Latest Reviews for St Lucia

This was not the cleanest of places, lots of roadworks going on and generally felt like hardwork. We did hire a car and travelled around which was good once you were out of the hustle and bustle. Some fantastic views once you were on the higher ground.

If like me you are unfortunate enough to end up in Hospital (DVT) please make sure you carry a credit card with you cos they won't treat you without payment first!!!! It's a real eye opener and that was at the PRIVATE hospital!!

This was our 3rd visit to a Sandals resort and we were very disappointed to be honest. We had to move rooms 3 times due to broken air con, a loo that did not work and lastly just really shabby and not worth what we paid!! I felt that there was very little Sandals love at this place, the staff were ok, a few went out of their way became friends but the others seemed lacking something. Overall place was clean and tidy and very pretty but the rooms in general needed upgrading and we had upgraded so I dread to think what the lower graded rooms were like. Othere people we talked to said that their rooms did not have fridges etc which I thought was pretty silly really considering the amount of bottled water we got thru! The beach was not good, very dark and not very clean, the sea was alway murky and not very inviting at all. The beach vendors and locals were lovely thou, especially Chris and Charlie. The food was ok but we got bored with the set menus and would have liked more buffet style evenings, the bars were good and the drinks always nice. Felt very safe here but just disappointed at how much we had paid!!!

We went to the rendezvous for our honeymoon in february this year and we could not of wished for anywhere more romantic. The staff are so attentive, the food is fantastic with different choices every day, the hotel its self is lovely and clean and we will certainly be returning.

We travelled with Thomson Holidays which was a horrible mistake using them as they were not helpful this end in England at all, I had 31 friends and family join us in this holiday, as myself and now my husbund decided to get married in St Lucia. We arrived at Castries Airport we flew from London Gatwick with Virgin who again are brilliant and then we had our journeys to the hotel which take about 1hour 15 mins!!! We then arrived and was welcomed by Steph with a nice cold flannel and a nice RUM PUNCH!!! We were then taken to our rooms in the golf carts! We the next day had our meeting with the wedding cordinator who is excellent and we told her what we wanted etc!!! My InLaws and Brother and sister in law also renewed the vows during our 2 weeks away which was excellent! The wedding was perfect, I had my hair done by the lady in the beauty salon and nails and had pictures taken so many it was untrue but sooo worth it and then we had our meal on THE MORGAN PIER we had the entire end of the pier laid out as a wedding breakfast and it was soo perfect! We then the next morning had breakfast in bed and champagne! The next day we both had a joint massage which was soo nice too. The Staff are all excellent especially Vaughan he made us laugh but the whole staff looked after all 31 of us, especially the 5 kids we had too! All the restaurants are excellent and the kids pool with the kids snack bar thats great too!! The men went and played golf and went to watch the cricket too! We then got a helicopter back to the airport which is a great treat!!!!! I recommened this hotel for couples, singles and families alike and would definately recommend to get married in the Gazebo the staff make is a very special day! We will be coming back as soon as we can afford it!

This resort was sold as being 4*rating, unfortunately in our opinion it is barely a 3* resort.

The website we bought the holiday from shows a lovely pale yellow sandy beach with tropical blue water, in reality it was black sand and the sea was murky most days with rocks and seaweed barring an easy access into the water. It also states the the resort is newly renovated but there are only a handful of renovated rooms which are still not completely furnished, the rest of the rooms have been painted! The tiles around the swimming pools are lethal turning into a skating rink when wet.

The food is mainly good but the menus are not varied enough and there are not enough staff to run the restaurants effectively. The main thing is that the resort is not finished and there is building work going on all around you (even the kitchen!)The promised beach front rooms are not finished along with the disco, therefore the entertainment in the evening is dire and apart from 'Tommy's Bar' which opens to adults at 11pm where you are 'entertained' by Basil (10 people in there at the most), there is nothing to do and resort dies.

This could be made into a good resort but it needs to be closed down and renovated properly. However, the staff at the resort in the bars and restaurants are lovely, very helpful and they make the holiday!

We have just returned from this resort and spent 2 weeks next to a construction site. The resort are building more accommondation directly above three of the four resturants (beware of falling rubble).these rooms are to be completed by 15th March 2007, never in a month of sundays.The workman work from 7.00am until at least 9.00pm, we didnt stay to find out when they finished. the only peace was in our room.Beware there are only approx. 18 parasols for approx. 700 sunbeds that means an early start to the day if you want a parasol with your sunbed.

The beach is a disappointment not white sands and the water sports take up a large part of the beach area.In the resturants you have to book for every night except the Palms but we found the Palms disappointing. The Morgan Pier is mainly sea food with very laid back service. The Bamboo was alright only resturant to change its menu. The La Jardan is adult only but the menu stays the same. Limited fresh vegatables and fruit.There are two bars both by the pool and you use these in the evening but beware of mossy attacks . the entertainment was a steel band most nights but unfortunately there is nowhere to walk as it is not advisable to go out of the resort. A must is the helicopter transfer the roads are a nightmare.

Thought hotel was very nice, lovely rooms plenty of room . All the staff were very friendly and helpful .There is some work being done at hotel,cant say it bothered us.The beach is a bit of a let down, not the white sands and blue sea we were expecting . The restaurants are all very good.

We arrived on New Years Eve and left on 14 Jan, during which time we got married. We had a fantastic time the food was good in the main buffet restaurant but in the Italian and Asian our bookings got mixed up and the staff were most unhelpful so don't bank on getting the meal you think you have booked. When they did get it right the service was so slow we didn't bother again, but you don't need to the food is better in the main buffet restaurant.
The snack bar was good and was open virtually all through the night.
Skeet the bar tender in the main bar was hilarious but beware the drinks he serves are strong! The rooms are spacious and exceptionally clean.

We went on a few trips, a helicopter ride around the Island it is expensive but well worth doing - we wanted to go again! We did a land and sea trip around the Island which was excellent.We also went on the Martinique trip, that would have been disappointing except for the fact that we thought he anger from the local fishermen which included threatening us all with knives was a put on but being with people who camcordered the whole episode and then got escorted to the st lucian TV station on our return we found it was true!
Our Wedding was great we ordered the steel band and they were wonderful, nothing in the UK could compare on Jan 6th we had sunshine and posing for wedding photos on the beach we would have been blown away in the UK. Thanks to all who came to our wedding, we actually travelled out alone but soon met new friends.
The fact we travelled First class with BA helped a long flight if you can we recommend this.

We went to CBR at Easter 2006 for two weeks, AI. CBR is the only resort in the south of the island. It's right next to the airport, Hewanorra, which makes it great for small kids tired from a long flight (the other resorts are an hour away!). You DON'T hear aircraft noise except about three planes taking off at about 5.30 daily almost overhead. We did not find it a nuisance AT ALL. The grounds are huge, and scenic, and gated. There are tennis courts, a gym (good) and three pools.

POOLS: one pool is small adult, and more remote and landscaped, by the spa, beyond the wedding chapel (v. prettily sited). The others are 'twinned' either side the central block area of the hotel (the photos are pretty accurate on their website). One is a deep adult pool, with a volley ball net, and a jacuzzi. The other is shallow, sloping entrance, with a v. low wooden wall you can step over right to the beach. This kid's pool is huge, with a little fountain and platform, and a swim up bar (v nice). Beyond the kid's pool is the lazy river, a big feature of CBR, and great fun to float round. Adults can't fit into the rings though! Beyond the lazy river are the two water slides. These are supervised, and close at dusk.

SEA: The hotel is on the rougher south coast. The sea is NOT the crystal clear caribbean. The main problem is sea grass, washed in by the tide, which forms a narrow band along the water's edge. For some, this is a major problem, for me it was a slight mar. The hotel clears it, usually daily. There are four breakwaters in the sea, to create a gentler paddling area, quite a bit of which is completely sea grass free. But yes, it's an issue! However, the beach itself is lovely. It's quite narrow, but long, and has deep soft white sand (unlike some of the resorts in Castries - see reviews here!) and there is plenty of room to sit here under the coconut palms. The hotel was quite full (not sure if at capacity) when we were there, but there were usually loungers, especially further from the immediate pool area. There are a lot of loungers on the decked promonade by the adult pool. There is always a lovely cooling breeze which made the hi temp very pleasant. Ther are some hammocks and 'platforms' further by the adult pool and spa

ROOMS: All rooms are sea facing, but if you want to see over the palms, have a higher floor one (costs more!). We were on the first floor (second for USA!). The room was spacious, with a seating area, and a small balcony, which was only good for hanging up towels. You couldn't sit there in the evenings as you got eaten by mozzies! The hotel is behind the pool, so the breeze falls off. There was no fridge, but an ice bucket and an ice machine by the stairs. We only ever got one cockroach - dead! - inside our door, but used mozzie killer plugged in every night. Downstairs people said they got tiny frogs under the imperfectly fitted doors! Bathroom was shower only, but fine for us. Decor very pleasant and caribbeany! We liked the room, no problems. Came with an ironing board I never used! TV fine, with US cable channels. AC fine plus ceiling fan, worked well. Plus are UK (I think!)I think there was a hairdryer in the b/room, but can't remember. Two queen sized beds fine for a couple and tall 12 year old. Cleaning standard was fine, but sometimes didn't reach us till pm. If you have small children, have a room on the LEFT wing of the hotel (left when facing the sea) as this is by the lazyriver/kidspool/slide end.) If you are an adult, choose the right wing, by the adults pool, wedding chappel and spa.

HOTEL: You arrive at the central block, which is basically a huge through lounge, witht he bar, open to the outdoors by the pool. Lots of settess etc, but could get busy near the pool end. Mishmash of styles but I liked them. There's a shop upstairs for souveniers (pricey of course at hotel) plus suncream etc.

FOOD: This is probably one of the weaker points of the place. We were AI - first time. The drinks were great. Yes, island beer and house wine, unless you pay. This was not a problem for us. The cocktails were brilliant - you could be drunk from 11 am if you wanted!!!!! (No, I resisted!). Also, there is nonstop coke etc, plus Slushes for kids, which mine adored (couldn't believe you could just help yourself non-stop!). The bar is in the main lobby

As for eating,there are four places. The main one is Coconut walk, which opens off the central lobby. It's pleasant, but no more than that. 'Posh office cafeteria' I guess is the standard. It's well prepared, but not 'gourmet' food. It isn't really the highlight of the place. However, several times a week there is waiter service, when the standard of the food was very definitely a cut above, though could still be a bit variable. Service could be quite slow, but this is the caribbean... Bring a book. Irritating of course if you have young restless children! (though it's right next to the games room, so they could be in there I guess while waiting for food?)

Upstairs, however, there are two 'gourmet' restaurants. The Asian one I felt was not as good, but the Italian one was very good. The menu is limited, so you inevitably repeat, but it is beautifully done. Tables need candles - too dim! Staff v. helpful - cooked plain pasta for my son (and even served him that in the Asian restaurant as well!) (they share the same kitchen behidn the scenes). You need to reserve, and they can be booked out! Small children have to eat early. You are supposed to wear shirts/long trousers (no tie), but some were definitely in t-shirts! Finally, there is a grill by the beach bar (the swim up one), which we didn't use, but were told by others did v. good steak sandwiches, burgers, salads etc. I found it a tad 'chippy' for the Caribbean - especially the smell, but I guess it's very useful with hungry kids around.

Twice weekly there were very elaborate outdoor BBQs round the pool, which were beautifully laid out and presented - a lot of work went into them! Note, you won't get good tea as the milk is 'canned'!! Not sure if you can buy pasteurised milk in town (which is a taxi ride or long walk). Usual weak lipton's teabags - bring your own for strong tea! Coffee quite weak too. Oh, just remember, CBR has NO ICECREAM. Don't know why - just doesn't! Lots of people commented. Puds tend to be cakes, or things like bread and butter pudding. Custard but no cream. Jelly and fruit as well. Coconut walk always had a kids station, with things like pasta, chips, fish fingers etc, which was good, but could get cold.

ENTERTAINMENT. We hate this, so bear that in mind! There was late night entertainment on the stage after the BBQs, but we headed for our room. V. noisy for several hours. A disco was in the central block, but we never went. In the second week they seemed to have a live band playing every evening in the bar/lobby area - would have been OK at a quarter of the volume. FAR TOO LOUD for comfort. BUT my BIG BIG BIG gripe is that they pumped VERY LOUD MUSIC all around the pool area, from 10 am to dusk. Quite appalling. I had huge difficulty finding any lounger spot that was sheltered from the damn noise! This for me, really threatened to spoil my holiday, and I got v. cross about it - so completely pointless. If you want music, people bring their own Ipods these days!

ACTIVITIES: There is a kids club for smaller children (up to 10 say?) which parents told us was very good indeed. Separate accom beyond the lazy river. V. good staff, v. popular. They have their own little water park (bit like Legoland where they squirt water, for those who know that!). Nothing for older kids, but there are activities like beach cricket, volleyball, and some pool treasure hunts organised, which were quite good. Hotel could do more here though! One big opportunity they are missing is to run a watersports club from the next beach alone, Anse de Sable, which is a brilliant beach in its own right, and popular with kite and windsurfers (why we were there actually!). CBR could easily tie in with the company running the watersports there, and offer it to kids.

The hotel provides small pool tables in the central lobby, very popular (free), and a kids games rooms with pinball, Xbox, that sort of stuff. Very popular, and cool temps for noonday.

There is also a manned station for taking out snorkelling kit, tennis rackets etc, which works well (snorkelling a bit rough, but there is a house reef right there!)

The whole grounds are gated, and you feel safe letting the kids roam around 'loose'. Police would stroll along the beach from time to time, and islander horsemen and fisher men walk along, but there was absolutely no hassle from any beach vendors. All felt very safe and unbothered. There were quite a few hotel staff always visible.

Note - the hotel will organise trips and outings, but we thought them v. expensive. We hired a car and did our own sightseeing. Some use taxis and get an expert islander tour guide to boot!

SUMMARY - this is a good family friendly resort which I'd rate three star plus. It's spacious and uncramped (nothing else near), but you need a car to get anywhere. No where else to eat (except at Anse de Sable small beach place) in walking distance. Food is not the best point of the hotel, and it could do with a really good restaurant there, not just the two small ones upstairs. However, that would probaly put the price up! If you don't mind the rougher sea, and not being remote, this is fine. It's about 45 mins drive to Soufriere an the Pitons, about an hour to Castries over the rainforest, and 90 mins to Rodney bay. The south of the island is undeveloped and unspoilt. The hotel is big, and quite modern, so not small and pretty - but the grounds I thought were lovely and spacious. Overall, I get the feeling they try hard here - espeically after what seems to have been a bit of a bumpy start to the place (it used to be Club med, but they abandoned it). I didn't use the spa, so can't comment. Customer mix is probably a spread from 'tatoo to estate car', with probably more middle class people (but not 'poshies'!) than anything else, but yes, some chavs. Depends what you want and what you are comfortable with! We've definitely been to posher places! Again, depends who you are and what you want. Some Canadians and Americans, who were all very nice.

We went to St Lucia for our honeymoon after our original one in Mexico was cancelled. The transfer from the airport was an adventure as they drive quite erratically out there and we drove through so very undeveloped areas.We arrived at Club St Lucia in the dark and found it difficult to find our way around the grounds. Our room was located at the top of the resort in the adult only section, very close to the sports bar (which isnt included in the all inclusive option).

Our room was very spacous with an extremely comfortable, large bed and balcony with hammock. We had to get the controls for the air conditioning and tv from reception. The room was cleaned daily although we recommend you take your own mosquito spray and plugs (sockets are english fitted). There are no nice views from the rooms unless you have a sea front room. Our room was a delux one but we found it very basic.

The grouds are very well kept and clean although they flooded easily in heavy rain. The staff maintaing the grounds were very friendly. We spent most of our time in the adult only pool which has its own swim up bar and two restaraunts next to it serving lunch. The food in all 5 of the restaraunts was very good but make sure you book into the specialists restaraunts well in advance as they get very busy. The main restaraunt has a very good choice of food at breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is a self service arrangement and can get busy at peak times. There were a lot of stray cats wandering around in the restaraunt but the staff obviously are bothered by this.

The beach was clean and was excellent for a nice swim. Plenty of watersports offered onsite, many included in the cost of holiday. We recommend a visit to another beach nearby which is just outside the resort and down some steps (10 min walk). It is a very private and beautiful bay which is excellent for snorkelling and you can hire snorkelling gear from the watersports desk.

The entertainment at night was lively as was the main bar. The resort was resident to a lot of families while we were there so its probably not recommended to a honeymoon couple who want a quiet holiday. The so called Irish bar has nothing Irish about it and it certainly doesnt sell guiness! Still, its a good place to sit inside and have a drink instead of outside where all the entertainment is.

We took a few excursions while we were there. We recommend the fish friday where you travel to a local fishing village and sample the fish which is cooked infront of you on a BBQ. There is also drinks served and music with the locals street dancing. Food and drink was very reasonably priced. Whale and dolphin watching is a must, we didnt see dolphins but we saw whales. Even if you dont see anything, the boat ride is good fun. We also did the island tour on a catamaran. This was a lovely day, with lunch and drinks included. Try and get a spot on the front of the catamaran so you can see right out into the ocean with the warm breeze in your face-beautiful!

All in all a good resort but i think it is best for families. It was very wet when we went but thats our fault for going in the rainy season! We were disappointed that we didnt get cocktails served with umbrellas and fruit in, having to settle for a plastic cup instead.

On arrival the resort is very pleasent. We were getting married on the resort so we up graded to a honeymoon sea front delux room (2101)First impressions very nice room but no view of the sea as the gardens were so big they blocked our view, which was dissapointing. From our room it was very very noisey we were next to were they bring out morning breakfast dinner and tea on trollies which was wheeled over tiled floor so you can imagine the noise we had!!! So i warn you to take ear plugs!!! Also there is very noisey crickets that come out at night!!!

The resort is very clean, you have a house maid which goes to your room 3 times a day. I never seen any litter anywhere while i was there.
As for our wedding it was fabulous, but which out for extras!! As we thought we had paid for every thing, they ask you to up grade on things which work out very expensive, especially the photographs.
The staff that work there are very friendly and you will meet alot of new friends, there was alot of americans when we went not alot of english and most are people are on honeymoons or getting married. If your after night life there is not any as every one goes to bed about 10.30!! So if your after true relaxation then this is the holiday for you! They serve cocktails from 10 o clock in the morning at the pool bar and alot of entertainment in the day time.
5 differant places to eat serving all differant menus also you can get a free shuttle bus to the 2 other sandals resorts on the island.

All in all very relaxing holiday but not as posh as i thought sandals would be!!
Lisa and Alan Waring