By: Deb Steenhagen
The completely renovated Harmony wing of the gorgeousall-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa on St. Lucia is the ultimate spot for an indulgent girlfriend getaway.
Highlights
- 85-acre resort retreat with a mile of beachfront
- Nine restaurants, ranging from casual take-out to upscale a la carte experiences, with alcoholic beverages included
- There are two sides to the resort, the family-friendly Splash wing and the adults-only Harmony wing
The writer was hosted.
First Impressions
There’s something special about a mother-daughter getaway any time. But when the daughter is 22, the getaway feels less mother-child and more as girlfriends. That made my trip to the all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa with my adult daughter extra special. That it served as a bright spot to end an otherwise difficult year was just the cherry atop an already yummy cake.
As she and I walked into the open-air lobby, we soaked up the salty sea air and listened to the waves lap the beach. We were immediately greeted with a hearty welcome and offered drinks while friendly staff whisked our bags away to our room. We immediately felt ready to rest, relax and recharge for our 4-day stay in the island sun.
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Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa Highlights
- Coconut Bay, an independent resort, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025.
- Although the resort closes for a full month each year for upgrades and repairs, the adults-only Harmony wing (where we stayed on this trip) just underwent a gut rehab and the results are stunning.
- Coconut Bay is located only a few minutes away from St. Lucia’s international airport, so we were resting by the pool within minutes of our arrival on the island.
- Located on 85 acres, the resort offers 125 adult-only rooms in its Harmony wing and 125 family-friendly rooms in the Splash wing.
- The resort features multiple pools (some adults-only), a spa, private beach, water park, petting zoo, the island’s only paintball course and more.
- There are 9 restaurants, ranging from casual to upscale. All meals are prepared on-site with local ingredients.
- The resort has one mile of beachfront, with a bar, water activity rentals, cabana rentals and hammocks.
Is Coconut Bay Worth the Cost?
In my opinion, yes! Nearly everything is included in the cost – food, drinks, activities, even airport transfers. Only a few add-ons, such as spa treatments and off-site excursions, cost extra.
Why Coconut Bay is Great for a Girlfriend Getaway
- Whether you are a beach lover, want to sit by the pool and relax or party every night, there’s something for you at.
- This is a true all-inclusive resort. Alcoholic beverages are included in the cost so you can drink as much as you please. I don’t drink, but my daughter enjoyed a few cocktails during our stay.
- The Harmony side of the resort allows for an adults-only experience with separate pools, hot tub, lounging areas, hammocks and bar. You can avoid going over to the Splash side entirely if you choose.
- One word – Vernon! He is the fitness instructor at Coconut Bay and puts so much energy and personality into everything he teaches. I did both yoga and aqua aerobics classes and both were incredibly fun. You really have to experience Vernon to truly understand why he’s so amazing.
- My daughter and I loved sharing a room with two queen beds, but the rooms are large enough to accommodate a group of four if traveling with girlfriends.
- As an adult, I completely appreciate the experience of a walk-in shower versus the tub/shower combinations common in many hotel rooms.
- The staff go out of their way to make sure that your stay is everything you want it to be and more. We had handwritten notes from our housekeeper every day, and everyone from restaurant staff to towel attendants was friendly and outgoing.
- The resort is gated with a security guard, and security also patrols the grounds and beach during the day and night. As two women traveling alone, we never felt unsafe at any point during our stay.
Housed in Harmony: Rest and Relaxation
All of Coconut Bay‘s Harmony rooms are the same size but pricing differs depending on the view and the bed configuration (either king or double queen). My daughter and I stayed in a Harmony Premium Ocean View room with 2 queen beds that sleeps up to 4. From our 3rd-floor balcony, we had an amazing view of the ocean and the resort grounds.
Rooms are air-conditioned with ceiling fans and it was so refreshing to enter our room and be hit by that cool air after being out in the sun and humidity. The decor is tropical in blues and greens and several of the furniture pieces were actually made in the on-site carpenter shop.
Other room amenities include:
- Flat screen TV
- Safe
- Iron and ironing board (in the cutest little closet!)
- Mini refrigerator stocked with water and soft drinks
- Coffee/tea service
- Hair dryer
The bathroom is large with a glass walk-in shower, plenty of room to hang clothes and a good amount of vanity space, perfect for women with lots of hair products and makeup. There is a lit vanity mirror and a portable makeup mirror out in the main area of the room.
The beds were incredibly comfortable with cushy pillows. Our room also had a sitting area with a couch and coffee table. My favorite thing about our Coconut Bay room? Being able to lie in bed and look out at palm trees and the ocean through the sliding glass door to the balcony.
Girlfriend Grub: Dining Options from Casual to Chic
We had the opportunity to try several of the different restaurants on-site and even my picky daughter was able to find plenty of options. The menus are varied and they use as many local ingredients as possible. The resort even has an on-site greenhouse.
Calabash (Caribbean)
- Vibe: Intimate dining with mood lighting and formal linens and dinnerware.
- Menu: A la carte, dinner only
- Dress code: Smart Resort Wear with no swimsuits, shorts or flip flops allowed
- Reservations: Required
I ordered the Sous Kaye Grilled Pork Chop, served with Sour Cream Scallion Whipped Potatoes and Mushroom Port Wine. The pork was tender and delicious and I savored every bite. My favorite was the potatoes, so creamy and smooth. My daughter tried the Basil Lime Garlic Grilled Chicken Breast with Plantain Roasted Corn Quinoa and Lemony Thyme Jus. She liked the chicken but wasn’t a fan of the sides.
Silk (Asian)
- Vibe: Bright and lively with Asian-inspired decor and flavors.
- Menu: A La carte and serves dinner only.
- Dress code: Smart Resort Wear with no swimsuits, shorts or flip flops allowed.
- Reservations: Required.
I tried the Catch of the Day, which was a delicious grouper. All seafood at Coconut Bay is fresh-caught on the same day as it’s served. The Silk Chocolate Fudge I had for dessert was amazing. Silk also serves sushi and sashimi.
Coconut Walk Marketplace (International)
- Vibe: Buffet-style with multiple stations, including three where food is made to order.
- Menu: Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at set time intervals. Some stations change their menu daily while others stay consistent.
- Dress code: Casual but no wet swimsuits allowed.
- Reservations: Not required.
We ate here the most often; it’s easy to visit the various stations to put together a delicious meal with both cold and hot options. The breads and pastries served at Coconut Bay are all incredible (the resort’s owner also owns the largest bakery on Jamaica!), so we made sure to grab rolls, croissants, muffins and cookies. The salad bar is expansive, as are the dessert options. They also serve all-you-can-eat ice cream and cotton candy.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Coconut Walk is closed between meal times, so make sure you pay attention to the time if you don’t want to miss out.
Other On-Site Dining Options
- Flip Flops is the casual, take-out dining option that offers pizza, burgers and fries and welcomes guests who don’t want to change out of their swimsuits to get a bite to eat. This is also the only late-night food option. We had pizza here a couple of times and my daughter absolutely loved their fries.
- The Jerk Tree House is one restaurant I really wanted to try but didn’t manage to get to. It is an actual tree house and serves take-out lunch and snacks. There’s no dress code or reservations needed and I’m told that the jerk pork and chicken are amazing.
- The Veranda is adults-only, a la carte, and open for breakfast (Mon-Sat) and dinner only. The dress code is Smart Resort Wear but you don’t need a reservation to dine here. I had breakfast here twice and loved eating outside with the ocean view and breeze.
- Trattoria (Italian) has an a la carte menu and serves dinner only. The dress code is resort casual and reservations are required.
- La Luna offers a private and intimate dining experience right on the ocean for couples or private gatherings. Reservations and an additional fee are required.
Pool Highlights
- 5 pools, including 2 adults-only, a swim-up bar, and pool volleyball
- Hot tubs on both the Splash and Harmony sides
- Splash wing includes the largest water park in St. Lucia, with slides and a lazy river
I spent a lot of time in the large Harmony pool, mostly just relaxing in the water and reading. This pool encompasses the large, circular hot tub. I never saw the hot tub empty – whether people knew each other beforehand or not, it’s a great hang-out spot to chat while you soak.
Water parks aren’t just for kids! My daughter and I floated through a portion of the lazy river before being rained out in one of the island’s almost-daily brief showers. And we only left because we had belongings that couldn’t get wet.
SheBuysTravel Tip: A waterproof pool/beach bag is a great idea since daytime rain showers are common on St. Lucia. That way your things stay dry while you enjoy the water.
Beach Highlights
- One mile of beachfront along the Atlantic Ocean
- Surf Shack offers water activities like snorkeling, paddleboarding and kite surfing (extra fee + instruction required)
- Private adult-only cabanas available to rent
- Hammocks, including two in the water
- Paradise Beach Bar offers drinks and snacks
Although you can access the beach from anywhere in the resort, the Paradise Beach area with bar, cabanas and Surf Shack is about a 5-minute walk. There is motorized transport available if you aren’t able to walk or just prefer to ride. We enjoyed a cabana for the afternoon and it was one of the best beach experiences I’ve ever had.
The cabana provides a suspended bed to relax on as well as chairs and chaise lounges. You can either sit out in the sun or back in the shade, and you have a beautiful view of the ocean and the Maria Islands. The day was breezy so there were a few folks out kite surfing, which was fun to watch.
Sanctuary Spa: Renew and Recharge
- Located oceanfront on the Harmony side of the resort.
- Couples’ treatments are offered in indoor treatment rooms as well as in outdoor cabanas right on the ocean.
- Offers massages, facials, and body wraps, and has sauna and steam rooms on site.
- They have an aloe garden on site, so they use freshly-harvested aloe in treatments.
- You can purchase skincare products made with locally-grown cocoa.
I had a lovely massage, and even in the indoor treatment rooms you can hear the ocean waves as you relax and enjoy the treatment.
I also purchased the aloe wrap for my daughter, who had been sunburned pretty badly. She said the wrap helped immensely with the sunburn and she loved lying there listening to the waves as well. The aloe used in the wrap is harvested moments before the treatment in the on-site aloe garden.
Recreational and Fitness Activities
Coconut Bay offers a multitude of included exercise and fitness classes. I participated in two classes (water aerobics and yoga) with the resort’s recreational activities director, Vernon. He was the most upbeat instructor I’ve ever experienced; he’s a blast to watch and listen to!
Along with classes, Coconut Bay offers a 24/7 fitness center with many options for both cardio and weight training. Other fitness options include:
- Pool and beach volleyball courts
- Lighted tennis and pickleball and basketball courts
- Reggae, Caribbean and country line dancing lessons
- Walking or running along the one mile of beach
- Stand-up paddleboarding, kite surfing and kayaking
- Paintball
- Walking up nearby Quarry Hill
Entertainment
There’s something happening every night at Coconut Bay, from food events to live music and holiday parties that showcase local culture and experiences.
We visited in October, so the highlight was a Halloween party with live local music and a costume contest. Uncooperative weather meant the party had to move from the beach to the open-air lobby, but it didn’t dampen the fun.
We also experienced one of the weekly Caribbean Nights with live entertainment and a large buffet out on the pool deck. Local musicians, dancers and fire dancers kept the crowd going all evening long. It was the last night of Coconut Bay’s annual Rums of the Caribbean Festival, with the opportunity to taste rum made on St. Lucia and other islands.
Other regular entertainment includes:
- Weekly artisan market on Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Live music by local musicians nightly
- Daytime painting classes
- Themed dinners out on the pool deck, like Caribbean Night and Country and Western Night, every week.
- Karaoke and beach parties
Off-Site Excursions
While you never have to leave the resort, offers many optional paid excursions, from zip lining and sky gondola rides to snorkeling and SCUBA diving. Free options to leave the resort grounds include scheduled walks to the nearby town of Vieux Fort or up nearby Quarry Hill.
We did a full-day land and sea adventure that began with a catamaran sail from Laborie along the coast up to Soufriere, with two stops along the way for snorkeling. We had a delicious buffet lunch in Soufriere with a breathtaking view, and then boarded a bus that took us to stops at Torraile Waterfall and the local sulfur springs and mud bath.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Although the boat has an enclosed cabin and a deck area that’s shaded, the best views are from the front, where you’re in full sun. Make sure to wear a cover-up or rashguard and hat, and/or apply plenty of sunscreen. And remember to reapply throughout the day! My daughter learned that lesson the hard way.
Our favorite parts of the excursion:
- Enjoying the time to relax in the sun and ocean breeze while seeing the coastline and viewing the Gros and Petit Pitons (the two iconic volcanic mountains that are St. Lucia’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site).
- Snorkeling among coral reefs with colorful fish.
- The beautiful view of Soufriere while enjoying a delicious lunch at the Beacon Restaurant.
- Standing under the (cold!) Torraile Waterfall and feeling the rush of the water hitting us.
- The mud bath and sulphur springs at Soufriere Volcano – the only drive-in volcano in the world! They were relaxing and fun, and we all remarked on how soft our skin felt afterward.
SheBuysTravel Tip: On this excursion you’ll want a swimsuit cover-up to wear for lunch after snorkeling. Then make sure you have on a dark-colored suit for the waterfall and mud bath since the mud can stain.
About St. Lucia
St. Lucia is an island in the Caribbean, known for its lush tropical vegetation, volcanic landscapes, Creole culture and beautiful beaches. Their culture is influenced by both the English and French.
This small island (only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide) has become a popular tourist destination, especially for honeymoons and romantic vacations. But more than just for couples, St. Lucia offers a wide variety of activities and adventures perfect for any adults-only getaway.
What to Know Before You Go
- A passport is required to travel to St. Lucia. To expedite your arrival through customs, fill out the Electronic Immigration Form before you arrive.
- St. Lucia uses the East Caribbean Dollar, but American dollars are good just about anywhere so there’s no need to exchange currency. But if you do want to use EC dollars, the reception staff will exchange USD to EC at that day’s exchange rate for you.
- Tipping is not required at Coconut Bay as standard gratuities are already included in the price. However, the workers always appreciate them and are happy to take US dollars.
- You can leave your power adapter at home; there are American-type outlets with 110V, as well as USB Type B and C outlets in all rooms.
- St. Lucia is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone and they do not change their clocks for Daylight Saving Time. Since our trip spanned the fall time change in the US, we started off synced with our local EST time but ended the trip an hour behind.
- The drinking age on St. Lucia is 18.
Getting to Coconut Bay
As of 2025, four airlines fly from the US to St. Lucia: American, Delta, JetBlue and United. We flew American but since direct flights aren’t available from our local airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we connected through Charlotte, NC.
The best fare we found involved an overnight layover in Charlotte and a stay in an airport hotel on our way to St. Lucia. Since both flights left later in the mornings, we also had the benefit of being able to rest well overnight and arrived at Coconut Bay refreshed and ready. When coming home, we again connected through Charlotte, but both flights were the same day. We left St. Lucia at 4pm local time and arrived in Grand Rapids around midnight.
Coconut Bay provides free transportation from the airport by local cabs. We only waited a few minutes before being whisked off to the resort. Look for the resort’s booth in the arrivals area – the attendant labeled our bags, flagged down the cab and got us all loaded in.
Conclusion
On the ride back to the resort lobby from Paradise Beach, I joked that I could easily move into the cabana and be blissfully happy to never leave. Sadly, cabana-living isn’t possible. The next best thing is to book a stay at Coconut Bay.
This was my first visit to St. Lucia and I can say with certainty that I hope it won’t be my last. I can see why families, couples and friends love to visit year after year to make Coconut Bay a tradition. The staff make you feel like a part of the family and you can simply relax and enjoy the all-inclusive experience without extra stress. I had so much fun there with my daughter that I’m already working on how to plan another trip there with my group of girlfriends.
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