The tiny island of St Lucia is located 21 miles south of Martinique and 90 miles Northwest of Barbados, in the centre of the Eastern Caribbean island chain. At just 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, you can drive from one end to the other in roughly an hour and a half. Although St Lucia is often regarded as a romantic honeymoon destination, being a single gal in my late twenties, besides the obligatory sunbathing, my plan was to escape from the city and explore in comfort what the island had to offer in terms of culture, nightlife and activities. I was not disappointed.

Welcomed by smiling staff and a chilled glass of champagne, I arrived at the stunning Cap Maison hotel. Opened in January 2009, Cap Maison is a family run, 50-room boutique hotel set within a breathtaking four- acre, cliff-top estate overlooking the ocean. Although set in a tranquil, secluded location on the North-West tip of the island, it’s just a few minutes from the lively restaurants and bars of Rodney Bay. Undeniably a luxury hotel, Cap Maison possesses an overwhelming homely feel. Unlike many other resorts of its standard, which often feel stuffy and soulless, the incredibly warm staff and features such as the hotels Honesty Bar (something I’ve not seen outside guest houses in Thailand) create a relaxed, informal atmosphere.

My suite, or ‘house’ as I affectionately referred to it, was set over two floors, boasting ample space, a kitchen area, living room, 2 bathrooms, 3 balconies and a giant roof terrace with my own pool! Perfect for a family, romantic getaway or Sex and the City style holiday with the girls!

Once settled into my house I was treated to dinner at the hotels infamous restaurant, Cliff at Cap. Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Cliff at Cap’s contemporary French-West Indian menu will stimulate any foodie’s palate. After dinner I headed to a ‘Jump Up’ local street party in nearby Gros Islet. The rum was flowing and it was a great way to gain an insight into local life. Dancing in the street to reggae and calypso beats, the music was so infectious I couldn’t help but join in. And the friendly locals were only too happy to teach their moves! Exhausted from the journey I left at the pitiful hour of 1am, however the party was only getting started!

Nothing clears a hangover like plunging into your private pool in your pyjamas. Once that was sorted I was raring to go and explore the market in Castries, St Lucia’s capital city. As a certified shopaholic, this was something I’d been looking forward to. The market carries an extraordinary range of exotic fruits and spices. However, I headed straight for the arts and crafts stalls! With this summer’s ‘Afrique’ trend in full swing, the clothing and accessories on offer would not have looked out of place on the runways of Marc Jacobs or Louis Vuitton. Stunning beaded jewelry, maxi dresses, shorts and blouses in tropical African prints.

Following the hustle and bustle of Castries there’s no way better to unwind than a relaxing massage at the hotels spa. Spa Maison offers a wide range of beauty and wellness treatments. I enjoyed their signature massage ‘St Lucian Ceremony’. It really was extraordinary.

The following day I was up early again for a morning hike along the picturesque East Coast. A hiker’s paradise, St Lucia is filled with unspoilt rainforest greenery, hills and mountains galore. Next up a glamorous trip aboard Cap Maison’s 46-foot Sea Ray boat. With a stop at the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Jalouise Beach, a breathtaking bay set in between St Lucia’s famous volcanic stone Pitons.

That evening it was a not so ladylike delicious steak and ribs dinner at The Big Chef restaurant in Rodney Bay. With a host of bars to choose from, Rodney Bay is alive with a mixture of western and Caribbean music, even karaoke! It was another late night which included rum cocktails and a bucking bronco. Don’t ask.

To evoke my inner Tarzan, the next morning rainforest zip-lining was the activity of choice. For the more adventurous, it really is the only way to see the rainforest. There were 11 zip lines in total and, by number three, any fear had disappeared and I felt like a wild creature of the rainforest myself. Having worked up a sweat it was straight to the beach at the hotel for a snorkel in the reef and a cheeky iced cocktail.

That evening Cap Maison’s rather dashing Director hosted a private dinner in the hotels prestigious wine cellar. Cliff at Cap prepared an exceptional wine paired menu.  The evening ended in the Honesty Bar.

Final day in St Lucia, and I managed to squeeze in a trip to beautiful Pigeon Island for a traditional local dish a ‘Roti’ which I can only describe as a not so pretty on the outside but delectable on the inside flatbread parcel filled with vegetables, fish and potato.

Finally it was time to go home. St Lucia is much more than a glamorous luxury island. There are a plethora of things to see and do. I will absolutely be returning to this enchanting island. Only next time with an entourage of friends, back to my house at Cap Maison, St Lucia.

7 nights in St Lucia, saving £270

Seven nights at Cap Maison start from £1,249 per person (including taxes), based on 2 adults sharing a standard room with Virgin Holidays. Price includes scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick direct to St Lucia, accommodation at Cap Maison on a B&B basis with transfers. Prices are based on departures between 21 Sept – 19 Oct 2010. To book, please visit: www.virginholidays.co.uk or see www.capmaison.com for further information.