The Price of Magic: Let’s Talk About the Cost of Kismet
Every year, as we prepare for KISMET PRIDE, we get a version of the same question:
“Why does it cost what it costs?”
It’s a fair question. And while we’re not about to pull back the curtain all the way—because the truth is, production at this level is far more complex (and expensive) than most people would enjoy reading about—we do want to offer a little clarity about what your ticket actually represents.
Because it’s not just a room.
Yes, our home for the week is the beautiful Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa. But anyone can book a stay there. That’s not what Kismet is.
Kismet is five days of intentional, curated experience designed specifically for Black queer women and our community. Your ticket includes:
Thoughtful programming featuring powerful conversations, workshops, and storytelling with Black lesbian voices we deeply admire.
Wellness activations and grounding practices that help us care for our bodies and our spirits—not just party through the week.
Nightlife and social experiences you simply won’t find anywhere else, created for a room full of people who might never have crossed paths otherwise.
A fully curated community environment where connection, joy, freedom, and celebration are the point.
And then there’s something many people don’t realize.
We don’t just reserve a handful of rooms and invite people to meet us around the pool.
We secure exclusive spaces—entire towers, buildings, and suites—so that when you arrive, you are stepping into something rare: a sapphic wonderland of our own making, where our community can exist freely and without interruption.
That kind of exclusivity requires intention, negotiation, and yes—investment.
Let’s Talk About the Duo Rooms
Another big question we’ve seen this year is about duo rooms.
Here’s a little context: in a 330-suite resort, there are only six suites with two beds in them.
Six.
So the duo option isn’t Kismet trying to force a baecation on anyone. It’s actually the opposite. It’s our attempt to create a pathway for more people to experience Kismet in a way that might feel more financially accessible.
Most people who’ve attended understand something important: while the rooms themselves are beautiful and absolutely part of the luxury experience, this week is really about what’s happening outside the room—the community, the programming, the magic we build together.
The duo suites are simply one of the ways we try to meet people where they are while still delivering the experience we’ve promised.
Safety Isn’t a Bonus—It’s the Standard
Another piece people don’t always see is the level of care and planning that goes into safety and comfort for our community.
For Kismet, safety isn’t an add-on. It’s a standard.
That means coordinating things like:
Private transportation and vetted car services
Carefully organized & private excursions that center our guests’ comfort
Dedicated event logistics and staff to make sure everyone moves through the experience smoothly
Intentional partnerships and planning to ensure our community feels respected and protected throughout the week
All of that takes time, planning, and real resources.
And we’re also doing something else that makes this journey even more complex: we are committed, whenever possible, to working with Black women–owned brands, businesses, and collaborators. That mission matters to us deeply. It also means the path is often ten times harder than the easy route.
But we’re sticking to it.
Because building spaces that center our community shouldn’t be the easy option—it should be the intentional one.
So yes—the price point reflects the experience.
Not just the luxury accommodations.
Not just the resort.
But the people, the programming, the production, the safety, and the vision required to bring it all to life.
If someone is thinking they might just book a room at the resort and casually stumble upon the experience—we truly wish them the best of luck. But Kismet isn’t something you happen upon.
It’s something you step into intentionally.
And if the investment doesn’t feel right for you this year, we genuinely understand. There are so many incredible spaces and events within our community that we love and support year-round.
Kismet, though?
Kismet is something a little different.
A little rarer.
A little more magical.
For everyone joining us this year:
we see you, we value you, and we promise—it will be worth it. ✨
