First look: Secrets and techniques St. Lucia

A dream I’ve had for over 15 years was to go to the island of St. Lucia.

The rolling, lush, inexperienced mountains; the clear, blue water; the litany of stress-free resorts. It captured an obsession of types from me again within the impressionable days once I was up all evening with a new child. A beautiful brochure about visiting St. Lucia I in some way ended up with turned my psychological distraction and gasoline once I was up all evening caring for a new child again in these lengthy days.

However, at the moment, St. Lucia felt out of attain. Too costly. Too far.

As a factors and miles traveler, St. Lucia was not on the high of my energetic journey planning board for a few years, as whereas it was house to some excellent resorts, they weren’t actually the sort I might guide with lodge factors … not less than, not till just lately.

Quick-forward to the current day, and there at the moment are a number of methods to make use of your factors and luxuriate in that tropical island trip of your desires, which is precisely what we simply did due to with the ability to use World of Hyatt factors on the new Secrets and techniques St. Lucia Resort & Spa that simply opened in June 2025.

With each of my youngsters fortunately long gone the times of holding me up at evening as infants, and each large enough to be away doing summer season actions for just a few days, my husband and I headed to this all-inclusive, adults-only resort to test it out. Right here, I will share what we discovered, in case St. Lucia has been in your journey want record, too.

Associated: Finest all-inclusive resorts on the earth

First impressions of Secrets and techniques St. Lucia

We had a legit James Bond second as we arrived by personal boat switch proper as much as the lodge’s seashore, rolled up our pants and walked by way of the water onto the sand.

(And no, it wasn’t James Bond costs. It was about $135 to $150 per individual from the airport to the lodge through Clearwater Tour Firm.)

We had been met on the seashore by our first of many exceedingly pleasant Secrets and techniques workers, a number of of whom in a short time realized and remembered our names.

Since we had been coming into from the ocean, we walked from the seashore, previous the swimming pools and swim-up bars, towards the foyer that sits within the coronary heart of the 355-room resort. Aided by some stress-free massive band music taking part in within the background, the foyer evoked a bygone period, when issues moved slowly and taking within the second was the norm.

For sure, we had been blissful to embrace that vibe and had smiles on our faces even earlier than our first (on land) rum punch of the journey.

And if I had any fears that this resort could be an excessive amount of of a base-music-thumping, 24-hour booze fest, given the all-inclusive nature of all of it, one stroll by way of the property just about put these fears comfortable. Secrets and techniques St. Lucia had a principally relaxed vibe with individuals of a wide range of ages and backgrounds who got here to loosen up, have enjoyable and take in some solar.

Secrets and techniques St. Lucia is a brand new resort nestled into the sloping hills alongside the coast, which suggests you’re going to get your steps in as you head as much as your room or again right down to the swimming pools and eating places.

Whereas this resort simply opened in June 2025, know that it’s not an all-new construct. This was once the St. James’s Membership Morgan Bay earlier than it closed for a multiyear renovation and rebranded to a Secrets and techniques resort, which, in fact, brings with it pluses like mature foliage and minuses comparable to some older amenities.

The rooms at Secrets and techniques St. Lucia

We stayed in constructing No. 1, which was one of many closest buildings to the foyer, simply up a hill (like I mentioned, you’re going to get some steps in right here).

The room’s type was that of a timeless seashore resort, that includes a picket ground paired with crisp white and blue decor.

Whereas we had initially been assigned a king deluxe room, once I requested at check-in about what advantages we might get as Hyatt Globalists, the workers finally modified our room project to 1 with a swim-out plunge pool at no additional cost.

As this can be a newer integration with Hyatt, I discovered just a few instances that we needed to ask round a bit to be taught what advantages Hyatt elite standing introduced with it at this resort. I am not 100% positive I ever bought a complete record of perks, however we did finally be taught we might entry the Most popular pool and lounge, too, which is the place you could possibly discover some elevated beer and cocktail alternatives.

I additionally should add that my favourite pool on the Secrets and techniques St. Lucia was the Most popular pool positioned up on the hill. It had nice views, was all the time calm whereas we had been there and had extra comfy loungers to learn in.

That is additionally the place you will discover the Most popular pool bar with some upgraded drink choices.

New lodges typically include some quirks at first, which is to be anticipated, particularly at a seashore resort on an island. With that mentioned, we did meet a wide range of visitors who had some very actual points with their rooms, starting from water leaks to no working water for lengthy durations of time. Even one visitor we spoke with on the pool claimed to be coping with plenty of crabs making an attempt to take up residence of their room.

Fortunately, our room did not have these actual points, nevertheless it did have an odor to it that wasn’t fairly sturdy sufficient to make us ask to be moved however was noticeable each time we walked in.

I do not know if it was associated to some prior water points or one thing else solely. Do pack your persistence if coming within the close to future, and do not be shy to flag any room points that necessitate reassignment, as this did not appear unusual there proper now. That mentioned, the workers seemed to be doing all it might to help, from what we noticed and heard.

Eating at Secrets and techniques St. Lucia

Let’s get to the great things — all of the included meals and drinks you care to get pleasure from on the resort’s eating places, which embrace:

• Himitsu (hibachi and pan-Asian)
• L’Creperie (crepes and tapas)
• Portofino (Italian)
• Market Cafe (the buffet, open for breakfast and lunch)
• Morgan’s Pier (French)
• Seaside Grill (steakhouse and seafood)
• Oceana (seafood and finally a la carte breakfast for Most popular Membership visitors)
• Coco Cafe (espresso and lightweight snacks)

I beloved that eating at Secrets and techniques St. Lucia wasn’t a aggressive sport, which means you did not have to struggle for reservations.

In reality, aside from the hibachi tables, reservations weren’t accepted. After all, this might change because the resort will get busier, however for now, it was a pleasant change from another all-inclusives now we have visited.

A must-try is the Italian-themed restaurant, Portofino.

It has indoor seating, very attentive service and a few tasty dishes, which began with the fluffy bread with vinegar and olive oil and continued by way of the appetizers and onto the shrimp scampi.

I might additionally like to present a particular shoutout to the pan-fried garlic shrimp and fried calamari at La Petite, which was a scrumptious and straightforward lunch choice for once you’re not feeling the buffet.

The meals we had wasn’t all house runs, however none of what I attempted was unhealthy. Most of it ranged from adequate to fairly good. It was not but persistently on the stage of the meals we loved on the Secrets and techniques Moxche Playa del Carmen in Mexico, however once more, we’re grading on a curve of types, as this Secrets and techniques resort remains to be very new.

What I loved loads was the truth that we weren’t getting a invoice for every chunk of sushi, plate of barbecue on the seashore, glass of wine or dessert.

That feeling of getting all of it included actually is relaxation-inducing. Additionally completely noteworthy was the workers, who by no means let a water glass go dry, checked in on us often all through the meals and was the sort of pleasant that basically makes you smile and really feel welcome.

On the subject of included drinks on the bars, look forward to finding beer such because the native brew, Piton, together with Heineken and Pink Stripe.

Within the Most popular Membership lounge and pool bar, additionally, you will discover Guinness. Within the Most popular areas, a few of the alcohol selections embrace Gray Goose, Ketel One, Glenfiddich, Glenlivet 12, Johnny Walker and Makers.

Location and logistics of Secrets and techniques St. Lucia

Secrets and techniques St. Lucia sits on the northwest facet of the island close to town of Castries. That locations it near an hour by boat from the primary airport or, I am instructed, about 90 minutes by automotive.

The island is not particularly giant, at 14 miles throughout and 27 miles lengthy. Nonetheless, the roads are winding and hilly. As somebody susceptible to movement illness, I skipped doing any actual distance on the island by automotive and as a substitute booked our transfers to and from the airport and for excursions by boat.

As talked about, we used Clearwater Tour Firm for our journey from the airport to the resort and our switch to the second resort we tried on St. Lucia, the opposite Hyatt all-inclusive, Zoetry Margot Bay St. Lucia.

To return to the airport, we used the FunToSee Island ferry, which operates on a set schedule and picks up and drops off in Castries, a brief (included) automotive trip from the Secrets and techniques resort.

I extremely advocate utilizing a ship to get to and from the airport and the Secrets and techniques resort, if doable. It was enjoyable, beautiful and, in my view, far preferable to tackling winding roads in a automotive.

What it price to remain at Secrets and techniques St. Lucia

Another excuse I am not being too harsh on this resort regardless of some bumps within the street is that it’s priced decrease than another all-inclusives now we have loved.

For me, it’s affordable to have considerably decrease expectations for this resort, which is a Class C resort within the World of Hyatt all-inclusive chart and begins at 21,000 factors per evening, than Secrets and techniques Moxche (and even the Zoetry on St. Lucia), that are each Class E resorts and begin at 35,000 factors per evening.

We paid 25,000 World of Hyatt factors per evening for every of our three nights, which, once more, is a strong deal in my guide, contemplating that it included all our meals and drinks in the course of the keep for each of us.

Associated: TPG’s information to one of the best all-inclusive resorts you’ll be able to guide with factors

A couple of nice methods to earn Hyatt factors so you’ll be able to make a journey like this with out spending your hard-earned money embrace:

• Chase Sapphire Most popular® Card (see charges and charges): Factors switch to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, and it’s presently providing a welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus factors after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see charges and charges): Factors switch to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, and it’s presently providing a limited-time welcome bonus of 100,000 bonus factors and a $500 Chase Journey℠ promo credit score after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.

In case you are paying with money, these charges appear to start out at round $450 per evening for double occupancy throughout lower-demand dates.

Accessibility

I’d not take into account this resort particularly accessibility-friendly.

First, the hillside terrain means there’s typically not a flat pathway to get from level A to level B. I additionally didn’t discover any pool lifts, and when looking for accessible rooms on the web site, I didn’t see any choices displayed.

Issues to know earlier than staying at Secrets and techniques St. Lucia

I will sound like a damaged report saying that, as a visitor staying throughout the first couple of months of operations, it’s common and anticipated for lodges to have some service hiccups and points they’re nonetheless figuring out, so a few of that is seemingly to enhance with time. Nonetheless, in case you are contemplating a near-term keep at this resort, listed below are some issues to notice so you’ll be able to determine if it’s a good match for you.

• Whereas there have been some included water, juice and smooth drinks, there have been no snacks or alcohol in our room’s minibar. It is doable this was simply an oversight or might evolve over time. Moreover, the inventory within the minibar was not refreshed throughout our three-night keep.
• Room service, and typically dinner service within the eating places, can take some time to reach at instances.
• Outdoors of the crepes and tapas, which had been nice, the noon snacks on the property are a bit of underwhelming.
• Whereas there are some actions, there’s not but a ton to do on the resort past the bars, seashore and swimming pools.
• The TV reception within the rooms was a bit glitchy.
• Some rooms have issues comparable to a scarcity of water, leaks, critters and odors.
• The resort is 60 to 90 minutes from the airport.

I will additionally add that in case you are prone to bug bites, it’s possible you’ll need to use bug repellent diligently.

Backside line

I went into this journey wanting St. Lucia to reside as much as the vacation spot I’ve had in my desires for years … and in some ways, it did.

Whereas I feel the island is certainly beautiful, your particular near-term experiences at Secrets and techniques St. Lucia itself will seemingly be influenced a bit by whether or not you might be in search of issues to get pleasure from or issues to get annoyed about, as there’ll seemingly be a few of each.

The luck of the room project may play a job in your expertise. An extended-than-desired wait at dinner is one factor, however a few of the points visitors have been experiencing within the rooms in current weeks, together with probably the one we had been in, are one other.

All that mentioned, we had a soothing, reasonably priced and pleasant keep general at a resort that I feel has the potential to be a strong choice on an extremely stunning island. Proper now, it may be a superb vacation spot when you can roll with some not-always-perfect issues and prefer to view issues with a glass-half-full perspective, as we did.

In any other case, let some extra months go by and see how issues evolve at this St. Lucia all-inclusive resort by the ocean with extremely pleasant workers and what’s going to hopefully be a protracted and pleasant future.