Cap Maison St. Lucia Review: A Luxury Boutique Stay
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So, you’ve probably already decided to visit St. Lucia but maybe you’re still trying to figure out which resort is the best fit for you.
We were in the same boat. There are so many options, and it’s not always clear where to start.
What part of the island should you stay in? Is an all-inclusive worth it? Which room category makes the most sense?
We had all of those same questions, and more, while planning our trip.
In the end, we chose Cap Maison. Honestly, it ended up being one of the best hotels we’ve ever stayed at in the Caribbean.
We’re going to get into all the reasons why we loved this resort so much with our complete Cap Maison St. Lucia review.
We’ll also throw in a few helpful tips along the way to help you decide if this boutique hideaway is the right fit for your trip.
Cap Maison St. Lucia: Our Full Review
You wouldn’t think there would be much to discuss about a Caribbean resort but you’d be surprised.
We took a lot of notes about Cap Maison and St. Lucia in general. We’re going to walk you through our full experience from start to finish.
By the end, you should have a solid sense of whether it’s the right place for your stay.
Let’s dive in!
Location
First, let’s talk about where Cap Maison is located. Location can make a big difference when choosing where to stay in St. Lucia.
The island is fairly large and Cap Maison is located just about as far north as you can get.
The resort is set in Cap Estate, an upscale neighborhood in the north part of the island.
This area is known for its luxury villas, high-end resorts, an 18-hole golf course at Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate, and some beautifully secluded beaches.
Cap Maison itself is tucked away on a quiet side street. There aren’t any large entrances or big signs which gives it a very discreet, private feel.
Despite being tucked away, the hotel is just a short drive from some popular spots.
You can reach places like Pigeon Island, Rodney Bay, and downtown Castries in 30 minutes or less.
For places further south, it’s easy enough to either rent a car or sign up for a day trip.
Pro Insight: Cap Maison is located about 1.5 to 2 hours from the iconic Pitons which are located in the south part of the island.
Getting to Cap Maison: A Luxury Transfer Experience
Most international flights arrive into Hewanorra International Airport in the southeast part of the island. This is about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Cap Maison.
We recommend either renting a car or arranging your transfer through Cap Maison. The hotel works with reputable companies and can arrange for either a ground, boat, or helicopter transfer for arrival and departure.
Here’s a quick look at the approximate pricing for transfers when booked through Cap Maison:
- Luxury Ground Transfer – about $270 for 1–4 people each way
- Helicopter Transfer – about $202 per person plus around $45 for ground transfers (shared transfer) each way
- Boat Transfer – starting around $138 per person including ground transfers (shared transfer) each way
Pro Tip: If you book a One Bedroom Oceanview Suite with Pool or the One Bedroom Oceanview Suite with Pool and Roof Terrace, luxury transfers are included. Luxury transfers typically include a helicopter or boat transfer on arrival and a luxury ground transfer for departure, which has a total value of around $720 for two people. It might be worth comparing room prices to see if upgrading to one of these suites makes sense.
Luxury Ground Transfers
If you arrange for a ground transfer for your arrival through the hotel, you’ll meet your driver at a travel desk located just outside the baggage claim area.
We were escorted to our luxury SUV which was fully stocked with everything you could need for a long drive including water, beer, rum, soft drinks, and snacks.
The scenery along the way is beautiful with a mix of mountains, coastline views, and banana plantations.
While the distance between the airport and hotel is only about 40 miles, the drive will take around 1.5 to 2 hours.
The island’s main roads are built around the mountainous landscape, so, unfortunately, there’s no straight line between any two points on the island.
Pro Tip: If you tend to get car sick, you may want to bring some Dramamine or consider upgrading to a boat or helicopter transfer.
Helicopter Transfers
We ended up having a helicopter transfer for our departure instead of arrival due to scheduling conflicts with our arrival flight.
This actually worked in our favor because we didn’t need to leave for the airport as early as we would have if we had a ground transfer.
This allowed us to enjoy a more leisurely breakfast on our departure day which made everything feel a little less chaotic.
Our driver met us in the hotel lobby at a designated time and, from there, drove us to the helicopter departure point. This was about a 20-minute drive from the hotel. From there, it’s roughly a 20-minute helicopter ride to the airport.
Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of helicopters, but I can’t deny that it was an amazing experience.
We were able to get an aerial view of the Pitons which was breathtaking.
Pro Insight: Larger luggage travels by ground transfer so you’ll need to bring your luggage to the lobby ahead of your departure so it can be picked up and brought to the airport. You’ll collect it again after you arrive. If your arrival transfer is by helicopter, it’ll work the opposite way. Your luggage will be brought to the hotel by ground transfer.
Check-in Experience
Check-in was quick and easy. There isn’t a large open lobby like you find in many resorts. It’s more like a lounge area with a couple of desks.
We were able to relax in the comfortable chairs sipping rum punch while they completed the check-in process. That’s always a nice way to start vacation!
After check-in was complete , we were given a quick tour of the property to show us where everything was, followed by a walkthrough of our room.
It felt like a very personalized experience which is something that is often missing with many hotels nowadays.
One-Bedroom Suite With Pool Details
Now let’s get to the good stuff!
Our room was spectacular. We stayed in a one-bedroom ocean view suite with a private pool that overlooked Smuggler’s Point. I feel like it was one of the best locations in the resort.
There’s a small gazebo positioned right on the point where you can sit and take in the ocean views and sunsets. No one was ever there, so it almost felt like our own private space.
Smuggler’s Point also overlooks Smuggler’s Cove, which is the hotel’s beach. This is where The Naked Fisherman, one of the two resort restaurants, is located.
The room itself was huge, around 2,500 square feet, although that may include the outdoor living space. Either way, the suite felt very spacious and well laid out, with plenty of room to spread out.
There was a large living room with two sets of doors that opened out to the pool area. Off to the side, there was a small dining table, plus another dining nook just off the kitchen.
The kitchen was fully equipped with just about everything you would need if you have an overwhelming desire to cook while you’re on vacation. We did not, big surprise.
The refrigerator was stocked with a few drinks and snacks that were available for purchase. There was also a selection of teas, which was a nice touch.
Note: The bedroom is the only part of the room that’s air conditioned. We didn’t find this to be an issue at all.
The Bedroom
The bedroom had a spacious king-sized bed that was really comfortable, along with a television and seating area.
There were two generously sized closets which had plenty of storage, giving each of us our own space. I was really excited to find an iron and ironing board too. I love linen, but boy does it wrinkle!
The bedroom opened onto a small patio with two chaise lounges. This area could also be accessed from the living room.
The Bathroom
The bathroom was absolutely beautiful and it had plenty of space to spread out.
There were double sinks and it came fully stocked with all the amenities you’d expect from a luxury hotel, including soap, tissues, a vanity mirror, and a hair dryer.
They even provided a small spray bottle of bug repellent, which I appreciated. I have a reputation for attracting every bug within a mile of me but I was hardly bothered by them at all. I was bit maybe once the entire week.
The bathroom also had a stunning soaking tub, a separate water closet, and a stand-up shower that extended to an outdoor shower.
The outdoor shower is perfect for rinsing off after a swim or a day at the beach, but it’s not private enough for a full shower.
Private Pool
Our pool was, by far, our favorite spot at Cap Maison, and it was well worth splurging on the upgraded room .
The outdoor seating area was spacious and inviting, with a couch, chair, and small dining table overlooking the pool.
We spent many hours here just reading, writing, and enjoying the view.
The pool itself was a great size and offered great views of the sea.
I was a little hesitant to book this room because I was worried we wouldn’t have much privacy but that wasn’t a problem at all.
The Beach
As mentioned earlier, the resort’s small beach, Smuggler’s Cove, is nestled between towering cliffs.
It’s a beautiful spot to watch the waves crashing against the cliffs.
If you can, we highly recommend scheduling at least one dinner at The Naked Fisherman to coincide with sunset. It’s stunning.
The beach isn’t huge but it was never crowded when we were there.
One thing to note is that beaches in St. Lucia are public by law. However, beach chairs and floats are reserved exclusively for hotel guests.
You can also enjoy complimentary non-motorized water sports such as paddle boarding , snorkeling, and kayaking.
The Naked Fisherman is open for lunch so you’ll have everything you need for a day at the beach.
Note: You’ll need to navigate approximately 90 steps to reach Smuggler’s Cove and The Naked Fisherman Restaurant.
Dining
We only ventured off-property twice for dinner. In hindsight, we probably shouldn’t have.
One evening, we tried a local restaurant that was a disaster from beginning to end and, trust me, we’re not overly picky.
The second night, we ate at a fine dining restaurant at a nearby resort. While the meal was okay, it didn’t compare to the quality at The Cliff, and neither did the atmosphere.
On the way back to Cap Maison, our driver remarked he was surprised we had gone elsewhere to eat since most guests do the opposite, heading to Cap Maison rather than leaving it. Lesson learned.
Dining Plans
Cap Maison offers different dining plans to meet different needs.
We love this because we always feel like we never eat or drink enough to justify staying at an all-inclusive.
While we opted for the breakfast only option they do offer an all-inclusive plan as well.
Cap Maison also gets bonus points for offering room service.
We stayed at a popular all-inclusive in Jamaica for our last trip to the Caribbean. Room service wasn’t offered there which we found a little bizarre.
It’s nice to see that not all hotels are cutting back on services.
The Cliff at Cap Restaurant
The Cliff is Cap Maison’s fine dining restaurant and the name pretty much sums up its location.
It’s perched at the top of a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea and in the distance you can see as far as Pigeon Island.
We decided that whoever designed the restaurant was a genius because it’s laid out in tiers which means that every table has a view.
Really, the whole resort was designed to take full advantage of the clifftop views, not just the restaurant.
The food at The Cliff was spectacular from the appetizers all the way through to dessert. Portions weren’t huge but we were fine with that since it allowed us to order appetizers and dessert without feeling the least bit guilty.
Breakfast at The Cliff is served à la carte, and one of our favorite parts of our stay was starting our day here.
The menu offers a variety of options, from omelettes and pancakes to avocado toast, so there’s something for everyone. You can also choose a continental breakfast, featuring an assortment of breads and pastries, or fresh yogurt with fruit.
The Naked Fisherman Restaurant
We absolutely loved The Naked Fisherman, so much so that we ate there three of the five nights we stayed on-site. Like The Cliff, everything about the experience was exceptional.
The views, especially at sunset, are breathtaking, and the food and drinks were amazing. We tried something different each night, and every dish was excellent.
Our favorites included the seafood chowder and the Kobe burger, but the roast seafood mac and cheese was also incredible.
Service
The service at Cap Maison was outstanding from start to finish. From the moment we checked in to the time we departed, every staff member we encountered was warm, friendly, and attentive, making us feel genuinely welcomed and well cared for.
One interesting feature of the resort is the small call buttons scattered throughout the property that guests can press when they need assistance.
While we didn’t personally use them, it’s a nice touch that underscores the level of convenience and service the resort provides.
Whether it was helping with reservations, offering local recommendations, or simply greeting us with a smile, the staff consistently went above and beyond to ensure our stay was seamless and enjoyable.
Resort Grounds
Although Cap Maison is a relatively small resort, the grounds are absolutely stunning, with every area thoughtfully positioned to maximize the dramatic clifftop views.
The resort has two main pools. The first is a multi-level pool adjacent to The Cliff, offering breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounded by lush greenery and flowers.
The second, the Spanish Courtyard Pool, is more secluded and slightly smaller, but it’s a great place if you’re looking for a quiet spot.
One thing we noticed about both pools, and the resort in general, was how quiet it was. Nothing was ever crowded.
For anyone who has ever been to a larger resort where securing a poolside chair seems like an unattainable goal unless you’re up at the crack of dawn, you’ll be relieved to know this is not an issue at Cap Maison.
No matter the time of day, there was always a comfortable seat available, so you can sleep as late as you want.
Things to Do at the Resort
While Cap Maison doesn’t offer organized activities, there’s still plenty to do beyond lounging by the pool.
Non-motorized water sports are included with your stay, including snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, and more.
For those who like to stay active on land, there’s an on-site gym, and you can also arrange for a private yoga instructor to visit your room for a personalized session.
Wine enthusiasts can explore the resort’s walk-in Wine Cellar.
You can schedule a wine tasting or a wine-pairing dinner, giving you the chance to sample some of the many selections from their extensive collection of over 2,000 bottles.
Tips for Planning Your Stay at Cap Maison
We noted a few things during our stay that we thought would be helpful for anyone planning to stay at Cap Maison.
- If you book a room that’s supposed to include transfers, don’t worry if you don’t see it noted in your reservation. They usually reach out shortly after.
- After booking your hotel, the concierge will email you about transfer options, and once everything is confirmed, they’ll send another email with the transfer details, including times and meeting locations.
- If you have a helicopter transfer for departure, be sure to check with the concierge the day before to see what time your luggage needs to be in the lobby. No one contacted us and we didn’t think to ask which was a rookie mistake. We ended up having to pay $200 to have someone bring our luggage to the airport which we weren’t thrilled about. Still love the resort but another lesson learned.
- The beach and The Naked Fisherman are only accessible by a set of 90 steps that you’ll need to navigate to get to and from the restaurant.
- For safety reasons, The Naked Fisherman does not accept cash. You’ll see signs posted referring to this policy.
- Book restaurant reservations in advance. People come from other resorts just to dine at Cap Maison so it gets very busy.
- Once the sun sets, it gets very dark, meaning you’ll be able to hear the waves crashing but you won’t see much. If you want to be guaranteed a view while dining, make a reservation that coincides with sunset.
Getting Around St. Lucia
If you feel like venturing off-site, there are many full-day or half-day tours available. Popular ones include day trips to visit the Pitons or this sunset cruise that we took one night.
You can also rent a car and explore the island on your own, which we did for a day.
The concierge helped to arrange the rental for us. The car was both dropped off and picked up at the hotel, which was extremely convenient.
Here’s a quick look at drive times from the hotel to popular locations around the island.
- Rodney Bay – 10 minutes
- Pigeon Island National Park – 10–15 minutes
- Gros Islet (Friday Night Street Party) – 10 minutes
- Castries – 20–30 minutes
- Marigot Bay – 35–45 minutes
- Soufrière (Pitons area) – 1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes
- Gros Piton / Petit Piton – 1 hour 30 minutes+
- Sugar Beach – 1 hour 30 minutes
- Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) – 1 hour 30 minutes – 2 hours
If you decide to dine off-property, the concierge can also arrange transportation for you.
They work with reputable drivers who will pick you up in a Cap Maison vehicle, drop you off at your destination, and return to pick you up when you’re ready.
The driver provides a business card with a contact number, making it simple to call when it’s time to be picked up again.
This is convenient, reliable, and takes the stress out of planning an evening away from the resort.
Who Cap Maison Is Best For
We absolutely love Cap Maison, but we realize it might not be the right fit for everyone.
If you’re looking for a quiet resort with stunning clifftop views, impeccable service, and exceptional dining experiences, Cap Maison is hard to beat.
For those who prefer larger resorts with organized activities, and more dining options, there might be better options elsewhere.
If you’re still deciding whether this is the right resort for you, check out our reasons to stay at Cap Maison post!
👉 See the Reasons to Stay at Cap Maison post here
Things to Know Before Booking
We’ve covered a lot of information already but here’s some additional things to consider before booking your stay.
- Cap Maison is not a sprawling resort. It’s a boutique resort with only 49 rooms.
- If you’re looking for a resort that has multiple nightlife options, this is not that type of resort. There is a bar with lounge seating inside The Cliff and a small bar at The Naked Fisherman but that’s pretty much it.
- There aren’t any organized activities. The focus of this resort is a quiet, refined luxury. It’s all about relaxing.
- Airport transfers are long. It’s roughly a 1.5 hour ride between the airport and Cap Maison
FAQs
Hopefully we’ve touched on all the important points to help you plan your stay. Just in case, let’s go over some frequently asked questions about Cap Maison.
Is Cap Maison on the beach?
No, Cap Maison is not on the beach. It’s situated on a clifftop overlooking the water. However, Smuggler’s Cove is the onsite beach which you can reach via a set of stairs built into a cliff.
Is Cap Maison all-inclusive?
Cap Maison is not strictly an all-inclusive resort, however, an all-inclusive option is offered.
Is Cap Maison adults-only?
No, Cap Maison is not adults-only. There are many accommodations that are perfect for families including two and three bedroom options.
Our Final Take: Cap Maison St. Lucia Review
We hope our Cap Maison St. Lucia review has provided all the insight you need to determine if this is the right resort for your getaway.
Without hesitation, we would absolutely stay at Cap Maison again. This is, by far, our new favorite Caribbean resort. That’s saying a lot considering the number of resorts we’ve visited over the years.
Cap Maison has everything we look for in a luxury resort including breathtaking views, exceptional service, world-class dining, and a sense of privacy and peace. It truly exceeded our expectations in every way.
If you have any questions about Cap Maison, feel free to reach out to us.
Talk soon!
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