When we first landed in St Lucia, we knew we wanted to see more than just one side of the island. So, we ended up moving between Soufriere and Rodney Bay and realised the island has two totally different personalities depending on where you stay. The south is all about dramatic mountains, waterfalls and beautiful black and white sand beaches, while the north has the all inclusive resorts, nightlife and easy convenience.
That’s the thing about St Lucia – where you stay really shapes your experience. Some areas are perfect if you want an all-inclusive resort holiday, others are better if you’re chasing adventure and a few strike a balance somewhere in the middle. Choosing where to stay in St Lucia can totally change the feel of your trip.
So, if you’re wondering whether you should base yourself in Soufriere, Rodney Bay, Castries, Marigot Bay or somewhere in between, this guide will walk you through the best area to stay in St Lucia depending on what you’re after.
Is it Better to Stay North or South in St Lucia?
This is the big question and the answer depends entirely on the kind of trip you want.
North St Lucia is where you’ll find Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, Castries and Cap Estate. It’s busier, with the island’s main nightlife, shopping malls, supermarkets and a wide choice of restaurants. It’s easier to get around and more developed. The beaches up here are long, sandy and easy to access, which makes the north popular for families and if you’re visiting St Lucia for the first time. Most of the big all inclusive resorts are based here too.
South St Lucia is all about the Pitons. Around Soufriere and Choiseul you’ll find rainforest, waterfalls, volcanic hot springs and boutique hotels and guesthouses surrounded by nature. It feels quieter, more beautiful and more romantic. So the south of St Lucia is perfect if you’re here for hiking, adventure, diving or just a slower pace.
👉 If you want nightlife, beaches and convenience, the north is better.
👉 If you want scenery, romance and adventure, stay in the south.
Map of the Best Areas to Stay in St Lucia
If you’re still deciding where to stay in St Lucia, this map shows all the areas and hotels we’ve mentioned in this blog. From the all inclusive resorts in Gros Islet and Rodney Bay to boutique hotels in Marigot Bay and gorgeous hotels in Soufriere, you can see exactly where everything is on the island.
We’ve added each area we recommend, so you can zoom in, compare locations and even check current hotel prices.
1. Gros Islet & Cap Estate – Best for all inclusive resorts and golf
Just north of Rodney Bay, Gros Islet and Cap Estate are where you’ll find most all inclusive resorts, some of the island’s most impressive villas and it’s only 18-hole golf course at Cap Estate. It’s the perfect area to stay in St Lucia if you want a resort vacation with nice beaches and everything on your doorstep.
When we stayed in St Lucia, we walked from Rodney Bay up to Gros Islet to see the beach and wander around town. One night we joined the famous Gros Islet Friday Night Street Party (highly recommend for the food alone). We also drove up to Pigeon Island National Park and carried on into Cap Estate to check out the golf club and the beautiful villas around there. There’s plenty of tours and excursions to do.
- Why stay here: Big name resorts, close to Pigeon Island, access to golf, calm beaches like Smugglers Cove and plenty of restaurants and nightlife in nearby Rodney Bay.
- Best for: All inclusive resorts, couples who want amenities, families who want everything in one place.
- Downsides: It’s not as beautiful and local as the south and you’ll likely rely on taxis, excursions or car rentals in St Lucia (like we did) to get around.
Where to stay in Gros Islet/Cap Estate
If you’re going all out, Sandals Grande St Lucian has one of the best beachfront spots on the island. For something a little more boutique (and quieter), Cap Maison Resort & Spa is a really good option, while BodyHoliday is well known for its wellness focus and activity-packed schedule.
📍 See all Gros Islet and Cap Estate hotels on the map here
2. Rodney Bay – Best for nightlife and convenience
Rodney Bay is St Lucia’s main tourist area and honestly, it feels very different from the quieter parts of the island. This is where you’ll find the largest selection of hotels, restaurants, bars and shops all in one place. If you want convenience, Rodney Bay is the best area to stay in St Lucia.
We spent quite a bit of time here during our month in St Lucia. In the day, we’d head to Reduit Beach, which is one of the liveliest beaches in St Lucia and perfect for swimming. Then, in the evenings we came back for the variety of restaurants and bars. There’s also a big marina here, so it’s a good base if you’re planning boat trips or even a sailing holiday.
- Why stay here: The widest choice of hotels in St Lucia (from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts), loads of restaurants, supermarkets, nightlife and easy access to tours from Rodney Bay.
- Best for: If you’re not planning on going all inclusive and want convenience, or anyone who prefers to have everything on their doorstep.
- Downsides: It’s busy, it feels less “authentic” than other parts of St Lucia and the traffic can be frustrating at peak times.
Where to stay in Rodney Bay
If you’re after a resort, Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa sits right on Reduit Beach and has everything on your doorstep. For something a little more boutique, Coco Palm Resort is a popular place to stay with great value compared to the bigger chains.
On the budget end, there are small guesthouses tucked just behind the main strip, so you get cheaper rates while still being within walking distance of the beach, bars and restaurants.
📍 See all Rodney Bay hotels on the map here
3. Castries – Best for cruise passengers and busy local life
Castries is the capital of St Lucia and if you’re arriving on a cruise ship, this is where you’ll dock. It’s roughly in the middle of St Lucia’s west coast, so chances are you’ll pass through at some point.
We came in and out a lot during our month on the island as there are a few things to see around here, which actually inspired us to write our best things to do in Castries guide.
We wouldn’t personally recommend the centre of Castries as one of the best areas to stay in St Lucia. It’s busy, loud and very much a working Caribbean capital. If you want to feel part of local life, you’d have a much better experience in Soufriere than Castries. Also, beaches in this area aren’t as special as those you’ll find further north or south, and the city itself is more functional than beautiful.
That said, we did enjoy staying at Bel Jou Hotel for a few nights. It was on the outskirts of the capital so it was lovely and quiet with great views.
- Why stay here: Castries is a good middle ground for exploring the north and south (30 mins to Rodney Bay and just over an hour to Soufriere). Great if you’re on a budget and want access to public transport, the city market and ferry/tour departures.
- Best for: Cruise passengers with limited time and anyone who wants to experience a more hectic, local side of St Lucia.
- Downsides: It’s not the prettiest part of the island, beaches aren’t as special as elsewhere and traffic in and out can be chaotic.
🚗 If you want to see everything, this 6 hour private island tour lets you customise your day. You can tick off places in the south (like waterfalls, beaches and the Pitons) while also seeing spots in the north, capital or elsewhere on the island. Pickup is included from your hotel or the cruise port.
Where to stay in Castries
On the luxury side, Sandals Halcyon Beach and The SoCo House both put you right on the coast while keeping you close to the city. For something less resort-y, Bel Jou Hotel (where we stayed) is a good mid-range choice with views over Castries.
Budget options are limited here, but you’ll find small inns and guesthouses scattered around the city if you’re just looking for a short stopover.
📍 See all Castries hotels on the map here
4. Marigot Bay – Best for yachts and a quieter base
Marigot Bay is often called one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean and when you see the palm trees on the beach and yachts bobbing in the harbour, you’ll understand why. It’s small and feels like a little village within the island.
If you’re looking for quiet places to stay in St Lucia, this area is perfect, but still be within reach of both Rodney Bay (40 minutes north) and Soufriere (just under an hour south).
We visited a couple of times and while we didn’t stay here, it’s easy to see the appeal. The marina area has restaurants, bars and a few boutique hotels tucked along the waterfront. You can also kayak on the water, go snorkelling in the bay and hop on a quick boat across the bay to get to the beach.
That said, it’s not the most central spot if you want to be out exploring every day. Think of Marigot Bay more as a place to relax, enjoy the views and use as a base for occasional day trips.
- Why stay here: Relaxed vibe, boutique hotels and one of the most photogenic places in St Lucia. Still within easy reach of both Rodney Bay and Soufriere.
- Best for: Couples, sailors and anyone who wants a quieter base with limited exploring/leaving accommodation.
- Downsides: Not the most central spot if you plan to explore daily, limited nightlife and fewer accommodation options compared to Rodney Bay or Soufriere.
Where to stay in Marigot Bay
For luxury, Zoëtry Marigot Bay is by far the best place that we’d recommend on the marina. If you prefer something more affordable, Oasis Marigot Hotel has villas with views across the bay.
📍 See all Marigot Bay hotels on the map here
5. Soufriere – Best for scenery and adventure
Soufriere is the part of St Lucia that you’ve seen in all the photos. It’s the town that sits right beneath the Pitons. If you’re dreaming of waking up to those views, this is the best place to stay in St Lucia.
We based ourselves in Soufriere for a week and honestly, we had some of the best days of our whole trip. Every day felt like an adventure. We’d go chase St Lucia’s best waterfalls or go on a snorkelling trip along the PItons in the morning, stop at a little local spot for lunch, and end the day on one of the beaches with the Pitons in the background and dinner at one of our favourite restaurants in Soufriere. It’s also still very authentically Caribbean, full of natural beauty and local life, which makes it feel very different from the busier, resort-y north.
Plus, Soufriere is where you’ll find some of St Lucia’s most famous hotels – right near the Pitons with infinity pools and the open-air rooms you’ve probably seen on Instagram. Even if you’re not splurging on a luxury resort, there are plenty of guesthouses and smaller hotels tucked into the hills that still give you incredible views.
- Why stay here: Close to the Pitons, waterfalls, hot springs and the best hiking and snorkelling spots in St Lucia, with options for guesthouses and world-famous luxury resorts.
- Best for: Couples, honeymooners or people who want the “classic St Lucia” scenery on their doorstep.
- Downsides: It’s about 1.5-2 hours from the airport, the roads are winding and compared to Rodney Bay, there aren’t as many restaurants or shops. But for us, the trade-off was absolutely worth it!
⛵️ If you decide not to stay in Soufriere but want to visit, this private full day charter is a great way to experience the area. You’ll cruise down the coast, stop at Sugar Beach, other beautiful beaches in the south, visit Sulphur Springs and have time for snorkelling on the coral reefs along the way.
Where to stay in Soufriere
If you want to splurge, Soufriere is where you’ll find the most incredible hotels. Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort is right between the Pitons, Anse Chastanet has one of our favourite beaches and Jade Mountain is the one with those open-air rooms that you see all over Instagram.
We didn’t go luxury. We instead we stayed in a budget villa tucked into the hills near town and it was perfect for us, but it wasn’t WOW. There are some great options like Stonefield Villa Resort or Fond Doux Eco Resort if you want a similar in nature without blowing the whole budget.
📍 See all Soufriere hotels on the map here
Do you need a car in St Lucia?
You don’t need a car, but we would totally recommend it! Public transport is quite limited across the island and taxis add up quickly. We rented a car and it gave us the freedom to drive all over as well as discover hidden gems and spots we’d never have reached otherwise.
We wrote a full guide to renting a car in St Lucia tells you what to expect to help you decide.
We used a company called Reasonable Ride Rentals and paid $150 ECD per day (around £45/$55 USD). They were incredibly responsive, delivered and collected the vehicle free of charge, and we’d highly recommend them.
If you’d prefer to rent a car in St Lucia from a well known company, recommend checking out DiscoverCars to easily compare rates and reviews.
Where to Stay in St Lucia FAQs
What is the best part of Saint Lucia to stay?
It depends what kind of trip you want. If you want nightlife, restaurants and convenience, Rodney Bay in the north is the best area to stay in St Lucia. If you’d rather be surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and beaches with the Pitons in the background, Soufriere in the south is where most people base themselves. For all inclusive resorts and golf, Gros Islet and Cap Estate are good choices too.
What is the most beautiful part of St Lucia?
For us, Soufriere is definitely wins as the most beautiful part of St Lucia. You’ve got the Pitons towering over the bay, waterfalls around every corner, sulphur springs, cocoa plantations and some of the best beaches on the island. Marigot Bay also deserves a mention as it’s small but incredibly picturesque, often called one of the prettiest bays in the Caribbean.
What is the nicest town in St. Lucia?
For atmosphere, we’d say Soufriere is the nicest town in St Lucia. It’s colourful, lively and has the Pitons and gorgeous beaches right on its doorstep. Gros Islet is another option if you want a mix of local vibes and big beautiful resorts, plus the Friday night street party is super fun.
Which part of St Lucia has the best beaches?
The west coast is where you’ll find the best beaches in St Lucia. This is the Caribbean side of the island, so the water is calm and clear so it’s perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Reduit Beach, Sugar Beach and Anse Chastanet are all on the west coast. The east coast faces the Atlantic, so it’s wilder, windier and definitely not swimmable. But it’s great for hiking and experiencing the more remote side of St Lucia.
When is the best month to visit St Lucia?
January to May is the high season, so that’s when you’ll get the best weather and calm seas. We went in April and it was perfect – hot days, warm evenings and barely any rain. February and March are also popular months, but really, anywhere in the dry season is ideal.
If you visit between June and November (the low season), you’ll get more rain and a chance of storms as it is hurricane season, but you’ll also find fewer tourists and lower hotel prices.
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