During our Saint Lucia (Caribbean) tour, we stayed in truly exciting and unusual hotels and guesthouses. The Caribbean island offers you the full spectrum. You can rent a room in a luxury resort by the sea, choose a simple hotel, or stay with locals in a beautiful guesthouse.
If you’re a flexible and individual traveler, we even recommend staying in various accommodations on Saint Lucia. This way, you can explore the different regions of the island in peace and (surely) meet some wonderful people. In the following article, we will present our accommodations on Saint Lucia in detail. We hope you enjoy browsing!
- 1. Apartment Espoir – Welcome Home
- 2. Balenbouche Estate – Close to Nature
- 3. Crystals Villa Hotel – Villa with a View
- 4. Castles in Paradise – Comfort on the Southeast Coast
1. Apartment Espoir – Welcome Home
We started with Apartment Espoir*. This accommodation is located between Rodney Bay and Castries on a hill above beautiful Labrelotte Bay. A quiet apartment building with sea views, a garden, a pool, and access to the sea awaited us. We were warmly welcomed by Sabine, Keith, and two adorable dogs.
Sabine is originally from Germany and chose this beautiful Caribbean island many, many years ago. Today, Sabine lives most of her time on the island (when she’s not vacationing in Germany) with her husband Keith (a local). They lovingly built and designed this beautiful guesthouse with a lot of hard work. A lot of heart and soul has gone into every corner of this complex.
Our room in the Espoir Apartment
After we took a tour of the complex and learned a bit about Sabine and Keith, Sabine showed us the rooms. On the lower floor, there are three one-bedroom apartments with a kitchenette, seating area, double bed, air conditioning, and bathroom. One floor above, there are two family apartments with two bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen, living area, and balcony/terrace. Each apartment has everything you need for self-catering.
We stayed on the top floor in a beautiful studio with a sleeping area, living area, bathroom with shower, kitchen, TV, air conditioning, and balcony with sea views. Upon entering the apartment, we could hardly believe our eyes. The view was truly spectacular. The sun was just setting, and the sky was turning beautiful shades of yellow and red.
We chatted a lot with Sabine and Keith over the next few days, treated ourselves to a beer together, and simply had a wonderful time. While Keith walked the two dogs to the sea in the morning, Sabine conjured up a delicious and lovingly prepared local breakfast for us with a variety of fruits and other delicacies. Thank you again for your incredible hospitality!
Sabine and Keith also live on-site and have made themselves wonderfully comfortable with a breathtaking living area and view of the sea. We were even able to enjoy our breakfast there in the morning. We would especially like to highlight the two apartments on the upper floor. They offer a breathtaking view of the sea and the lush green landscape. But of course, you also have beautiful views from the other accommodations.
The beautiful garden with the pool
The beautiful tropical garden with a swimming pool was right in front of us. Sabine showed us the many different plants and fruits. We were amazed at everything that grows in the Caribbean. Actually, there’s hardly anything that doesn’t grow in Saint Lucia. It was incredibly fun to wander through the garden with the camera to take photos.
You can also encounter up to 90 species of birds at Sabine and Keith’s. Amazing, right? We couldn’t resist and, of course, tried out the pool. The many trees and plants surrounding you give you the impression of being in the middle of the jungle.
The unique Palm Cottage
Sabine also showed us her unique Palm Cottage. This wooden bungalow is located downstairs next to the pool and has a private entrance, terrace, two bedrooms, an open kitchen, bathroom, and living area. So if you’re looking to treat yourself, the bungalow could be perfect for you and your companions. The terrace offers comfortable seating with views of the sea and the surrounding garden.
The cottage also boasts some highlights that aren’t necessarily obvious at first glance. Sabine opened the wardrobe door, and suddenly we discovered a fully equipped bathroom behind the door. We were absolutely impressed. The materials and colors of the cottages are also a real eye-catcher!
The Bay and the Sea
The Caribbean Sea is just a few meters from the accommodation. The Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort and the East Winds Inn are also located here. Some spots are rocky, others are not. You can definitely grab your towel and go for a swim. The bay is very quiet and idyllic. There’s no sign of mass tourism anywhere. Few vacationers venture here, unless they are guests of the other resorts and hotels.
Conclusion: Apartment Espoir
At Apartment Espoir on Saint Lucia, you can truly enjoy your time to the fullest. The stunningly beautiful garden with pool, the lovingly furnished rooms, the excellent breakfast, and the view make this accommodation a very special place. The accommodation is ideal for self-catering and those seeking peace and quiet. The beach and supermarket are within easy walking distance. However, we generally recommend renting a car for greater flexibility.
Our highlight at Apartment Espoir was definitely the amazing sea view and the close contact with the wonderful owners, Sabine and Keith. If we ever travel to Saint Lucia again, we would definitely stay at Apartment Espoir again! If you happen to end up staying with Sabine and Keith one day, please give them our warmest regards!
2. Balenbouche Estate – Close to Nature
While we were already completely blown away by Sabine and Keith’s accommodation, we continued on to Balenbouche Estate*. We honestly didn’t know what to expect. But what we saw there was almost too good to be true. A unique property surrounded by greenery with many wonderful highlights. This property was once a plantation. The owner, Uta, from Germany, came to the island in 1984 to save her husband’s estate from ruin. And she still lives here today with her daughters Verena and Anitania.
The beautiful property
The 30-hectare property resembles an enchanted garden, with great attention to detail. The restored plantation house immediately caught our eye as we approached. A beautiful, romantic building from a bygone era. All the windows and doors were wide open, the curtains gently swaying in the breeze. The setting immediately transported us to a state of calm and incredible relaxation. There was no noise anywhere, no fast-paced, hectic world anywhere. Here, the world seemed to be perfectly in order.
Somewhat hidden in the surrounding enchanted garden is an 18th-century sugar mill. Nature trails lead you to this beautiful mill and its ruins. When we stood right in front of it, we felt like we were deep in the jungle. Although everything has rusted away by now, it has blended beautifully into nature. It simply fits together so wonderfully. And when do you ever see an 18th-century sugar mill in the middle of a garden?
In addition to a beautiful water lily pond, there is also an old barn, which is often used for yoga classes. Part of the property is still used as an organic farm. Uta and her children are living their dream here and are busy implementing new ideas every day. But it’s also a lot of work to keep everything in good condition.
Our Enchanting Cottage
There are 5 beautiful and unique cottages on the estate. Each bungalow is special and has its own unique style. A beautiful new house is currently being built. And a small café is also planned for the future. We stayed in the Frangipani Cottage, which has a large double bed with mosquito net and a bathroom with a toilet and shower.
The cottage also features a seating area in the rear, storage space, a refrigerator, and a terrace with a chair and hammock. All cottages are spaced apart, guaranteeing peace and privacy. The accommodation is very open, so you shouldn’t have any problems with insects or other small animals. The noise (from the insects) in the evening is absolutely incredible and very impressive.
Directly in front of our accommodation is a beautiful nature trail that takes you to a small beach and the sea. You can also take a magical stroll through the garden. It is especially beautiful in the early morning, when the world is just waking up, the birds are chirping, and the first rays of sunlight hit the property. We started the morning with a wonderful breakfast on the terrace of the plantation house. There was fresh orange juice, homemade bread from the oven, delicious spreads, tropical fruits, yogurt, coffee, water, and tea.
Preserving and protecting nature
We were deeply impressed by Uta and Verena. They put so much energy and love into this property. They also pursue a clear mission: to move away from a consumerist, throwaway society and toward a conscious life and a conscious use of our resources. For example, they try to use as much as possible for many years. And if something no longer works or is no longer suitable, they simply create something new from it. Actually, that’s exactly what we call UPCYCLING today.
Conclusion: Balenbouche Estate
We had a wonderful time with Uta and her daughters. If you travel to Saint Lucia, we highly recommend a visit. The estate is stunningly beautiful and tells such a wonderful story. Here you can enjoy seclusion, peace, and authenticity. The estate was lovingly restored and built. In every corner, you can feel the passion and love of nature that Uta and her daughters bring to the table. We will never forget our days in Balenbouche. They gave us so much to take with us on our journey.
3. Crystals Villa Hotel – Villa with a View
After three wonderful days with Uta and her daughters, our journey continued. Again, we had no idea what to expect. The navigation system took us to Soufriere. Not directly into town, but high above the bay. We reached the Crystals Villa Hotel* via a gravel road. Luckily, we had a small SUV. The journey would have been truly painful with a regular compact car. Our first thought was: “The view must be magnificent from here.” Because not only did Soufriere Bay lie at our feet, but the two Pitons were also not far away.
The unique property
The extraordinary guesthouse is perfectly integrated into the natural surroundings. The main building reminded us of a tree house. There you’ll find the restaurant and bar, as well as a terrace with breathtaking views of the sea, the Pitons, and the bay. Before we got to our room, we were invited for a drink, and even then, we simply couldn’t get enough of the view.
The owner, Monica, is originally from Ireland but moved to the island many, many years ago. She and her husband built and designed this property. And we’re not exaggerating when we say that Monica and her team have created something truly unique here!
Our Villa with a View
The individual cottages are completely different, eccentrically furnished, and individually decorated. A touch of India can be felt in all the accommodations. Monica has brought back many wonderful things from all her travels, each of which tells its own story. There are 4 cottages for 2 to 4 people, as well as 3 spacious villas with private pools, up to 3 bedrooms, and a living area with a kitchen.
And we really expected anything, but not to be put in a villa. And so we stayed for 2 nights in the stunning and unique Silverpalm Cottage. The pictures probably speak more than 1,000 words.
We simply couldn’t believe what we saw there. A huge living area, a unique terrace with breathtaking views, lounge chairs and a BBQ area, a fully equipped kitchen, a private pool, and incredibly beautiful rooms and bathrooms. We particularly appreciated these many loving details, reminiscent of 1001 Nights.
Crystals is tropical, private, extraordinary, and exotic. Every guest is lovingly cared for here. You simply feel at home there. In the morning, we were even brought a tropical breakfast, so we could enjoy a peaceful breakfast with a view of the sea and the mountains and fortify ourselves for the day. What luxury!
Here we were able to enjoy our time to the fullest. We didn’t want to leave the villa at all because it was simply so beautiful. The view truly surpassed everything we’d seen before. Not even from different viewpoints did we have such a magnificent view.
Add to that the fact that we were completely alone and there were no other guests around us. Privacy is very important at Crystals. The great thing about the villas is that they can accommodate up to 6 people. This way, in the best case scenario, you can share the price together.
Conclusion: Crystals Hotel
Our stay with Monica was wonderful. The team is super friendly and helpful, and Monica herself is a wonderful soul with a wealth of experience, exciting stories, and charisma. We would have loved to stay here for a whole month; the view of the sea and mountains from our terrace was just too beautiful. You rarely get to see such a spectacular view in your life. If you’re looking for a very special place to stay for your trip, then you should treat yourself to at least one night here.
4. Castles in Paradise – Comfort on the Southeast Coast
At the end of our tour, we headed to the southeast of the island near the airport in Vieux Fort. We spent the last three nights at Castles in Paradise*. Owner Bonny’s estate features 14 luxurious, detached villas and six one- and two-bedroom apartments.
From the balconies and terraces, you have wonderful views of Savanna Bay, Honeymoon Bay, and the Atlantic. Anse de Sables beach is just a five-minute drive away. The airport is also just a stone’s throw away from the complex. Many water sports activities are offered in this region, such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, and snorkeling.
The beautiful and well-maintained property
Bonny’s property is wonderfully green and well-maintained. She places great emphasis on cleanliness, precision, and comfort. Bonny has built and designed all of the villas and apartments with great effort and care over the past few years. The accommodations are furnished in typical Caribbean style with large beds, open kitchens, and bright colors.
Some villas have a private pool with loungers and a roof terrace with a unique view. Six of the villas also have three to four bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. These villas can accommodate up to eight people.
Our cozy accommodation
We stayed in an apartment with one bedroom, a living area, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The highlight for us was the beautiful balcony with a view of the sea. The property also has a beautiful pool, which we, of course, took a closer look at ourselves.
After a few days of rain, we were finally lucky enough to enjoy the sun on our last day. The complex is very well-maintained and quietly located. If seclusion and privacy are important to you, this is the right place for you. The apartments and villas are perfect, especially for families and groups.
Our apartment had air conditioning, a comfortable bed, cooking utensils, a large refrigerator, TV, internet, and seating in the living area. So, we had everything we needed. We’re fans of self-catering. We don’t feel like searching for cafes and restaurants every morning and evening.
So we prefer to walk to the nearest supermarket and buy the essentials. At Bonny’s, you have absolutely everything you need for self-catering in the apartments. You can also book a private chef upon request. The accommodations also offer housekeeping 6 days a week.
Castles in Paradise Summary
We had a wonderfully relaxing few days with Bonny at Castles in Paradise. Bonny also invited us to enjoy a real rum punch at her house. She even shared the recipe with us. If you’re interested, feel free to email us. We had wonderful conversations with her and learned a lot about her story and career. Bonny is a fascinating woman with incredible commitment, charisma, and power.
She always strives to ensure that every guest feels 100% at home. As we wrote above, you’ll find absolutely everything you need in the villas and apartments. Groups and families, in particular, are perfectly accommodated here. By rental car, it’s also not too far to some of Saint Lucia’s highlights.
First of all, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Sabine, Keith, Bonny, Monica, Uta, and Verena for the wonderful time on the island. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your hospitality, time, and the many exciting stories. We felt incredibly comfortable with all of you and hope to see you again one day. ♡
You can find more interesting articles on our Saint Lucia country page. Here you’ll find an article about the best sights on the island and a guide for planning your Saint Lucia trip on your own. We highly recommend a trip to this Caribbean island. You can also find further tips, information, and accommodation recommendations on the very well-structured website www.my-stlucia.org*.