Less than a year after breaking ground, the first phase of the multi‑stage A’ila Resort project is nearing completion. Rising from the slopes of Mt Pimard in Rodney Bay, with views across to Pigeon Island and even Martinique, the development is poised to become a picture‑perfect holiday spot.
It was this panorama, and the warmth of Saint Lucia’s people, that developer Yunus Dogan says captured his heart when he first visited the island. “It was the beauty of this island and the friendliness of the people,” he recalled.
Construction began in early 2025, and the first phase – a 65‑room wellness hotel operated by TheLifeCo – is scheduled to open in March.
Dexter Percil, Director of Global Marketing at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, noted that the island has been expanding its campaigns in romance and soft adventure, and is now moving strongly into wellness.
“We welcome A’ila and TheLifeCo, which will soon open. This development will help in our promotion of Saint Lucia as a wellness destination while adding to our number of rooms available,” Percil told St Lucia Times.
Tourism and Investment Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire echoed that sentiment, pointing to the importance of replenishing room capacity.
“We lost rooms last year due to at least two hotels on the Reduit strip now no longer in existence. So with the A’ila brand and what we know they will add to the tourism product, not just through LifeCo but with the additional phases over the next two years, it is something that we are pretty excited about and looking forward to,” he said.
Sean Bonete, administrative consultant for A’ila Resorts, emphasised the project’s local impact.
“This is a fast‑paced project where we will create many employment opportunities for the people of Saint Lucia at various levels,” he said, noting that hundreds of nationals were employed during construction and will staff the resort.
TheLifeCo holistic well‑being centre will offer natural therapies and serve as a retreat for mind and body.
Project manager Aslihan Ozgur described the expansion as the next step in a journey that began in Turkey two years ago.
“Our mission has always been to help people reconnect with themselves through natural therapies and conscious living. So Saint Lucia’s untouched nature, healing energy and the vibrant culture make it a perfect location,” she said.
Ozgur added that Saint Lucians have been recruited and trained both locally and in Turkey. “We are very big on training and offering our employees opportunities to grow with us,” she explained.
The A’ila Resorts, Villas and Residences, of which TheLifeCo is a part, represent one of Saint Lucia’s largest tourism projects under Invest Saint Lucia. When complete, the development is expected to employ more than 800 Saint Lucians and contribute directly and indirectly to the surrounding community.
With an overall investment of $1.3 billion, the project will eventually include a family hotel, adults‑only resort, luxury villas, residences, a shopping boulevard, and one of the country’s largest conference centres. Additional phases are slated for completion by late 2026 into 2027.
