Stolen Time, St lucia
By Mike Pickup, Mike writes about travel for numerous newspapers and magazines, both consumer and trade. He is also the Editor of Holiday Magazine and a professionally trained photographer. For more information click here
Background
In the 1950s Denis Barnard bought a plot of land to build a bolthole on Vigie Beach. Called ‘Malabar’ it included a large bar. Renowned for his liking for company, Denis would invite passing tourists to dinner who, when they asked for the bill, were amazed to discover that they were in a private house and that there was no charge.
Due to his love of hospitality, Denis turned his home at Malabar Beach into a resort and StolenTime by Rendezvous has become a great place for holidaymakers to relax and enjoy life’s pleasures together. The resort is still owned by the Barnards and has retained the atmosphere of a family run hotel, as we discovered on a recent visit.
In the 1950s Denis Barnard bought a plot of land to build a bolthole on Vigie Beach. Called ‘Malabar’ it included a large bar. Renowned for his liking for company, Denis would invite passing tourists to dinner who, when they asked for the bill, were amazed to discover that they were in a private house and that there was no charge.
Due to his love of hospitality, Denis turned his home at Malabar Beach into a resort and StolenTime by Rendezvous has become a great place for holidaymakers to relax and enjoy life’s pleasures together. The resort is still owned by the Barnards and has retained the atmosphere of a family run hotel, as we discovered on a recent visit.
The hotel
Until recently the hotel was known as just Rendezvous. There has been recent significant investment and a slight change of name but the hotel is still a delightful all-inclusive, adults-only, beach-front hotel.
St Lucia’s international Hewanorra airport is in the south of the island and the hotel is in the north. The transfer time is about ninety minutes but it gives visitors an opportunity to sample a range of island secenery, from mountainous rural scenes to the busy capital Castries. The hotel, just outside Castries is actually next to the small George F. L. Charles Airport, used by inter-island flights, but its proximity does not affect the tranquillity of the hotel.
On arrival we were met by welcoming staff offering cold towels, and a bell-boy to take our luggage, whilst we were led through the immaculate tropical gardens to our poolside room. The room housed a huge bed, comfortable chairs, a desk, two wardrobes and a chest of drawers. It led directly to the bathroom which contained a large tub in the centre whilst on one side were ‘his and hers’ wash basins with a huge mirror and separate magnifying mirror, and on the other side a shower with both a ‘rain forest’ and smaller shower head that were controlled separately. There was a comprehensive range of toiletries and a shower hat.
Until recently the hotel was known as just Rendezvous. There has been recent significant investment and a slight change of name but the hotel is still a delightful all-inclusive, adults-only, beach-front hotel.
St Lucia’s international Hewanorra airport is in the south of the island and the hotel is in the north. The transfer time is about ninety minutes but it gives visitors an opportunity to sample a range of island secenery, from mountainous rural scenes to the busy capital Castries. The hotel, just outside Castries is actually next to the small George F. L. Charles Airport, used by inter-island flights, but its proximity does not affect the tranquillity of the hotel.
On arrival we were met by welcoming staff offering cold towels, and a bell-boy to take our luggage, whilst we were led through the immaculate tropical gardens to our poolside room. The room housed a huge bed, comfortable chairs, a desk, two wardrobes and a chest of drawers. It led directly to the bathroom which contained a large tub in the centre whilst on one side were ‘his and hers’ wash basins with a huge mirror and separate magnifying mirror, and on the other side a shower with both a ‘rain forest’ and smaller shower head that were controlled separately. There was a comprehensive range of toiletries and a shower hat.
Electricity is the standard 240v and UK square-pin plugs. There were also a couple of USB sockets at the desk. The wardrobes contained a hair dryer, iron and ironing board as well as an umbrella. Well, there is the occasional tropical storm! There was also a fridge with water topped up daily and a hospitality tray with tea, a kettle, filter coffee machine, coffee bags and a good supply of long-life milk. Again these were topped up without us ever needing to ask.
Outside the room our terrace had patio-style sofas, cushions and a huge sunshade. There was also a large black ‘plant pot’, actually a water container enabling guests to wash their feet before entering the room.
Outside the room our terrace had patio-style sofas, cushions and a huge sunshade. There was also a large black ‘plant pot’, actually a water container enabling guests to wash their feet before entering the room.
It was a few steps to one of the two hotel pools which also had a swim-up bar, and just beyond that was the beach.
The hotel has 100 rooms. Some are in the gardens whilst others are beachfront (see below)
There is another pool away from the beach in the hotel gardens, just outside the spa.
Restaurants
The main terrace lounge and restaurant face the beach. It is large and airy and offers a buffet breakfast and lunch whilst dinner varies between buffet and a la carte. The food was of a consistently good quality and the a la carte courses were imaginatively presented. Once a week there is also a beach BBQ.
There are two other restaurants, both included in the price. The Malabar Beach Club. pictured below, is right on the beach and offers a la carte lunch and dinner whilst the small Trysting Place, the hotel’s only indoor restaurant, is ideal for an intimate dinner for two. There was always a vegetarian option but there is also a separate vegetarian menu on request. For pre-dinner drinks the Champagne Bar was always packed and, after dinner, it stayed open until the last guest left.
The main terrace lounge and restaurant face the beach. It is large and airy and offers a buffet breakfast and lunch whilst dinner varies between buffet and a la carte. The food was of a consistently good quality and the a la carte courses were imaginatively presented. Once a week there is also a beach BBQ.
There are two other restaurants, both included in the price. The Malabar Beach Club. pictured below, is right on the beach and offers a la carte lunch and dinner whilst the small Trysting Place, the hotel’s only indoor restaurant, is ideal for an intimate dinner for two. There was always a vegetarian option but there is also a separate vegetarian menu on request. For pre-dinner drinks the Champagne Bar was always packed and, after dinner, it stayed open until the last guest left.
Secret Garden
The hotel has a ‘secret garden’ with nooks and crannies hidden away with individual retreats for two, surrounded by lush garden and with the gentle sound of the water lapping the pools and channels.
The Beach
All beach fronts in St Lucia are open to the public up to the hotel line but we saw only four or five other visitors at the week-end. The hotel beach itself was never crowded with guests and there was always plenty of shade.
The hotel has a ‘secret garden’ with nooks and crannies hidden away with individual retreats for two, surrounded by lush garden and with the gentle sound of the water lapping the pools and channels.
The Beach
All beach fronts in St Lucia are open to the public up to the hotel line but we saw only four or five other visitors at the week-end. The hotel beach itself was never crowded with guests and there was always plenty of shade.
Activities
The hotel is one of the most relaxing and peaceful places I have stayed in, perhaps helped by the fact that there are no TVs in the bedrooms or public rooms. The only TV is in the gym. The staff also generate a relaxed but efficient atmosphere. They seem genuinely happy to be working there, an impression we were able to confirm when speaking to them.
However, relaxed doesn’t mean bored. There is a large range of activities, from cookery demonstrations to archery lessons, and loads of water sports that include diving, hobie cats and kayaks. There is also a spa, gym and tennis courts which are floodlit. You can sit and read a book in complete peace and quiet or fill every minute of the day with activities.
The hotel describes itself as private, peaceful and unspoilt. I could not have put it better.
Book It
For UK guests the hotel is available as part of a package from a number of tour operators. It can also be booked directly via the hotel.
UK guests can call 020 3096 1606 or email [email protected]
US guests can call 1 800 544 2883 or email [email protected]
For more information on the hotel, go to https://stolentime.com
The hotel is one of the most relaxing and peaceful places I have stayed in, perhaps helped by the fact that there are no TVs in the bedrooms or public rooms. The only TV is in the gym. The staff also generate a relaxed but efficient atmosphere. They seem genuinely happy to be working there, an impression we were able to confirm when speaking to them.
However, relaxed doesn’t mean bored. There is a large range of activities, from cookery demonstrations to archery lessons, and loads of water sports that include diving, hobie cats and kayaks. There is also a spa, gym and tennis courts which are floodlit. You can sit and read a book in complete peace and quiet or fill every minute of the day with activities.
The hotel describes itself as private, peaceful and unspoilt. I could not have put it better.
Book It
For UK guests the hotel is available as part of a package from a number of tour operators. It can also be booked directly via the hotel.
UK guests can call 020 3096 1606 or email [email protected]
US guests can call 1 800 544 2883 or email [email protected]
For more information on the hotel, go to https://stolentime.com
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