addie

David - it's a shame you had that experience. I'm confused though - for someone who's traveled extensively, I would think you might have a greater appreciation for the differences in culture, lifestyle, work ethic, etc. and be able to find the positive things to appreciate, rather than the negative. <BR> <BR>I would hate for your one bad experience to disuade others from going to the Jalousie, because for the majority of people the majority of the time, they sem to have completely wonderful experiences. Maybe St. Lucia simply isn't the place for you. The only equivalent-status hotels on the island are Ladera and Anse Chastanet - and those places will have their quirks too. Open-air rooms will have bugs and criters and humidity. At Jalousie and most others on the island, the definition of "plunge pool" IS a 6' x 6' dipping spot. Personally, I thought ours was very refreshing. And yes, you had to stand up to look above the foliage to see the ocean, but it also aforded a measure of privacy. True, not all the villas will have as much privacy, because of how the foliage grows, how they are situated on th paths, etc. But if privacy was an ultimate concern, if ou book far enough in advance, you could probably specify to the hotel staff that you really wanted a villa that had the highest possible privacy around the plunge pool. And come on - it gets windy there, and the jungle-like atmosphere is bound to blow leaves and such into the pool. Scoop them off the surface and deal with it. St. Lucia is an extemely poor and remote island. It's amazing to me that hey can bring in as much as they do. Maybe they have troubles getting good staff, but that's certainly no limited just to St Lucia, or the caribbean for that matter. <BR> <BR>The villa rooms have a charming decor. Not posh, but far from rustic. You could say they are in keeping with the charm of an old-world plantation. And they are clean. And I would imagine that if they were full to capacity, they would have a hard time if everyone chose to eat at the same time. Islanders are not hop-to people. ANd yes, waiting can be inconvenient, but what's so bad about relaxing on the veranda and admiring the view and the breezes while you wait? It's not like you were waiting in some dank polluted cellar. <BR> <BR>Is Jalousie perfect? No. Is any resort? No. But 90% of our exerience at anyplace is what you choose to make of it. Attitude is, as attitude does. My guess is that you were snippy with the staff, and big shock, they were snippy right back. You's find that to be the case anywhere. For those of you considering Jalousie, please don't be turned off. If you want a lovely, peaceful, secluded romantic getaway, I still think 99.9% of people would really enjoy St. Lucia - I like places on the lvel of the Ritz, and I personally thought the Hilton was very nice.

JR

I just returned from celebrating my sixth month wedding anniversary at Jalousie a week ago. After checking in and being escorted to our oceanview villa we were not completely happy with our location. The hotel was full at the time, however, the front desk staff could not have been more entertaining as they suggested several villas that we could move to the next day. The following day everything was taken care of and we had a great villa that was very private. The location of Jalousie is unlike any in the world and I too have traveled extensively, David. The Pitons are amazingly romantic and the plunge pools are great. Because of the lush grounds, you may have a leaf or two blow into the pool but other than that they are very very clean. The staff skims them twice a day and it is foolish to compare it to a polluted river. As many have stated, the service is a bit slow, but it is everywhere in the islands that are not overly industrialized. That is part of the charm. The food definitely leaves something to be desired and I would advise people eat at the Bang (inexpensive) or Ladera. Ladera is exceptional (particularly during sunset) while not being overly expensive. Coming from a northeastern city it certainly was not expensive. St. Lucia is wonderful but it is still very underdeveloped. It is not Hawaii or even Nevis. (I have stayed at the Four Seasons there) This has an effect on the resort, but overall Hilton has done a great job. I would go back in a heart beat particularly with the great off season rates.

freewoman

Can't pass this one up without a response. I too researched heavily and went to St. Lucia to the Jalousie Hilton. I would not return if you paid my way and gave me spending money!!! In fact, it was a good thing my trip was free (we went on AA miles and Hilton Honors points) because I would have been livid had I paid for it. As it was I was just vastly disappointed. This Hilton is grossly overpriced and those who pay do not even begin to get what they pay for. They cut off our water for two days and came several times a day to dip a bucket in our plunge pool to flush the toilet. The food is grossly overpriced and not that edible and they know you are stuck there unless you want to take your life in your own hands and try to drive on their almost undrivable roads. When we travelled to Soufrierre (sp) I witnessed slums like I have never seen even in South Chicago. And there are beggars everywhere. I have traveled to a lot of places and many islands. I love the island life and the island way, but folks this place is one of a kind in my book. I told my friends when I returned, "If you want an Indiana Jones kind of vacation, this is the place for you!!" I'll take Aruba, Grand Cayman, Hawaii or Tahiti, thank you very much.

Ashley

I just returned from Jalousie. I have enjoyed reading the posts since I left on July 4, as I followed this post before I left. I had a great experience there! I had requested a private, secluded villa a couple of days before we left. Not only were we provided with that, we were upgraded to an ocean view without even asking for it. We also had breakfast room service, and I was very GLAD for the plastic on everything, as we did not go out to have it for about 1/2 hour after it came, and it kept the bugs and flies off of everything! I found the covering an extra, added touch. <BR> <BR>We had our plunge pool cleaned at least every other day. I was a bit annoyed with the little leaf buds that fell into the pool and on the patio, but we were surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, so I got over it! <BR> <BR>I am a fairly experienced traveller, having been to St. Thomas, Grand Cayman at a young age, and recently to St. Barths and Costa Rica (along with all western European countries)... And I have high expectations. I found this resort absolutely beautiful in location and charm! If you want new and posh accommodations, go for the Hyatt, or some commercialized island. However, if you want to explore something different, less common- this is it. <BR>

Antoinette

David, <BR>Thank you for your warning about the Jalousie Hilton. I am taking your comments seriously and do not feel that you are in any way being picky. When a person pays for a supposed five star resort, that person should expect to receive the service the resort boasts about. This includes a courteous staff that does not stand around while guests are waiting for their breakfast! It also means that the staff should not be annoyed when asked to stop chatting to tend the bar! You have every right to expect the pool to be cleaned of scum, or leaves, or bugs every day. That's what you are paying for! However, people get very upset to find negative comments about their favorite resorts in these forums. I recently posted a somewhat negative trip report (With many positives listed too) about Beaches Turks and Caicos on another forum and have been blasted by Beaches groupies who think that Beaches in akin to the Garden of Eden. Take heart and know that there are some of us who truly appreciate candor on the part of those of us who share similar expectations.

Maureen

Antoinette and David: The key word is "expectations". You expect American-style first world amenities and star ratings in third world countries. You have to moderate your expectations when you travel to these places. We take so much for granted in the US and Canada. Those workers who stand around make less in a month than what you pay to stay a week. A large part of what makes the Caribbean so appealing comes with its realities.

xxxx

Maureen-You say: "You expect American-style first world amenities and star ratings in third world countries...Those workers who stand around make less in a month than what you pay to stay a week." Precisely! The total price of staying there 1 week is as expensive as staying in a five-star resort anywhere else. When you are paying those prices I think it's reasonable to expect the services and amenities.

Antoinette

Sorry, Maureen, but I can't agree with you. I have stayed in many island resorts and when I pay for three or four star service I will certainly look the other way at lack of service or amenities. My level of expectations is adjusted by the price paid. However, when I pay for five star accomodations and service that is what I expect. Certainly I know about "island time" and appreciate being forced to slow down on vacation. However, there is no excuse for lack of service at the five star resort. The resort "sells" its rating to the guests. That's what people are willing to pay the extra money for. When it comes up short of basics (like having the plunge pool cleaned out daily), then the guests has a right to be disappointed as David was.

Lizzie

Antoinette - <BR> <BR>I think the people who have responded to David's comments have been fair and objective. I myself had a VERY different experience from David's, and my boyfriend and I definitely left the resort feeling that we had, in fact, gotten what we had paid for. I found the staff highly accomodating and very helpful. So when I see his posting, I do feel compelled to jump in and say that my experience was completely different.

JR

As previously stated, my plunge pool was skimmed by staff twice daily just one week ago. Comparing it the Hudson or a polluted river is not only a stretch, it is a gross overstatement. And you right you are paying for service, but the surroundings and natural beauty is what you are truly paying for. You can't find a place like it anywhere in the states. It sounds as though many feel you can get sanitized surroundings such as at a big city 5 star hotel. You're not going to get it anywhere in the islands.

Ashley

Amen, JR! Also, the price for a villa at Jalousie Hilton is not comparable to what you pay for most 4 or 5 star resorts, i.e. it's rather on the inexpensive side. You can get an oceanview villa for about $220 a night in the low season if you book through the hotel.

mike

I'm glad I decided on Sandals golf instead of the Hilton. I heard the beach at the Hilton was also terrible.

lisa

Actually, the beach at the Hilton is gorgeous -- one of the prettiest settings I've ever seen.

Jeff

We stayed at Ladera last fall, and visited the Hilton several times. The beach is great; I don't know about the service. We were definitely glad we chose Ladera over the Hilton; it looked a bit run down. We went for the Friday night feast, and, although the food was fine, it was way overpriced and way too Americanized. Bang, on the other hand, was fun as hell. <BR> <BR>But, these sort of "criticisms" (found in an above message) crack me up: <BR> <BR>They know you are stuck there unless you want to take your life in your own hands and try to drive on their almost undrivable roads. When we travelled to Soufrierre (sp) I witnessed slums like I have never seen even in South Chicago. And there are beggars everywhere. <BR> <BR>I read a couple of these comments before going to St. Lucia and was amazed that people can be so hoity-toity. Oh no! Beggars? Get those filthy beasts away from me! I want to go see your pretty culture, not how you actually live. If you took the time to talk to any of these "beggars" you would have found out that most of them were very nice and intelligent people, who live on a poor island. Next time, do some reasearch, and only visit either first world countries, or first world enclaves in poor countries. Don't go to "uncivilized" places like St. Lucia and bash the locals. <BR> <BR>

Mary

Jeff: VERY well said!!

Bret

BRAVO Antoinette and Freewoman -- just simply BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!!

Lindy Beth

Mike - The beach at the Hilton is absolutely beautiful and clean. In fact many guests from hotels in the north (rendesvous a water taxi to the Hilton to swim and enjoy the awesome snorkeling. <BR> <BR>David - <BR> <BR>Flashback: <BR>"Listen... I enjoyed all of your replies and please don’t miss understand me...if you are joe redneck who gets one trip in a lifetime than by all means this is the resort for you!" <BR> <BR>How could we possibly misunderstand you?! <BR> <BR>While I just returned from the Hilton and vehmently disagree with your opinion (especially regarding the plunge pools, which I found to be very clean), I am not about to start calling you a pompous snob however deserved that label may be. <BR> <BR>-Jane Redneck <BR>

Amanda

We extensively researched Jalousie vs. Guanahani on St. Barths also for our honeymoon. In the end I heard that ST. Lucia in general is NOT the place if you are looking for 4-5 star service, luxury etc. We got back from St. Barths last night and it was like being in the South of France. If you return to the caribbean I say that St. Barths is the only way to go. They do NOT run on ISLAND TIME. They have a European mentality and culture and it is far more upscale than the other Carribean islands I've been to. <BR>Sorry for your experience.

x

will you people give up already? <BR> <BR>look, i've never even been there, but i believe the jalousie hilton DOES NOT suck. different people have different expectations. what some people love other people hate. it's the person's attitude that sucks, not the hotel.

anonymous

yo! Somebody sold you a bill of goods. Just look at any of the top resorts or lists of luxury resorts and St. Lucia isn't there. Look at the prices and compare them to the real luxury spots and find out that the pricetag isn't even close. Not saying that it is or isn't nice but just saying that you can't expect the best at those prices. Honeymooners love it but best when looking for recommendations, go to someone who has some experience in the islands and can compare. Honeymooners are starry eyed and aren't too objective for what is often their first trip to the carib and often looking to find a bigger bang for their buck! but if you expected 5 or even 4 * you were in for a rude awakening.