Coco Palm

Rodney Bay Village, Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, St. Lucia
https://www.facebook.com/CocoPalmStLucia/

Why We Like It

The suites and swim-up rooms are terrific, and the atmosphere here couldn’t possibly be more agreeable. Plus, the hotel is just steps away from all the action and excitement of Rodney Bay Village.

Fodor's Expert Review

This popular four-story hotel in Rodney Bay Village overlooks an inviting pool; a separate cozy guesthouse is at the edge of the property. All of the action—restaurants, bars, entertainment, shopping, and a casino—is within walking distance.

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Room

Coco Palm guest rooms—including six swim-up rooms with direct access to the pool and a dozen spacious suites—are decorated in French Caribbean plantation style. Top-floor suites (there’s an elevator) have pullout sofas in the sitting room and an additional full bathroom, making it perfect for families. Patio rooms have French doors that open to a tropical garden or poolside terrace. In the Kreole guesthouse, 20 small rooms wrap around what is more like a comfortable living room in a plantation house than a hotel lobby. All rooms and suites have a mini-fridge.

You Should Know Kreole rooms in the guesthouse are subject to street noise from Rodney Bay Village, which can last much later.

Bathroom

Bathrooms in the rooms are fairly small and have a granite-topped vanity with a single sink and a walk-in rain shower separated by a glass-brick wall. In the suites, extra-large bathrooms have a walk-in shower, clawfoot tub, and separate toilet facilities—amenities that you'd expect at much pricier resorts.

Lobby

The lobby has a reception desk, a concierge desk with touring information, guest seating, a computer for guest use, and a TV usually tuned to either news or sports.

Pool

A large pool in the central courtyard extends, lagoon-style, to a half-dozen swim-up rooms. The pool deck has sun loungers, tables and chairs, and a covered gazebo to escape the sun. Ti Bananne restaurant and a bandstand overlook either end of the pool.

You Should Know The pool may be large, but it's only four feet deep.

Spa

In a separate chattel-style house on the property, Touch Tranquility Spa offers massages (hers, his, or theirs), scrubs (coffee, ginger/lime, lavender, or cinnamon/vanilla), body wraps (coffee, seaweed, or aloe vera), facials (hers and his), manicures, and pedicures.

Tip Would you like your hair in cornrows or braids? They’ll do that, too

Gym

A fairly large gym has several cardio and strength machines and free weights for guest use. The gym is open from early morning until 11 p.m.

Dining

Ti Bananne is an open-air dining terrace that overlooks Coco Palm's pool and bandstand; the restaurant serves breakfast (included), lunch, and dinner. The alfresco Creole Grill, in the Kreole courtyard, serves light meals and local dishes.

Tip Skip the all-inclusive package, as plenty of restaurants are nearby.

Drinking

The bar at Ti Bananne is open all day but is especially busy before dinner and during the nightly entertainment.

You Should Know The nightly entertainment lasts until 10 p.m., and you can usually hear the music in your room.

Beach

The southern end of Reduit Beach, a five-mile stretch of golden sand and St. Lucia’s most popular beach, is a 5-minute hike from the hotel. About halfway up the beach, the water-sports cabana at Royal St. Lucia Resort & Spa offers waterskiing, sailing (Hobie Cats, Sunfish), windsurfing, and banana-boat rides.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

You can walk to several restaurants and bars in Rodney Bay Village, as well as to two large malls full of shops and the casino. It’s a very short walk to the main highway, where you can get a local bus (private van) to take you to Castries. It’s really cheap, less than a dollar each way, and the ride is always an adventure! A rental car is recommended if you want to explore further on your own. Driving is not a problem in the north, as the terrain is fairly flat. To visit the iconic sites in Soufrière, however, a boat tour is the most comfortable way to travel—and the boats depart from Rodney Bay. Taxis are always available.

Restaurants

You’ll have your pick of a dozen or more restaurants within walking distance. For barbecue, for example, head for Delirius (2-minute walk). For delicious French Caribbean dining, head for Jacques Waterfront Dining (10-minute walk) in Harmony Suites Hotel. And Buzz Seafood and Grill (10-minute walk) specializes in seafood.

Bars

To zero in on the nighttime action, listen for music in the air and the din of happy people out for the evening. There’s lots of nighttime activity in Rodney Bay Village. Verve (2-minute walk), for example, is a dance club that attracts a fairly young crowd. Or you can try your luck at Treasure Bay Casino (2-minute walk)—St. Lucia’s one and only casino—next door in Baywalk Mall.

Don’t miss Gros Islet Jump-Up (5-minute drive), the island's largest street party. It’s a Friday-night ritual. Huge speakers set up on the street blast Caribbean music all night long. You can also buy barbecued fish and chicken from villagers who set up grills along the roadside—along with beer and soda. Take a taxi to Gros Islet. The streets get so crowded that you’re unlikely to find a parking spot for a rental car. Your taxi driver will arrange a pickup time.

Quick Facts

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 758-456–2800; 877-655–2626 in U.S.