Jade Mountain Resort

I should start by saying this is a really weird review to write. On the one hand, the score suggests I didn't enjoy it - I did. In fact I would, and probably will, stay here again. It seems a crazy thing to say because I have given plenty of 5 star reviews in the past for places I will likely never return to because of a desire to try new countries and resorts, but this place really would pull me back because the good is SOOOO good. It's just that there is some bad/ugly as well which would have been so easy to avoid/fix. 3 stars is also probably harsh. But 4 stars would have been too generous and 3.5 probably just about perfect - but if I have to pick between 3 and 4, on balance between those scores it's probably a three... Why? Well first of all the location is stunning. I have never been to Jade Mountain in St Lucia but I've seen it featured on a couple of tv shows and so on, and I think the vibes of this place are the same. The two pools are both fantastic in different ways and I love that they have a proper 'deep end' - all too rare! The rooms are spacious, the bathrooms are good (huge shower head and great water pressure) - the view from your balcony will be stunning.... The cocktails are well made and the service is warm and efficient. There is so much to love about this hotel, and if that was where the experience ended it would be 5 stars no question. However - there are a handful of minor issues and a couple of major ones that start to add up and detract from the overall experience. Perhaps the biggest might not affect others - but my wife is a vegan. Before booking, before visiting, and while we were here I asked them 'can you accommodate a vegan diner'. I was told they could every time. Not everywhere can, and that's fine, but be honest about it. It wouldn't have stopped us booking this place - we would have just made different dinner plans. When we stepped into the restaurant it was clear they didn't understand what the word 'vegan' means. They suggested a variety of vegetarian dishes without actually understanding that they were totally unsuitable. So disappointing and easily avoidable, either with more honesty, or by actually checking with your kitchen staff. Also - not sure why they don't put the big ceiling fans on in the restaurant at breakfast or dinner? It's warm and the humidity of the jungle means that just having the fans on would have been much more comfortable. I was told breakfast was included when we arrived - what they mean is that the plate of fruit and your coffee is included. Again, that is fine, but be clear about it. And don't put water in your orange juice when we are paying $600+ per night to be here! Also - why are you using white Bacardi as the base rum in a $20 cocktail? Seems cheap, which is such a shame given how good the bartenders are. There is a happy hour at the main pool which is great and a good opportunity to buy some cheaper cocktails - however the atmosphere is totally spoilt by the hotel playing loud techno music via a huge speaker for those two hours. The best thing about this hotel is the way it is surrounded by the sites and sounds of the rainforest with the monkeys and macaws that roam the area being the thing most guests are excited about and looking to spot while they enjoy their drinks. The music being as loud as it is, is totally unnecessary. We spoke to three other couples who agreed it was at best, invasive and weird and at worst obnoxious and spoilt the time. After a couple of days we just moved to the second pool and were happy to pay for two drinks instead of one just so we didn't feel like we were in the world's most surreal nightclub. The golf cart service is great if you need it, we used it to get to and from the beach and the drivers couldn't be friendlier, however its a shame it stops at the front gates. There is another hotel we noticed in the local area Issimo Suites just down the hill would send their golf carts up and down the hill ferrying their guests to the little strip of restaurants and supermarket. Maybe Makanda don't offer this because they have their own restaurant on site and so they would be working against their own interest by making the little restaurant strip a bit more accessible, but it seems like a shame because the hill is steep and we had to use it since we couldn't eat at the property. There was a sneaky trick they played with the water in the room which left a bad taste in the mouth as well. When we were shown round the room the person who brought us in said 'these waters are free, the coffee is included, the minibar is not included'... seems straightforward enough... except that what they mean is the first two water bottles you use are free - they will then replace them and charge you $9 plus tax if you touch the new ones. I told my wife my surprise at the fact that this wasn't clear and that i'd not been expecting to pay for multiple bottles (we have no problem with the tap water and drank it through pretty much our whole stay in Costa Rica), and she told me we didn't even have a second bottle each, we just refilled the first ones because they were good to transport around. So not only was the fact that we would be charged kept unclear, but we actually shouldn't have been at all! By this time we were already in our taxi to the airport and it was only two bottles I think so we just shrugged and got on with it. Overall: If you don't mind walking up the hill, and don't have a vegan with you, and like loud music in the early evenings then this hotel is probably the best you'll find in Costa Rica. Certainly in the area! It is genuinely breathtaking, and if you are able to plan your trip and expectations so that you only reach for the good, then it is amazing. You don't have to reach for all of it as part of your experience, but we didn't know that before coming and so we were left a bit disappointed in a few areas. None of these issues would stop us returning because the hotel itself and the staff are so incredible, but we would plan things a little differently and I'm sure the next review will be 5 stars. Thanks for having us guys. Heres to those kinks being ironed out next time.

I’m lost for words..!! The view is better in person than on pictures….!!! 5 star is just not enough to give.. Marvel our shuttle driver let us feel soo welcomed and clean vehicle…!! Our butlers was the best of the best big up Teddy..!! Bartenders Kurt and brown met our every demand even what was off the cocktail menu..!! Chef Tyan and Chef Elijah must be ranking top chefs in the world because the food was out of this world..!! Yasha is the real MVP of the show..!! Keep up the good work..!!!

There is nothing like Jade Mountain in the Caribbean! The rooms are mesmerizing. Service outstanding. The place is not idly named - it is a mountain and unless you are in great shape and/or have lots of time you need to be driven around. Also, don't expect to meet people here. There is no lobby or common pool. You can stay for days and never meet anyone. No problems with mosquitos. But I did leave with a number of red, round bite marks. Much better than the finance bro atmosphere at the Hermitage in Antigua but not quite the sophistication of St Barts. Most importantly - there is NO LONGER A DRY SEASON here. So you can expect rain at any time of year. Climate change is real.