My wife and I are going to St Lucia in May for our 40th anniversary. Looking for any recommendations. Stay in the north or south? Small villa or resort? Dining options? Activities? Budget is mid-range...not cheap, but not extravagant! Thanks in advance.
OT: St Lucia
- Thread starter Richmond_Nittany
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Let me get back to you when I have time ……...I have a good bit of family from the island. There's a value hotel you need to consider I need to research it . Also can give general info. Be back tonight !
Google Spencer Ambrose Tours. Great tour by a family-run business. I mean the tour itself is pretty common to the island (mud bath, waterfall, etc), but it's the only one where they get you there and back via speedboat (and lots of rum punch) vs a tour bus.
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anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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We also honeymooned there (about 10 years ago). Stayed at Windjammer Landing which is up north. Private beach, pretty quiet - not a lot of kids or party-types. We did the all-inclusive and mostly stayed on the resort (save a couple of excursions). Loved the catamaran, but wasn't a big fan of the 'volcano' tour. Also not a fan of the downtown bazaar. I didn't feel the need to go outside the resort since it pretty much had everything (including a few good restaurant options). I will say the local beer, Piton, is really, really good.
For logistics, I assume you'll fly out of Miami - that airport is a mess, so plan ahead. We also hired a driver to/from the airport since it's a bit of a ride (about an hour and twenty minutes from where we stayed). I'd love to go back and explore a bit more. Amy Winehouse used to go there a lot and everyone seems to have a story about her.
Enjoy!
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anon_xdc8rmuek44eq
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We had a similar tour but it was via catamaran arranged by our resort - all the Piton and rum punch you could drink (and plenty of room for the women to lay out). Highlight was seeing the Piton Mountains and a giant sea turtle next to the boat.
Yes!!! We did their ''Spencer's Land, Sea & Beach Adventure'" tour and it was amazing. They take you to the best spots on the island, the guides are excellent and the rum punch they give you (whenever you want) is to this day the best I have tasted. Plus, they take you to the owner's Mom's house where she cooks everyone an authentic, and delicious, Caribbean lunch. Can't recommend them enough.
Beautiful island covered with flowers and great scenery. Anse Chastenet would be my choice. It’s in the south and has great snorkeling there and terrific food. Travel via road is difficult because the roads are horrible. The Pitons are a must see, down by Dr Dolittles Beach. There is also Elephant Beach where some kids tend to an elephant who lives there. Marigot Bay is a great location to stay and I think you can rent a villa there. Also the Cap Estate in the north is very nice and tasteful. I’d avoid the Big all inclusive places but that’s just my taste.
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We went to some hotel beach, but the mom still served up the food.
On the way back, as we got close to kicking the rum punch, Spencer broke out a bottle of rum that we passed around.
Highly recommend Sandals Grande St Lucian. By far the calmest waters and a wonderful beach. Also we love to hike and there is a park right beside the hill with some great trails and historic spots. Finally I have to say beware of the mud baths. Insanely crowded at the wrong times and your clothes will smell like sulphur forever. If you must go take clothes that your not attached to.
Ditto, at the one on the north end. Be aware there's an airport on both ends of the island, so might want to fly into the one closest to where you're staying.
FWIW...
I have been all over the Caribbean, but not to St Lucia. I have friends and an ex that have been there. From my understanding, Sandals, with multiple all-inclusive resorts have taken a toll on the local economy and business on St lucia. They took over resorts that were not all-inclusive and it hurt local restaurants and business. If you want to stay at the resort and drink your face off, it's probably a good option. If you want to get out and experience the island, people, and culture, maybe not so much. I'll leaver it to others who have been there recently to chime in and confirm/refute
If you want to investigate other options, I can recommend, St John, which is coming back from Hurricane Irma in 17, the dutch side of St Martin, and Grand Cayman. My favorite, aside from St John, is Anguilla, which is a British island right next to St Martin. Best Beaches, no cruise ships, and the population loves tourists. Unlike most islands where foreigners own resorts and locals live mostly in poverty, in Anguilla, there are some controls on foreign labor and ownership so the citizens mostly have jobs and benefit directly from visitors. A little expensive, but there are a few reasonable lodging options. Probably the best experience in the Caribbean I've had, aside from enjoying the National Park aspect of St John. Good luck and have a blast with wherever you end up. Congrats on 40 years!
I have worked on a number of the hotels in St Lucia so have been there dozens of times over the past 15 years. The last time was about 6 months ago. I have done a little bit of the touristy things that others mentioned above, but for the most part I go there for work. I have had a chance to at least tour most of the worthwhile hotel properties there.
As for flying in, there are two airports as someone mentioned but the one in Castries (the smaller one) doesn't handle many flights these days (only small connectors to other islands. American Eagle stopped flying there to the small airport about 10 years ago. All large carries fly into Hewanorra. There aren't many resorts near Hewanorra so you have to drive at least 45 minutes to an hour to get to any decent property. To get from Hewanorra to the north part of the island where many good properties are takes about 1.25 hours.
My favorites (although not cheap but stunning in their own way) are Ladera, Sugar Beach and Jade Mountain. All in same area of the Pitons.
I have been to but stay away from the all inclusives. So many of them feel the same island to island. Especially Sandals. Just my opinion
Windjammer is nice, but dated in areas. It is being upgraded in areas. Marigot Bay is nice, but not really on a beach. Harbor Club is a new property but not on the beach. Cap Maison on a beach and is nice.
Coconut Bay is convenient to airport but stay away from it. Not much in the area. East coast can get windy and water not as nice.
Friday night fish fries in the towns are nice to experience.
If you are near the town of Rodney Bay (far north of island) there are some good restaurants there. Big Chef is one of my favorite go to steak houses.
You have to do the catamaran tour to area of the Pitons. They are stunning.
Depending on time of year you can get decent deals at the properties. At some times of year I have stayed in crappy places for way too much money.
If you have some properties in mind, budget in mind, whatever in mind, let me know and I can provide further thoughts.
My honeymoon 25 years ago.We also honeymooned there (about 10 years ago). Stayed at Windjammer Landing which is up north. Private beach, pretty quiet - not a lot of kids or party-types. We did the all-inclusive and mostly stayed on the resort (save a couple of excursions). Loved the catamaran, but wasn't a big fan of the 'volcano' tour. Also not a fan of the downtown bazaar. I didn't feel the need to go outside the resort since it pretty much had everything (including a few good restaurant options). I will say the local beer, Piton, is really, really good.
For logistics, I assume you'll fly out of Miami - that airport is a mess, so plan ahead. We also hired a driver to/from the airport since it's a bit of a ride (about an hour and twenty minutes from where we stayed). I'd love to go back and explore a bit more. Amy Winehouse used to go there a lot and everyone seems to have a story about her.
Enjoy!
Also hopped to Martinique a few days where the bikini models try on different ones in front of you so your “wife” can comparison shop.
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