Reprinted from Trip Advisor
“http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147343-d646063-r27036217-Almond_Smugglers_Cove-Castries_St_Lucia.html”

I hate to repeat what many others have said but I too was dreading to see if the negative reviews of Smugglers Cove were accurate. For all who are reading this, I can now put your mind at rest!!! Almond Smugglers Cove is the ideal Caribbean holiday resort.

<img src="jo11-300x158.jpg" alt="St Lucia wedding photographer" title="Couple posing on boat"/>

Couple posing on boat

 

We arrived at Hewanorra airport after a good Virgin flight. We upgraded to Premium Economy, which in my opinion is essential after experiencing economy on our return and flights to Vegas. We passed through immigration in about 30min, but we were quite near to the front, so felt sorry for passengers at the back. I would guess they were there for at least an 1hr 1/2. Once you’re through and have got your luggage we were asked by the local porters if we needed help with our luggage, they were friendly but quite persistent like other international airports I’ve visited. However I did very

quickly regret the decision as the desk for our Helicopter transfer was literally 20 yards through some doors on the right. We were then quickly taken and put onto the helicopter. I highly recommend the helicopter transfer and is well worth the cost. Hints: your luggage is taken by road and we received ours in resort approx 3 hrs later, so pack some underwear/swimwear in your hand luggage. A quick10 min taxi from where the helicopter touches down to Smugglers Cove.

<img src="jo_james_colage-300x158.jpg" alt="St Lucia wedding photographer" title="Jo & James"/>

Multiple wedding album images

 

The resort is brilliant; your first sight is the lush green, well maintained gardens. You’re then met (as everyone has said) by rum punch and a cool towel. We were then escorted to our room. We upgraded to a Superior Deluxe Beachfront Room. The room was excellent and had been decorated (as we were getting married) with rose petals on the bed, towels folded into two swans and a bottle of champagne with a huge plate of fresh fruit. The view straight onto the sea was beautiful and the huge hot tub in the bathroom – fantastic.

The resort is brilliant; your first sight is the lush green, well maintained gardens. You’re then met (as everyone has said) by rum punch and a cool towel. We were then escorted to our room. We upgraded to a Superior Deluxe Beachfront Room. The room was excellent and had been decorated (as we were getting married) with rose petals on the bed, towels folded into two swans and a bottle of champagne with a huge plate of fresh fruit. The view straight onto the sea was beautiful and the huge hot tub in the bathroom – fantastic.

Food: The food was good. I was impressed. As with other reviews, the Cove is a buffet restaurant with a good selection each day. The Italian, the Waterside and the adult’s only restaurant Cafe Enids are all a la carte. My new wife is quite fussy with food and there was always something she enjoyed too. However if you’re expecting 5 star with a massive selection, you will be disappointed (like my father was).

 

Wedding: The location for the gazebo for weddings is ideal. It looks over the cove and was decorated beautifully. Our wedding co-ordinator, Lorna, was brilliant. I can’t praise her enough.

Always happy, smiling and laughing. She made our wedding day the success it was. Our only little hiccup was that the register put wrong details on our marriage certificate (even though it was my job to check it). Lorna sorted the problem quickly.

Photographer: IF YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED IN ST LUCIA, YOU MUST, MUST USE BILL MORTLEY!!!
He is absolutely brilliant. I cannot praise him enough. He not only took the world’s best Wedding pictures on our big day but took us on tours around the island. This enables you to see and experience the island and all the tourist hotspots with your own personal local guide. He was born in St Lucia, and everyone knows him. He’ll take you to places like Pigeon Island, Rodney Bay, Castries, the botanical gardens with the waterfall, Marigot Bay, the Pitons and the drive through volcano in Soufriere.

Having photos of yourself touring the island adds to the magic of your wedding photos and memories that will last forever. Tell Bill if you have ideas for photo’s as he is very accomodating.

Message me if you have any questions on St Lucia, Smugglers Cove or Photographer Bill Mortley