St. Lucia Hotels

Nearly all St. Lucia's villas, hotels, resorts, and inns are concentrated in three locations along the Caribbean coast: the greater Castries area between Marigot Bay, a few miles south of the capital, and Choc Bay in the north; in and around Rodney Bay and north to Cap Estate; and around Soufrière in the southwestern coast near the Pitons. Currently only one resort is in Vieux Fort, near Hewanorra International Airport, although the area along the southern and southeastern coasts is ripe for development. New resort development is underway on the Atlantic (east) coast, with grand openings expected in 2010 or 2011. Resorts and small inns are tucked into lush surroundings on secluded coves, unspoiled beaches, or forested hillsides. The advantage of being in the north is easier access to a wider range of restaurants and nightlife; in the south, you're limited to your own resort's dining options, other resort dining rooms, and a handful of local restaurants in Soufrière. On the other hand, many of the island's natural attractions are in and around Soufrière.

Most people—particularly honeymooners—choose to stay in one of St. Lucia's many beach resorts, most of which are upscale and pricey. Several are all-inclusive, including the three Sandals resorts, two Almond resorts, and two resorts owned and/or managed by Sunswept (the Body Holiday at LeSPORT and Rendezvous).

If you're looking for lodgings that are more intimate and less expensive, St. Lucia has dozens of small inns and hotels that are often locally owned, always charming, and often less expensive but that may or may not be directly on the beach. A group of locally owned and operated small hotels, comfortable guesthouses, and self-catering apartments market themselves through the St. Lucia Tourist Board as INNtimate St. Lucia (758/452-4094. www.inntimatestlucia.org). Accommodations range in size from three to 75 rooms.

Luxury villa communities and independent private villas are another alternative in St. Lucia. Virtually all of the villa communities are located in the north near Cap Estate, as well as in south of Castries in Marigot Bay.

Less »