East Winds Resort in Saint Lucia Renovation

East Winds, one of Saint Lucia’s oldest resorts, is ready to welcome guests again with a brand-new look. 

The boutique property, originally built in the mid-1960s by American expats Richard and Margaret Egerer, still features 30 rooms surrounded by tropical gardens, but its updated look now blends Carribean-inspired midcentury modern influences with local artisanal charms, thanks to interior designer Andria Mitsakos, founder and creative director of Anthologist.

“Designing, manufacturing, and sourcing in the Caribbean? Pure joy — and in many ways, [it is] second nature to me,” Mitsakos shared with Travel + Leisure. “I grew up watching my mother do the same in the ‘70s and ‘80s, sourcing with an instinct for craftsmanship and an eye like nobody else in the world.”

Mitsakos explained that she worked with local artisans to create a destination that speaks to a true sense of place. “The moment guests walk in, I want them to feel that they are in a space that is deeply rooted. This isn’t off-the-rack Caribbean design; it’s the real thing — not curated, not diluted, but raw, romantic, nostalgic, and just a little mystical,” Mitsakos said.

Sustainability was a major factor in the renovation. Seventy percent of the existing furniture has been thoughtfully restored and refreshed in a vibrant color palette, and all new light fixtures, including the lampshades, were made on the island by local artisans and sourced by suppliers, such as Sea Island Cotton and Choiseul Art, Craft and Tourism Heritage Association.

For the redesign, Mitsakos drew inspiration from the resort's gardens and fruit trees, which have grown here for more than five decades. She incorporated hand-painted murals and custom lanterns in floral patterns to invoke the property's lush landscaping.

In the common spaces like the Bamboo Bar and Sunset Bar and Lounge, Mitsakos paid tribute to the resort's midcentury modern roots through antique accessories, furniture from that era, and '70s design elements. The resort's restaurant, which has been renamed Bird of Paradise, now has custom plates adorned with a bird motif by Anthologist and locally made tabletop accessories. 

The pool area also got a little lift with midcentury fiberglass wicker sun lounges and tables in bold hues, which Mitsakos said, harken back to '70 Caribbean style. “I researched summer fashion collections from around the world during that decade, and this dynamic color combination kept popping up to me,” Mitsakos shared about the pink and orange hues. “Then I simply looked at the sunset each evening, and that confirmed my decision.”

The resort's superior rooms have been completely redesigned and feature rattan and bamboo furnishings, grass mats, and locally made clay objects. Meanwhile, the bathrooms received their own overhaul, with new walk-in showers, locally made vanities, and bamboo pendant lamps. The coolest feature may be the double bathroom doors made by local artist Arthur Lee Williams.

And if you want to take a little piece of this magic home with you, you can, thanks to a new Anthologist corner in the hotel’s reception area, which invites guests to browse an exclusive selection of custom and curated pieces.

“Too many hotels take the ‘luxury' approach and apply a global template, stripping away any real sense of place. That’s the opposite of what we did here,” Mitsakos said. “This is a love letter to the Caribbean, to its artisans, its landscapes, and its stories. I want guests to leave knowing exactly where they are — and carrying a piece of that feeling with them long after they go.” 

East Winds is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort located on La Brelotte Bay along the northwest coast of St. Lucia. The resort boasts a garden spa, a yoga pavilion, and access to a serene sandy beach. You can book your stay at eastwinds.com.