Providing the quintessential St. Lucia resort vacation experience, all close to the isle’s top attractions, Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort offers the perfect escape for both families and couples seeking seclusion and tranquility amid unsurpassed natural beauty.

The Affluent Traveler recently caught up with Efe Jules, Lead Concierge of the gorgeous Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort to learn more about what makes the island and resort such special places. Efe is a member of the elite fraternity of concierges called Les Clefs d’Or (Gold Keys) and knows the intimacies of Sugar Beach and the island of St. Lucia as few others do.

Q: Tell us how your career as a concierge started.

A: My career as a concierge began many years ago when this resort was a Hilton property. I was serving as a restaurant hostess and was appointed to be concierge by the general manager at the time who thought I should be a highly visible face in the lobby. Thus my wonderful journey as a concierge began.

Q: What makes Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort stand out from all other resorts and hotels on the island?

A: Sugar Beach resort is one of the finest luxury resorts in the Caribbean. The level of service we offer is second to none and all provided by the most hospitable colleagues to be found anywhere. Nestled in the heart of one of the most spectacular locations in the world — the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Val des Pitons — the resort is embraced by Gros Piton to the south and Petit Piton to the north. They tower over 798 meters and 739 meters respectively.

Q: What are some truly unique experiences that Sugar Beach resort offers its clientele?

A: At Sugar Beach our guests can be as busy or relaxed as they like with a range of activities to suit sun-soakers and fitness fanatics alike. To ensure the ultimate vacation experience, all of our guests enjoy 24-hour butler service. We are also the only property in the Caribbean to offer an online directory of services via an iPad in every accommodation. Guests can scroll through the iPad to read about all of the services at the resort, from dining outlets and spa treatments to fitness activities and movie night. They can also order from our in-room dining menu directly from the iPad, selecting their delivery time and giving any other special instructions without having to lift up a telephone. With all of our activities and offerings provided in this electronic format, it means we have been able to reduce the amount of printed material in the rooms as we consciously contribute to a greener environment.

Q: What do you consider some of the most distinctive features of the area surrounding Sugar Beach resort?

A: Sugar Beach is located just a short distance away from the island’s top attractions. Apart from its stellar location in the embrace of the iconic Pitons, there are stunning botanical gardens, warm and cold waterfalls, the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano and sulphur springs, lush tropical rainforest, and numerous other historical sites literally minutes away. We also have a National Marine Reserve at our shores and an abundance of underwater wonders to explore. Repeat guests will always find something new and unexplored to enjoy.

Q: Outside of the property, where do you recommend your guests go for an afternoon of sight-seeing, and then for an evening out?

A: There is zip-lining just ten minutes away from the resort which is a great way to see the rainforest heart of the island. We also recommend a trip to Superman’s Falls straight after for a cooling dip or a walk along the Tet Paul Nature trail for some amazing views — this is a great spot to get a fun photo “touching” the top of the Pitons. Dasheen restaurant at Ladera is always a hot spot to catch the sunset and on very rare days there’s a chance to catch the green flash just before the sun goes below the horizon.

Q: Which restaurants outside of the resort
would you recommend to your guests?

A: Dasheen and Boucan are highly recommended. Dasheen is popular for their use of all local ingredients and dishes are presented with creativity and authentic Saint Lucian flavors. Boucan, on the other hand, offers a diverse menu where chocolate is the signature ingredient in all of their dishes — either served as a part of the dish or on the side. Boucan also offers a Bean to Bar tour where guest can learn all about how cocoa is grown, and finish by making their own chocolate bar. We recommend doing the tour and then staying for lunch.

Q: What would you recommend for an extravagant experience that is unique to St. Lucia?

A: A hike to the top of Gros Piton is a must, towering over 700 meters above sea level. The hike is usually described as challenging and rewarding, best done early morning when it’s much cooler. The hike takes at least two hours up the peak and about an hour and a half back down. On a clear day St. Lucia’s neighboring islands of Martinique to the north can be seen and St. Vincent to the south. A massage in the Rainforest Spa is the best way to release post-hike muscle stiffness.

Q: For the ultimate in pampering at Sugar Beach resort, what do you suggest?

A: The Sulphur Seduction is a must! We offer our guests a unique experience whereby they are taken to the drive-in volcano and sulphur springs for a spa treatment they will always remember. The guests are escorted by their therapist to the bubbling mud pools where they are slathered in black volcanic mud which is a natural way to exfoliate the skin. The mud dries and tightens the skin in the process, then a quick rinse in the black waters of the springs. The experience continues by rinsing off at a nearby waterfall that is warmed by the volcano itself, with the leftover mud being loofahed off by the therapist before returning to the resort to enjoy a back massage and some chilled fruits in our very own rainforest spa.

Q: What are some of Sugar Beach’s best kept secrets?

A: Our best kept secrets are the sushi and chocolate making classes, wine and food pairing classes, and the resort’s extensive and fun rainy day program. Night snorkeling and SNUBA (a cross between scuba diving and snorkeling) are a must!

Q: What are some of St. Lucia’s best kept secrets?

A: Some of the island’s best kept secrets include the Tet Paul Nature Trail which has a wonderful educational walk with incredible views of the Pitons rising high above sea level. The walk is moderate and easy for visitors of any age. The look-out point, Stairway to Heaven, offers amazing views, ideal for wonderful photo moments. You can actually capture images from here where it looks like you are touching the top of the Piton.

The Rustic Plantation Tour gives guests the opportunity to visit an 18th century working sugar plantation where they can learn about the rich history of the island and have a chance to witness the cocoa and copra harvesting and drying process. They also learn about all the flora of the island and about plants with medicinal properties.

Q: What do you most enjoy about your position as a concierge?

A: The life of a concierge never gets dull as no two days are the same. It’s also making what may seem to a guest to be impossible, possible. There is always a thrill in making the last minute request happen. It’s a fun challenge when a guest asks to ship 40 pieces of pottery from St. Lucia to Norway – and we can make it happen. On this instance, everything was wrapped carefully and mailed to the destination. It all arrived without a scratch. I enjoyed making the arrangements and looking after all of the paperwork on behalf of the guest.

Q: One last question — what do you most want travelers to know and remember about Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort and the island of St. Lucia?

A: Serving as a concierge and as a born St. Lucian, the greatest joy is always sharing this piece of paradise with everyone. The options are endless and unique to our island; the people of St. Lucia are the friendliest that visitors can ever come across throughout the Caribbean. Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort has the tagline “Where Heaven Meets Earth” and it is truly that — immaculate and pristine in every way. Sugar Beach, A Viceroy resort is located within a UNESCO World Heritage site and is recognized internationally for its profound natural beauty and bio-diversity. There simply is no better or more beautiful place on earth.