Stonefield

I wrote about Russian-Canadian architect and creative genius Nick Troubetzkoy, who conceptualized and built Anse Chastanet followed by the newer Jade Mountain on the island of St. Lucia. My husband and I were fortunate enough to spend the first four nights of our honeymoon at the spectacular Jade Mountain last month, where time stands still and natural elements are merged in a perfect union of light, space and color. We were sad to leave the resort, but all good things must come to an end and our next destination awaited us; a much smaller boutique resort called Stonefield Estate Villa Resort and Spa.

Stonefield is located in very close proximity to Jade Mountain, also in the town of Soufriere, at the base of the awe inspiring Pitons. We had no idea what to expect from this place, but we were hopeful nonetheless. I found the resort through an extensive internet search of top resorts in St. Lucia, and I was impressed with its glowing reviews, intimate ambiance and lush surroundings as a former lime and cocoa plantation. I am a big fan of contrasts in life, and I was prepared for an entirely different quality of experience at Stonefield Villas. After our four night stay at the sprawling, luxurious and highly exclusive Jade Mountain, my husband and I agreed to re-program our psyches, adjust our expectations and enter Stonefield with a fresh perspective.

Upon our arrival we were delighted to receive a warm, cheerful welcome from the staff and a delicious glass of tropical fruit rum punch. We were immediately captivated by the stunning head-on view of Petit Piton and the dense tropical foliage that seemed to go on and on forever, surrounding a glistening slice of turquoise sea. Stonefield offers 18 private villas, each with a spacious veranda, hammock, private plunge pool and unobstructed view of the Caribbean Sea and Petit Piton. The rooms are pleasant, basic and colorful with antique four poster beds ensconced in mosquito netting, private outdoor showers and French Colonial flair.

There is something magical about this place, with a unique combination of simplicity, stillness and natural beauty and a hint of a bohemian vibe. Stonefield does not promise to be something it is not, yet it delivers so much more than it promises. Like a shy beauty humbly ignorant of her captivating presence, Stonefield rests quietly and modestly amidst a verdant, hypnotically beautiful tropical landscape. We spent our first night in the Jacaranda Villa, where we thought we found paradise as we swam in our private stone plunge pool sipping rum punch as the setting sun turned the sky a deep shade of pink and cast shadows across the awesome Petit Piton, reaching proudly towards the heavens like a soldier in salutation.

On the second day, thanks to the warm and gracious manager Mr. Ernie George, we were transferred to the sensational Frangipani Villa- a place I still dream about and recall with longing. As much as I miss the serenity, intimacy and pure beauty of Frangipani, I miss the way I felt in this cherished hideaway. The place liberated me in a deep spiritual sense, tapping into my childish, impulsive and playful side as my inhibitions, material and logistical attachments came unglued. Frangipani became our own private love nest; it was our hideout, our playground, our home and sanctuary. At Frangipani our emotional bond shifted and deepened. We spent hours splashing around in our private pool overlooking the mountains and sea, our skin turning a deeper shade of bronze as we shared secrets, told stories, laughed and reminisced. My favorite memory of our time in St. Lucia, and in fact my favorite stretch of time spent with my husband since the day we met, was our time at Frangipani. Here the rest of the world melted away as we explored the very new terrain of our marriage.