Much-admired Saint Lucian resort, Jade Mountain, was given full marks by Travel + Leisure magazine readers for charm and attention to detail...

SOUFRIERE, Saint Lucia - Being on a hill commanding breathtaking views from one of the most stunning architectural marvels helped Jade Mountain get to the summit of the world's top resorts - but it was attention to the little things that attracted its latest award.

Attention to service in the hospitality industry made all the difference and Saint Lucia's Jade Mountain resort was named number one by a prestigious magazine.

Much-admired Saint Lucian resort, Jade Mountain, was given full marks by Travel + Leisure magazine readers for charm and attention to detail "in a region where island spirit often equals slow or spotty attention."

Number One in the Caribbean and Number Three worldwide based on the results of a 2009 Travel + Leisure "World's Best Awards" readers' survey, Jade Mountain placed number one out of 10 hotels for "World's Best Service" this year and was the only Caribbean hotel in the Top 10 according to the June 2010 edition of the magazine. Second and third place went to Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat in South Africa and The Goring in London respectively.

In the Top 10 Caribbean category, Jade Mountain dominated, placing ahead of Eden Rock in St. Bart's and Couples Negril in Jamaica. Its sister property Anse Chastanet Resort placed fourth.

"Our resort team continues to place service quality at the top of our agenda and we spare no resource to ensure that each day we are at the top of our game," said Karolin Troubetzkoy, the resorts' executive director of marketing and operations. Troubetzkoy thanked Travel + Leisure readers for continuing to refer Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet for its service excellence.

The magazine features Jade Mountain butler Vitalis Louis, a master at towel art who creates impressive swan designs. "But I try to do more for guests than decorate the room," he commented.

And what makes the Jade Mountain majordomo so special?

"A newly married couple wanted to dine on cooked lobster while paddling in a dugout canoe. I caught two lobsters, which required a special permit; then I asked a fisherman to modify his small boat to look like a canoe. My work paid off!"

Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet enjoy one of the most scenic settings in the Caribbean, overlooking Saint Lucia's twin Piton peaks, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nestling in a 600-acre estate with two soft sand beaches bordering pristine coral reefs, Anse Chastanet is in complete harmony with its natural surroundings and offers excellent diving facilities plus many other activities.

In the fall of 2006, Anse Chastanet's architect and owner Nick Troubetzkoy completed construction of Jade Mountain.

His bold architectural design - individual bridges leading to extravagant infinity pool sanctuaries and rugged stoned-faced columns reaching towards the sky - have established Jade Mountain as one of the Caribbean's most unique resort experiences.

The Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) awarded its special Emerald Award to Jade Mountain for high-end resorts which combine a commitment to luxury and the use of tourism to improve the destination, its people and the environment.

Have you ever visited Jade Mountain?  Write a review of Jade on IslandStylee.com

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