Though the island is mostly famous for its sophisticated resorts, there are quite a few hotels in St. Lucia that live up to the same high standards. The island's predilection for all-inclusive St. Lucia resorts – almost all located directly on the beach – means that many of the hotels and villas are not on the water. But what you can afford on St. Lucia is the key – this is definitely not one of the cheaper islands in the Caribbean.
The majority of St. Lucia resorts are in three areas: Rodney Bay, Castries and Soufriere, all on the Caribbean side of the island. The rest of St. Lucia is bathed in mountains and forests – where lodgings are sparsely found, though the city of Vieux Fort on the southern tip has a few to offer. The Coconut Bay Resort St. Lucia has been the heart of many a vacation and honeymoon, but most of the St. Lucia hotels are by the airport, however, and not on the beach.
Of the three main areas, Castries is the most popular place to find villas or hotels in St. Lucia. Far more developed than most of the island, Castries is home to everything that makes St. Lucia so enticing: the beaches, the shopping, the fine rum and the shadows of nature resting in the background. Regardless, many still prefer to stay at one of the posh St. Lucia resorts found here, such as Rendezvous (for couples only) or the Sandals Regency, a resort chain that has spread itself all across the shores of the Caribbean islands.
Rodney Bay is near the north tip, and here you'll find the closest thing to cheap St. Lucia hotels and resorts as you can hope for. The best value is the Caribbean Jewel Beach Resort – just up the hill from the bay. The Reduit Beach area is home to most of these bargain lodgings. The Bay Gardens hotel is probably the best bet for independent, budget conscious travelers, as long as you don't mind sharing your hotel with a large contingent of business people incongruously wearing suits and slacks in a beautiful beach locale.
Soufriere is by far the most traditional and likable setting on St. Lucia. The locals invariably consider Soufriere the best the island has to offer – the cultural center, and surrounded by the tropical Piton peaks and cobalt waters. Resorts and hotels in St. Lucia don't get much better than those at the bottom of Petit Piton. The Stonefield Estate is especially popular, as is the Hummingbird Beach resort which can look out into Soufriere Harbor or the Pitons, as you request. The Ladera is one of the most charming St. Lucia hotels and is located just a couple miles south of Soufriere, and is adjacent to Dasheene, St. Lucia's most elegant restaurant.
