areas
Kitchens or kitchenettes
Private pools
Multiple bedrooms
Outdoor spaces
Caribbean views
For families, having additional living space can make a big difference. Instead of everyone being confined to a traditional hotel room, a villa gives you room to spread out, relax and settle into the rhythm of vacation.
Butler Service: An Extra Level of Personalized Service
For travelers looking for a little more personalized attention, Windjammer Landing offers complimentary butler service with select accommodations.
Butler service is included when staying in the Manor Collection or Ocean Point Residences, making these accommodations especially appealing for travelers who want a more elevated, personalized experience.
The butler team is there to help make your stay feel effortless, from assisting with personalized requests and coordinating experiences to helping with dining and other details throughout your stay. The goal isn't to have someone hovering over you, but rather to have a knowledgeable member of the team available when you need them.
The service is particularly nice when you're traveling with a family or group. Having someone who can help coordinate the little details means you can spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying Saint Lucia.
For those staying in the Ocean Point Residences, the experience goes even further. These two- and three-bedroom oceanfront residences feature expansive terraces and private infinity pools, paired with personalized butler service.
If personalized service is important to you, this is one of the details we would consider when deciding which Windjammer Landing accommodation is the best fit.
Water Activities at Windjammer Landing
When you're staying in Saint Lucia, the Caribbean Sea is naturally going to be a major part of the experience. If you enjoy being on the water, Windjammer has a lot going for it.
Guests have complimentary access to a selection of non-motorized water sports, including snorkeling, windsurfing, pedal boating, paddleboarding and kayaking. Motorized activities such as kneeboarding, waterskiing and wakeboarding are available for an additional charge, although they are included for guests on the Premium All-Inclusive plan.
This is one of the areas where we felt Windjammer really shines.
You don't necessarily have to book an excursion or leave the resort to get out on the water. You can simply head down to the beach and make the most of the bay.
For families, this is a particularly nice perk. There are activities to keep kids busy, while adults can choose how involved they want to be.
Activities Beyond the Beach
The resort offers a variety of activities that go beyond the typical pool and beach day, including fitness, wellness, sports and cultural experiences.
The Windjammer has a calendar of daily and recurring activities that can include fitness, wellness, sports, cultural experiences and family programming. Current offerings include activities such as tennis, beach volleyball, St. Lucian cooking classes, aqua aerobics and other scheduled events.
One of our favorites to experience was Hummingbird Yoga.
This is not your typical resort yoga class in a conference room or fitness studio. Hummingbird Yoga takes place in the resort's garden, where guests can practice surrounded by tropical greenery and, as the name suggests, hummingbirds. Windjammer describes it as a weekly experience designed to help guests unwind and connect with nature.
Another experience we particularly enjoyed was the rum and chocolate tasting class. It was a fun way to learn more about two things that are deeply connected to the Caribbean culture while getting to taste along the way.
Dining: More Variety Than You Might Expect
The resort currently lists seven dining experiences, including Upper Deck, Papa Don's, Embers, Jammers, Dragonfly, The Perch and Masala at Embers.
The restaurants offer noticeably different experiences.
Jammers is the casual beachside option, serving lunch and dinner with Caribbean and international dishes, plus sunset cocktails and entertainment.
Embers is right along the beach and is focused on relaxed lunch service, with options such as tacos, sliders and flatbread pizzas.
Papa Don's offers Mediterranean cuisine in a hillside setting overlooking the pool and is a more dressed-up dinner option. Reservations are required.
For a more elevated evening, Upper Deck is Windjammer's steakhouse experience, set above the shoreline with an open-air setting and ocean views. Reservations are required there as well.
The resort also offers 24-hour in-villa dining, which is a particularly nice feature when staying in one of the larger accommodations.
Should You Choose the Premium All-Inclusive Plan?
This is one area where we would encourage travelers to look at their individual travel style rather than assuming all-inclusive is automatically the better option.
Windjammer offers a Premium All-Inclusive plan that includes unlimited food and beverages, premium spirits and wines, 24-hour in-room dining, and access to both motorized and non-motorized water sports. Children 11 and under can also receive complimentary meals under the plan, subject to the resort's terms.
Whether it makes sense financially will depend on how much you plan to dine and drink at the resort and how much time you expect to spend on property.
This is exactly the kind of detail we look at when helping clients decide between a traditional stay and an all-inclusive package.
Our Takeaways…
After spending two days here, a few things stood out to us.
The service. From the resort-wide team to the personalized butler service available with select accommodations, there is a clear focus on making the guest experience feel personal.
The accommodations. The Ocean Point Residences gives travelers options that you don't always find at a traditional resort, particularly for larger families and groups.
The water activities. Having complimentary access to non-motorized water sports makes it easy to get out on the Caribbean without having to plan an entire excursion.
For families, multi-generational groups, couples who want space and travelers who enjoy having plenty of activities and dining options without sacrificing the ability to slow down, Windjammer Landing deserves a spot on your Saint Lucia shortlist.
Considering Saint Lucia for your next trip? Let's talk about whether Windjammer Landing is the right fit for you.
