If you’re considering Saint Lucia for your destination wedding and / or honeymoon you absolutely need to put Capella Marigot Bay at the top of your list!
My boyfriend and I were lucky enough to stay at this resort for a few nights and spend some time experiencing not only the luxurious amenities they have to offer and the exceptional hospitality that’s ideal for proposals, honeymoons, anniversaries and the like, but to also scout the various spots around the property that are beyond perfect for your Caribbean destination wedding!
Capella is truly a unique hotel to St. Lucia. It’s designed with you and I in mind in that it’s modern while still retaining Caribbean charm. It is definitely what I would term ‘island chic!’ The resort has a marina so we arrived by boat (I never actually saw the incredible open-air lobby chandelier until we were leaving!) and as soon as we tied up helping hands took our bags and before we knew it we were ushered into our incredibly spacious multi-room / condo style suite for 3 nights!
Calling the rooms at Capella Marigot Bay ‘rooms’ doesn’t do them justice. Ours had a full kitchen (seriously, just look at the images throughout this post! The accommodations are magnificent), dining table for 6-8 (imagine an in-suite private chef rehearsal dinner! How great would that be?!), sitting room with flat screen TV, in-suite washer and dryer, your own outdoor-with-an-awesome-view hot tub, a large & luxe bathroom, spacious patio, and of course a big, comfy bed!
The thing that sets Capella Marigot Bay apart from some of the other suite-style resorts in St. Lucia isn’t just the fact that they have American plug consoles (such a great touch! I can never remember to bring converters and with social media / blogging / needing good wifi literally being my livelihood I really appreciated this) and a state of the art chef’s kitchen fully stocked with high-end stemware (wine tastes better in a good glass) but their personalized service and thoughtful details is what really sets them apart.
Upon arrival tropical flowers and a hand-written welcome card awaited, tasty treats were left daily ranging from dried fruits and nuts to delicious Caribbean rum cake, and get this – they left notes after turn-down service! Hand-written notes that made me smile every time. Here’s an example:
“Good evening! Welcome to the goodnight restaurant. On the menu: warm pillow / hot blanket / soft bed / sweet dreams / sound sleep!”
Adorable right?! Now this is the kind of thing that really makes a difference when you and your family and everyone you love is there to celebrate your wedding. This St. Lucian hotel cares as much as you do!
Here’s another one: “Sun is upset and moon is happy because sun is missing you and moon is gonna be with you for the rest of the night!”
Too cute!
When you’re planning your destination wedding it’s really important that you and your guests stay somewhere where they’re comfortable and well taken care of. It’s a destination wedding! They aren’t there for just one night! This is likely a 3 night at the very least trip for them and it needs to special. Capella Marigot Bay makes it so and Capella makes it easy to extend your celebration and soak up all of that together time.
For instance… here’s a sample itinerary for your Saint Lucia destination wedding:
NIGHT ONE: After everyone arrives on island makes their way to Capella Marigot Bay (which the hotel will of course arrange) how about a meet and greet in the Rum Cave? Let the two sides of your families get to know more about each other (trust me on this one, it makes the wedding even more fun when there’s no who is that again moments) and sample some of St. Lucia’s finest rums.
We had an opportunity to do this and it was a highlight of our stay. Not only because of the rum, but the whole experience of it. Sitting around the stylish oak barrel tables in the Rum Cave with its low, intimate wood ceilings calls to mind being on a pirate ship and it was so much fun!. The knowledgeable Darren teaches as you sip, taking you on a fascinating journey through the history of rum distilling on the island. And he does it with so much passion. I always love learning from someone who absolutely adores their subject matter.
DAY TWO: Soak up the sun and island vibes pool side! With a swim up bar (that serves sushi bento boxes), plenty of day beds, two pool options (one is a freshwater infinity with an incredible view over the marina) you’ll also be treated to a refreshment every hour on the hour. The spoonful of sorbet was our favorite.
Afterwards head over with your bridesmaids to the Auriga Spa where you can experience the restorative essences of the island. The spa has a great zen-vibe with a sauna and plunge pool complete with a waterfall. It’s a true indoor / outdoor refuge with their restorative herbs grown right there on property. The Auriga Spa offers signature services named after the phases of the moon and everything is unique to Capella Marigot Bay. You won’t find these amazing treatments anywhere else. With day two being your almost wedding day, I would recommend the Full Moon treatment:
“The full moon is the time to realize your full potential. Live life to its fullest. Pink is the color associated with this phase and balance is its key objective. With a scent revered for centuries, nothing encompasses balance more than rose, the focus of this stabilizing treatment. The process begins with an anointment and massage of the feet with rose oil. While the feet are wrapped in a warm towel, the body is exfoliated with rose petals and rose-oil-infused salt, leaving both the mind and body in complete harmony. A deep, cleansing rose wrap nourishes the body with minerals and is followed by a deep, relaxing massage and a lymphatic facial, utilizing rose crystals and acupressure points. This treatment will bring harmony to all your systems.”
In the evening, join your guests and bridal party at the fabulous Grill at 14⁰61⁰ (in honor of the longitude and latitude of Marigot Bay and a reflection of the seamless combination of Saint Lucian cuisine and culture). My boyfriend and I LOVED the meal we had there. It was divine and in a large party because of the farm to fork concept with locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menu.
Capella Marigot Bay is a must if you’re and your beau are foodies. Executive Chef Billy Boyle works with local farmers and growers right there in the Marigot Bay region of St. Lucia which, when you see it, you’ll have no doubt as to the richness of this area of the island’s soil.
Here’s what we ordered (and couldn’t finish – but took back to the fridge in our suite for snacking on later):
- Organic Field Greens with crispy shallot, cherry tomato, candied walnuts and a butternut milk dressing
- Sweet Potato Dumpling with caramelized cauliflower, truffle cream, and shaved manchego
- Yellowfin Tuna Tartare with avocado cream, capers, and chia crisp
- Duck Confit Gratin with white bean, pearl onion, and rum spiced jus
- Sides: Creamed Spinach and Butter Poached Mushrooms
DAY 3: GET MARRIED!
In the late morning head over to The Salon at Auriga Spa for hair, makeup, nails, and some pre-wedding R&R time with your best girlfriends, sister, and mother.
While Capella is spacious there are many levels to the resort so it feels very intimate. Several venues throughout the property are wedding-worthy depending on what you’re looking for and of course some or all can be incorporated into your wedding via your portrait sessions, first look, ceremony, post-ceremony cocktail hour, and then the wedding reception & dancing!
Of note:
- There’s a half-ballroom sized room that has sliding window-doors so if you like the idea of air conditioning on your wedding day, you can still have that indoor / outdoor vibe and the view isn’t blocked.
- There’s a peaceful garden dubbed the Alexandria Garden that can also be tented or used for your ceremony.
- There are tons of lush, private terraces with epic views
- Since it’s a marina hotel, you can even say your I DOs on a yacht!
- Your entire wedding planning experience is a boutique one. It’s your day, no one else’s! The only limit to the possibilities here is your own imagination.
DAY 4: Now that you don’t have to worry about zipping up your wedding dress, indulge a little and do not miss Capella’s awe-inspiring breakfast buffet. There really aren’t words to describe this one so I’m going to let this picture do the talking:
After your delicious and healthful breakfast – continue the party!
Take your guests out for a yacht charter right from the resort’s own docks to explore the island and its crystal clear waters. Jump in and snorkel next to the iconic twin Piton peeks and then head over to historic Soufriere where you can experience the world’s only drive-through volcano and even take a dip in the restorative sulfur mud.
In the evening your wedding party can dine at the resort or walk to one of the restaurants in the marina village, adjacent to the property.
DAY 5: Say farewell to your happy guests and loved ones and hug your other half and high-5 each other at having had what was without a doubt the best.wedding.ever at Capella Marigot Bay.
Then… head over to the Auriga Spa’s treehouse for a relaxing couple’s massage… go cuddle in your spacious suite, enjoy your private hot tub, take the hotel’s water taxi over to a stunning beach right there in Marigot Bay, dine together in the private terrace separated by water and lush gardens from the main restaurant, and enjoy your honeymoon as newlyweds!
* While Capella Marigot Bay Saint Lucia covered our food and accommodations, I am not required to do anything in return. This review is a good one because I would never bother to write about or promote a company or experience I didn’t care for. All opinions are my own!
