All I am going to say is for everyone reading the reviews before they book the Jalousie - make your mind up yourself!!!
Everyone has different expectations from a holiday and I had very high expectations as I got married at the Jalousie, so for me everything had to be perfect and do you ... Read review
Location. The Jalousie Plantation in Soufrière, St. Lucia, is a French colonial style ... more
hotel located on one of the most beautiful islands in the southern Caribbean. The hotel is hugged by the majestic Piton Mountains and surrounded by white sandy beaches, daunting volcanoes, verdant gardens and azure waters. Sulphur Springs is located less than six kilometers from the hotel. Hotel Features. The hotel's four restaurants serve dishes ranging from burgers and fries to international cuisine and Creole inspired fare. Property amenities include an outdoor pool, fitness center and concierge desk. Sample treatments at the hotel's luxurious spa include sulphur mud baths for two with mineral waterfall showers. On the hillside, the forest nearly engulfs villas, rendering them invisible from below. Complimentary 24 hour shuttles transport guests around the resort. Guestrooms. This resort offers 112 guestrooms, villas, and villa suites in one story wood and fieldstone villas and in two six room, two story buildings. All are arranged on a steep, forested hillside and on a lower slope along the bay. Furnishings include white tile floors, pottery, white furniture with bright trim, and cushioned dark rattan chairs. Violet netting is draped above headboards. Makeup alcoves have mirrors, counters and benches. Marble bathrooms include bidets, bathrobes, and telephones. Televisions feature VCRs. Villa Mountain and Ocean View suites offer private plunge pools. Expert Tip. A café adjoins the resort and offers seaside settings that enhance romantic Caribbean meals. This café hosts what is regarded among locals as St. Lucia's best Caribbean show with music, dance, stilt walkers, fire eaters. Lord Glenconner, a Scotsman who lives next door and developed Mustique as an island getaway for Princess Margaret, Mick Jagger, and others counted among the rich and famous, ownsand frequents the café.
Information: :Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Location. The Jalousie Plantation in Soufrière, St. Lucia, is a French colonial style ... more
hotel located on one of the most beautiful islands in the southern Caribbean. The hotel is hugged by the majestic Piton Mountains and surrounded by white sandy beaches, daunting volcanoes, verdant gardens and azure waters. Sulphur Springs is located less than six kilometers from the hotel. Hotel Features. The hotel's four restaurants serve dishes ranging from burgers and fries to international cuisine and Creole inspired fare. Property amenities include an outdoor pool, fitness center and concierge desk. Sample treatments at the hotel's luxurious spa include sulphur mud baths for two with mineral waterfall showers. On the hillside, the forest nearly engulfs villas, rendering them invisible from below. Complimentary 24 hour shuttles transport guests around the resort. Guestrooms. This resort offers 112 guestrooms, villas, and villa suites in one story wood and fieldstone villas and in two six room, two story buildings. All are arranged on a steep, forested hillside and on a lower slope along the bay. Furnishings include white tile floors, pottery, white furniture with bright trim, and cushioned dark rattan chairs. Violet netting is draped above headboards. Makeup alcoves have mirrors, counters and benches. Marble bathrooms include bidets, bathrobes, and telephones. Televisions feature VCRs. Villa Mountain and Ocean View suites offer private plunge pools. Expert Tip. A café adjoins the resort and offers seaside settings that enhance romantic Caribbean meals. This café hosts what is regarded among locals as St. Lucia's best Caribbean show with music, dance, stilt walkers, fire eaters. Lord Glenconner, a Scotsman who lives next door and developed Mustique as an island getaway for Princess Margaret, Mick Jagger, and others counted among the rich and famous, owns and frequents the café.
Information: :Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Advantages: The most amazing hidden jem in the world Disadvantages: The roads!!!
...reviews before they book the Jalousie - make your mind up yourself!!!
Everyone has different expectations from a holiday and I had very high expectations as I got married at the Jalousie, so for me everything had to be perfect and do you know.... it was!!
The people were the most friendly I have ever come across and I will always have fond memories of everyone we met there. Yes the hotel is expensive if you do not go ... ...and the south where the Jalousie is situated you certainly need to travel to find things to do. Be warned the roads are not for the faint hearted. Nearby are the sulphur springs which are quite cheap just a few dollars where you can spend all day lazing in the springs and de-toxifying your body - the drive through volcano is nearby also and definitely worth a look - be wary of the smell though!!! I went horse riding for 2 hours and we trekked through ... more
All I am going to say is for everyone reading the reviews before they book the Jalousie - make your mind up yourself!!!
Everyone has different expectations from a holiday and I had very high expectations as I got married at the Jalousie, so for me everything had to be perfect and do you know.... it was!!
The people were the most friendly I have ever come across and I will always have fond memories of everyone we met there. Yes the hotel is expensive if you do not go All Inc but if you eat in The Pier or Plantation you will see why - the food is absolutely delicious!! Best steaks we have EVER had!!
We spent most of our time either on the beach or at our own pool so I cannot comment on the state of the main pool except there were always people in it! It was a large swimming pool that was surrounded by many loungers if you wante to escape from the lovely imported beach though why you would want to! The pool was was located near to the Bayside bar which caters for lunch and dinner. Lunch usually consists of burgers, hotdogs and salads - otherwise there is a buffet which changes nationality everyday. At night entertainment is provided several times a week - the firedancers are absolutely amazing and well worth watching - make sure you book though as it can get busy. On offer different nights is Caribbean food, American, Italian etc - try the rum bananas they are to die for!
For the more formal dining try the Plantation room which represents colonial time. The food there is out of this world and the presentation is absolutely stunning. Words can not describe the food though it is strange how I have to travel to St. Lucia to eat the best steak I have ever had - which is why we ate steak most nights - the duckling is so tender and well worth a try though you feel guilty for tucking in due to its presenation. Gentlemen are required to wear smart trousers and a collared shirt and women skirts or dresses - but it makes it special to dress up!
Bars are not open late so be warned - but as they open at abot 10:30 in the morning you can get a few strawberry daquiris in before final call!
Another restaurant to try is the Pier - it is not open every night but it is suituated on the boardwalk and is open air and looks over the ocean - at night it is so peaceful and tranquil - lots of boats moor up in the bay because it is peaceful and it is fun to watch out at them from the pier.
The spa is definitely worth a visit - they do a wonderful couples massage in a cabana which over looks the ocean - they place mirrors on the floor so that you can gaze at the most amazing view ever and drift off into a lovely daze while you are pampered from head to toe.
St. Lucia is not a busy island and the south where the Jalousie is situated you certainly need to travel to find things to do. Be warned the roads are not for the faint hearted. Nearby are the sulphur springs which are quite cheap just a few dollars where you can spend all day lazing in the springs and de-toxifying your body - the drive through volcano is nearby also and definitely worth a look - be wary of the smell though!!! I went horse riding for 2 hours and we trekked through the rainforest and to the drive through volcano though didnt go in - the horse trek can be organised through sun tours located in the hotel's reception and costs $70USD but it is definitely worth it - I had Coco and was told half way through the trek that he likes to see who is boss - I showed him!!
Castries is definitely worth a look for the duty free - but when purchasing drinks or ciggies they are sent to the plane - you cannot walk away with them there and then - if you smoke go to a local supermarket in Soufriere and you can buy them for around $1USD a pack. There is a huge market which spans across the road on two parts - most stalls sell exactly the same - t-shirts, hot sauce, jewellery etc - definitely barter!! Whilst there go to the Coal Pot (get a taxi) it is an amazing little restaurant on a barge on the marina - the portions are huge so work up and appetite before you go! You can travel to Castries from the hotel either by boat (organised through hotel) roughly $80USD takes 45 mins and then a little taxi ride - this is all included in price - can be a bit choppy. You can also organise a taxi - works out to be about $120/$130 round trip and the taxi driver will stay with you all day long. |We did from 9am till 6pm got back and went straight to bed! We didnt even drive either! On the way to Castries we picked up my parents from a nearby hotel - all taxis are like 10 seater Toyota vans and are very powerful - they need to be as the road are crazy and windy and hilly. En route we actually saw a car go off the side into a rain ditch - apparently that doesnt happen often! We took a direct route to Castries going through the oil refinery and the cocoa fields which stretched for absolute miles... chocolate heaven!! The taxi driver gave us lots of information it was great. On the way back we took a drive up to the top of the hill above Castries for a great photo opportunity and up to a little island where the Sandals hotels are. They re currently building a new road in Castries at the moment to cope with the traffic for the 2007 Cricket World Cup - they are very proud to be hosting this event and it shows.
The hotel mainly is for romantics and honeymooners wanting that idyllic quiet getaway though there were quite a few families whilst we were there. There are quite a few watersports such as kayaking, snorkelling in the marine reserve (we saw a barracuda - luckily it was a baby and on its own!!) definitely worth a look the wish were absolutely stunning - all gear is included in the All Inclusive price and can be picked up from the sports hut on the beach. They also organise treks up the Pitons (we decided against that!!) and sunset cruises so there is something to do everyday.
Though if you want to lounge on the crystal white imported beach and do nothing noone will blame you - you are provided with a flag which can be raised whenever you require a drink or food.
Each cottage is dotted around in the huge estate and most have plunge pools and either views of the mountain or ocean we were lucky enough to have room 101 and overlook the ocean and also be very private. We also had the advantage of being the closest cottage to the pier - I would recommed room 101, 108 and 302 - our friends who we met on holiday were in room 302 and had the most amazing view from their cottage and pool - it was not interrupted by trees and was a great suntrap. Whilst in the pool you can spot hummingbirds and lizards - one baby one ended up in our bathroom and when I caught him and put him outside our pool, attendant was shocked that I was not scared around the lizard. It was fortunately only a baby but would not like to have met his mum!
The cottages are very spacious with a sofa, table, chairs, tv, fridge, huge wardrobe with in built safe and a huge bathroom. They could offer a few more pillows but I slept like a baby most nights - the sound of the frogs can keep you awake on the first night but you get used to it and find it soothing quite quickly! All rooms are airconditioned and cleaned everyday along with the pool. You have fresh flowers placed in your room and also your shoes lined up as well which is very sweet!
All cottages have fridges and I strongly recommed taking a taxi ride - $10USD very approximately - round trip - to Soufriere which is about 10 mins away - it is the local village nearby and has a supermarket where you can stock up on cheap drinks and snacks - be warned the shower gel is same price in UK - though the shampoo is about 50p for a large bottle of L'oreal which is great value - as previously mentioned ciggies are also cheap. Be wary of people in the village and in Castries they will try giving you blades of grass made into brids and pieces of stone telling you how lucky you are etc but they expect money - the rastas are cool with their dreds and hats but view from a far.
Other than that everyone is friendly - only sour people we came across were the breakfast staff but while you sit in the Veranda overlooking the ocean while you tuck into you full English breakfast you forget that the breakfast staff do not smile all the time and when you order tea make sure you ask for English breakfast tea!!!
I am afraid I can not give exact prices for full board or all inclusive as it depends who you go with and which country you go from. We got a great deal through Virgin as it was our wedding so would recommend them to enquire with first.
Also befriend the shuttle bus drivers - they are the fount of all knowledge and love nothing more than a good gossip!!! Michael and Dave are lovely! Very scary the first time you go round but you get used to it and you never have to wait more than about 2 minutes for a shuttle.
The most amazing thing about the hotel is obviously its location and the fact it is a relaxing holiday. We met the most wonderful couple who renewed their vows on the same day as our wedding - they added that little extra sparkle to our holiday. It is very quiet at the hotel but us 4 were generally the last to leave the bar most nights (only open till 12!!)
We cannot fault anything about the hotel (which is probably a 4*) or the island. We will certainly be going back again!
There were a few people who complained about very minor things but at the end of the day we agreed if everything was perfect they would still find something to complain about. Just get on with it or move hotel.
We will never forget this holiday not only because we got married and left a piece of our hearts there but also because it is the best holiday we have ever had!!
ALSO if you are getting married - use Ray at Karay Media for your photographer. He is the most wonderful guy and the photos are absolutely amazing. You will not be disappointed at all!!! He is a perfectionist and the photos he takes for you show this. He is the greatest!!!!! :O)
