The best beach hotels in St Lucia, including where to stay for palm-strewn bays and surf-ready waves
St Lucia has beaches of immense beauty and variety. In the north lie long golden strands and coves, whereas down in the volcanic south-west of the island the beaches are generally of the silvery black sand variety, with one notable exception – Anse des Pitons. This white-sand affair (the grains are imported) is magically set between the Pitons and home to the Sugar Beach resort. The most popular and liveliest spot in the north, with direct access from several hotels, is Reduit Beach at Rodney Bay Village resort, but there are plenty of other far less busy beaches backed by secluded places to stay. For a break by the shore, here's our pick of the best beach hotels in St Lucia.
Nestled between St Lucia's landmark Pitons on a former sugar plantation, this luxurious hotel occupies the best spot on the island. The estate's 100-plus acres run down to a palm-backed beach of blinding white sand (imported from Guyana), and a second, quieter beach, also of white sand, has been created along the seafront. The accommodation is gorgeous: the style varies from pared-down tastefulness in the villas and cottages that are dotted widely over the forested slopes of the estate, to grand colonial living in the original plantation building, where outré modern art provides a contemporary twist. Wherever you stay, you are allocated a team of butlers, and facilities include a memorable spa with eight treehouse treatment rooms.
This well-run, mid-range Rodney Bay Village hotel is located along the far northern end of Reduit Beach, a mile of soft golden sand that is usually ideal for safe swimming. It's about 10 minutes' walk to the concentration of bars in the centre of the resort. Service is very good here - it says something that the hotel's owner has an OBE, and the general manager an MBE. The range of facilities is also pretty impressive, with a large swimming pool, water park and water taxis across the bay to Pigeon Island. Of the 72 rooms, opt for the beachfront accommodation for a great view along Reduit Beach and across the bay to Pigeon Island from the balcony. The two open-air restaurants and bar are appealingly located right behind the beach.
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This sophisticated all-suite resort, on the southern stretch of soft-sand Pigeon Island beach feels more residential than hotel, which it is for some of the year as most of the suites are privately owned. The suites (not so much rooms, more apartments) are in several different buildings which either face the private marina or the beach. Expect a fully functioning kitchen, washer and dryer (with detergent provided), living area, furnished terrace (with marina or sea views) and perhaps even a whirlpool tub. The three pools mean there is never overcrowding and staff will pass along the beach with cold towels or fruit kebabs. The beach shack restaurant Callaloo serves up some seriously good local cuisine and the Beach Club serves local fusion food.
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This hotel is cocooned from the outside world within a vast jungly estate and set around and above grey-sand Anse Chastanet beach. For architect owner Nick Troubetzkoy, the core idea behind his creation is that everything should be integrated as much as possible with the stunning, natural surroundings. In this vein, Anse Chastanet has no swimming pool – if you want a swim, you go in the sea. A large spa lies behind the beach, and you can also have treatments in a smaller spa up at sister property Jade Mountain. Anse Mamin, a second, much quieter beach that is also part of the estate, is a five-minute (free) boat ride away, and behind this beach you can explore trails through the jungle on mountain bikes. Staff are cheerful and effortlessly friendly.
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This is one of the Caribbean's best-equipped all-inclusive hotels; a sprawling complex that flanks the beach and rises up the verdant hillsides behind. Expect good food, comfy rooms, lots of solo guests, a vast spa complex and a plethora of sporty activities on offer. Impressive bang for your buck includes a daily spa treatment. The hotel sits on the posh northern end of the island, overlooking a 200 yard-long beach of pale sand (imported from Guyana). It’s pretty isolated, but with so much to do on site, most guests rarely feel the need to leave the property. In general, the hotel has a contemporary, upmarket look adopted by many Caribbean hotels: think pink sun loungers and parasols, teak decks and whitewashed walls. There’s an open-air restaurant, clubhouse lounge and an infinity pool.
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This well-run, unflashy and utterly tranquil haven is secluded but not isolated, easily reached down a lane off the main west-coast road, a 10-minute drive from Rodney Bay Village. The grounds run down to 150 yards of pale and peaceful sands, dotted with thatched palapas, palms and sea grapes. Free tours with the head gardener are offered each week. The bird life is also wonderful: expect to see hummingbirds, herons and various doves. With the rooms in cottages dotted over the grounds, the hotel feels seamlessly interconnected with its lovely surroundings. Guests are older and there's something of a house party atmosphere, with a bit of socialising de rigueur, especially before and after dinner in the bars.
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This is a relaxed and laid-back place with interiors in a casual Caribbean style, but it’s also one of the best family all-inclusives on the island with a petting zoo, water park and kids’ swim-up bar. Plenty of rattan sofas fill the main lounge area, wicker globe lamp shades hang from above and colourful painted murals of St Lucian scenes brighten concrete walls. The treehouse restaurant, one of nine dining spots, built with branches and wood is perhaps the most characterful. There are also seven bars. All rooms have ocean-facing balconies, apart from the garden rooms on the ground-floor which have a terrace and view of the gardens and pool. Kitesurfers will be pleased with the Atlantic waves on the mile-long beach.
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Windjammer Landing spreads expansively over a precipitous hillside on St Lucia's north-west coast, above an attractive, 200-yard-long arc of palm-dotted, brown-sand beach. The sea off the beach is very protected, and several hammocks are strung out over the water. It’s a sizeable Mediterranean-styled complex of red-tiled and whitewashed buildings. Along with a cluster of shops, multiple restaurants, swimming pools and much else besides, it has a lively, upbeat atmosphere. The tone is smart but not ultra-luxurious (except in the top-end villas). Some guests stay on a timeshare basis, and it’s one of the best hotels for families on St Lucia.
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This all-inclusive couples-only hotel lies on a section of a two-mile-long stretch of little-developed, palm-dotted, soft-sand beach. The attractive, low-rise property is spread over seven acres of well-maintained tropical grounds, whose focal point is a giant 150-year-old Samaan tree, its branches hung with chandeliers. The atmosphere is somewhat old-school: for example, classical music plays at teatime, and a pianist at dinner in the main restaurant. The romantic tone of Rendezvous is best captured by the weekly 'Bubbles and Sand' event, when couples sit on beach rugs drinking sparkling wine and watching the sunset while a saxophonist plays.
Contributions by Antonia Windsor