Having left the UK in such a state of uncertainty, I thought it might have been a culture shock arriving on the island and adapting to a more relaxed pace of life – but I couldn’t have been more wrong. My transfer driver made it easy, with a personal tour of the history of St Lucia and it’s beautiful surroundings – despite the 9 hour flight, I couldn’t stop myself asking question after question the entire journey. By the time I arrived at the hotel, I was buzzing from the thrill of being back in a new environment, learning about new cultures again… and feeling that ever-so craved-for winter sun on my skin!
Nestled into 60 acres of lush hillside on St Lucia’s north western coast, Windjammer Landing is a Mediterranean style resort on a large crescent-shaped stretch of beach, boasting six swimming pools (two of them for kids), a selection of signature restaurants and bars, spa, fitness centre, watersports programmes and well-equipped kids club. Not only did I receive the warmest welcome upon arrival but a complete sense of safety – the hotel has adapted incredibly well in ensuring that their guests remain safe and healthy – and their new protocols do not detract from a fulfilling holiday experience in the slightest. 
Throughout my stay, I had a great time working on the ground with the hotel and photoshoot team. Not only was it such a treat to feel the sand between my toes and sun on my back, but it was also wonderful to put the zoom screen down and work together in person! We enjoyed delicious dinners at the resort’s Italian restaurant, Papa Don’s (an easy favourite amongst guests), relaxed lunches at the beach deck, Embers, and I couldn’t get over starting my day with breakfast at Dragonfly each morning – which boasts breathtaking views across the whole beach and Caribbean Sea – and you’re often joined by a hummingbird for coffee! 
Windjammer Landing offers so much to any visitor with a huge watersports offering, fitness centre, tennis, golf, family fun and romantic evenings… but over the last month I have realised how much it gave me. It goes without saying that the travel industry has been badly hit by the pandemic, but I now truly believe we do have the power to come back stronger than ever. At Windjammer there was no sense of a ‘new normal’ but simply a stronger sense of gratitude – I felt more fortunate than ever to experience a new destination, meet people from different cultures and have a chance to relax and unwind. That is exactly what travel offers and I think with our new perspective we will not only crave it more than before but appreciate it too when we get out there – which we will! 
