This Caribbean all-inclusive has new villas with rooftops that are perfect for stargazing

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This Lucian outpost from Sandals has upgraded its all-inclusive offering with a village of new accommodation, yet still retains its retro Caribbean charm

Location

Set on a cliffside near Castries on St Lucia’s northwest coast, almost all 220 acres of the La Toc Estate are carpeted in lush greenery. The sprawling resort is around a 90-minute drive from Hewanorra International Airport, from where Sandals offers complimentary pre-booked transfers.

At the hotel, you’re just a 10-minute drive from the island nation’s capital, its central market and Carnival parade route.

The vibe

Regency La Toc hugs a white sand, crescent-shaped beach

Regency La Toc hugs a white sand, crescent-shaped beach (Sandals)

As Sandals expands its portfolio with sleek new openings, Regency La Toc dares to stay dated, maintaining its original Nineties look. The pools are emblazoned with the brand’s mosaic logo and ceiling fans spin overhead. Bright blue villas wind up the hillside to the “Sunset Bluff” village where there's a more exclusive category of villas.

The island resort feels sociable with communal areas and a public beachfront well served by sunbeds. Yes, parts feel tired – the French restaurant, for example – but La Toc is still undeniably charming if you embrace the retro feel by parking up at the lively swim-up bar. By day, the soundtrack is provided by Soca music playing from the bar speakers, and at night, prepare to be sung to sleep by the distinctive call of the resident tree frogs.

The service

As you’d expect at a Sandals resort, service is personalised, familiar and friendly. Check-in is done over a drink, and staff are quick to learn guests’ names.

Waiters are well-versed in menus to make recommendations, presenting local Lucian dishes in open-hearth restaurant Buccan, and offering white-glove service at La Toc.

In the highest room categories, devoted personal butlers deliver cocktails with a smile, and are just a phone call away for golf buggy rides to Armando’s restaurant, so you can avoid the humid walk up the hill.

Bed and bath

At Regency La Toc, 323 rooms sit across 24 categories from Poolside Suites to Millionaire Butler Villas – all featuring soft lighting and decorated in a warm palette of neutral linens, mahogany accents and splashes of blue.

Plush, king-sized beds are standard in all categories, alongside views of the resort’s well-groomed gardens, pool areas or the ocean, from floor-to-ceiling bedroom windows.

In the modern bathrooms, his-and-hers sinks, back-lit mirrors and spacious walk-in showers await guests after sandy beach days.

The Rondoval Butler Villas feature tranquillity tubs and private plunge pools

The Rondoval Butler Villas feature tranquillity tubs and private plunge pools (Sandals)

New last year, the Rondoval Butler Villas (some of which come with rooftop stargazing facilities), are nestled in a village built on the west of the estate. These luxe huts benefit from butler service, outdoor "tranquillity" bathtubs and private plunge pools. With stone-walled rainfall showers, louvred wood shutters, palm-printed throw cushions, and spacious seating areas for a pre-dinner sundowner, Rondoval rooms are the resort’s standout stays.

Food and drink

Buccan opened for service last spring

Buccan opened for service last spring (Sandals)

Buccan, a new family-style restaurant with a menu of local delicacies, is undeniably the hotel’s standout option for cuisine. Expect charred meats, melt-in-the-mouth grilled fish, and coal pot curries married with fresh fruit, smoky Creole spices and coconut chutney, followed by a sweet slice of banana flambe.

Kimonos, a teppanyaki restaurant, is another fun, communal dining concept. However, food falls short in some of the resort’s 10 all-inclusive restaurants. I’d recommend skipping the French menu at La Toc and drinks in The Cricketers Pub. Instead, head to Armando’s for sunset views, or opt for cooked-to-order omelettes at The Pavilion breakfast buffet.

The room service menus put a Caribbean twist on classics, with dishes such as generously portioned jerk chicken salads.

Dietary requirements are well catered for, with dishes adapted on request across the resort.

Facilities

There’s a crescent-shaped beach on your doorstep

There’s a crescent-shaped beach on your doorstep (Sandals)

Sandals excels with its facilities offering. Aside from the three swimming pools and crescent-shaped beach on your doorstep, Regency La Toc offers PADI-certified scuba diving lessons, as well as unlimited water sports, from sailing to paddle boarding – professional instruction optional – to float between.

Back on land, you’ll find lawn games, beach volleyball and a small fitness centre with exercise bikes, stairclimbers, free weights and treadmills for wellness-oriented guests.

Lean into themed entertainment evenings if you’re a fan of cheesy live music or reggae. Or switch off from socialising with a visit to the Red Lane Spa. A menu of massages, facials and manicures awaits guests in the fragrant oasis, with treatments for two also offered in beachside cabanas.

Accessibility

There are no adapted rooms and bathroom facilities have limited space to manoeuvre. The beach is reached via a sloped walkway or stairs. Just one restaurant in the resort – Pavilion Neptune’s Pizzeria – is wheelchair accessible.