LUX Spring 2018

18 1802LU08 St. Lucia’s Only True Organic Resort Fond Doux Plantation & Resort is a 19th century eco-friendly colonial resort nestled in the heart of Soufriere. Eroline Lamontagne explains a bit more about the exciting resort and what aspects entice visitors the most to the resort. Fond Doux Plantation & Resort is 100% St. Lucian owned, managed and staffed. It primarily offers accommodations for independent eco- tourists and features two onsite restaurants serving plantation to plate cuisine all day, an organic spa, boutique, Circle of Love wedding gazebo, triple cascading pool, plantation tours and the “Plas Cacao” Chocolate shop. The resort is situated amidst a 250-year-old working plantation and is a scenic 45 minute drive from the island’s international airport. Guests of the international award-winning Fond Doux resort are conveniently located just minutes away from St. Lucia’s main attractions, including The Pitons, The Sulphur Springs, ‘The Caribbean’s only drive in volcano,’ and the best diving sites on the island, all within a prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fond Doux offers the perfect ambiance in St. Lucia for a romantic honeymoon or wedding escape and fun-filled family vacation. It is a great choice for the soft-adventure traveller who seeks off-the-beaten path natural adventure/ attractions, authentic Caribbean cultural experiences and comfortable accommodations. The resort’s facilities and activities attempt to immerse adventure seeking guests in pure nature. The majority of the guests who flock to Fond Doux are from Europe, United States, Caribbean and St. Lucia. The resorts main focus is on Sustainable Travel while offering an authentic St. Lucian adventure to its guests. Guests get a true appreciation of the islands’ rich culture and heritage and the opportunity to experience the real St. Lucia. Eroline explains what techniques the firm employs in order to provide the best possible service to guests, ensuring that their first impression is always memorable for everyone concerned. It is important the visitors adapt and get a feel of the authentic St. Lucian experience. A strong focus is placed on exemplary hospitality, something Eroline is keen to point out. “When first arriving at the resort, the physical welcome and personal attention that a guest receives during their stay can positively impact their entire experience at the resort. Therefore, we try our best to ensure that we personalize our guests’ stay by quickly identifying guests on a first name basis and connecting with them throughout their stay, whilst taking care of all their needs like a family can. “As well as offering advice on the ‘Must Do’s’ in Saint Lucia, we also invite them to the weekly ‘Managers Cocktail’ party, whilst our staff also join guests on their excursions and guests, looking to make them feel as comfortable as possible.” Furthermore, guaranteeing that customers get the best out of their experience, the team indulges its guests in experiencing local St. Lucian cuisine, both by offering them cooking classes and by having them sample the different local cuisines which are offered by the resort. Eroline is also keen to point out the various training structures that are in place, leaving guests with an unforgettable experience. “The resorts team meets with each guest for orientation and to find out how their stay is progressing. Fond Doux also has a Guest Liaison team member who meets with each guest to plan the activities that the guest will partake in during their stay. This team member is also responsible for finding out whether any of our guests are celebrating any special occasions, for example a birthday or anniversary, so we can help make the day more special for them. “Regarding staff training, we always debrief our employees in helping them understand the importance of the service we provide to our valued guests. We believe that if our employees understand the service industry we are in, this will help them to maximise service standards thereby enhancing the customers’ experience.”