We’ve long believed that the hardest places to get to are usually the ones we’re most blown away by. Mustique is no exception to that rule. Coming from Minneapolis, it took a connection in Atlanta, a flight to St. Lucia, and a puddle jumper to arrive in paradise and it was worth every second. Hotel staff from The Cotton House were waiting at the small airport to pick us up and a 5 minutes later, we were walking into the Great Room, cold cocktail in hand.
Set right on the shores of Endeavor Bay, The Cotton House property is spread across 13 acres of lush, tropical gardens. With a variety of accommodation types, from 1-bedroom cottages to suites as well as a residence that can be booked, it’s a lovely choice for both couples and families. We visited on a baby moon, right before the pandemic began, and the crushing months of quarantine that followed have made our memories of Mustique even sweeter.
We stayed in the PawPaw cottage, just a short walk from the Great Room, and to say it was dreamy is an understatement. The bubblegum pink cottage consisted of a bedroom with king size bed with a charming sitting area just off it, a large walk-thru closet and a pretty spacious bathroom with shower and double vanity. We also had a back porch overlooking a lawn where several times a day we saw a slow moving tortoise crawling amongst the flowers, munching leaves.
Morning and evening meals are enjoyed on the porch of the Main Lodge at the Veranda Restaurant. The bright, cheerful colors and beautiful views make the breakfast and dinner, which are delicious, taste even better. The most important part of the meal, though? The water gun at your table. Use them at will to fend off greedy little birds who will attempt to steal nibbles of your eggs Benedict every chance they get.
A short stroll from the Main Lodge is a beautiful white sand beach hugged by Endeavor Bay.
Beach loungers, a tiki bar, a lunch time restaurant and ice cream parlor, and stunning views greet you at the waters edge. The water is stunning shades of cerulean, navy and cadet blue with waves just big enough to give you a gentle push while you float.
The Beach Cafe is a lovely atmosphere in which to enjoy lunch, and you’ll likely be surrounded by island locals as well as other hotel guests. However, if you’re looking for something a big more secluded, the hotel will arrange a beach picnic for you. They will set it up fully, butler style, or leave it for you to unpack (which is what we did) at one of several cabanas available to reserve by the entire island.
We explored Lagoon Bay, where in the middle you can see a huge pile conch shells recovered from hurricanes, then sat down to enjoy a huge spread and chilled rosé. It felt like something from a movie, so serene and indulgent and the perfect way to enjoy lunch. After, we explored a few other beaches on the island in one of the properties gaters (think large golf cart) which is actually what most people on the island drive.
Whether you plan to enjoy dinner in town or at the Veranda Restaurant, be sure to pop down to the Beach Cafe tiki bar for a sunset cocktail. The vibe on the island is so laid back and chill – you’ll watch the ocean swallow the sun to the sound of reggae music and glass clinking and laughter from other guests. It truly is the best way to end a perfect day on the island.
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