Joan

We'll be going to Ladera in the fall- Has anyone stayed in a standard room? Is plunge pool in the sun? Is there a store close to Ladera? Can you use the beach chairs at AC or Hilton without charge? What do they sell at the Ladera store? Any recommendations on the rain forest tour? <BR> <BR>

Kay

Dear Joan: <BR> <BR>We stayed in a deluxe 1 bedroom but our plunge pool has half in teh sun and half under the overhang. The closest stores to Ladera would be in Soufrie about a 10 to 15 minute drive away. You can use the beahc chairs at the HIlton but not at AC so Ladera gives you beach chairs to take with you if you go over there. <BR>At the Ladera store they sell film, snacks, water, cokes, wine tootpaste and other sundries like that. Tehy alos have some really cute souveniors. We did not have tiem for the rian forrest tour but the hotel cna book that for you.

lisa

We stayed in a standard room with plunge pool and our plunge pool was in the shade. The water in it was too chilly to be comfortable. Some rooms have plunge pools that are in the sun though. The beach chairs were complimentary, no charge. The Ladera store was small. We generally found better deals on souvenirs -- particularly coffee and other food items -- at groceries and markets in Soufriere. Our rainforest tour was with a guide named Bruno who was great and really knew his stuff. We were picked up in a minivan and rode with two other couples to a hiking trail (about 45 minutes or so away from Ladera), hiked down to a beautiful waterfall in the middle of the rainforest, went swimming in the pool to cool off, and hiked back out and were met back at the van by the driver who had freshly-cut pineapple and bananas and other fruits and soft drinks waiting. The whole thing took about 4-5 hours. We really enjoyed it.

Joan

Thanks for replies to my post. I'll write and give my opinion when we return from Ladera!

Cheryl

I too, am planning a trip to Ladera next year, for my honeymoon. I would very much prefer a room that has the plunge pool in the sun. Does anyone know which rooms these are, so that we may request one of them. I would appreciate the info.

joan

Kay & Lisa, <BR>You have been very helpful guiding us through your stay at Ladera. You posted replies about the store at Ladera and said they had soda etc. My husband and I don't really drink alchol too much however, I'm addicted to CocaCola Classic. Is that available at the store and do you remember what the cost is? Would we still be better off stopping at a store Soufries? Are there refrigerators in the room? Did either of you go on a sailing trip while you were there? Thanks again for all your help! <BR> <BR>Joan

lisa

Can't help you on the Coke Classic as I don't remember drinking any while I was there. The shop at Ladera was more of a gift shop though, than a store, so I don't think they sold 6-packs or anything like that. I'm sure they probably serve Coke at the bar/restaurant but don't know how pricey it was. The stores in Soufriere probably have it though but since it's imported, it may cost more than you're used to paying here. We really liked the local Piton beer which was pretty inexpensive and generally had that at lunch/dinner. We were also adventuresome and tried the local fruit drink concoctions which were great -- just ask the bartender to mix you up "something special" (either with or without alcohol). Some of the rooms at Ladera do have refrigerators, some don't. Ours was just a standard room and it didn't but I think most of the higher room categories do. We did have an ice bucket that they filled with ice regularly though (we used it to chill a couple of bottles of wine we brought with us).

Kay

Hi Joan: <BR> <BR>Tehy had cok classic in the store but I don't remember the price. I t might be less expensive if you go to a gorocery store. <BR> <BR>We had a refrogeratpr om pout rpp,s stocked with cokes, water and wine, and rum. <BR> <BR>WE took a sunset cruise on the Brig Unicorn and it was lots of fun to be on a tall masted ship. They also have full day tours. Teh depart form Vigie cove in the north and sail south to the soufrie are for the all day sail. Our sunset sail went to Pieon Island and back. It is worth doing.

Keith

Joan, <BR> My wife and I honeymooned at Ladara in May. Super place. They had soft drinks at the store (like the others, can't remember the price). However, my wife drinks only Diet Coke. Diet Coke costs almost twice as much as regular. (especially in the resteraunts) <BR>I asked, and it turns out there is a Coke bottler on the island, but it only does regular coke - the Diet is imported from the US.

Tara

My husband and I went there in April for our honeymoon. Absolute Heaven!!! We're STILL thinking about it -- wanting to go back. The night we got in they tried giving us an "upgrade" -- put us in "E" right outside the office. Beautiful room, but just too big for my tastes. Wanted something more intimate. Demanded they downgrade us!! They put us in "V", which was wonderful. Just the right size. Our plunge pool WAS in the sun. I know "E" wasn't and I think "G" wasn't. Those were the rooms I saw. <BR> <BR>May we recommend that when you get to Ladera and want to go places that require taxi service, ask for Bobby and/or Herod. Great guys who'll treat you right!! The resort will just bill your room. Our room "V" had a refrigerator ("E" had a kitchen), so the guys would take us to their local grocery store, gift shops, dinner, side-of-the-road shops, look-out points, wherever you want to go. <BR> <BR>The Ladera store is just trinkets, wine, beverages, swimsuits. Awesome robes. We brought one home. <BR> <BR>We would definitely say skip the rainforest where we went. Though, sounds like Lisa(?) had a great experience. That's the experience we were looking for. I think we ended up on a tour where the tourguide was also making a stop to pick up produce, so not that scenic. We rode there in a Land Rover. Bumpy, bumpy and looong. <BR> <BR>Just remember, these people are really poor!!! The one thing I know we'll do next time is take some extra clothes along to leave behind with Herod and Bobby. They would distribute them to people in need. Think about it. <BR> <BR>My husband even gave his rubber sandals to a man named Marvin (the drunkard). He was in desperate need of shoes. If you see him, he'll probably have those shoes on!! <BR> <BR>Hope I was of some help. Have a GREAT trip. If anyone has any additional questions, I'd be happy to answer them personally!!!

Cheryl

Tara <BR>Thanks for the room information. Now I know that I can request at least 1 room that has a plunge pool outside--in the sun. How was the view from room V? Any other notable comments?

Karilyn

How far in advance did you book? We want either "B" or "D"?

Kay

Do keep in mind one thing about requesting a certain room. You are not guareented that you will get it. WE had requested S as I ahd heard it was the most romantic but it was occupied by the time we checked in. Our plunge pool was half in the sun and half not depending on the time of day. I did not want to be in the sun personally so kept to the shade side. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me.

Ruby

We stayed in Room S and the plunge pool was in the sun. Room S was beautiful!!! No matter what room you are in, you are going to have a wonderful time at Ladera. It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The trio of musicians, that usually play Saturday night in the restaurant, are not to be missed. Have a great time!

Joan

To all who wrote in about Ladera and answered all our questions. Thank you! I do have one more question. We made our reservations directly with Ladera and I have been in e-mail contact with a person named Cadery. Super person, and so accommdating. Has anyone met this person? Is everyone this nice at Ladera? <BR>Joan

lisa

I don't recall that name, but yes, everyone we dealt with at Ladera was really nice and accommodating of any request -- you just had to ask.

Cheryl

I too, would like to those who wrote back to answer our questions. This forum has made planning for my honeymoon next year (at Ladera) much easier and I feel more confident in my choice. Thanks!

Tara

I'm not sure who Cadery is either. I just remember one woman who was not particularly pleasant to us was a woman name Vanetta or something like that. Not quite sure. I think she was the one who had to deal with our down-grade request, so not a good start. <BR> <BR>Room "V" was beautiful!! Very quaint. We loved our balcony overlooking the Soufrierre Valley in the morning. The bathroom was super -- loved the shower. The seating area was up a level, while the bedroom was down a few steps. With the "no wall" concept, the room feels open!! I agree that no one room is better than the others. We also had requested S and didn't get it. And I believe we booked our reservation either in August or January -- arriving in April. And look what happened to us -- with giving us something I did not want. <BR> <BR>We also were supposed to receive the "honeymoon package." The last night, we never recieved our complimentary champagne or our free gift. I had to mention it to the front desk. They're like, we didn't know you were on your honeymoon. Yeah, right!! So watch out for that. They did give us one of their soap dishes as a complimentary gift -- which I gave to some friends we met there. Didn't go with my decor, and she liked it!! <BR> <BR>One other thing I wanted to mention is just to the right of the front desk area is where all the information about the island and tours, etc. is located. No one told us that, and we kept reading about this info center. We had to ask where it was. <BR> <BR>Safe travels!!!

Cheryl

Tara: <BR>Was the pool in room V out in the sun or inside, in the shade?

Cheryl

Tara: <BR>Oops! I just re-read your earlier posting and saw that you already answered that question. Sorry!