Francine Martineau

Bel Jou is a little gem. It is not too big and you get to know the staff and other guests.. The staff is friendly, helpful and attentive to our needs. They made our stay a memorable one. The staff is the hotel’s best asset! Great activities are planned every day at the hotel.

Judy Clercin

I arrived at Bel Jou on April 15th with my boyfriend to celebrate my birthday. Upon arrival we waited in the lobby to check in, we were presented welcome drinks. Everyone from the time that we got there to the time that we left were so friendly and accommodating. Would definitely recommend this place to other people. If you're looking for something quiet and peaceful this is definitely the place to be. Location wise there isn't a beach on or in close proximity to the property.

Endyia M

Overall experience wasn’t the best. We had to pay for bottled water and there were rarely towels available for the pool. There were multiple staff members with non-welcoming attitudes when asked for basic things and just made me feel unwelcomed or bothersome. Service from staff was noticed to be prompt for non-black customers and when addressed it was brushed off. The rooms are nice but outdated and not worth the nightly rate. There are many stairs also and no elevators so keep that in mind as well. The drinks were great most of the time and the food (buffet) overall was good. It’s not a place for entertainment if that’s was you’re looking for and the hotel appeals to the older crowd (50+) for sure. The hotel is pretty central for some excursions but a distance away to the local market/town. I was not happy about the customer service I received and after having brought it to the manager on duty AND GM attention, it was clear it was discussed in a non professional manner with the staff because of what we heard. A lot of things just weren’t handled appropriately or professionally in my opinion. The views are great though!

Ryan Moze

The staff were excellent. Everyone was friendly and extremely helpful. However, I think the rooms and facilities are probably a bit less updated and well appointed than I would expect for a four star property. Nonetheless, I would still recommend the hotel, especially if you are looking to be close to Casteries.

Kurt I

Where do I begin? The stay at Bel Jou was incredible. The setting is so beautiful and relaxing, with luscious gardens well tended by the groundskeepers, incredible sea views and overlooking Castries’ lights at night. Two key elements really make this hotel incredible. We had ‘partial sea view’ rooms, these were spacious and clean, although may benefit from an update soon. Both of these had two beds, large closets and nice bathrooms but the best part was watching the sunset from the terrace. The amenities at Bel Jou were partly what drew us to it, having the Veranda buffet restaurant overlooking the gardens, sea and Castries, the rooftop bar with even more views, the Hummingbird and la carte restaurant, two pool areas and more such as table tennis area. The amenities did not disappoint. The hillside location means you aren’t directly beachfront which is what I would normally look for, but there are plenty of free shuttles to the local beach (Vigie beach) which has free lounge chairs for the guests, beautiful stretch of sand, amenities such as washrooms and bars but best of all, it is not full of boats in front of the beach like you get at Anse Chastanet and Sugar Beach. The fact the hotel is on the hillside means you get the glorious views and a more relaxing experience overall. To add to this experience I had a 30 minute massage at the sugar cane spa on-site which I would highly recommend. The hotel is the smallest All-Inclusive on the island but it has to be one of the best because of its size. It is adults only but it is perfect for solo travellers, couples and adult families visiting. It does not have elevators/lifts so there are plenty of steps. The views are incredible, the rooms very comfortable, the amenities fantastic but what really made the experience so fantastic and forever memorable was the food/drinks and the team at the Bel Jou. The food prepared by head Chef Alvin and his team was consistently delicious, full of variety and flavour. They even use their own-grown items from the garden. The quality of the food was reflected across the Verandah buffet and the Hummingbird a-la-carte. We had the opportunity to meet Alvin during a Creole cooking masterclass and experience first hand his passion and talent for cooking. The best part about our stay at the Bel Jou? That has to be the team. I cannot name them all but genuinely every person at the hotel made us feel so welcome and so happy at every interaction from General Manager Dean La Force, Naila and team at the front desk and more. I celebrated my birthday at the a-la-carte Hummingbird restaurant and had a great time thanks to Kisha and Kasha. Vionce was so insightful and friendly at the rooftop bar. Tinika and team at Lulu’s Cabana took great care of us making drinks and desserts every day. At the Verandah buffet, all the chefs were incredibly talented, the servers Madrina, Natari, Sam, Shanel, Brendon, Kayah, Princess and the entire team made sure we always had a brilliant meal with a smile and island style. Jeffrey was excellent at the guest entertainment and provided us with opportunities such as listening to the best steelpan and drums on the island followed by a fire dance show on our BBQ night. This was our first time visiting St Lucia and I would love to visit again. When I do, I will be staying at the Bel Jou because there is nowhere else I would rather stay thanks to the incredible team working there.

Emma D

Wonderful little spot for a honeymoon or romantic vacation. We loved halcyon for the second half of our honeymoon and the staff is very attentive. We got massages from Celine and Vanessa and they were very relaxing and just what we needed to end the vacation. I will say that the resort is pretty close to that highway and it does add the occasional loud noise that can be disruptive to some. Loved it here and would love to return otherwise

Mark Hyne

We booked this holiday to mark a special Birthday for us both, so it was far away and above anything that we had booked before. We were a little nervous of what it would be like, how would other people be, our first long haul etc etc, but we could not have been happier! The staff right from when we arrived until we left were just amazing. So friendly, so helpful, and make you feel part of a large family. I didn't feel like there was any difference between if you were a couple who can go here twice a year to a couple who had to save 3 years to come here. The other guests were lovely too, we met quite a few people and it was great to learn about other people as well as take a drink with them. We went to all 3 resorts, and I think each one has a different vibe that will suit different peoples needs. We wanted a quite, relaxing time and the Halcyon hit that nail firmly on the head. The grounds are so gorgeous, the beach is metres away from most rooms, I'm fussy with food, but I was able to stuff myself stupid everyday!! By the end of any holiday, I am always ready to come home, this time I wish I had booked the extra few days as we were there for 10 days. I've done nothing since I've been back other than work out ways I can get back there for another holiday. If you are deliberating if you've never been here before, I can virtually promise you, its almost impossible for it to not live up to, or exceed your expectations.

Jacqui Sanford

An outstanding an exceptional vacation destination! Thank you to all the hard working staff for their friendly and attentive ways which made us feel welcomed and pampered. You made our 30th wedding anniversary truly magical and special. I would like to especially thank Josie who walked the beach endlessly to make sure we had drinks and snacks as we enjoyed the beauty of the Caribbean Ocean. On word of caution, be aware of the sales people who walk the beach. They are friendly, but can be persistent in trying to sell their products. I realize Sandals has no control over this, but it can be off putting.

Cheryl

We had an amazing time at Halcyon Beach. The grounds are beautiful with flowers blooming at every turn. The staff at Halcyon are incredibly helpful and went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed and had an amazing stay. Our room was a bit dated and damp, but we still enjoyed ourselves. I loved the Paradise and Lagoon pools but also had a great time swimming at the beach. We especially enjoyed spending a day at the Grande where we opted to rent a beach front cabana. We also had a great time snorkeling with Sandals and on the catamaran sunset cruise. It was an amazing vacation.

Megan Glenn

The grounds of Halcyon Beach are absolutely stunning! They take such great care of the gardens and it smells magnificent. I stayed in the newly built beachfront Jolie rooms and they are gorgeous. I can't wait to go back!

Gloria Bowden

We are glad we stayed at Anse Chastanet, BUT there are some major caveats that you should look into before booking a stay. First the good: the location near the base of the pitons is gorgeous, the sunset sail on the Susie Q sailboat was phenomenal, the secondary beach of Anse Mamin (a 10 minute walk away from the main beach) is stunning and quiet, the kayak excursion to the pitons was fun and challenging, and the service at meals was efficient and friendly. Now the caveats: most importantly, the unpaved road to the resort is absolutely appalling. We arrived at night in a rental car and it was a horrible experience - it took us over 20 minutes to go less than a mile and it was bumpy, steep and dangerous. If you have a bad back or neck or motion sickness, this is not the place for you. We didn't leave the resort or do any excursions outside of the resort because of the road. We will not come back here or try Jade Mountain because of the road situation. Second, the food is just OK. I am surprised at the good reviews of the food; it was fine but nothing special (and you are basically trapped there so have no alternative). Third, the best rooms with views are open-air and not air-conditioned. We knew this, so selected a beach room with AC. It was fine but nothing special. We selected AC over hot and buggy and glad we did but just know that you cannot get the best of both worlds here. Finally, there seemed to be a lot of paperwork and lack of trust of guests (waivers, signing for everything even when breakfast and dinner are included etc). All in all, it was a lovely place with some positives, but not a place we would return.

Steve Rebeiro

All staff friendly and could answer any question asked. They added personal touches and surprises every other day! Excursions and resort facilities were fantastic. Enough water sports and snorkelling areas. Food was fantastic with plenty of choices. Room spacious, clean and wonderful views of the pitons.

Adam Popovits

Just getting around to reviewing after having visited in October 2023 for honeymoon. Upon arrival, we were pleased to discover that our room was upgraded and we even had a choice of two different rooms. We settled with the room that has a large tree growing from the shower floor. While the room was incredible and breathtaking upon entry, we did miss the view of the Pitons. The shower also had a very slow drain, causing frightening gurgles in the dual sinks while draining. We knew about the open-air concept of these rooms, but were unprepared for the symphony of tree frogs throughout the night and the rude sun awakening us in the morning. The room did come with earplugs and eye masks, but nothing seemed to mask the glorious nature of Saint Lucia. The in-room amenities were plentiful and nearby water bottle filling station kept us hydrated. The espresso machine in our room was a favorite of ours, especially when paired with our handmade chocolate. Definitely take advantage of the shuttles to get around the resort. A couple of days walking the stairs and steps will have you hurting well into arriving home from vacation. Anyone that has visited Anse Chastanet via wheeled vehicle can tell you that the road leading to and from the resort is atrocious. After going out for one day of self-guided excursions, we decided to spend the rest of our time at the resort to avoid the road. Maybe this is a premeditated strategy to keep people at the resort, or maybe to keep the riffraff out? Either way, we found that with the rental car it’s best to go faster and get the drive over with. The beach was wonderful and the snorkeling area was impressive to say the least. We wandered over to Anse Mamin and were blown away by its seclusion and beauty. The food was pretty good, but nothing really stood out as overly impressive. The drinks were good, but we were confused why “craft cocktails” section is not included in the all-inclusive plan. It’s not really all-inclusive if you’re having to pay for alcohol. We did not realize this the first night and ordered more than a couple. Once we realized the next day, we asked around and got the same answer from all staff that those drinks will be charged to our room along with all other top-shelf liquors that we order. We did order more of the craft cocktails throughout our stay and expected to see them on our final bill, but no sign of them when reviewing the check out paperwork at the airport. We took the sunset cruise offered through the resort, which was delightful. However, this was also omitted from our final bill at checkout, which we didn’t notice as we were rushing to get to the airport. It wasn’t until a week later the resort emailed to say they were charging my card on file for the cruise excursion. Overall, the stay was good and we found out quickly why everybody raves about the service. The staff makes it a point to treat you like royalty. Our stay at Anse Chastanet was truly a unique, once in a lifetime experience that we will remember for the rest of our lives.

captain burks

Nick and Karolin have done an amazing job and their staff is the best! This was my second time to Anse Chastanet (the first was about 10 years ago). The location, the food, the service all are outstanding! Perhaps the best part are the people, they all care, are happy to help and go out of their way to make sure your stay is perfect. I will return again for sure - but I wont be waiting so long!

Ondra Mastik

Five star experience. I stayed in the hotel for one week, everything was perfect. I am giving only 4 stars though, because of the hotel policy to always having to stay in sight when borrowing a kayak / paddle board. I understand they might be concerned about our safety, but on the other hand I am an adult and I believe it's up to me to decide what is safe for me or not. If I knew they had this stupid policy, I would bring my own kayak.

Storme Freeeman

Absolutely the best vacation ever! The resort is beautiful. The beach is gorgeous. Our room was perfect! Our daughter got married in the over water chapel and it was enchanting. The wedding planner and photographer were so friendly and helpful. We vacation a lot and have been on several cruises. Sandals outdoes any cruise!

Susan Allen

We had a wonderful time at Sandals Grande St Lucian. Beautiful grounds, pool and beach. We did have Butler Service, all three were wonderful. Entire staff was attentive and super nice. Good food, drinks and entertainment. Relaxing spa and great massages. Complaint with the room. There was only a mattress on boards, no box spring, not even a pillow top. Could tell that there had been a different set up before because the mattress was smaller then the base area. Had to change rooms because of a leak. Second mattress was worst so the wonderful staff actually brought us the mattress from the first room. Have been to three other Sandals whose beds were much more comfortable.

Connie Conrad

Sandals is definitely not worth the money. I paid for an oceanfront room and I had a view of the parking lot. Front desk personnel told me too bad that’s the way it is. I believe these people need to be retrained in the hospitality business. There were cockroaches in the bathroom, pool was always out of towels, and you had to get a chair by the pool by 6 AM, or there were none. They do not have enough chairs for the amount of people they have booked. After 10 PM, there is absolutely no nightlife. The food was very good and the service by the pool bars are excellent. The trip to and from the hotel was very long and the bus they used cannot make it up the hills. They do need better transportation. On the way home we rented the helicopter to take us to the airport which was fantastic. The rooms are outdated . The rooms were not stocked with coffee, and when we called the front desk, no one ever showed up with coffee. I have been on many inclusive, and sandals is the worst.

Ashley Simon

We returned from Sandals Grande a couple of weeks ago. We took the helicopter to the resort and the ferry to the airport trying to avoid the shuttle. The ferry is a must, we had the best time. The resort is beautiful and the grounds are well maintained. The beach wasn’t as clean as most resorts we have been to. There was quite a bit of litter- which was surprising. But the views are incredible. Service at the resort was disappointing. We felt as though we were inconveniencing everyone and the bar service was incredibly slow. We spoke with lots of couples while there and they felt the service was not that of a 5 star resort. The food was very good! We loved Soy and Margarita was a great server.

mike spiewak

Overall, we had An excellent experience at the grand St. Lucian. Food and variety restaurants were outstanding. The staff was very friendly and very helpful all the time. Jesse made us tasty omelettes every day, and we always found good choices on their menus. The Sushi, the Bombay Indian restaurant , and Gordon’s on the pier were all outstanding. It is good to reserve an earlier time for faster service. We snorkeled right off the beach and had a great time The only negative is that our ocean view room faces the road and when people started to party at the public beach down the road it was quite noisy up to 11 or 12 PM We would go back, we would just book a different room It is the best of the sandals on St. Lucia in my opinion We did go to the La Toc resort One day, fabulous meal, looking out into the Caribbean sunset and the service, the shuttle to and from different resorts, is included We also took advantage of the guided hike to pigeon Island and the included snorkel trip to the point We had a great time and we booked another trip with the company.

Aline G. Montavon

We’re glad to have chosen a smaller resort for our first visit to St Lucia. Our favorite part was definitely the LOCATION and atmosphere of StolenTime. They’re in an excellent stretch of beach with a beautiful view. It’s a small resort with a cozy and comfortable feel. The main part of Castries is 1 mile away for those who like to explore on their own. Service was also excellent. Every single person treated us very well and were always asking how we were doing and if we needed anything. Chef Gavin went above and beyond when my husband was looking for fries one night. Also the guys at the water sports were really helpful and accommodating, especially Jay, Nelly and Dean. The one thing that could be better was the food. With the exception of the Malabar restaurant, all the other options were a little repetitive and sometimes bland. We missed more seafood options overall. All in all, we absolutely loved our week at this place and are even planning to come back in the near future.

Derrick Mcdonald

Wow, simply wow. Fabulous all inclusive resort. The attention to detail by the staff is in my opinion, impeccable. We have been treated so well by all staff we have been in contact with. From the gardeners, maintenance men,bar staff and restaurant staff. Such lovely people. And management staff also. So many nice touches in this hotel which has left me wanting to come back. And this is my 1st time here. Location wise it's pretty much in the heart of Castries. There is a small airport behind the complex with some private jets and also commercial aircraft coming and going. Didn't bother me in the slightest. And if you're a beach lover like I am, the beach is fantastic.

Stephanie H

Don't hesitate to book!!! Absolutely amazing holiday. We Cant stop raving about our trip. From the cold towels and greeting at the airport by the hotel, to arriving after the hour drive, it was superb. Staff is extremely hard working and will go above and beyond. We were celebrating our anniversary and we were greeted with champagne and always taken care of. Food is outstanding, and the drinks were delicious. We really appreciated the poolside and beachside service throughout the day. You don't even have to get up to get a drink. Beds were so comfortable. Ac was great in the room. The staff never rushed you, and you really felt like the only person at the hotel sometimes. Activities galore if you're into that. Beach isn't private so locals will hang and swim on the beach, but they don't use the hotel amenities. You can always eat and drink, there are so many options. evening entertainment was fun. I really enjoyed the champagne bar. Best of all, the grounds, scenery, and nature sounds were beautiful. There is a tiny airport nearby so you may hear planes from time to time.

Jithu Ramesh

We are so glad we went with StolenTime! The resort is so perfectly maintained, the rooms are nice, the service is exceptional. Things we loved: - the amount of activities and entertainment planned! - the excursion options- Seth was awesome. - the staff and the service the provided! Wendell, Tasha, Gary! - the amount of water sports and the water sports team! Thanks Jay and Lincoln! - the quality of the food! It was so good. - the special treats for Valentine’s Day and the catamaran ride! The cons: - the bathroom didn’t really have a true door and sometimes a little mystery between partners is good! :) - not having a buffet dinner option. While the food on the terrace was amazing, when they turned the terrace to restaurant service, it would take about 2-3 hours to finish dinner. Felt like the staff were overwhelmed and we felt so bad because everyone sits down for dinner at the same time. Would encourage them to think about more buffet dinner nights.

Rich Harris

This place is supremely relaxing and the staff are friendly, kind and attentive. It might not be your thing if you want an energetic holiday with younger adults (I am in my 50s and amongst the younger presently here!) but if you want to eat well, drink well, relax well and tan well then it is superb. The two a la carte restaurants are excellent - especially the beach one at lunchtime - and there are plenty of activities, on water, on land, during the day and in the evening, to dip into or not, according to your preferences. To be honest, I cannot fault it at all (and, unlike a previous reviewer, was not bothered by the temporary loss of hot water - I used the sea/swimming pools instead!). We were here for 9 days and I hope we will be back. The afternoon tea and champagne hour were particular highlights, but the best thing of all is the staff, who made us feel so welcome.

Nivedya Ashokan

We stayed here for our honeymoon and it was magical! The views were spectacular and the open-wall concept was quite the experience. The staff were very attentive and professional. Landscaping work on property was wonderful and make sure to not miss their garden tour :)

Andy Cullen

Unique experience. Rooms are remarkable, with one side completely open, no windows or curtains, overlooking the Pitons. Completely private, room is not overlooked. Ours came with plunge pool, loungers, sofa, table and chairs. Bed was up stairs in separate area. Spacious bathroom at back. Food and drinks excellent. Service attentive. Free yoga classes (with Anson) excellent.

Ari Baum

Stop reading this review and book Ladera as soon as humanly possible. Having stayed at several properties in Saint Lucia, we certainly note that Ladera is more expensive than many others. What we found is that the difference in price is absolutely justified and then some. It should also be noted that the less expensive hotels are disproportionately worse, especially in terms of service. The people who work at Ladera are kind, generous, and thoughtful. We have traveled extensively to hundreds of extraordinary hotels and resorts around the world. Ladera is not necessarily the "nicest" or "most beautiful" but it's pretty close on both. But the adjectives to describe it do not exist. Stop reading this review and book Ladera as soon as humanly possible. Whatever the price difference is between Ladera and the next option(s) you are considering, come back and read this review.

David Wallace

This was by far the most breathtaking place I’ve ever traveled. The photos and the videos do not do it a true justice to the beauty of this resort or the island. The resort is unique and over the top. Everything from the food, views, service and amenities were all above our expectations. We canceled a lot of our excursions just to enjoy the room and resort. Very intimate and set up for couples, no kids, no large parties. It will hold a very special place is our heart.

André Marques

We came here just for lunch, so we can't comment on the rooms and facilities. However, this place is certainly beautiful! And the views from the restaurant are outstanding! It was well worth our visit (we came on a cruise excursion), the food was great and the staff very friendly. They also have a nice souvenir shop with good quality items.

Josephine Auchterlonie

We just had our honeymoon at Serenity and WOW, we cannot say enough good things about this place! The thing that stood out to us most was the customer service; literally every single staff member that we came in contact with was kind, considerate, and up-beat. A huge thank you to our butler Kimberly, who went above and beyond to make our time here amazing! All of our bartenders, servers, pool staff, and housekeeping were truly amazing and we are so thankful. On top of the exceptional customer service, the food, cleanliness, and grounds up-keeping were top-notch. All of our food and drinks were so good that we ate all of our meals at the Greathouse! Our room was serviced multiple times a day and was always super clean. We even were able to do laundry a couple of times! The suites themselves are absolutely perfect and very private. Overall, we could not recommend this resort enough, and we hope to be back!

Troy Butterfield

We have traveled around the world and rarely do we go back to a place we have been before. In 2020 my wife and I went to Serenity at Coconut Bay. We had a great time. Some friends asked us to go back so we agreed. The 2nd time was even better than the first. They have upped their level of service 100 fold. The staff was great especially our butler Ethan and Sabby one of the many great food servers. My wife commented, "it has been the best customer service we have experienced while traveling". We had some special requests and they accommodated us in ways that went above and beyond. All of the staff thanked all guests many times about choosing Serenity when there are thousands of resorts around the world. Go and have a great experience.

Triniman

We had our wedding here and let me just say the staff made everything a dream come true. All of our guests still can't stop talking about this place. My wife and I stayed at Serenity (Adults Only) while our guests stayed at Coconut Bay (Family side). Onita was our wedding coordinator and Davidson was our butler, they were both by far our saving grace the entire stay, they went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. The food here is amazing, drinks were on point as well, all our guests have life long memories of our special union and still talk about it to this day. A special shout out to the coconut man Jonathan who makes the most amazing drinks out of coconut husks.(We got married Feb 2023 sorry for the late review by the way). I'm so happy with everything about Coconut Bay and Serenity, we will definitely go back hoping to see the staff members that created such a unique experience for us and our guests.

Sarah Schick

My husband and I stayed at Serenity for our honeymoon. We spent 8 days and wish we could have stayed longer! Both the resort and the island were INCREDIBLE! We cannot say enough great things about the staff at both Serenity and Coconut Bay (the main resort). Our butler, Alli, was not only extremely helpful at all times but planned our whole experience perfectly. She made sure we got the most out of our time and the amenities at the resort and on the island, all while still balancing our quality alone time and relaxation. Our bartenders (Kevin, Ray, and Dillon) were also super helpful and great to hang out with. We also loved our time with Natoya and Natasha! Saying everyone is friendly and willing to help is an understatement. The food at Serenity should not be overlooked. Every meal we ate felt like a gourmet experience. We weren’t sure what to expect about the quality of food at an all-inclusive, but it truly exceeded all of our expectations. We also highly recommend checking out the Jerk Shack in Coconut Bay. Safe to say that between the gorgeous island, luxurious resort experience, and all the friends we made during our stay, we will absolutely be returning for future anniversaries. Thank you to everyone at Serenity!

Jodie & Jake

We honeymooned here, and it was AMAZING! The food was legitimately 5 stars each meal. The room and resort were perfect, they were intimate but fun at the same time. The most wonderful part of this trip was the staff - every single person was so kind, thoughtful, and just above our expectations. We want to thank Nerissa, Cornella, Kevin, and Charles - but I know we are forgetting to mention folks who were just so amazing! We had a few excursions including the tour of the island, and the sunset cruise - and we would definitely recommend.