Coulibri Ridge

We have, of course, visited many hotels over our 55-year history and sometimes - very rarely - we come across a hotel which, for many reasons, simply causes us to take a deep breath, blink, look again and exhale gently, thinking ‘wow…’.

The approach to Coulibri Ridge is via a 3 km long, vegetation-enshrouded track, which climbs upwards and opens onto a ridge - where this stunning property is set - with a view across two enormous, tropical-forest-clad hills, palm tree fronds waving, and the sea beyond. It’s a fairy-tale setting, which immediately connects you with nature - a place you will not wish to leave.

Founded by Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand in 1997, there is a lot more behind this hotel - which absorbed something like 20 years in the making - than just a simply beautiful location. Many hotels profess to being ‘green’, or are called ‘eco’ - but nothing quite like the Coulibri Ridge. This retreat was designed as a long-term research project in how to (respectfully) develop and operate a modern, self-sufficient eco-resort that is closely intertwined with the local community. Here, the natural elements of the sun, the wind and the rain have been harnessed to power an island experience like no other.

Rainwater, collected through the resort’s unique roof design, flows into cisterns and reservoirs, is filtered then purified by ultraviolet light and copper ionization to supply the two communal and four private, chlorine-free pools. The drainage system recycles grey water to irrigate the estate’s 200 acres of lush wilderness, tropical gardens and well-tended kitchen gardens.

Interiors feature recycled teak wood, with ceilings made from recyclable, mould-resistant aluminium. The resort's meticulously-planned exterior, crafted from hand-chiseled stone sourced on-site and built by local artisans, is designed to withstand hurricanes, earthquakes and humidity, while also integrating seamlessly with the natural landscape.

The resort is powered by over 300 solar panels with three grids which provides 90% of the energy required. The solar panels produce 85 KWH of power, using, very precisely, 288 recyclable AGM batteries for storage; to see them lined up neatly is fascinating, too. 10% of the power is also generated by two vertical axis wind turbines, intentionally chosen to limit the impact on the fauna.

But it’s not just the construction, or the thinking behind it all. The sophisticated dining experience here has its emphasis on sustainability, with 80% of all the food consumed being sourced locally. Offerings include gourmet plant-based and gluten-free options in the retreat’s two dining rooms, as well as a complementary snack selection of in-house local savoury nibbles and locally-produced sweets.

The charming staff, the cuisine, the peace, the sheer joy of being at one with nature - you’ll never want to leave this place. It’s a private, very personal, hotel which successfully flies below the radar and will astonish and delight in so many – all very pleasing - ways.

ACCOMMODATION

• Sea View Studios
• Morne Fou Lofts
• Sky Penthouse with exterior rain shower
• Sky Penthouse with private pool

FACILITIES/AMENITIES

• Two dining rooms
• Bar with terrace
• Two swimming pools
• Spa with mountain views
• Yoga pavilion
• Gym
• Boutique
• One meeting room
• The hotel’s concierge service can book a wide range of activities both in and around Soufriere and wider afield, across the whole island. Scuba diving, hiking, snorkelling, kayaking, bird watching, visits to waterfalls, rivers, cultural sites and the National Park

Sea View Studio

The studios are spacious, with 600 sq ft of interior space and a further 350 sq ft of fully-furnished, south-facing, sea-view terraces. The living area has a comfortable couch and a flat-screen adjustable TV, equipped with an Amazon Firestick, a full kitchen with a dining table and chairs, and also a kitchen island equipped with stools. The bathroom features two basins and a large shower. The bedroom has a California King-sized bed and the sleeping area can be separated from the living area by simply pulling a curtain. All Seaview Studios have air conditioning, free wifi, a coffee machine, minibar offerings, a laptop-sized safe, organic toiletries and bathrobes.

Morne Fou Lofts

The Morne Fou lofts offer 950 sq ft of interior living space and large, 400 sq ft terraces overlooking the sea to Martinique and Morne Fou islands. Reaching one of the two swimming pools is via just a few steps downhill. Inside, you will enjoy a living area with a comfortable couch and a flat-screen adjustable television equipped with an Amazon Firestick, a full kitchen with a dining table and chairs and also a kitchen island equipped with stools. One bathroom features two basins and a large shower; there is also a powder room off the bedroom. ​With spectacular views of the Sulphur Spring Valley, the bedroom has a California King bed, a work desk and chair and a lounge chair. The bedroom area can easily be separated from the living area for more privacy by closing two sliding doors. These loft rooms both have air conditioning, free wifi, a coffee machine, minibar offerings, a laptop-sized safe, organic toiletries and bathrobes.

Sky Penthouse with exterior rain shower

The signature, duplex Sky Penthouses offer 1,000 sq ft of interior living space and two terraces: one terrace overlooks the sea, Martinique and Morne Fou, and the other overlooks the Sulphur Spring valley. The Sky penthouses with exterior rain showers are located on the upper floors of the villa buildings. The exterior rain showers offer stunning views of the Sulphur Springs valley as one steps through the terrace door. The lower floor of the duplex consists of a full kitchen with kitchen island with stools, a dining table with four chairs, a powder room, and a high-ceilinged living room area with sofa and ottoman. The television (equipped with an Amazon Firestick) can be angled so it can be seen throughout the living areas. There is also a south sea view terrace with sofa and table. On the top floor, where one can enjoy endless sea views, there is the bedroom with a comfortable California King bed, a bathroom with shower and two basins as well as a work area overlooking the valley. Sky penthouses have air conditioning, free wifi, a coffee machine, minibar offerings, a laptop-sized safe, organic toiletries and bathrobes. Ideal for a party of four, two of the Sky penthouses with exterior rain showers can be linked by opening the doors of their south-facing terraces. ​

Sky Penthouse with private pool

The signature, duplex Sky Penthouses offer 1,000 sq ft of interior living space and two terraces: one terrace overlooks the sea, Martinique and Morne Fou and one overlooks the Sulphur Spring valley. The Sky penthouses with private pools are located on the upper floors of the villa buildings. The pools, floating above the ridge, offer stunning views of the Sulphur Springs valley as one steps through the terrace doors. The lower floors of these duplex rooms consist of a full kitchen with kitchen island and stools, a dining table with four chairs, a powder room, plus a high-ceilinged living room area with a sofa and an ottoman. The televisions (equipped with an Amazon Firestick) can be angled so they can be seen throughout the living areas. There are also south seaview terraces with sofas and tables. On the top floor, where one can enjoy endless sea views, there is the bedroom with a comfortable California King bed, a bathroom with shower and two basins as well as the work area overlooking the valley. ​The Sky penthouses have air conditioning, free wifi, a coffee machine, minibar offerings, a laptop-sized safe, organic toiletries and bathrobes.