6 Best Hotels in Saint Lucia

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. 

La Haut is French for "the height," so it's all about the view—the Pitons, of course—plus the appeal of staying in an intimate and affordable family-run inn. Nestled in what was a mountaintop cocoa and coconut estate, the main six-room guesthouse was once the cocoa house, where cocoa beans were fermented and dried; an adjacent cottage had been the copra house, where the coconuts were processed. Rooms are basic, but each has a private balcony with a to-die-for view, king beds draped with mosquito netting, and a small kitchenette. A two-bedroom unit is ideal for families or two couples, while the two-story cottage is honeymoon heaven—gaze at the Pitons, the rainforest, or the sunset from the huge upstairs balcony. Halfway down the mountainside, the owner's residence has six additional guest rooms, an infinity pool, and that picture-postcard view. There is a restaurant on-site, and when guests aren't taking a dip in one of the pools, they're usually lounging at Anse Chastanet beach (a short drive away).

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.

The 18th-century plantation house and cottage-style villas that dot this 26-acre family-owned, adults-only estate, a former lime and cocoa plantation that spills down a tropical hillside, afford eye-popping views of Petit Piton. One-, two-, and three-bedroom villas have four-poster beds, private pools, and open-air showers. Most villas also have kitchens or kitchenettes. Chez Anista, a five-bedroom luxury villa, can accommodate up to 10 guests; a private cook and staff are available for guests for an additional cost. Living/dining rooms open onto verandahs with double hammocks and panoramic views, romantic at sunset. Although there are no room phones, you're provided with a cell phone to use during your stay—and there's complimentary Wi-Fi. The Escape Spa offers two treatment rooms, with a yoga deck and indoor fitness studio equipped with tatami mats for yoga and martial arts. Mango Tree Restaurant serves meals with a view. The property offers a complimentary shuttle to Malgretoute Beach. Transfers are available at a cost to Soufrière and other parts of the island.

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.

Mediterranean-style villas—which are as appropriate for a family or group vacation as for a romantic getaway—climb the hillside on one of Saint Lucia's prettiest bays. The 220 units include 60 rooms, 12 suites, and 148 villas. Some have private plunge pools. Several huge (1,800 to 4,200 square feet) estate villas at the top of the hill each have one to four bedrooms, a private pool, full kitchen, and an amazing view. The resort's reception area opens onto shops, five restaurants, a playground, six pools, and a fitness center with yoga deck. There's plenty to do for adults and kids alike, but definitely take time for a rejuvenating treatment in the spa. Eat in the restaurants, make your own meals, or order room service. Shuttles whoosh you between your villa and the activity areas—including two hillside pools connected by a waterfall.