20 Best Hotels in Saint Lucia

Spectacular individually designed rooms—some with fourth walls wide open to the stunning Pitons view—peek out of the thick rainforest that cascades down a steep hillside to the beach. Deluxe hillside rooms have a balcony, tile floors, handmade wooden furniture, madras fabrics, and impressive artwork. Piton pool suites each feature a four-poster bed, bathroom shower for two, and an 8-by-16-foot private pool. A dozen rooms are at beach level, and a separate beach house is special, indeed. None of the rooms have a TV—and only beachfront rooms have air-conditioning—but they all have free Wi-Fi. So it's delightfully peaceful here; basically, it's an adult-oriented environment (kids must be age 10 or older; age 6 or older July–September). Diving, jungle biking through the estate's 600 acres, and ocean kayaking are premier sports activities; chocolate lovers will enjoy the on-site Bean to Bar plantation tour. Rejuvenate afterward at the Kai Belté Spa. Be prepared, though, for the bone-rattling dirt road between town and the resort and the steep climb to most rooms. There is a helipad, so you can get to the airport by helicopter, if you prefer. A water taxi offers an alternate way into town, or you can simply revel in the gorgeous isolation. Shuttle service is available to negotiate the 100 steps between the beach and the hillside rooms.

One of four Bay Gardens properties in Rodney Bay Village, this family-friendly resort has a prime location on beautiful Reduit Beach and its six three-story buildings wrap around a large lagoon-style pool. All suites have living and dining areas, full kitchens, and modern baths; most have views of the sea from the balcony or terrace. Rooms and suites can be combined to make two-bedroom accommodations, with full self-catering facilities in the living area and 2½ baths. Water sports are available on the beach (guests have unlimited complimentary use of Splash Island Water Park just off shore) and you can get a massage or refreshing treatment at La Mer Spa. Dine at Hi Tide beachside restaurant, SeaGrapes Beach Bar and Grill, or any of the excellent restaurants in the Rodney Bay Village neighborhood. The Bay Gardens properties are known for their friendly hospitality; add a beautiful beach to the equation, and this member of the family is definitely a winner.

Modern, colorful, and surrounded by pretty flower gardens, the hotel is a short walk away from beautiful Reduit Beach (shuttle service also available), several popular restaurants, and shopping malls. Some rooms surround the serpentine pool and Jacuzzi and are close to the restaurant and lobby; more secluded rooms near the back of the property have easy access to a second pool that's smaller and quieter. The 8 Croton suites and 13 Junior Executive suites have full kitchens and interconnect to become two-bedroom suites. Spices restaurant serves Caribbean cuisine. Independent travelers and regional businesspeople swear by this cheerful well-run boutique hotel in Rodney Bay. In fact, it's often fully booked. Never fear: Bay Gardens Inn, a 32-room sister property, is next door—and the flagship Bay Gardens Beach Resort is minutes away.

Across the road from Rodney Bay Marina and a short drive from Reduit Beach via a free hourly shuttle service, this small hotel has large and bright rooms with either a garden or pool view. Guests have unlimited complimentary passes to Splash Island Water Park and, through Bay Gardens Beach Resort (a sister resort), the use of beach chairs and nonmotorized water sports.

The luxurious suites and Balinese-inspired cottages at this inviting boutique resort spill gently down a tropical hillside to a secluded beach on Bonaire Bay, just south of Rodney Bay. The private cottages, constructed of mahogany, stone, and other natural materials, all face the sea to take advantage of the sunset. Surrounded by lush vegetation for privacy, each cottage has a separate sitting room, private plunge pool, a hammock on the patio, outdoor rain shower, and full bar. Four manor house suites have swim-up access to the infinity pool, which also has a natural rock waterfall. The remaining suites also face the sunset and are just as large and luxuriously furnished. Walkways that meander through the property serve as access to the cottages and the beach, where a boardwalk and dock are ideal for an evening stroll or romantic dinner. The open-air Windsong restaurant, high on the hill and a few steps from the lobby, offers an unobstructed view of the sea (or, in the evening, the twinkling lights of Castries) from every table—and, of course, memorable meals.

This popular hotel in Rodney Bay Village overlooks an inviting pool and a separate cozy guesthouse, Kreole Village, at the edge of the property. Coco Palm guest rooms—including six swim-up rooms adjacent to the pool and a dozen spacious suites—are decorated in a colorful West Indies style; extra-large bathrooms in the suites have walk-in showers, claw-foot tubs, and separate toilet facilities—amenities that you'd expect at much pricier resorts. Suites also have pull-out couches in the sitting room and an additional full bathroom, making them perfect for families. The 20 Kreole Village rooms are smaller and wrap around what is more like a comfortable living room than a hotel lobby. Ti Bananne Bistro and Bar overlooks Coco Palm's pool and bandstand. All the action of Rodney Bay Village and beautiful Reduit Beach is within walking distance.

Coconut Bay is a sprawling (85 acres) family-friendly seaside retreat minutes from Hewanorra International Airport. The ocean views are beautiful and the beach has lovely white sand, but the resort faces the Atlantic Ocean, so swimming in the sea is restricted to an area protected by a man-made reef. Kitesurfing, however, is a huge attraction here. Other ways to get wet include three swimming pools and a water park with a lazy river, waterslides, and swim-up bar. The resort is divided into two sections: Harmony is restricted to adults; Splash, on the opposite side of the property, is a tropical playground for families with kids. The Maria Islands are just offshore, and Saint Lucia's Pitons and other natural attractions in Soufrière are 45 minutes away by car. Tours and adventure outings are easily arranged. Otherwise, you'll have to be content with the activities at the resort—nine restaurants, seven bars, five pools, a full-service spa and salon, water and land sports—plenty to do and plenty of space to do it in.

At this laid-back ecoresort on one of Soufrière's most active agricultural farms, nine historic homes salvaged from all around the island have been rebuilt on the 135-acre estate and refurbished as guest accommodations, with luxury bathrooms and period furniture and surrounded by dense tropical foliage and marked trails that meander through the property. In addition, there are 14 air-conditioned one-bedroom cottages, which are private and charming, some with private plunge pools and all with outdoor "rain" showers, and some have kitchens for self-catering. Most of the cottages surround a short circular path that ends at Fond Doux's two restaurants, a three-level pool, the Mama La Terre ("Mother Earth") Spa—which uses local coconut oil, fruit-and-spice potions, and mud from the nearby sulfur springs—and the cocoa farm. It's a completely different type of vacation experience that allows you to soak up the natural environment, engage with local culture, and feel like a part of history.

This premium-class, premium-priced, adults-only hotel is an architectural wonder perched on a picturesque mountainside overlooking the Pitons and the Caribbean. The guest accommodations—accessible via a very modernistic private bridge system—exude style, luxury, privacy, and comfort in 1,400 to 2,000 square feet of open-concept living space. (Even the bathrooms are open-concept.) Two-dozen huge Sanctuaries have an enormous and uniquely designed infinity plunge pool in the sitting area; in fact, one entire wall is open to the dramatic Pitons view. Five Sky Suites have similar setups but feature a two-person whirlpool above the living space instead of an infinity pool. Guests have a private restaurant, bar, spa, fitness center, and sky-top terrace at their disposal and may also use the beaches and facilities at the adjacent Anse Chastanet Resort. Given the comfort and style of the sanctuaries, though, it's no wonder that room service is so popular here. Accommodations are tech-free (no radio, TV, or telephone), although a device allows guests to communicate with the service team, and Wi-Fi is available in the Sanctuaries. No children under 15 are permitted.

Divers love this place, and everyone loves the location facing the little palm-studded beach at Marigot Bay. Some accommodations are right on the beachfront; others are on the hillside with a sweeping view of the bay. Most units have either a kitchen or kitchenette. Villa accommodations, suitable for families and large groups, have multiple bedrooms and spacious kitchens. Scuba courses and dive trips are available from the on-site PADI dive center; special dive packages include accommodations, meals, daily two-tank boat dives, and all equipment. Otherwise, guests enjoy the pool, hiking up the ridge, or treatments at the spa. DOOlittle's, the waterfront restaurant, is popular with guests who want to escape their kitchenettes, as well as with nonguests and yachties who like the food and the regular live entertainment. Chateau Mygo House of Seafood is just a minute away by ferry. Ferry service is provided, so guests can come and go at will.

This huge all-inclusive resort on 60 acres overlooking pretty Smuggler's Cove is divided into three distinct sections—a family-friendly area, the Diamond Club with exclusive amenities, and the Hideaway adults-only oasis. Rooms are located in eight five-story buildings that surround the main pool and activity area and face toward the beach. The resort's restaurants offer various cuisine choices: Tex-Mex, West Indian, Italian, Japanese, steakhouse, international buffet, sports bar/pub, and a café and gelato bar. In addition, the Chef's Table (extra cost) provides a memorable culinary experience—or opt for room service. There are five swimming pools (two reserved for Diamond Club and Hideaway guests) and a laundry list of activities (aquatic sports, volleyball, ping pong, cooking classes, dance classes, weight training, and more). Libations flow freely from several bars, and there's live entertainment nightly.

Bring an outfit for the weekly White Party, a night of music and entertainment where everyone dresses in white.

This is the most intimate and low-key of the three Sandals resorts on Saint Lucia; like the others, it's beachfront, all-inclusive, for couples only, and loaded with amenities and activities—including personalized butler service in some suites. And it's just 10 minutes north of downtown Castries. Learn something new—perhaps sailing, paddleboarding, or water-skiing; enjoy the sea and any of the three pools; or play a game of croquet, table tennis, or billiards. There are a half-dozen dining options: Bayside Restaurant serves three meals daily, inside or outside. Beach Bistro serves grilled specials and snacks in the afternoon and evening. Mario's specializes in northern Italian cuisine. Kimono's specializes in Japanese cuisine, while Soy is a sushi bar. And Kelly's Dockside, which is perched on a 150-foot pier on the waterfront, is the place to go for seafood. Then, of course, there are several bars—good places to meet and greet new friends. Still looking for something to do? An hourly shuttle connects the sister properties, so you can stay at one and play (and eat) at three. And the low-rise architecture at Halcyon is entirely friendly to those with mobility issues.

This large family-friendly resort at the south end of Reduit Beach is surrounded on three sides by gardens, and since it's all-inclusive and reasonably priced—with lots of possibilities for entertainment—it's a viable choice for an economical family vacation. Deluxe ocean-view rooms face the beach; deluxe rooms face the garden; and premium rooms have a pool or garden view. All rooms accommodate up to three adults or two adults and two children. Dining options include Ocean Beach Grill and Monarch Buffet, which are included in the rates, and La Cuccina (Italian cuisine) and Oriental (Asian cuisine), which cost extra. Enjoy cold drinks at Clippers Swim Up Bar, cocktails at Sunset Bar on the beach, and nightcaps at the Monarch Bar lounge—you'll have to pay for premium brands, though.

Romance is alive and well at this easygoing all-inclusive boutique resort (for couples only) that stretches along the dreamy white sand of Malabar Beach at the end of the airport runway. Accommodations are in cheerful gingerbread cottages, elegant oceanfront rooms with sunset-facing terraces, or cozy poolside suites. The occasional distraction of small aircraft taking off and landing is overshadowed by the beautiful gardens on what was once a coconut plantation. A host of activities and sports, including scuba diving for certified divers, water-skiing, and tubing, are all included; spa treatments are extra. Buffet meals are served at The Terrace, à la carte lunch and dinner at Malabar Beach Club, and fine dining by reservation at air-conditioned Thyme. The Champagne Bar offers tastings and remains open each evening until the last guest leaves ("bubbly hour" is from 7 to 8 pm). Most couples can't resist a torchlit private dinner on the beach. Romantic touches abound here, but it never feels cheesy. 

Located in Val des Pitons, the steep valley between the Pitons and the most dramatic 100 acres in Saint Lucia, magnificent private villas are tucked into the dense tropical foliage that covers the hillside and reaches down to the sea. Villas are enormous, with beautifully furnished bedrooms, walk-in closets, sitting rooms with custom-made furnishings upholstered in white fabrics, amazing bathrooms with soaking tubs, showers big enough for a crowd, and Pitons-view decks with oversize plunge pools. Fourteen similarly appointed beachfront bungalows are steps from the sand, while stylish Sugar Mill rooms have private walled gardens. Personal butlers tend to any request, including unpacking (if you wish), making dinner reservations, and calling the shuttle to take you around the property. The Cane Bar specializes in Southeast Asian small plates, and heftier meals range from breakfast at The Terrace Restaurant and barbecues at Jalousie Grill to candlelit fine dining (think Kobe beef and seared scallops) at Saltwood. Dive or sail; play tennis, beach volleyball, or pool; take a nature walk, climb Gros Piton (with a guide), or chill by the pool. Swimming and snorkeling at the beach are particularly special because of the Pitons views and abundant sea life underwater. The Rainforest Spa—with eight tree house–style gazebos in a rainforest setting—offers body and beauty treatments; there are also fitness classes, a state-of-the-art gym, a yoga studio, and an earthen temazcal (steam dome).

This intimate boutique resort is set in the rural hills behind Gros Piton, and the rooms and infinity pool are surrounded by a garden of trailing vines and cascading bougainvillea. Each room has a large balcony with a small dining area, hammock, and ocean view, but the outdoor showers are the highlight. The on-site restaurant, Ti Coco, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and all-inclusive packages are available. Though the resort is off the beaten path, reception can help arrange taxis and excursions, and there is a complimentary shuttle to the nearest beach. 

Part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, this modern hotel located at Rodney Bay Marina is convenient, full of amenities, and reasonably priced. Some guest rooms have views of the marina, others have mountain or island views, and some ground-floor rooms have swim-up access to one of the six pools. The hotel has five restaurants, from simple to fancy, and a wellness spa. The hotel runs a regular shuttle bus (US$5) to Reduit Beach and has live entertainment on the pool deck most evenings. 

Rustic elegance is not an oxymoron at this upscale adults-only cottage community that spills down a hillside above fabulous Anse Cochon beach. Negotiating 1½ miles of pockmarked winding dirt road is required to access Ti Kaye from the main road; but when you arrive, all of that is forgotten. Honeymooners, divers, and couples looking for a quiet escape all love it. Gingerbread-style cottages (ti kaye is Creole for "little cottage"), surrounded by lush greenery and furnished with handcrafted furniture, have unparalleled ocean views from their private verandahs—each equipped with a double hammock. Each room has a secluded garden shower, a huge walk-in closet, and wooden louvers in doors and windows to catch the breeze; some have private plunge pools. Take the self-operated tram or negotiate the 166 steps down the cliff to the beach, which is part of the National Marine Reserve and one of the best snorkeling sites in Saint Lucia. Island Divers, a full-service dive shop, is on-site. Free guided snorkel tours are among the amenities, along with use of kayaks, paddleboards, and "water hammocks" (floats). Kai Manje (Creole for "house of eating"), perched on a breezy terrace, serves fabulous food—which is a good thing, since the location is so remote. Lunch is available at Ti Manje beach bar, and twice-weekly wine tastings are held in the award-winning wine cellar. The icing on the cake: Kai Koko spa offers divine treatments using locally formulated products.

Tidy housekeeping cottages with gingerbread-laced facades are steps from the beach at this family-run establishment 3 miles (5 km) north of the airport in Castries. The self-catering one- or two-bedroom units are cozy and fairly close together, but each has a fully equipped kitchen, handcrafted wooden furniture, and a large balcony (with a hammock) facing the water, guaranteeing glorious sunset views. A pair of cottages date back to World War II (they were dismantled and moved here in 1958 from Beanfield Air Base in Vieux Fort). One of those cottages was occupied several times over the years by one of Saint Lucia's two Nobel laureates, the late poet Sir Derek Walcott. This place has lots of repeat guests—couples, families, and groups of friends. The Honeymoon Cottage is a duplex; the sitting–dining room and kitchen are on the ground floor, and a spiral staircase leads to the upstairs bedroom and bath. Coconuts, a small open-air restaurant, serves meals on 24-hour notice. There's also a small pool, mini-mart, and laundromat for the convenience of guests; a supermarket, bank, post office, and other shops are nearby.

Five miles (8 km) south of Castries, this laid-back villa resort climbs the hillside overlooking what author James A. Michener called "the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean." Bedrooms are decorated in a contemporary style with dark furniture, creamy upholstery accented with colorful cushions, a comfy bed with pillow-top mattress, and dark hardwood flooring. Oversize bathrooms have walk-in rain showers and double basins set in slate vanities. Suites have a separate living room with a sofa bed, open-plan kitchen that's fully equipped with modern appliances, dining area, and a smart TV. All rooms have a private balcony or deck and complimentary in-room refreshments; 25 of the suites have private plunge pools. Dining concepts include fine dining at 14°61°, all-day dining at Hurricane Hole Bar and Restaurant, poolside sushi at Le Bateau, a special dining experience at Rum Cave—where you can also sample premier rums and cigars—or arrange a private dinner on your own terrace or patio, in the romantic tree house, or within the peaceful Alexandria garden. Add to that the full-service spa, a gym, yoga deck, two pools, and the amazing marina view and you'll be hooked. You might even consider chartering a yacht at Marigot Bay Marina. A little ferry makes the two-minute voyage across the bay to the beach and an additional restaurant and bar.