Balenbouche Estate

Top choice in St Lucia


Between Choiseul and Laborie you'll find this tranquil 18th-century estate home with an eco-bent, comprising six simple yet delightful garden cottages. You'll feel like you’ve stepped back in time here. The cottages don't have air-conditioning but are designed to catch plenty of breeze and most feature inviting indoor-outdoor bathrooms. There is no pool, but there are two dark-colored sandy beaches nearby.

Try to get 'Water Lily' – an octagonal cottage with high wooden ceilings that is surrounded by clumps of bamboo and forest and feels a like a hidden tree house. Meals are available on request.

Even if you don't stay it's worth coming for the day (admission EC$10) to stroll round the grounds and visit the truly atmospheric jungle-covered mill ruins.

There is good birdwatching here, too, with over 30 species recorded on the grounds.