Love, Legacy, and Jade – How One Couple Built Saint Lucia’s Iconic Eco-Sanctuary

Words Amanda Ho | Regenerative Travel

Date11 June 2025

The Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia’s crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and lush volcanic mountain tops make it a travel photographer’s dream. Carved into one of the verdant slopes is the iconic Jade Mountain Resort.

The building is a modern composition of stone and wood, designed in a tiered, multi-level layout that spills down the mountainside. The resort is connected by open-air walkways and bridges, which allow the fresh ocean breeze to flow through and maximize panoramic views from every angle. Overgrown by lush greenery, it is as if the rainforest gives the structure a big, green hug, blurring the lines between man-made and natural.

Karolin and Nick Troubetzkoy have been running Jade Mountain and its sister property, Anse Chastanet, with nature, the ocean, and local communities in mind long before words like “eco-tourism” and “green travel” reached the mainstream media. Doing so has been no small feat, and recently, Karolin shared the story of Jade Mountain’s regenerative journey with us and explained why the Caribbean tourism industry must unite to fight the challenges ahead.

The Carving of Jade Mountain

Karolin first fell in love with Saint Lucia during an internship on the island in 1980 while pursuing a degree in hospitality at a university in Munich. When she returned to Germany, by fateful coincidence, she met architect Nick Troubetzkoy, who was managing the Anse Chastanet Resort in Saint Lucia. Their shared love for Saint Lucia developed into a love for each other, and the couple married and ran Anse Chastanet together. A new idea had been brewing in Nick’s mind, and what was first envisioned as an expansion of Anse Chastanet grew into a new concept that deserved its own structure and standalone experience: Jade Mountain. Their new resort was named after Nick’s collection of antique carved jade mountains, which reminded him of Saint Lucia’s signature Piton Mountains. “It appeared to me that Nick was finally carving his own jade mountain, made from stone and perhaps just a little bigger than some of the jade mountains in his collection,” Karolin wrote in an article, describing Jade Mountain as “Nick’s brainchild.”

The result is a harmonious escape where the rooms are called “sanctuaries,” and include a Majordomo, or butler, who cares for every guest’s needs. Each sanctuary is “missing” a wall, leaving no barrier between guests and nature, and provides an unobstructed view of the ocean and the Piton Mountains. The sanctuaries’ reflective infinity pools give a feeling of “floating in the air.” Nick’s passion for details is evident throughout the resort, such as the pool’s reflective tiles, which were exclusively molded for Jade Mountain before the molds were destroyed, ensuring they remain completely unique. This attention to detail and luxurious amenities put Jade Mountain at the top of luxury hotel rankings, but what truly sets it apart is the resort’s positive impact on the environment and the local communities in Saint Lucia.

Each sanctuary at Jade Mountain is "missing" a wall

Nick Troubetzkoy and team during construction of Jade Mountain

A Caribbean Sanctuary Powered by Locals

Since the inception of Jade Mountain, Karolin and Nick have embraced a guiding mantra: “everything local.” Determined to minimise “tourism leakage”—a common issue in many destinations where tourism revenue flows abroad rather than benefiting the host country—they envisioned a resort deeply rooted in Saint Lucia.

Jade Mountain was built by more than 500 Saint Lucians, using local materials wherever possible. Today, the resort proudly showcases the island’s talent—from skilled masons and woodworkers to seamstresses and artists. Each sanctuary is one-of-a-kind, furnished with locally made or sourced pieces. At sister resort Anse Chastanet, even the linens and bathrobes are sewn by a network of Saint Lucian seamstresses Karolin has nurtured over the past three decades. Her close relationships with local artists are also reflected throughout the resort, with their works on display and for sale in the on-site art gallery.

While guests often remark that the sanctuaries are “so beautiful you do not want to leave your room,” Karolin gently encourages guests to explore beyond their private havens. “We’ve always celebrated authenticity and wanted our guests to be fully immersed in everything Saint Lucia is,” she says. That spirit lives on in Jade Mountain’s curated activities—from historical walks and farm tours to Patois lessons introducing the island’s French-based Creole language.

Each suite comes with a Major Domo butler service

Karolin Troubetzkoy

Executive Director and Owner

Jade Mountain Resort

“Our landscapes, adventures, and beaches will draw travelers to our shores – but it’s our Caribbean people who will keep them coming back.”

Preserving Paradise from Reef to Rainforest

Though Saint Lucia is a relatively small island, its biodiversity spans a remarkable range of ecosystems—from dry coastal cacti to lush rainforests, mangroves, and vibrant coral reefs. Protecting these natural wonders is not only essential for the island’s long-term resilience and climate adaptation but also for preserving the very beauty that draws visitors here.

For Karolin, environmental stewardship is an inseparable part of running a successful resort. Jade Mountain’s sustainability efforts extend from marine conservation and water management to reducing single-use plastics and supporting local biodiversity initiatives.

The mesmerizing underwater world of the Caribbean Sea faces increasing threats from climate change, invasive species, and the pressures of tourism. Of particular concern is the impact of high-volume visitation, which—without proper education and guidance—can inadvertently damage fragile marine habitats.

To help foster a culture of ocean awareness, Jade Mountain encourages its guests to actively participate in the Reef Life and Renewal Program, run through the resort’s dive center. Certified instructors offer hands-on opportunities to explore and protect the reef, from coral nursery workshops to safe methods for removing invasive lionfish. These immersive experiences not only deepen guests’ appreciation for marine life but also empower them to become advocates for its protection.

When the boundary disappears, so does the distance between you and the place you’re in.

The water on land is just as important as the ocean at Jade Mountain, as Saint Lucia has limited freshwater resources. To keep the resort’s water supply fully independent of the local community, the Jade Mountain team has restored a reservoir dating back to the 18^th century, which supplies the entire resort with fresh water. Every drop is measured daily to spot leaks or issues, and the wastewater is filtered and used for irrigation. This closes the resort’s water loop and results in the flourishing of native flora and fauna without discarding any wastewater into the ocean.

Equally important for protecting the island’s natural habitat is eliminating unnecessary plastics, a commitment that Jade Mountain has made by signing the UN Global Tourism Plastics Initiative. Resorts have historically been a major contributor to pollution in the Caribbean and elsewhere due to their overreliance on single-use plastics, which often end up in nature. Jade Mountain, however, has its own water bottling facility, which utilizes reusable glass bottles, thereby eliminating the need for an estimated 300-330 plastic bottles daily and 115,000 bottles annually.

Karolin is proud of these achievements and showcases Jade Mountain’s progress in the resort’s sustainability report. Guests who want to learn more can participate in a behind-the-scenes tour, led by Carl Hunter, the resort’s “environmental guru,” who explains the comprehensive care that goes into preserving this paradise.

Jade Mountain played an instrumental role in the creation of the Soufriere Marine Management Authority which has led to the entire nearshore marine environment being declared a marine reserve.

United Against the Climate Crisis

The Caribbean is one of the regions most vulnerable to the climate crisis. Since the 1980s, North Atlantic hurricanes have increased in intensity, frequency, and duration—a trend that is expected to continue as global temperatures rise. Karolin sees the climate crisis as the most pressing challenge facing the Caribbean hospitality industry, and her commitment to building resilient island communities extends well beyond the Saint Lucian sanctuary.

In 2017, the region endured two catastrophic hurricanes. Hurricane Irma tore through in August, causing billions in damage and claiming more than 100 lives. Just weeks later, Hurricane Maria devastated several islands, resulting in thousands of casualties and widespread destruction. Deeply shaken by the scale of the disaster, Karolin immediately mobilized to raise recovery funds and rally regional support. Through the One Caribbean Family initiative, she brought together tourism stakeholders from unaffected islands to assist those that bore the brunt of the storms—demonstrating that Caribbean solidarity is more than a slogan; it’s a lifeline.

“Whenever one part of the region is affected, we all feel it—because the Caribbean is our shared home.”
– Karolin Troubetzkoy, CHTA, 2017

When Hurricane Beryl swept through the Caribbean in July 2024, bringing life-threatening winds and dangerous storm surges, it stirred vivid memories of 2017 for Karolin. Saint Lucia was spared the worst this time, but the experience underscored how precarious the future remains.
“As we face these increasingly powerful storms, let us also push for urgent action to address the underlying issue of climate change that fuels their ferocity,” she urged.

A shift from control to openness. From observation to immersion.

With its stunning open views and luxurious amenities, Jade Mountain takes the breath away from its guests, but this resort is more than just a pretty picture. Beneath the gorgeous exterior lies Jade Mountain’s team’s commitment to balancing hospitality with community empowerment, conservation, climate resilience, and guest involvement. Karolin’s lifelong experience in the industry, spanning decades of service to various associations and organizations around the Caribbean, has given her the valuable wisdom needed to run a beautiful hotel with a true purpose. Nick Troubetzkoy passed away in November 2024, but the sanctuary he shaped endures, not only in its architecture but in the regenerative values it upholds. Thanks to Karolin, Nick, and their team, guests leave the resort feeling refreshed, pampered, and enriched with a deeper understanding of local ecosystems and communities, as well as with hope for the future.

Three Must-Try Activities in Saint Lucia

Go Scuba Diving at Jade Mountain’s PADI 5-Star Dive Center

Scuba St. Lucia is one of the Caribbean’s most comprehensive dive facilities. With its own dedicated dive boat fleet and a full range of certifications and experiences, the center caters to everyone from first-time divers to seasoned underwater explorers. The nearby Anse Chastanet reef is just a short swim from shore and offers an explosion of color and biodiversity: think coral gardens teeming with parrotfish, trumpetfish, and seahorses. Guided boat dives take guests to underwater walls and wrecks, or offer a chance to help restore coral reefs through Jade Mountain’s Reef Life and Renewal Program. It’s a rare opportunity to observe the ocean’s wonders and be part of its protection.

Connect to the Land with a Creole History Class

At Jade Mountain, the Creole History Class offers guests an intimate window into Saint Lucia’s rich and layered cultural heritage. Far beyond a typical hotel activity, this session unpacks the island’s colonial past, the resilience of its people, and the evolution of Saint Lucian identity through language, music, and food. Guests are introduced to Kwéyòl (Saint Lucian Creole), a French-based patois still widely spoken on the island, and explore how African, French, and Caribbean influences intertwined to shape local customs and traditions.

Get Creative at Emerald Estate’s Chocolate Making Class

In the lush hills just above Jade Mountain lies Emerald Estate, the resort’s organic farm and the heart of its bean-to-bar chocolate program. The chocolate-making class traces the full journey of this beloved ingredient, from hand-harvesting ripe cacao pods to fermenting, drying, grinding, and tempering the beans. Along the way, participants learn about the island’s long-standing relationship with cacao, which dates back to the 18th century when Saint Lucia’s fertile volcanic soil made it a prized crop. It’s a delicious, educational immersion that connects guests to the flavors and stories rooted in the land.