6 Best Hotels in Saint Lucia

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.

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.

Guests at this inexpensive adults-only hotel are generally scuba divers, boaters, or others who don't need luxury but appreciate comfort and want to be on the waterfront. Of the 30 large one-bedroom suites clustered around the swimming pool, the 8 waterfront suites—with a whopping 700 square feet each and private sundeck—are the best choice. There's also the casual Cockpit Pub, Jacques Waterfront Dining (restaurant and bar), a dive center, a car rental office, and a beauty salon/mini-spa; Reduit Beach is just across the road.

When the Marigot Bay ferry delivers you to the dock across the bay, a small gate opens to a stone staircase that leads through a jungle of trees and flowers to this delightful, tidy little property. Hosts John and Judith Verity, British transplants to Saint Lucia, warmly welcome guests to their small inn, which is also their home. All six self-catered apartments are newly renovated, air conditioned, and have modern kitchens, private entrances, and outdoor seating areas. Four are up the hill near the main Harbor House, where the owners live, and two are spectacular over-the-water cabins where you can swim directly off your deck or lounge on the built-in hammock. Take a walk to the ridge, lounge around the pool or at Marigot's small beach, or enjoy water sports. The little ferry will collect you for dinner at your choice of several nearby restaurants, fancy or casual—or you can barbecue poolside, if you prefer.

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.