June 27, 2007, St. Lucia – In the midst of new development on St. Lucia and the island’s unprecedented popularity over the past several years, one small hotel is intent on delivering the kind of authentic, rarified vacation experience that is reminiscent of a bygone Caribbean era.

East Winds Inn is discretely nestled between the capital of Castries and Rodney Bay Marina on the northwest side of St. Lucia. Surrounded by 12-acres of lush tropical gardens and bordered by BrelotteBay, the Inn is set on one of the most pristine beaches on the island.

The Inn has just 30 guest rooms, most of which are individual cottages trimmed with gingerbread fretwork and topped with traditional shingle-style tile roofs. The cottages are scattered among the sloping lawns and trunks of enormous mango, casuarinas and flamboyant trees, surrounded by an abundance of crotons and sprays of palm fronds. East Winds has the sophisticated elegance that only a handful of venerable Caribbean resorts truly possess. Guests can enjoy the tunes of the only Steinway Grand piano in the Caribbean at the Inn’s Flamboyant Restaurant, or drink from bottomless flutes of champagne at the Sunset bar or at the elegant Bamboo Lounge. There is a sense of intimacy, and while the Inn has the friendliness of a family-run hotel, it also has the refinement of a private club.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
East Winds harkens back to the classic European resort model of an all-inclusive, or “all-experience” stay, where a single price takes care of both room and board through refined and sophisticated services, meals in one of the island’s top restaurants, drinks in the Caribbean’s most elegant cocktail lounge, and a variety of resort activities.

East Winds is all-inclusive, but couldn’t be more unlike the large resorts that call themselves all-inclusive. For example:
All room rates include three meals daily, beverages, afternoon tea and water sports.
Free flowing Pertois Moriset Brut or Pertois Moriset Rose champagne is served each evening at the Sunset Bar and Bamboo Lounge.
Dinner in the Flamboyant Room is silver service, complemented by a more casual semiweekly barbeque and popular seasonal Friday night Lobster Grill.

Shuffle board, table-tennis, Pétanque (French boules), wide selection of board games, and an extensive free library of CDs and DVDs (for rooms with TV) and books.

Free water sports: canoes, kayaks, aqua-view boards and snorkeling equipment.
Picnic hampers are prepared for guests wishing to enjoy their lunch on a private excursion while exploring the island.
Dine Around Meal Plan: for every six night booking, guests receive an invitation to a 3-course á la carte dinner or lunch at a local restaurant.

Classic Entertainment – East Winds Inn features the only Steinway Grand piano in all of the Caribbean. Every evening guests gather in the Bamboo Lounge to hear local entertainers and invited pianists tickle the ivories under the stars.

HONEYMOON& ROMANCE:
St. Lucia is now one of the top honeymoon spots in the Caribbean. With its white sand beaches, rainforest landscape and genuine Creole charm, it is no wonder couples find the ultimate romantic escape here. East Winds is one of only a few truly timeless beachside resorts left on St. Lucia, making it perfect for understated romance in a natural setting, yet with all the luxury trimmings for indulging a special occasion. Couples tend to book East Winds’ Deluxe category rooms, the larger stand-alone cottages with sea views and balconies, or the more intimate Ocean View Suites.

CUISINE:
East Winds serves classic renderings of West Indian cooking, as well as sophisticated international cuisine, with a full breakfast and lunch served in a relaxed setting. Dinner becomes a more formal affair with a four-course menu taken in the open-air Flamboyant Room. The resort keeps an impressive 9,000 bottle wine cellar, where the Executive Chef pairs the perfect wine with guests’ meal, or complements the cuisine with a cocktail mixed with premium top-shelf brands – all included with the room rate. When in season, Friday nights take on a festive tone with the weekly Lobster Grill. On any given afternoon it is not unusual to see the local fishermen land on the East Winds beach hauling in their catch for the chef to prepare that evening.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
A large part of East Winds charm is its intimate scale. The Inn has only 30 guest rooms, many of which are located in quaint, stand-alone cottages. For 2007, all-inclusive rates start at $350 per room per night for the summer and will begin at $600 per room per night in the winter high season.

Ideal for families of four or less, the Superior rooms are based on a Rondavel design, a traditional African-style house built on a large hexagonal frame. The room features walk-in showers and a private semicircular shaded patio. Rates begin at $350 during the summer and $600 during the winter.

Honeymooners, as well as some families, are drawn to the Deluxe category of rooms, located in individual garden bungalows with a wide covered terrace, with private access. They feature expansive bathrooms with semi-open air showers, and a wet bar area on the terrace. All-inclusive rates begin at $380 during the summer and $630 during the winter.
Ocean View Rooms are slightly smaller than the other units, and are closer to the beach and have their own balconies with water views. All-inclusive rates begin at $380 during the summer and $630 during the winter.
As one of the most popular room types fit for girlfriend getaways, the Ocean View Suites are a one-of-a-kind accommodation, with views of the sea, a small separate sitting room and a large private sun-deck with an extra out-door shower. Rates begin at $445 during the summer and $695 during the winter.

WEB SITE:
www.eastwinds.com

Rates include:
Complimentary fruit basket in the room upon arrival.
Full breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and 4-course dinner daily. In the evening silver service and twice weekly barbeque and buffet (including special Friday night lobster grill).
Picnic Table Hampers are provided for guests wishing to enjoy a picnic lunch on their private excursions.
All restaurant and bar beverages by the glass: champagne, wines, international branded spirits, cocktails, beers and soft drinks. Champagne is served in the evening at the Sunset Bar and Bamboo Lounge all year round.
At dinner a choice of 3 or 4 different wines are offered from the hotel wine cellar. For lunch a choice of specially selected house wines are poured.

Dine Around Meal Plan: for every 6 days of stay, guests receive an invitation to a 3-course á la carte dinner or lunch at a local restaurant to be selected from a variety of participating establishments (beverages, wine and transport are not included).
Weekly Manager’s champagne cocktail party with canapés.
Activities: Shuffleboard, table-tennis and French boules (Pétanque) are available. Also available is a wide selection of free board games as well as an extensive free library of CDs and DVDs (for rooms with TV) and books.
Free water sports: canoes, kayaks, aqua-view boards and snorkeling equipment.
Regular live entertainment.
Government Tax (8%) and Service Charge (10%) are included in our rates.

ABOUT ST. LUCIA:
Located between Martinique and St. Vincent, St. Lucia was first visited by Europeans around 1550, ultimately came under Britain’s control in 1814 and remains a member of the British Commonwealth today. St. Lucia is divided into 11 quarters and is renowned as one of the most beautiful of the Caribbean islands, offering a wide contrast of landscapes ranging from one of the few remaining tropical rainforests of the region to the beautiful white and volcanic sand beaches. For more information on the island, visit www.stlucia.org.

TRAVELING TO ST. LUCIA:
All visitors to St. Lucia need a valid passport. All visitors must have a return or ongoing ticket. Airport departure tax is $21 U.S. dollars. Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in the south, services international flights. GFLCharlesAirport in the north is used for inter-island flights.

From the United States: There is service to St. Lucia from most U.S. gateways via Air Jamaica, American Airlines, and US Airways. Flying time is three and half hours from Miami and five hours from New York.

Beginning Nov. 15, 2007, American Airlines will add new non-stop service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to St. Lucia’s HewanorraInternationalAirport, three times weekly. Service will be flown with Boeing 757 aircraft, configured with 22 seats in First Class and 166 seats in the Main Cabin.

From Canada: Air Jamaica, Air Canada, and American Airlines provide service.

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