5 Best Hotels in Castries, Saint Lucia

This is the most intimate and low-key of the three Sandals resorts on Saint Lucia; like the others, it's beachfront, all-inclusive, for couples only, and loaded with amenities and activities—including personalized butler service in some suites. And it's just 10 minutes north of downtown Castries. Learn something new—perhaps sailing, paddleboarding, or water-skiing; enjoy the sea and any of the three pools; or play a game of croquet, table tennis, or billiards. There are a half-dozen dining options: Bayside Restaurant serves three meals daily, inside or outside. Beach Bistro serves grilled specials and snacks in the afternoon and evening. Mario's specializes in northern Italian cuisine. Kimono's specializes in Japanese cuisine, while Soy is a sushi bar. And Kelly's Dockside, which is perched on a 150-foot pier on the waterfront, is the place to go for seafood. Then, of course, there are several bars—good places to meet and greet new friends. Still looking for something to do? An hourly shuttle connects the sister properties, so you can stay at one and play (and eat) at three. And the low-rise architecture at Halcyon is entirely friendly to those with mobility issues.

This is the second-largest of the three Sandals properties on Saint Lucia and, like the others, is all-inclusive and for couples only. The resort covers 220 acres on a hillside overlooking the sea at La Toc on the southern shore of Castries Bay. Guest rooms are decorated with rich mahogany furniture and king-size four-poster beds. Many rooms have private plunge pools or outdoor soaking tubs. As an added indulgence, you can choose a suite with personalized butler service to attend to your needs, wants, or whims. The main pool, with its waterfall and bridges, and a long crescent beach are focal points for socializing and enjoying water sports. Massages, scrubs, and wraps are available at the full-service spa for an additional charge. Nine restaurants serve Asian, Italian, French, Mediterranean, Southwestern, and Caribbean cuisine, as well as pizza, sushi, and pub-style fare. A dozen bars serve unlimited beverages. A regular shuttle connects all three Sandals properties and the Sandals Saint Lucia Golf and Country Club at Cap Estate.

Romance is alive and well at this easygoing all-inclusive boutique resort (for couples only) that stretches along the dreamy white sand of Malabar Beach at the end of the airport runway. Accommodations are in cheerful gingerbread cottages, elegant oceanfront rooms with sunset-facing terraces, or cozy poolside suites. The occasional distraction of small aircraft taking off and landing is overshadowed by the beautiful gardens on what was once a coconut plantation. A host of activities and sports, including scuba diving for certified divers, water-skiing, and tubing, are all included; spa treatments are extra. Buffet meals are served at The Terrace, à la carte lunch and dinner at Malabar Beach Club, and fine dining by reservation at air-conditioned Thyme. The Champagne Bar offers tastings and remains open each evening until the last guest leaves ("bubbly hour" is from 7 to 8 pm). Most couples can't resist a torchlit private dinner on the beach. Romantic touches abound here, but it never feels cheesy. 

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.