IT’S a place that will simply blow you away – and no wonder it’s fast becoming THE place for weddings and honeymooners.

Ironic then that I visit the magnificent St Lucia as a recent singleton!

Be it the lush beaches, picturesque countryside, the friendliest locals you could wish to meet or the mind-blowing Piton mountains, the wow factor never leaves you.

And as for some of the hotels – they’re simply out of this world.

Yes, you pay – a great amount in fact – but you get the best accommodation, best food and best views in the world.

And don’t just rely on my opinion.

The fact that every one of the places we visited had been shortlisted for worldwide travel awards speaks volumes.

It’s not hard to see why.

We started our trip in the north of the island and instantly fell in love with the place.

Cap Maison is set in four acres above Smuggler’s Cove, the resort’s beach overlooking the Caribbean sea.

With three types of villa available – the standard (believe me, there was nothing standard about it), the roof-top pool variety and honeymoon suites – the choice is yours.

All had magnificent views and were spectacularly designed.

But the highlight was undoubtably The Cliff – the hotel’s top-drawer restaurant.

Award-winning executive chef Craig Jones, a Welsh rastafarian who was surprisingly shy considering his epic ability, served us the most sumptuous meal.

His Kobe beef was quite simply the finest meal I have had, or am ever likely to taste.

Coupled with the fresh barracuda, freshly caught that day, and selection of other fish, eating here is a must.

And for loved-up couples, take a walk down the steps to the romantic decking area, where a table for two is set out, and all your drinks are whizzed down on a champagne zip-wire. The only one in the world, they claim.

The south of the island is similarly spectacular, offering a more vibrant side to this holiday destination.

We travelled there by boat – stopping for some snorkelling on the way, before witnessing around 40 dolphins playing in the sea.

Does it get better?

Well, location No 2 believes so. And I wouldn’t disagree.

Strange, you would think, that somebody would build an entire resort without a fourth wall.

But the idea was pure genius – as was the hotel’s slogan: ‘A view with a room’.

The Ladera is a 32-room, three-walled hotel, set high above the port town of Soufriere overlooking the volcanic Piton mountains.

To try and describe the view when you wake up in the morning is impossible, but I would dispute there is no better one in the world.

Lying in your bed, stars fading, birds tweeting, moths disappearing - admiring the majestic Pitons dominating the landscape.

With no televisions (although plans are in place to build one room in reception showing breaking news), computers and phones, you are completely cut off from the outside world.

The food, once again, is high-class, with executive chef Orlando Satchell using locally-sourced produce and inviting guests to go with him to the morning markets to buy ingredients.

The wedding pavilion is an idyllic place to tie the knot, and with the open-air feel (don’t forget to turn out your lights before you leave the room at night) time flies. Just like the insects!

If you crave the beach that you can see, don’t panic, as a shuttle bus takes guests to the Jalousie Plantation, some 1,200 foot down.

If you want a more active holiday, then this hotel must come into your reckoning.

With water sports, snorkelling as well as the beach and a huge pool, not forgetting a new Rainforest Spa being built, there is plenty to keep you entertained if relaxing for your entire stay is not on the agenda.

The Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain resort is another with dramatic views.

Like Ladera, the Pitons dominate the scenery, with rooms fitted with hot tubs and swimming pools – all looking straight at them.

With a proper diving school and jungle biking activities among those on offer you must try the biking, whizzing through the rainforest has never felt so good. You always have activities to keep you entertained.

Likewise, a trip to the Sulphur Springs is a must – and make the most of the opportunity to swim under the beautiful waterfall.

For those more restricted by budget, two other hotels should enter your thinking.

Stonefield Villas has a range of rooms, all smaller than we had become used to, but nonetheless boasting beautiful ocean views from, in most cases, the private pools.

With the little touches bringing the place alive - hammocks, private patios, etc, it was a lovely setting for a romantic getaway.

The Sandals Grande St Lucian resort is an extremely popular all-inclusive option.

While other places will only host a maximum of one wedding a day, here they do six or seven.

Great in the respect that you can get married on the day of your choice, maybe spoilt slightly by the fact your day is not unique at that hotel.

However, if staying here, try the Red Lane Spa.

The almighty crack when my masseur wrenched my shoulders with her first touch set the tone.

However painful it might have been, it was the only experience of St Lucia that didn’t make me smile.

It really is one of the most magnificent places in the world, and if you’re considering going there, do quickly.

Will I be returning? Not on a honeymoon, no – but to get away from it all, definitely.