ejones28

My finance and I just scheduled our honeymoon at Jalouise Plantation in January.

We know that Ladera is the best hotel, but we didn't want to stay in a three-walled room!! So, we were advised that Jalousie is a wonderful alternative.

For those that have vacationed at Jalousie recently, I would love to know about your experience. And also, do you have any restaurant and sight-seeing suggestions?

Thank you for your help!

ggswell

I, my husband and my 8 yr.old stayed there last year from 6/30 to 7/8. It was incredible!!!!!!!! We had a villa with a private plunge pool. It is a very British and quiet resort and the food is typically epensive, but we had a great time. There is a little restaurant to the left of the hotel, which you can walk to. We ate there two nights. Incredible food and much cheaper than the resort. The snorkeling is great right at the beach and you can't beat the scenery since you're right between the two Pitons. They let you use free snorkel gear. Soufriere is the closest town and you shouldn't drive there at night, bad roads, but you can get a taxi to take you to some small local restaurants. There are good day trips around there also, lots of waterfalls, the volcano, and gardens to visit. We met a local in town and he agreed to take us to all the sites, the resort can also arrange tours as well as boat excursions right from the beach. We did stay at other hotels in other parts of the country as well. For a honeymoon it will be great, it was a little boring after a few days for the 8yr. old. Don't expect a big night life the little town is the ONLY thing around. Hope that helps!

ejones28

Thank you! That helps a lot. Do you remember the name of that restaurant?

owa

Hi, we were there in May. If you are interested, click on my name and my trip report should appear. Any questions, just ask. Owa

ejones28

Thank you owa! Very helpful. I have run into alot of mixed reviews as well, but I feel good about our decision to stay at Jalousie.

ggswell

I don't remember the name of the restaurant but it is the only restaurant on the property thsat is not owned by the hotel. There are also restaurants in Soufriere that are good. Here's what we do.... We go to a bar to have couple beers and you meet local people. That's where you learn all the good CHEAP places to eat and someone wanting to make $20 to be a guide for the day. We ALWAYS rent a car so we can go where we want with the guide. We are in control. That's the best deal.

brenandg

I think the restaurant is called "Bang".

ejones28

Cool. Thanks so much for your help!

perchy

Yey! I'm Jalousie-bound in October for our honeymoon too.

I was getting the impression by some reviews on TA that Jalousie has purchased the Bang restaurant. I haven't been able to confirm tho. Their Web site still indicates just 4 restaurants as of last week.

We picked Jalousie too for the four walls and air conditioning, over Ladera. I wasn't confident we were well-traveled enough to try three walls comfortably. Be on the lookout for my trip report in a few months.

penny

Ladera may be popular---but my choice over the two would be Jalousie. Those 3 sided rooms are not for me---and Ladera as you approach it looks like a big tree house. Ladera the best---not for everyone. Do go there for a sunset drink, or lovely dinner at Dasheen.

You will have a wonderful honeymoon at
Jalousie. The setting is beautiful!
Enjoy.

ejcrowe

I agree. I have yet to see a more spectacular setting than the Jalousie--the memory is fresh because I just looked back over our photos from 2001 this morning. It's a very romantic place to stay.

Ladera is nifty, but as penny says, it's not for everybody. I'd agree that you should go there for drinks and an early dinner to catch the magnificent sunset view. If the spirit moves you, ask to see a room while you're there. If you think it might suit you, then consider going back for a wedding anniversary.

Jalousie has a few small problems--what large resort doesn't--but I believe you will have a wonderfully memorably honeymoon there. Congrats!

Blossom1022

We honeymooned at Jalousie in 2003 when it was managed by the Hilton. You cannot match the location and the views of the resort. I would highly recommend getting an oceanview villa. You will see the mountains and the ocean all in one!

Also, I'd recommend getting the breakfast plan included. The Jalousie is in a very remote area and there aren't any restaurants in walking distances and taxi fares add up fast.

We went to Ladera for dinner at Dasheen and it had a nice sunset view but we thought the restaurant was a little overrated given all the press. Nevertheless, try it once and enjoy.

ejones28

Thank you so much everyone!! You all have been so helpful!

starrsville

I've stayed at both, and liked both but would not call Ladera "best". It is unique and the rooms are amazing. But, Ladera is fabulous. Enjoy your honeymoon.

Take a tour of the island with one of the cab drivers associated with the hotel. A great way to see the island.

When it was Hilton owned you could have your little fridge filled with whatever you wanted - at pretty reasonable prices. Still, guests often hired a taxi to take them into town for a grocery shopping trip.

Be sure to take a water taxi trip. They are moored at the beach and will take you to Anse Chasanet for a day on the black sand beach or an excursion day to the market in Castries, lunch at Rodney Bay and snorkeling. MUCH better than taking the same route by road!

owa

On the way to the hotel from the airport, we asked our driver to stop at the grocery store. We picked up beer, pop and snacks. The driver was more than happy to stop and we didn't have to make an extra trip. There is a grocery store right on the way.

My memories of Jalouise keep getting better and better!! Enjoy. Owa

denverdiva

St. Lucia was absolutely wonderful while we were there for our honeymoon in October 2003! We stayed at the Jalouise (Hilton propoerty at the time) which is directly at the base of mountain-top resort Ladera. Jalouise was awesome (I hope it hasn't changed much since the new ownership took over). My opinion is that you've definitely made the right choice!!

The beach is just a simple strip, but has these great tekki type umbrella huts to sit under and take in the water view while sipping a cool beverage. There is a great snorkeling area roped off and you can get up and snorkel whenever the mood strikes you.

I DEFINITELY recommend taking the helicopter from the airport to Jalouise. I believe it's $80 per person each way, but well worth it! The views are absolutely amazing as you come over the piton. It's also only 7 minutes vs. 1-2 hours in a taxi van. Go to www.stluciahelicopters.com or call them at 758-453-6950 to make a reservation. You could also possibly inquire at the airport once you land, but I'd try to make a reservation in advance.

My husband and I pretty much stuck to dining at the Jalouise resort during our week there, but we did dine at Ladera's Dasheene restaurant on two different nights. The restaurant is world famous, or something like that, and it's REALLY good (that's why we went a second night!). Make a reservation for one of the outer-most tables so you can have the best view (but all the views are good!). You can take a quick taxi ride up from Jalousie.

You should dine at Bang Between the Pitons as previously mentioined. It's located directly next to Jalouise and just called "Bang" by most. It has a pretty neat history. Here's the description from the web:

Lord Glenconner owned the Island of Mustique and gifted one of the first Villa Estates to his friend Princess Margaret. Now you can have a West Indies dinner at his restaurant "Bang Between the Pitons" go on Wednesday evening where he hosts the local show and comes to your table to say Hello.
A collection of renovated local village wooden houses, the latest venture of Lord Glenconner (Colin Tennant). You get there either by boat direct to his jetty or drive to Hilton Jalousie Resort and ask the resort security to direct you. Best to call in advance to check opening hours. Prices moderate-very casual dress. Wednesday night is local show. (dinner fixed at $50 U.S. per person) 758 459.7864

Definitely ONLY go on Wednesday night though if you go at all. We also tried it another night and it was positively dead. We were the only 2 there!

As far as activities, we mostly stuck to the beach at Jalouise, but snorkeled there quite a bit. Can't beat the fact that it's included at no additional cost! Sailing on a little dingy was also a ton of fun! My husband tried out scuba diving for the first time which he loved. One day we took a water taxi to Anse Chastanet. Unfortunately the resort was under construction so we had to listen to non-stop hammering! However, they have a great snorkeling area. Only problem was that several other tourists and tour groups stop there to do the same, so it was kind of crowded.

We also did a day spa package through Jalouise that included a trip to a sulfur spring complete with a mud bath and then a massage back onsite at the resort. I don't really recommend this though. My husband was completely weirded out by the woman who put the mud on us and then literally got in the spring with us to bathe it off!

Hope you have a great honeymoon at Jalouise!! One other quick note, if you don't like the room you are first assigned, don't hestiate to ask for another. We did and ended up with a much better view!

Dreamer2

Any current updates?

starrsville

I WISH I could say "yes"

frettingmom

I'm also glad to read the good reviews on Jalouise. We are planning my daugther's wedding in May and have narrowed it down to Jalouise or Anse Chastanet after EXTENSIVE research. Does anybody have any comment on which one is better?

frettingmom

Oops! Changed our minds now. It's between Jalousie Plantation and TiKaye! Quite excited to have it narrowed down that far. Does anyone want to vote between the 2?