As Caribbean islands go, St. Lucia is relatively unknown and uncrowded. Set on 19 lush and private acres, The Landings St.Lucia tempts with 800 feet of beautiful beach and its own yacht harbor. Accommodations consist of 122 suites with fully-equipped kitchens, and there's plenty at the resort to keep families happy, including tennis courts, three pools, a 7,000-square-foot spa, two restaurants, and a kids' club that gives children a sense of place through Caribbean dance lessons and Creole education classes. The Landings St. Lucia is running a Kids Stay, Play and Eat Free promotion for stays between April 12 and
November 24. The offer touts
starting rates of $395 for a one-bedroom harborview suite, but is it really a good deal for
families?
When we tried to test-book this offer, we ran into a snag right away. It turns out that a one-bedroom suite can not accommodate a family of two adults and two kids. A family of four would require a two-bedroom suite, with the package rate of $445 a night. The package includes:
- Overnight accommodations (in June, a two-bedroom harborview suite, normally $445/night)
- Free breakfast, lunch, and dinner for children 12 and under (worth $10/meal x 2 kids x 3 meals = $60/day)
- Free access to The Landings Kids Club for children ages 4-12 (always free to guests)
- up to four hours of in-room Nanny Care (for up to 2 kids, $18/hour x 4 hours = $72 per stay)
Both the package rate and the regular room rate for a two-bedroom suite are $445 a night. If booked separately, the components of this stay would cost $577 a night. So technically the package saves $132, or 23% a night.
Deal or no deal? Deal schmeal. It's disingenuous for a hotel to advertise a starting rate of $395 when a typical family will require a room that costs $445. When you consider the Nany Care is per-stay, not per-day, and that you need to shell out an extra $50 a night for the upgrade, the savings aren't nearly so impressive. It's also important to note that the rate does not include taxes of 18% per day, a $30 per day resort fee, or gratuities. Ouch.
