Ladera was built perched on the top rim of a ridge 1,100 feet above sea level, overlooking the Caribbean. Because of its height, and the fact that it is nestled into the hillside, no one but the birds can see into your room.

While the unique architecture of Ladera allows unimpeded views out to the west, the constant trade winds blowing gently and steadily from the east keep the resort virtually mosquito-free. There are moths that are attracted to light at night, and birds that will serenade you in the morning, but almost no biting bugs.

Because of its elevation, Ladera is always several degrees cooler than any other place in St. Lucia. There is constant "natural air conditioning" in all the rooms, suites and villas at Ladera because of the cooling trade winds that blow in from the east. You can adjust how much of a breeze you get simply by opening or closing a window.

Ladera offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from nearby beaches throughout the day. We also provide complimentary beach towels and snorkeling equipment for your enjoyment.

We always encourage our guests to use the shuttle transportation from the airport to Ladera first. This trip will provide the experience you need to make the rental car decision. The roads in St. Lucia can be quite steep and winding, and are not well marked or well lit. In addition, vehicles are driven on the left side of the road in St. Lucia, which can take some getting used to for North Americans.

If you decide to rent a car, we can take care of it for you at the reception. You should budget about US$70 per day for the rental car, approximately US$12 - US $21 for a permit, plus gas.

Visitors who do not have an international driving permit must purchase a temporary permit in order to drive in St. Lucia. A valid driver's license is required.

Fabulous! Dasheene, the restaurant at Ladera, has been recognized as having some of the best cuisine on the island. Our chef, Orlando Satchell, has consistently won medals for his innovative use of fresh and delicious ingredients. The food is a blend of Caribbean, Oriental and Continental dishes, and the dinner menu changes daily, depending upon the availability of ingredients and the catch of the day.

Absolutely! Our chef always prepares a wide selection of dishes, including several vegetarian offerings, each day. Should you have any special needs or dietary restrictions, we would be pleased to do everything possible to accommodate you. If possible, please let us know in advance of your arrival, as our Chef would like to meet with you personally to ensure your satisfaction during your stay.

Yes, during breakfast and lunch, most people are ready to go out and enjoy the day - shorts, tee shirts, summer dresses, even dry bathing suits with cover-ups are fine. For dinner, the dress ranges from casual to elegant, depending on the guest and what special occasion they might be celebrating. Gentlemen are requested to wear sleeved shirts, long pants and footwear. No shorts or bare feet please.

Ladera has both a telephone and fax machine in the office available for guests to use. In case of emergency, contact any staff member, and they will find a telephone for you to use. Calls are billed to telephone credit cards - we don't have the ability to charge them to your room. Should anyone need to reach you, the office personnel will take a message and deliver it to your room.

Additionally, each room comes with a Ladera Necessaire kit that includes "Jeeves", a two-way radio that connects you to reception.

Ladera was designed primarily as a retreat for adults. Because of its unique location overlooking the Caribbean and the Pitons, there are steep drop-offs at the edge of every suite. Furthermore, many guests come to Ladera to get away from their children - for the romantic setting and peaceful solitude Ladera offers.

If you do bring your children, please keep a constant eye on them, especially around the cliff areas and on the stairways, and be sure they understand that peace and quiet are important to many of the guests at the resort. Children over the age of 10 are welcome. Families with children ages 5 and up are welcome during the holidays.

The unit of currency in St. Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC), which is fixed at a rate of U.S. $1.00 = E.C. $2.67. Rates will vary a bit depending on where you exchange money, but U.S. currency is also widely accepted. Most tourist shops and restaurants do accept credit cards. Ladera accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discovery.