The tourism industry in Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean is mourning the loss of Nick Troubetzkoy, the celebrated owner and designer of the iconic Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain Resorts.
Troubetzkoy, often described as a “Giant” in the hospitality industry, passed away in London on November 25, 2024.
Nick Troubetzkoy was not only a pioneer in sustainable luxury tourism but also a beloved member of the community.
Sanovnik Destang, fellow hotelier and President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), paid tribute, stating, “He was an industry giant who will be missed. He left a legacy on tourism in Saint Lucia and in the Caribbean—not only by dreaming big and creating a world-class product that stretched the boundaries of what we imagined possible, but also through his impact on the community and his championing of sustainable tourism development.”
Nick Troubetzkoy, a Russian-Canadian architect from British Columbia, Canada, arrived in Saint Lucia in the early 1970s.
Initially intending to spend only a short time working on villa designs, he fell in love with the island and its people, turning what was meant to be a temporary project into a lifelong calling.
A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Troubetzkoy apprenticed under acclaimed west coast architects, including Ron Thom and Arthur Erickson, before his transformative move to the Caribbean.
In Saint Lucia, his creativity and architectural innovation found new heights, beginning with the creation of Anse Chastanet.
“His visionary spirit and fearless architectural innovation first manifested in the creation of Anse Chastanet,” read a statement from the resort. “This project laid the groundwork for his crowning achievement, Jade Mountain, which stands as a powerful testament to his great love for Saint Lucia and her people.”
Troubetzkoy’s resorts epitomised his commitment to blending luxury with environmental stewardship. With its signature open-wall design overlooking the Pitons—Saint Lucia’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jade Mountain redefined eco-tourism and garnered worldwide acclaim. His work earned him the island’s highest honours, including the Saint Lucia Cross (SLC) and the Saint Lucia Medal of Honour (SLMH).
Beyond his architectural feats, Troubetzkoy was a tireless advocate for sustainable tourism and community betterment. He invested in projects that uplifted Soufriere’s communities, cementing his reputation as more than a hotelier but a benefactor and friend of the people.
His loss is deeply felt not only by his family—his wife of 40 years, Karolin, their children, Karen, Nikolijne, Nikolai, and Yasha, and his grandchildren Talin and Remy—but also by the tourism community at large.
Winston Anderson, Managing Director of Sandals Resorts for Saint Lucia, Grenada, and St. Vincent, expressed his sorrow: “Nick will definitely be missed, not only by us in the hospitality sector but by the country as a whole. Both he and his wife have been integral to the tourism landscape in Saint Lucia for many years. Nick created a true world-class product that helped solidify Saint Lucia’s position on the global map as a unique destination offering unparalleled experiences.”
Wow. Literally saw him boarding British Airways a few weeks ago.
Another legend has moved on … a heartfelt thank you to his family for their contribution to Saint Lucia’s development ❤️❤️❤️. Sleep well Nick … 🙏
Rest in peace Sir!
Note that the entire bay is Anse Mammin and not Anse Chastanet, where the two hotels are, ( the readers must be wondering where that’s coming from)! Anyway, may his soul rest in eternal peace, he did make a very substantial contribution, a real stalwart!
A visionary indeed! Quirky, stubborn, highly intelligent with a great sense of humour! Formidable businessman, talented architect, charitable human being. It’s been a privilege to have known and worked with Nick for 20 years. He will be missed!
It’s only been three years since I’ve known you but it felt like a life time rest easy and thank you for your many contributions and art work you will always be remembered 🙏❤️💯
While I will offer my condolences we must never forget what was lurking behind this man’s intentions. He came to St Lucia back in the 70s from Canada, a backwater of Britain which still until this present day does not have it’s own head of state. This white man was taken in by the people of Soufriere where he was fed, clothed and housed in this picturesque Western town. He was hardly keen on the people of the town after their extensive generosity.
Take the Anse Chastanet road which is the sole road leading up to his hotel. The road has not been fixed for a long time and is impassable and in a deplorable state. The only reason this road is in such a state is because the powers that be don’t want the locals coming there to use the beach and other amenities. That is a crying shame. Why won’t they fix the road so all can use it? You see these white folks come to your country with one thing on their minds and that is to rule and conquer our people and the fact of the matter is that our natives are too blind to see this.
This is a man who used to walk the streets of Soufriere naked. He was picked up several times for pounding the streets in the nude something which he will not do in his native Canada. He was fed many times by a lady called Linar Alfred when he needed food. Apart from providing a few jobs to the locals where they are being exploited what else did he do for Soufriere or St Lucia? His sidekick wife is no different to him as they are peas from the same pod. There are so many bootlickers in St Lucia who are ready to lick this man’s arse just because he is white and foreign. No one was bold enough to challenge him about the condition of the road. Lucians are so hypocritical it beggars belief.
I will only offer my condolences because it is the right thing to do in a sad time like this but we must not forget about his legacy and what transpired under his watch. There is so much to say but I will leave this for another time should this warrants another discussion on this topic in the future. The hotel owners in St Lucia do not have our interests at heart. They come to plunder and exploit our people and our scant resources and that is a well known fact. Soufriereans and by Extension St Lucians wake up. RIP Nick!
He left the world with much more than when he came .. it was an honor and privilege to have worked with him and Jade mountain.
Our condolences go to his family and all those who he worked with and touch by his vision .. he opened up a beautiful crack in the world
Janice F