St. Lucia's Ladera Resort Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Ladera Resort, the legendary St. Lucia hotel that is a fixture on every major top hotel and awards list, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary Year in 2012. 

The groundbreaking luxury resort, a haven for celebrities, honeymooners and trendsetters, is situated on a forested ridge, 1,100 feet above the sea, perched above the port town of Soufrière. Originally designed and built 40 years ago as a development called Dasheene, Ladera opened as a resort hotel in 1992.

"Throughout this Anniversary Year, we're taking the Ladera guest experience to an even higher level of luxury, comfort and authenticity," says Olivier Bottois, Ladera's Vice President of Marketing & Operations. Ladera is "20 years young" as Bottois sees it. He adds that "this year we'll be introducing new suites, product enhancements and service innovations that are consistent with our signature guest experience and eco-friendly approach."

 Photo courtesy of Ladera Resort

Over two decades ago, Ladera pioneered the concept of the open-air, three-walled guest suite that remains the signature design of Ladera and which has become a ubiquitous style, now de rigueur at resorts throughout Saint Lucia. The buildings were designed by the late John DiPol, a visionary American architect. DiPol conceived the concept when he realized that a three-sided series of building was possible due to the prevailing trade winds that approach from the back (eastern side) of the resort and which allow for the missing third wall, an expansive view and interiors with atriums. Each suite embraces the island ambiance through tropical design, with all furnishings crafted on property by local artisans, including elegant four poster hardwood beds and St. Lucian ceramics and textiles throughout. The missing fourth wall allows the most spectacular views of the Sea, unobstructed sunsets, and the volcanic Piton Mountains, which are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to the clever design, they also remain sheltered, safe, and completely secluded, with private plunge pools and surrounded by lush tropical landscaping.

Ladera's striking infinity pool, the very first in the world in 1972, was used in the film Superman II when Christopher Reeves flies to St. Lucia to gather flowers for Lois Lane, and is still the dramatic centerpiece of the resort surrounded by lush tropical gardens.

During Ladera's 20th Anniversary Year, the resort will unveil six additional connecting luxury one-bedroom Hilltop Dream suites on Paradise Ridge in October 2012.

"Each new Hilltop Dream Suite will feature the famously breathtaking vistas from the open living rooms and will include private infinity pools," says Bottois. "The open-air bedrooms are designed and appointed with furnishings and fixtures consistent with Ladera's sustainable practices." That includes using locally-woven textiles, custom hardwood furniture crafted on site at Ladera, such as elegant Colonial four-poster king beds. The en-suite bath areas will be equipped with water-efficient Kohler fixtures.

Other noteworthy developments in Ladera's 20th Anniversary Year include a new fitness room, outfitted with state-of-the-art workout equipment. Yoga classes are also now on offer.

The Ti Kai Posé Spa, which now incorporates more natural, organic treatments, will offer new outdoor Couples Massages on Paradise Ridge, a completely private retreat area of the resort which overlooks the Caribbean Sea and Pitons.

Dasheene, Ladera's award winning restaurant, will be taken to even higher culinary acclaim says Bottois, a past board member and Vice Chancelier Culinaire of the Chaine des Rotisseurs and member of The James Beard Foundation, noting that celebrated guest chefs from the Caribbean, the United States, and Europe will be featured at the restaurant.

For more on Ladera, visit www.ladera.com