LaChaspi

Hi There!
My husband and I have been all over the globe searching for the place to go before our first baby is due July 20. After lots of thought- we felt it was best to stay close to home (NYC) in case of any problems. Our estimated dates are late March early April. We are in our late 30's and typically would be partying on the beach listening to house music. We LOVE TULUM and it's bohemian-chic vibe- but time to visit somewhere other than Mexico.

This time around- we have 14 nights and want to mix things up a bit. I can't seem to get a good idea about the various areas of the island and why I would pick one over the other- an insight would be great! Due to my situation- we won't be zip-lining, horse back riding, or diving. Snorkeling is great, visiting the volcano- awesome, cooking classes- perfect. We do not like giant resorts and I despise all inclusives. We prefer a more boutique hotel experience- somewhere that the staff knows you- you can meet other guests and it's a more personal experience.
If you have some suggestions for us we'd really like to know
1. What are the top 3 areas to stay at (giving us a nice mix of St. Lucia)
2. Accommodation suggestion- trying to stay around $200 or less per night
3. Any awesome experiences that you would suggest doing.
4. Favorite restaurants- I teach cooking classes, so I know good food and I really like to try the authentic cuisine- even if it's eaten off the back of a ladies truck.
5. Fun nightlife- I won't be drinking, but my hubby will make up the difference!

We realize that all these things might not be found in one location and that's totally cool- it's why we want to visit a couple spots.

Thanks so much!

We can't wait to get out of this cold!

Thanks,

Shani & Joel

Odin

AI has it's benefits, esp on an island such as St Lucia, which is mountainous with windy potholed roads and some hotels & restaurants are rather isolated. We rent a vehicle and have no probs getting around, but we are not from the US so driving does not present the same issues as it does for those from the US.

For non AI hotels, the ones I have visited for lunch/dinner/cocktails/snorkelling and scuba diving but not actually stayed in & think they might be what you are looking for, are:-

TiKaye Hotel, on Anse Cochon which is very good for snorkelling, esp towards the north end of the beach. We saw alot of fish and corals, including lots of squid. The sand is lighter here than other areas of the island, the sea is clear. The hotel website and TA give you all the info on the hotel itself, including their restaurant and wine cellar. To experience other local restaurants, you need transportation eg at Marigot Bay for instance. There is a Friday Night Fish Fry at a nearby village Anse La Ray for a taste of locally prepared food. Be aware there are alot of steps down to the beach.

http://www.tikaye.com/about/

Anse chastanet hotel, again on a very beautiful dark sand beach which sparkles in the sun. The sea here is clear and calm and snorkelling very good as it has a marine reserve right on the hotel's doorstep. We saw alot of barracuda here. Read the TA reviews on this beach for more info.

http://www.ansechastanet.com/

The north of the island around Reduit Beach/Rodney Bay has alot of hotels and this area is well suited to non AI being in easy reach of local restaurants/bars and nightlife. Reduit Beach is lovely, with beige sand and clear calm water.

As much as I like St Lucia, I feel 14 nights is too much on any one island. On my first trip to SLU, I stayed 7 nights in Grenada followed by 7 nights in SLU, maybe you could consider combining 2 islands?

LaChaspi

Thank you sooo much for your response! I never considered hopping to another island, but why not? I'm going to look into it.
Thanks so much!

annikany

I was also thinking 4 nights was a long time on one island. Puerto Rico is close to NY. So far it is my favorite island in the Caribbean.

doug_stallings

It's easier to combine St. Lucia and Barbados. It's a very short and easy flight. Just a thought. Ti Kaye is lovely but has a lot of steps and is very isolated, and Anse Chastanet is not air-conditioned (and costs $600 or more per night), so I don't think you'll want that (nor does it have a pool). For that kind of money, I'd look at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort, which is on a nice beach and is within walking distance of restaurants and bars where you can listen to live music. It's also on the northern end of the island where most of the tourist development is located.

welovemexico

No offence to anyone, but my eyes nearly popped out of my head when I read the comments about 14 days being too long to stay on one island. I totally and completely disagree. 14 days on an island is awesome. It allows you plenty of time to relax and get some much needed rest. Time for exploring and perhaps even revisting somewhere you enjoyed the first time. Time for sunbathing and other fun activities. In my opinion, the longer the better. Sure, I see your point about "killing two birds with one stone", but I would have no problem staying on one island for 14 days.

LaChaspi

Thank You all sooo much! After some thought and really assessing our vacation style- we decided that 14 days on one place was just fine. I am a Taurus and we can be TOTALLY lazy! So I really like the idea of getting to know one place. Our original plan was to live in Greece for 2 months- but now we are so lucky to be waiting for a baby instead!
Do any of you have any comments on The Still Beach House Soufriere? It's right on the water and the rates are great!

Odin

"Anse Chastanet is not air-conditioned" - AC is not needed because the rooms are built to allow for natural ventilation however the deluxe rooms do have air conditioning.

"And costs $600 or more per night)" - yes probably, if you pay rack rates.

"(nor does it have a pool)" - The OP didn't ask for a pool but asked about snorkelling, which Reduit Beach where Bay Resort is located, does not have.

LaChaspi- re: the Still Beach House, I've not been to this guesthouse but have been to the area as its on the road to Anse Chastanet hotel, but the reviews are really mixed which would concern me.

eastenderusvi

I am going to suggest http://fonddouxestate.com/. It's a perfect place to be lazy. You will be family after 15 minutes.

beachykeen

Maybe you will want to split a north/south trip. Calabash Cove is a lovely boutique hotel, near the Rodney Bay area.

annikany

Well you know what you want. Go for it.
BTW- I am also Taurus. Lazy is not in my make up at all. Quite the opposite

FWIW- I could stay in Hawaii 14 days. Even longer but I doubt I'd be happy on St Lucia more than 5 days. But that's just me.

Have fun and congratulations!