Got to Dance judge Adam Garcia waltzes to the tune of the Caribbean’s leading resorts

Framed by palms and surrounded by steep forested hillsides, the resort of Anse Chastanet and its sister property, Jade Mountain, are the only resorts in St Lucia with views of both Piti and Gros Piton mountains.

Both resorts have their own sandy beaches and we had booked a stay at both of them.

It was an hour's drive from the airport to Soufrière, on the island's south west coast. While Jade Mountain, higher up the hill where we were staying later in the week, was conspicuous in its grandeur and design, Anse is barely noticeable.

The 49 rooms are individually designed (one is even built around a full-grown tree). Some are tucked behind the coconut palms lining the beach, others are dotted up the flower-decked hillside.

Our romantic bolthole was a whitewashed, wooden-shuttered cottage with wood floors and brightly coloured tropical touches in the furnishings. It had a wraparound, flower-draped balcony and louvred windows which maximised the superb views.

After a few days of relaxing on the beach I was itching to try out one of the resort's top attractions. St Lucia's best snorkelling and dive spot, part of a protected marine reserve, is situated just off shore. After passing my theory and confined water elements of my PADI Open Water course back home I was eager to complete my certification at Anse's dive centre. It was an amazing experience to swim among shoals of colourful fish.

Diving and snorkelling are just two of the numerous activities including sea kayaking, paddle boarding, jungle biking, tennis and yoga that are available at the resort but after my diving exertions I was more than happy to just try out the spa, which specialises in Ayurvedic treatments. I had a wonderfully relaxing chakrabalancing massage that left me tingling all over.

Food is a big part of the experience at Anse. Our favourite was a special Indian-themed menu, Apsara, on most evenings, served in a beachfront setting. We both loved the speciality goat curry. By day the restaurant is called Trou du Diable and serves breakfast and lunch. There is also the Beach Grill, serving simple grilled fish and meat.

After a few days at Anse we did not want to leave but as soon as we crossed a little bridge to our new hideaway up the hillside at Jade Mountain, we were blown away by the sheer luxury of it all.

It is easy to understand why each room is called a sanctuary; we felt cut off from the world with our infinity pool "floating" above that same amazing view (there are also no TVs, radios or telephones so you do really switch off). We sipped champagne and drank in the panorama from our hot tub. The restaurant, Jade Mountain Club, situated in an elevated position above the rooms, was also a memorable experience featuring vegetables from the resort's garden.

After having gorged on the chocolate cake and champagne in our room, we sat down to three exquisite courses including lobster bisque and artisan cheeses.

It was hard to tear ourselves away from our romantic retreat but we did manage to venture out to see the volcanic crater, one of the world's few drive-in volcanoes.

Our guide led us up to the sulphur pits next to heated mud baths where we tried out the mineral treatment. Our skin had never felt softer.

Being a self-confessed twitcher, I was keen to go birdwatching. One morning we got up early to meet Manu, who turned out to be the perfect guide. All St Lucians we met seemed to have a deep love and respect for their island nation and Manu was no exception.

At one point he called out into the jungle to persuade the St Lucia Oriole, a pretty black and yellow bird, to reveal itself.

Manu also showed us some of the plants his grandmother had taught him to use medicinally; a natural pharmacy at your disposal if you have the knowledge and experience to use it.

He then took a freshly dropped coconut, ripping the husk off with his bare hands and cracking it open on a rock to hand us the water and flesh to eat without spilling a drop of its contents.

Manu also intrigued us with disturbing stories of the island's troubled history. Once the home to an 18th-century sugar plantation worked by slaves, the plantation's overseers meted out gruesome punishments to them when they tried to escape.

The day ended with a jaunt to Soufrière town to experience a night out with some of the islanders. Rounds of beers and stories were exchanged as we laughed the evening away with our guides.

St Lucians are understandably proud of their island. I fell in love with it too. It truly is paradise.