I love the idea of camping, but I hate the experience. Waking up with the birds and sipping a hot cup of coffee in the great outdoors? Yes. Moving my pop-up tent and discovering a dozen spiders under the floor panel? Oh no, no, no! Sipping wine under a velvet sky illuminated by thousands of stars? Yes. Swatting mosquitos while balancing said wine in one hand? Not so much.

It was with tongue firmly in cheek that I compared my room at Ladera with outdoor camping during a delightful dinner with Olivier Bottois, general manager of the ultra-luxe resort on St. Lucia. He frowned for just a second before realizing my observation was a compliment in the highest form.

Ladera is a place like no other I have ever experienced. Every single three-walled guestroom features an unobstructed view of the horizon. There are no shutters to close out the view. We sipped wine by starlight, then tucked into our majestic, four-post bed. Enveloped in gauzy mosquito netting, we slept soundly, waking early to birdsong and an awe-inspiring view. By day, we lounged on our expansive balcony, dipped in our private plunge pool and savored alfresco luncheon delivered to our door.

Savoring the delights of nature in unabashed comfort? That’s my idea of camping. That’s Ladera.

— Lisa Matte, editor in chief