St. Lucia Villa Recommendations
 

Hi! I am planning a trip next December for my husbands 30th birthday. There will be 6 adults and one baby (15 months). Our budget is about $400 a night. I am thinking St Lucia bc the views are gorgeous, but open to other recommendations for other islands! We don't want to be anywhere too resorty or touristy (like a high rise area). We want to be able to snorkling, rent a boat, eat yummy food, check out local sites and towns. We want a private pool, good view or beach front, beach access within 5 minutes walking distance, close access to restaurants and shops (we will rent a car so walking distance isnt required but would be ideal) and something with at least 3 bedrooms, one for each couple. I am feeling really overwhelmed just trying to search vrbo and homeaway. Would love recommendation to make my search easier. Thank you!!

I would increase your budget 1st

Are you looking for a stand alone house/villa or a multi-bedroom condo?

When in December are you planning to travel?

If after December 15 you'll be in the peak of High Season so your $400/night budget for 6 adults and 1 child seems low for that time of year especially if you want beachfront or beach access with private pool and great views. If traveling during the Christmas/New Year's holidays you may run into minimum stay requirements.

You should know that their's only a limited amount of snorkeling around St. Lucia so if that's important to you you are going to be very limited in the areas where you can stay. If my memory is correct those happen to be the more expensive areas around the island.

it's been a while since I've been to St. Lucia so perhaps things have changed somewhat but, regardless,I doubt rentals have gotten cheaper. Anyway, to get all you want you'll have to do a lot of research.

I live in St Lucia and you are right, the views are gorgeous. You will want to be in Soufriere for the best views. This is an area with high budget, boutique resorts, and certainly no swarms of tourists. Around Soufriere you have plenty of fine and casual dining options and beach access. The beach in Sugar Beach resort is the best in the area. Laborie beach half an hour away is very nice but snorkelling and food are limited.

The actual town of Soufriere is a little run down, because the main square is boarded up in preparation for development and one of the large grocery stores burned down. The economy in the past was based on fishing, so there is economic impoverishment also. HOWEVER, for the nature, views, and restaurants surrounding the place I still think it is worth it.

Some suggestions that fit your budget:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1181822...cia&s=hViMOEhb

This is a little further out of Soufriere in a picturesque area:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1264838...cia&s=hViMOEhb

This is slightly out of your budget but is the nicest of all, in my opinion:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1224772...cia&s=hViMOEhb

Rent a car from Cool Breeze jeep rental in Soufriere. They are next to the Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens in Soufriere - a place I go to regularly for the beautiful nature and hot sulphur baths.

Enjoy the beauty of St Lucia!