Christmas time always makes me think of the sun-drenched beaches and my family and friends in St Lucia. A couple of years ago my sister Dawn and I visited Jade Mountain for a travel feature for the Christmas special of The Spectator.  Soaring over the Caribbean Sea with breath-snatching views over the Pitons, the Sanctuaries at Jade Mountain are accessed via a sky bridge.  Once inside you are completely wowed by the infinity-pools which are designed to make you feel like you are floating across the sky towards the mountains.  With just three walls, you are exposed to the lightest Caribbean breeze.

Designed using recycled glass, local stone, re-purposed tropical hardwood and individual pieces from suppliers including Environment Furniture, the entire project was hand built with woodworkers, masons and workmen from the local community of Soufriere, ensuring that the economic benefit is kept local.  I loved visiting Jade Mountain’s ‘natural grocery store’ – the 30 acre organic vegetable and herb garden Emerald Estate  in the Soufriere Hills with Chef Jonathan Dearden who prepared a tropical salsa salad with vegetables and fruits fresh from the soil.  Whilst organic fruit and vegetables do not look as beautiful, they try harder and definitely taste better. Read the full piece here The Spectator.