Royal St. Lucia Resort & Spa
Reduit Beach Ave., Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, St. Lucia
Why We Like It
The pool and beach are amazing, the suites are big and beautiful, and the food served in the restaurants is delicious—plus it’s convenient to all the restaurants, clubs, and shops in Rodney Bay Village.
Fodor's Expert Review
This all-suites resort on St. Lucia's best beach caters to every whim—for the whole family. Or you can walk to a number of restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping malls within Rodney Bay Village. Tennis, water-sports, and a children's club are all on-site. The concierge will happily arrange horseback riding or a round of golf, both nearby.
You Should Know Nearly everything here costs extra.
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Room
Guest suites in the three-story resort (no elevators) are huge, and each has a separate bedroom and sunken sitting room with a tray ceiling and chandelier. The décor is contemporary; the color palette is neutral tan, brown, and ivory with an occasional splash of color. French or sliding-glass doors open onto patios or balconies with a view of the gardens or the pool and sea. Each room has a mini-fridge. Grand Deluxe Suites have whirlpool tubs on the terrace.
Tip Two ground-level suites are specially equipped for disabled guests.
Bathroom
Bathrooms have long vanities with his/her vessel sinks, soaking tubs, separate showers with large rain shower heads, and toilets hidden behind frosted glass doors.
Lobby
The rather grand lobby has a vaulted atrium, marble walls, a fountain, and a sweeping staircase in case you want to make a "grand" entrance anytime during your stay. There are several small seating alcoves that are particularly suitable for quiet private conversations whether you’re checking in or out or just biding your time.
Pool
The resort's large free-form pool—surrounded by a grassy lawn, garden plantings, and palm trees—has Japanese-style bridges, a waterfall, and a swim-up bar. The pool is really quite lovely—so lovely, in fact, that non-guests often buy day passes just to use the pool. Fortunately, it doesn’t get crowded.
Spa
The Royal Spa offers massage, hydrotherapy, mani/pedi, and other body treatments.
You Should Know Spa services cost extra.
Gym
The very small gym has a few machines, weights, and a scale. Unlike the water-sports activities, use of the gym is complimentary.
Tip Get even more exercise walking, jogging, or running along the sand—the beach is five miles long!
Dining
L’Epicure is an open-air, beachfront restaurant that serves breakfast (included) and à la carte dinner—curries, Italian cuisine, steak, and seafood. Lunch is served in the casual, thatched-roof Beach Tent. And the elegant Chic! restaurant is the cool (it’s air-conditioned) choice for fine dining at dinner...reservations required.
Tip Dining here is pricey, and meals are served at specific times; there’s no “all-day” dining. Fill your fridge with snacks from the supermarket in Rodney Bay Village.
Drinking
The poolside La Mirage Bar serves cold drinks and cocktails during the day, while Le Mistral Lounge is open in the evening for pre-dinner cocktails and after-dinner drinks...or nightcaps until 1 a.m.
Beach
The entire resort faces beautiful Reduit beach, St. Lucia’s finest. A lot of water sports are available on the beach—Sunfish sailing, snorkeling, waterskiing, and deep-sea fishing—but all require a (sometimes hefty) fee.
Tip Scuba diving trips, instruction, and certification can be arranged at the dive center at Harmony Suites, just across the road, or at Dive St. Lucia, a state-of-the-art dive facility on the main road next to Rodney Bay Marina.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
You can walk to nearby restaurants, bars, and shops in Rodney Bay Village. 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 Rodney Bay Village, and all are within walking distance. Two of the best are Jacques Waterfront Dining (5-minute walk) in Harmony Suites Hotel and Buzz Seafood and Grill (2-minute walk).
Take a taxi (or rental car) north to The Body Holiday and enjoy Asian-Caribbean Fusion cuisine at Tao (10-minute drive) or to Cap Maison and have a perfectly romantic evening at The Cliff at Cap (10-minute drive). In the other direction, on Vigie Cove in Castries, Coal Pot (15-minute drive) is a lovely spot for French Creole cuisine at lunch or dinner. Reservations are necessary at any of these restaurants—and all are mainly for adults.
Bars
There’s lots of nighttime activity throughout Rodney Bay Village. Verve (5-minute walk), for example, is a dance club attracts a fairly young crowd. Or you can try your luck at Treasure Bay Casino (5-minute walk)—St. Lucia’s one and only casino—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.
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