Secrets® St. Lucia Review: What It’s Really Like Staying at This New Adults-Only Resort on Points

I love a good plot twist—and this one came with a beach view. When I first joined Award Travel Academy, St. Lucia felt totally out of reach. Availability was scarce, and the points price tag was high enough to make me cringe. But then came a twist I couldn’t resist: a newly opened all-inclusive on one of the dreamiest islands in the Caribbean, and it was all bookable with Hyatt points.

Enter the newly renovated Secrets® St. Lucia. This 300-room hotel opened earlier this summer and, with postcard-perfect beaches, all-inclusive luxury, and the ability to book with Hyatt points, I couldn’t wait to check it out. And while there’s a lot to love, especially for couples looking to unwind, there are definitely a few things you’ll want to know before booking. Here’s everything you need to know about my stay at Secrets St. Lucia: the good, the great, and the not-quite-there-yet.

 

 

Location, Arrival, and First Impressions

Secrets is located right on Choc Bay, in the capital city of Castries. We flew into Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), which is on the southern end of the island. Depending on traffic, it’ll take you about ninety minutes to two hours to reach the resort.

This was my first all-inclusive experience, and since I was already saving so much by using points to book the stay, I decided to splurge on my first Fast Track (expedited arrival) experience—and let me tell you, it was so worth it. Our plane was the fifth to land in a short span of time. Immigration easily would have taken over an hour normally, but we breezed through the airport in just 20 minutes. That included deplaning, walking in, using the bathroom, clearing customs, and hopping into our luxury transport.

After a traumatizing lost luggage experience a few years back, we now only travel with carry-ons, another time-saver! With a two-hour drive still ahead of us, I was very pleased with how seamless our arrival felt.

When we finally arrived at the resort, we were greeted with cold towels, a welcome drink (with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available), and a breathtaking view of the water. The open-air lobby was breezy and beautiful, and the service from the very beginning was warm and helpful. Our luggage was taken to our room immediately, and we were escorted to the Preferred Lounge for check-in. There, we were offered hors d’oeuvres and more drinks. It didn’t take long for us to feel like we were officially on vacation.

 

 

Using Hyatt Points at Secrets® St. Lucia

Let’s talk numbers. I booked our stay by transferring my Chase Ultimate Rewards®  to my World of Hyatt account (I love me a beautiful Hyatt property!). Being able to use a small number of Hyatt points was one of the most significant selling points for this trip. Secrets® St. Lucia is a Category C resort in Hyatt’s All-Inclusive Collection, which means award nights range from 21,000 to 50,000 points per night, depending on travel dates and room type.

 

 

We booked the Preferred Club Master Suite Ocean View King for 33,000 points per night, totaling 132,000 points for our four-night stay. Without knowing it, I ended up booking one of the best rooms on the property if you’re after ocean views. Buildings 600, 700, and 800 are all oceanfront. We were in building 700 and had a completely unobstructed view of the Caribbean Sea. It was stunning!

If you’re considering this resort, I highly recommend booking the same room category and then emailing reservations to request a room in building 600 or 700. If you’re placed in building 800, you’ll still have a beautiful view, but it will include both the pool and the ocean.

 

 

The Room: Spacious, Bright, and Mostly Comfortable

We booked a Preferred Club room, and it was worth the extra points. With Preferred Club status, we gained access to a quieter pool, a premium mini-bar, and a special breakfast spot exclusively for Preferred guests. It was like a VIP pass to peace. Our Preferred Club Master Suite Ocean View room was 100% worth the upgrade. 

The room itself was spacious and airy, featuring a king-size bed, a sitting area, and a private plunge pool overlooking the ocean. The design was clean and modern, and everything looked new—because it was.

The bathroom featured double vanities (always a plus), a large rain shower, and ample storage space. One afternoon, it rained heavily, and we ended up staying in, enjoying the peace and comfort of our beautiful room. Honestly? It was one of my favorite moments of the trip.

 

“Just Opened” Meant a Few Problems

That said, the resort’s ‘just opened’ status came with a few hiccups: our toilet had a minor leak, our mini-fridge wasn’t stocked upon arrival, and our room was missing the complimentary Secrets beach bag. Fortunately, all of these were fixed within 24 hours, and the staff was cheerful and quick to respond. Everyone we encountered was friendly and kind. Since we arrived just 24 days after the resort opened, I expected a few growing pains.

 

Exploring the Property

This resort feels like its own private world. Although all beaches in St. Lucia are technically public, this one is so tucked away that you can only access it by staying at the resort or arriving by boat. That makes the beach feel incredibly secluded and peaceful. You never have to worry about noisy crowds or losing your spot.

 

 

The resort is large and spread out, so plan to take plenty of steps! There are nine restaurants, three pools (two for all guests, one for Preferred guests), thirteen guest buildings, a full-service spa, tennis/pickleball courts, and a fitness center.

 

 

Each building and restaurant had its own vibe and charm. The spa was a quiet haven, and the gym was spacious and well-equipped. I loved seeing two Peloton bikes on the property, and while my husband appreciated the free weights, he also enjoyed using the treadmills and ellipticals. There are even group fitness classes if that’s your thing.

 

 

Dining and Drinks: Unlimited, Yes. Unforgettable? Not Always.

There are nine dining options at Secrets St. Lucia, including French, Asian, Italian, and a handful of beachfront grills and cafes. The food was generally good, with some standouts, and the convenience of all-inclusive dining made it easy to relax.

Our favorites were Morgan’s Pier (French) and Himitsu (hibachi and pan-Asian). Morgan’s Pier is located on a pier surrounded by water. It is so peaceful and romantic. Himitsu offers hibachi tables (reservations required, ask your butler to book for you) or a quieter pan-Asian à la carte experience.

 

 

The Market Café buffet was fine for breakfast, but Preferred guests get access to a quieter breakfast location near the Preferred pool, and we definitely preferred that setting.

Other options included:

• Coco Café (coffee & light snacks)
• L’Creperie (crepes & tapas)
• Portofino (Italian)
• Oceana (seafood, and eventually à la carte breakfast for Preferred guests)
• Seaside Grill (steaks & seafood, often rotates with Oceana)

The service was kind and upbeat, though occasionally slow (island time!). 

 

Pools and Beach: Relaxing and Low-Key

There are three main pools: two larger ones near the beach for all guests, and a smaller, more elevated Preferred Club pool, which we particularly loved. It was quieter, had better loungers, and its own bar steps away. We spent most of our days here reading, sipping mocktails, and watching the sun dip into the ocean.

The beach was soft, sandy, and calm, perfect for swimming. There were always plenty of loungers, and the beach staff was attentive with drinks and towel service. Activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, Hobie Cats, and tennis or pickleball were included, but we mostly stuck to lounging.

If you’re looking for nightlife or high-energy activities, this isn’t the place. Evenings were very quiet, perfect for couples, but not for party seekers.

 

 

What We Loved

• Booking with Points: That sweet Hyatt redemption made this a total win.
• Preferred Club Perks: Quieter pools, better breakfast, and added service.
• Beachfront Vibes: Calm, swimmable waters and gorgeous views.
• Incredible Staff: Every person we met was helpful, warm, and welcoming.

What Could Be Better

• New Resort Quirks: Still working through minor issues here and there.
• Quiet Evenings: We’re not night owls, but others might find the lack of entertainment too slow.
• Food Consistency: Some restaurants truly excel, while others are still finding their stride. 

 

Bottom Line

Overall, Secrets® St. Lucia is a solid choice if you’re looking for a peaceful, adults-only, all-inclusive getaway—and especially if you’re using Hyatt points. We stayed for four nights, and it felt like the perfect amount of time. The hotel isn’t perfect yet, but I genuinely believe this is the ideal time to visit. As the resort improves, I can easily see it bumping up a category or two in Hyatt’s award program, meaning it will cost more points in the future.

 

 

I’d recommend it to:

• Couples wanting a laid-back, beachy escape
• Points travelers looking to maximize Hyatt redemptions
• Honeymooners or anniversary celebrators who want something quiet and romantic

Would I return? Absolutely! But I’d make sure to book the Preferred Club again, and I’d go in with the expectation that a few areas are still being fine-tuned. For the location and value on points alone, this resort is definitely worth a spot on your Caribbean travel wish list.

 

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