Sandals Regency La Toc Unveils New Villas with Rooftop Stargazing in St Lucia
More than three decades after its initial opening, Sandals Regency La Toc in St Lucia has significantly enhanced its all-inclusive offering with a village of new accommodation, while preserving its nostalgic Caribbean charm. Natalie Wilson recently visited to experience these impressive additions firsthand.
Location and Setting
Perched on a cliffside near Castries on St Lucia's northwest coast, the La Toc Estate spans approximately 220 acres of lush greenery. The resort is situated about a 90-minute drive from Hewanorra International Airport, with Sandals providing complimentary pre-booked transfers. Guests are just a 10-minute drive from the island nation's capital, its central market, and the vibrant Carnival parade route.
Vibe and Atmosphere
As Sandals expands with sleek new properties, Regency La Toc boldly maintains its original 1990s aesthetic. The resort features pools adorned with the brand's mosaic logo and classic ceiling fans. Bright blue villas ascend the hillside to the exclusive "Sunset Bluff" village. The atmosphere is sociable, with communal areas and a well-equipped public beachfront. While some elements, like the French restaurant, show signs of wear, the resort's retro charm remains undeniable, especially when enjoyed from the lively swim-up bar. Days are soundtracked by Soca music, while nights are serenaded by the distinctive calls of resident tree frogs.
Service Excellence
Service at Sandals Regency La Toc is personalised, familiar, and exceptionally friendly. Check-in is conducted over a refreshing drink, and staff quickly learn guests' names. Waiters are knowledgeable about menus, offering recommendations and presenting local Lucian dishes with flair at open-hearth restaurant Buccan. Higher room categories include dedicated personal butlers who deliver cocktails with a smile and provide golf buggy rides to venues like Armando's restaurant, sparing guests the humid uphill walk.
Accommodation and New Villas
The resort boasts 323 rooms across 24 categories, from Poolside Suites to Millionaire Butler Villas. All feature soft lighting, warm neutral linens, mahogany accents, and splashes of blue. Plush king-sized beds are standard, with views of gardens, pools, or the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows. Modern bathrooms include his-and-hers sinks, back-lit mirrors, and spacious walk-in showers.
The standout addition is the Rondoval Butler Villas, introduced last year in a village on the estate's west side. These luxurious huts offer butler service, outdoor "tranquillity" bathtubs, and private plunge pools. Some villas are equipped with rooftop stargazing facilities, perfect for nighttime astronomy. Features include stone-walled rainfall showers, louvred wood shutters, palm-printed throw cushions, and spacious seating areas for pre-dinner sundowners, making them the resort's premier accommodation.
Dining and Cuisine
Buccan, a new family-style restaurant serving local delicacies, is the hotel's culinary highlight. Guests can enjoy charred meats, grilled fish, coal pot curries, fresh fruit, smoky Creole spices, and coconut chutney, followed by desserts like banana flambe. Kimonos offers a fun teppanyaki experience. However, some of the resort's 10 all-inclusive restaurants, such as the French menu at La Toc, are less impressive. Recommendations include Armando's for sunset views and The Pavilion for cooked-to-order omelettes. Room service adds a Caribbean twist to classics, like jerk chicken salads, and dietary needs are well accommodated across the resort.
Facilities and Activities
Sandals excels with its extensive facilities. Beyond three swimming pools and a crescent-shaped beach, Regency La Toc provides PADI-certified scuba diving lessons and unlimited water sports, including sailing and paddle boarding. Land-based activities feature lawn games, beach volleyball, and a fitness centre with exercise bikes, stairclimbers, free weights, and treadmills. Themed entertainment evenings cater to fans of live music or reggae, while the Red Lane Spa offers massages, facials, manicures, and treatments for two in beachside cabanas.
Accessibility and Policies
The resort has no adapted rooms, and bathroom facilities offer limited manoeuvrability. The beach is accessible via a sloped walkway or stairs, with only Pavilion Neptune's Pizzeria being wheelchair-accessible. Pets are not permitted, except for trained service animals meeting local requirements. Check-in is from 3pm, and check-out is at 11am. As an adult-only resort, guests must be aged 18 or over.
Summary
Best feature: The impressive Rondoval Village villas with rooftop stargazing.
Ideal for: Sociable couples seeking a blend of retro charm and modern luxury.
Not suited for: Those seeking peace and quiet or families with children.
Instagram spot: The fire pits around Sunset Bluff, offering views of fluttering sails with a rum-based beverage in hand.
Address: Sandals, La Toc Road, Castries, St Lucia
Phone: +1 888-726-3257
Website: sandals.co.uk
Natalie Wilson was a guest of Sandals Regency La Toc.
