Need info on St.Lucia - QUICKLY!!!
 

Great friends are going there for a week tonight. They moved to San Francisco about 1.5 year ago, so I don't have a chance to see them very often. Anyway, I just checked AA and I could get an award ticket this Saturday morning with a return next Tuesday for 30K+fees. I would like to surprise them. They are staying at the Sandals Halycon?, which I believe is north of the capital. Since I'm going single, I can't stay there, but I would appreciate any info on some inexpensive little place that's close to their resort. Also, how long does it take to get there from the international airport, and if I taxi, how much? Thanks, I need this info NOW!!!!!

Hi AA, there's a great place right next door to the Halcyon call Villa Beach Cottages. If you have your tickets already you can call the place direct and maybe get a better deal. They have cottages that run around $100 a night. type in www.Villabeachcottages.com

If you are flying American you will be flying into the small airport in Castries and that will only be a 10/15min ride. Price for taxi?

Thanks sailor,
I did find the place, and I will call them. I did not know that AA flew into Castries, I just assumed they came into the International. From the research I was able to do, the International is about 1-1.5 hour drive, not because of the distance, but because of the roads, so if you are correct, that's great news. Thanks again!

If you fly AA to San Juan then swich to American Eaglr (2 hours from PR to St. Lucia) you fly into Vigies Airport which is about 10 minutes from Halcyon. The planes are 64 person props but they're fine. Much better than the 1-1/2 hour ride from Henowara but the flying is longer.

Paul

You might also want to check St.James Club was the Wyndham Morgan Bay. This won't be to far from the Halcyon. Looks to be the next resort up the beach from Villa Beach. Maybe a pretty good hike though. I'm not sure how far up? It is an all-inclusive that you should be able to get single under $200 a night/all inclusive.
If you look at the beach picture at the Villa beach cottages, that is the Pier Restaurant at the Halcyon in the back ground.
If your looking for small hotels that are not on the water in Castries, let me know there are a couple listed on a map I have.
Then there are quite a few reasonable places up in the Rodney Bay/Gros Inlet area. But then again you'll have to consider the taxi cost back and forth.
Donna

Donna,
Thanks for all the help, Villa Beach Cottages are full(well almost???), they told me I will have to call back in an hour, as they will move some guests around??? (the oldest trick in the hotel business to get the highest rate), but the location can't be beat for what I need. So, if you could give me some more hotels, I would be forever grateful....
Hope you're still around....

Hi AA, I agree Villa Beach Cottages would be great, as it is so close. Remember Castries is not your typical resort type town, so I would have no idea want these hotels would be like.
Check out www.stlucistravel.com in there Accomodation Comparisons and go to Castries to check. Some others that are on my map that this web site does not list are...Friendship Inn(sunny acres 452-4201 and Modern Inn(Vide Bouteille 452-4001 these look to be pretty close to Halcyon on the other side of Highway??? Hillside Plaza 452-4371 also there are a few more getting more into the town of Castries?
Have you checked if you can get a day pass to the Halcyon it you are single, visiting your friends? I know you can it you are attending a wedding.
If St.James Club doen't work for you because of the price/available.
You might consider staying in the Rodney Bay/Gros Inlet area. This would be a 15 min taxi for sure, but this is more of a resort/touristy town and they would have more places to stay.
If you put your dates into the web site I gave you, it will give you what they have available in St.Lucia for your times. They maybe you can call the resort/hotels.
Good Luck to you!
Donna

Hi AA, Did it work out with you getting to St.Lucia??? I'd love to hear?

Donna

Hi Donna,
No I never made it. Something came up and I had to be here last Sunday, so when I checked for new dates on AA award ticket, the best that was available was leave yesterday(Tue) and return this upcoming Sunday. Unfortunately there will be a jazz and blues festival starting tomorrow, so most hotels were booked solid till Sunday and the few that had availibility, their rates were high for obvious reasons.
Still, thanks for your help, and now I'm intrigued, and will probably travel there soon, as it seems like a beautiful place. Want to go? :-)
Thanks again!

Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you. St.Lucia is a great island! I can't wait to get back!!!

Donna