8 Best Hotels in Saint Lucia

Anyone who loves chocolate will love this themed adults-only boutique hotel just south of Soufrière and within shouting distance of the Pitons. Two successful British chocolatiers decided to come to the source and built this upscale eco-friendly hotel on a historic (1745) 140-acre cocoa estate that continues as a working plantation. The half-dozen one-bedroom lodges and 19 "luxe" lodges, which are nearly twice as large, have unobstructed Piton views. The decor throughout the property is, of course, predominantly a rich chocolate brown and white. Everything is high-end here: the contemporary decor in the suites; the granite counters in the bathrooms; and the concierge cabinets with fresh coffee and tea, as well as bottles of Champagne, wine, and beer—and estate-made chocolate treats. Rabot Hotel has solar lighting and collects rainwater for its own use. Cottages are built to maximize airflow, so there's no air-conditioning. Rabot Restaurant, on-site, serves "cacao cuisine"—dishes infused or spiced with cocoa and chocolate platters for dessert. Even the spa uses cocoa products. Guests can hike the marked trails or picnic in the cacao groves. The self-guided Tree to Bar tour lets you talk with planters, learn the history of chocolate in Saint Lucia, and graft and tag your own tree, while the Bean to Bar experience allows you to select cacao pods and make chocolate bars and truffles from beans you roast yourself. There is a boat available for sunset cruises and complimentary shuttle service to local beaches.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.