Spend a few days on a working cocoa plantation exploring the lush rainforest and iconic Pitons of Saint Lucia's south before heading to the north coast to relax on the beach.
3 nights Saint Lucia Pitons, including breakfast; 7 nights Bay Gardens Beach Resort, including breakfast. Includes flights and transfers
12 days from £1,993pp
Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our Saint Lucia specialists on 01993 838 275
On the beach - 7 days
Bay Gardens Beach Resort
Locally owned and lovingly cared for, Bay Gardens Beach Resort is set in a series of low-rise plantation-style buildings on Reduit Beach, one of Saint Lucia's most popular. Its relaxed Caribbean charm and great value ensures it sees plenty of return guests.
Just a short walk from lively Rodney Bay and with plenty of life around Reduit Beach’s long stretch of golden sand, Bay Gardens is a great base for active pursuits and sampling the local restaurants and nightlife. The colourful exteriors and plantation styled buildings are a lovely echo of Saint Lucia’s past and traditions and although relatively small and compact, Bay Gardens has plenty of modern facilities including a pool, complimentary sailing, paddle boarding and kayaking. Scuba diving, waterskiing and wakeboarding are also available. Just off the beach, an inflatable water park is great fun for families. Enjoy a spa treatment in a beachside gazebo, play a round of golf, or visit nearby Martinique or historic Pigeon Island. Bay Gardens also offers a choice of dining options, with beachfront meals at Hi-Tide Beachside Restaurant and Sea Grapes Restaurant offering a choice of Caribbean and European cuisine.
Simple but spacious, the 78 rooms are well cared for and all have a balcony or patio. Choose pool or beach views, or opt for one of a number of self-catering suites if travelling as a family.
Before the beach - 4 days
The Pitons
Head south to explore Saint Lucia's Pitons, a prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site dominated by two volcanic spires that rise dramatically out of the sea. Home to Sulphur Springs Park, a drive-in extinct volcano, and excellent hiking, it is a fascinating area to explore. You can climb the Pitons for breathtaking views, visit historic Soufrière village, and enjoy the wonderful botanic gardens and healing hot springs at Diamond Falls, a beautiful waterfall coloured by mineral deposits. Offshore, you'll find the island's best dives sites teeming with marine life.
Set on a 250-year-old working cocoa estate, surrounded by lush rainforest, Fond Doux offers a charmingly rustic and authentic Saint Lucian experience. Its 15 plantation-style cottages nestle on the hillside amongst the dense vegetation.
Bay Gardens Beach Resort
78 rooms, 2 restaurants, 1 pool
Description
This great value hotel is owned and lovingly cared for by a Saint Lucian family. Sitting on one of the island’s most popular beaches, the Bay Gardens Beach Resort overlooks a long stretch of golden sand and is within easy reach of plenty of bars and restaurants.
For families
Children of all ages are very welcome and the hotel offers a children's playground, indoor playroom and an extensive kids' programme for 4 years and older.
The One Bedroom Suites are particularly suitable for families given their extra space and kitchen facilities.
Our opinion
Set on one of Saint Lucia’s best beaches, Bay Gardens’ location is one of its key attractions. Set close to a multitude of bars and restaurants yet at the quieter end of the beach, this great value hotel is obviously well looked after. Care has been taken in the style and layout of the resort from the small but pretty beachfront gardens to beautiful flower arrangements of local flowers in the lobby.
Rooms
Just 78 rooms occupy the low rise buildings which are arranged along the beachfront and in a horseshoe shape around the lagoon-shaped pool. Rooms are simply decorated with fresh, bright colours and tiled floors. All have air conditioning, ceiling fan, fridge and balcony or patio.
Deluxe Garden View Room
Offering spacious accommodation with king or two queen size beds. These rooms are closer to the lobby with views of the tropical gardens.
Deluxe Pool View Room
These rooms are on the ground floor in the centre of the property and are situated around the delightful lagoon-shaped pool. They feature a private patio from which to enjoy the view.
Deluxe Beach Front Room
Directly in front of the beach, these rooms are perfectly situated to enjoy the gorgeous sunsets from your balcony or patio.
One Bedroom Pool View Suite
Luxuriously appointed and offering a separate living area with an additional sofa bed, these are ideal for families or for those couples who appreciate more space. They also come with a full kitchen and a dining area.
One Bedroom Beach Front Suite
The One Bedroom Beachfront Suite feature a separate bedroom and a living room with full kitchen and dining area. The beachfront location allows for beautiful sea views.
Two bedroom pool view suite
Interconnected with a Deluxe Room and a One Bedroom Suite, the Two Bedroom Suites provide ample space for large families and groups, as they sleep up to 6 people.
Two Bedroom Beach Front Suite
The Two Bedroom Beachfront Suites offer plenty of space and are made up of an interconnecting Deluxe Room and One Bedroom Suite, set at the beachfront for an enviable position.
Pictures of the rooms
Activities, diving & excursions
The hotel has a lagoon-shaped pool, a fitness room and offers complimentary non-motorised water sports including sailing, paddle boarding and kayaking. Scuba diving, waterskiing, wakeboarding and tubing are available at an additional cost.
There is also a daily activities programme which includes aqua aerobics, beach volleyball and Caribbean dance classes.
There isn’t a dive centre at the hotel but they can organise your diving through Dive Saint Lucia who can cater for all levels from complete beginners to more advanced divers.
Food & drink
Hi-Tide Beachside Restaurant offers casual beachfront dining serving traditional and international dishes and is open all day. There is also plenty of dining choice in the local area.
Guests who have chosen to book the All Inclusive supplement also have a "Dine Around" option whereby they can eat at local restaurants as part of their All Inclusive package.
Spa Facilities
A number of spa treatments are available and can be taken in the small but charming spa or in the beachside gazebo.
The Pitons
Location: Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia is an intriguing blend of cultures originating from the island’s first Amerinidian inhabitants as well as French and British colonists who bought African slaves to the island during the slave trade. Although English is the main language, most islanders still speak Kweyol, similar to French.
The southwest coast, characterised by silvery-black volcanic sands and steep hills blanketed in rainforest, is also where you’ll find Saint Lucia’s second city, Soufrière, and the twin Piton mountains, the island’s most iconic natural wonder. The coastline in this part of the island is punctuated by hidden coves and colourful reefs that offer incredible snorkeling and diving, while the wilder Atlantic coast to the east has barely been touched by tourism.
The northwest is home to the charming capital, Castries, along with the majority of the resorts. The beaches in this part of the island tend towards the Caribbean idyll of sweeping golden beaches and swaying palms, and nightlife centres around the characterful restaurants and buzzing bars of Rodney Bay Village.
The mountainous interior is still home to many banana and cocoa plantations, once the mainstay of the island’s economy, and it’s also ideal terrain for hiking, climbing, birdwatching or ziplining through the jungle canopy. It’s not all about high octane adventure though; Saint Lucia is also one of the most romantic destinations in the Caribbean, equally suited to relaxation and luxurious indulgence.
Fond Doux Plantation and Resort
Accommodation: Fond Doux Plantation and Resort
Family owned and run, this simple, but delightful resort is situated amidst a 250 year old working cocoa plantation in the rainforest and is a nature lovers’ paradise.
The 15 cottages here are a great base from which to explore the stunning scenery of the south of the island and there are also nature trails running through the estate’s 135 acres.
Fond Doux Plantation has a beautifully rustic, traditional charm that makes it feel a world away from more traditional holiday resorts and is a great way to experience Saint Lucia's heritage and natural beauty.
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 1
Board your plane for the flight to Saint Lucia.
On your arrival in Saint Lucia you will be met by our representative and escorted to your driver. The private transfer to Fond Doux Plantation and Resort will take approximately 45 minutes, winding along the coast and through small villages and towns into the rainforest.
Day 2
Today is at leisure to explore the beautiful surroundings of this World Heritage areas as you wish. Surrounded by lush rainforest and within striking distance of the dramatic, volcanic spires of the Pitons, Fond Doux is well placed to explore the south.
Fond Doux is a historic plantation and they offer complimentary tours where you will find out about the history and the chocolate making process. Nature trails weave through the estate or if you'd like to venture further afield, take a guided hike along the nearby Tet Paul Trail.
Day 3
On your second day at leisure, you might like to climb Gros Piton for incredible views or take an easier hike through the rainforest.
Day 4
Today you will have a private transfer to Bay Gardens Beach Resort on the north coast. This will take approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. As you travel north you will see the island change from lush, secluded rainforest to a busier, livelier atmosphere with beautiful beaches.
Bay Gardens Beach Resort is set on one of the island's best beaches within easy reach of a good range of shops, restaurants and bars. It is also well placed to explore the attractions of the north.
Day 5
Today you might like to explore Pigeon Island, a living museum with a number of interesting historic sights as well as two beautiful beaches and panoramic views.
Day 6
There's a choice of watersports at the hotel to keep you busy today as well as a daily activities programme and kids club. A number of land, sea and air excursions can be arranged, perhaps a sunset cruise this evening, setting sail from Rodney Bay?
Day 7
If you are here on a Friday, don't miss the regular Fish Fry, a bustling street party with fresh seafood, music and rum punch.
Days 8 - 10
At leisure.
Day 11
Today you will have a private transfer to the airport back in the south of the island which will take approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Board your plane for the flight home.
Day 12
Arrive home.
Start planning your trip with Audley
Tailoring your trip
This itinerary is designed to give you a flavour of what is possible.
We can tailor this trip to suit your specific requirements
Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered, from excursions to accommodation
How to book
Contact a Hidden Beach specialist
Whether you wish to plan your trip around this itinerary idea or you have other ideas, please do get in touch by phone or online. If using our online form, a destination specialist will contact you by phone to discuss your requirements.
Discuss your requirements
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Confirm your trip
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Stay in touch
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