Roger Myers shares secrets of St Lucia’s stunning Viceroy Resort

13.02.18

One of the UK’s most successful restaurateurs fulfilled a lifelong dream of moving to the Caribbean to retire. That was until he saw St. Lucia’s landmark Pitons and fell in love. Stephen Penn caught up with Roger Myers following his $100m renovation of Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort

Oprah advised that everyone should put St. Lucia on their bucket list. How did you discover Sugar Beach?

I was on a Caribbean sailing trip with my wife. Approaching from the north, our yacht sailed around Petit Piton and my jaw dropped. It’s just the most unspeakably beautiful place. The beach, the rainforest, the sunsets. Everything about it is mystical. However, the hotel at that time was utterly terrible and I thought that was such a waste. I said to myself, ‘if I ever do anything again in my life in terms of business development, this will be the thing that I do’.

Describe your vision for redevelopment

I wanted to create a destination that was high-end and luxurious, but also unpretentious and laid back. I also wanted to deliver an experience that remained true to the Caribbean - not just another ‘vanilla’ resort. We have just under 150 acres of beautiful rainforest. In addition to the hotel, we’ve developed a number of what I would consider to be - perfect Caribbean homes. It’s not just the setting and the beach, but the layered in impeccable property management service. That’s so important when you’re time poor. I want our owners to walk in straight from the airport and the stress of city life, and be able to start their holiday right there and then. That’s my definition of a luxury retreat.

Tell us more about your recent creation, The Beachfront Collection

Having finished the renovation of the original resort, we’re finally able to break ground upon what I consider to be our finest beachfront land at the resort, possibly in the entire Caribbean. It’s just an incredible location, in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, framed by the Pitons and with direct access to the beach. Quite simply - it’s a spot deserving of the very finest homes.

How did you select the team to create your vision?

I’ve been fan of Alex Michaelis, our architect, for years. He’s just brilliantly creative. I knew he was going to be the person to design something sensational and completely in keeping with the location. I’m so proud of what we’ve created together. I really don’t think there’s anything finer to be found anywhere in the West Indies.