A twin-centre trip in Saint Lucia offers the best of both worlds by combining the lively North with the lush green South. Spending four-nights in Rodney Bay means you can experience the food, the rum, the nightlife and the island’s capital, Castries. All before heading South to spend three-nights in the dramatic, tropical greenery of the south. This Saint Lucia twin-centre stay definitely provides a genuinely different holiday twice over – not just a change of hotel.
Top tip: My advice would be to head north first and tackle the longer transfer at the start of your stay. Once settled at your base hotel there is plenty to explore and experience. After four-nights, head South to truly relax and recuperate before your short airport transfer and international flight home.
The north: four nights
Rodney Bay is where you go for authentic energy – restaurants, nightlife, marina life; the true buzz of Saint Lucia can be found here and it’s an easy base for day trips to popular spots such as Pigeon Island or even a night at the Gros Islet Jump Up – the island’s famed street party.
I’ve tried many excursions over the years and explored much of the north under my own steam. If you’re active then there is plenty to choose from with activities that span the rainforest and the beach.
Babonneau Rainforest offers the perfect way to explore the rainforest with zip lines, an aerial tram and hiking tour. It’s a great way to spend a few hours and gives a great insight into life in the rainforest – from learning about the flora and fauna, to understanding what plants have medicinal properties and spotting the areas local inhabitants, humming birds. The zip line is a fun activity for every family member and we spent more than an hour zipping from tree to tree. The aerial tram takes you into the canopy for a completely different view of the greenery.
Another fun option is a Segway tour. It was the first time I’d tried it and after a rocky start at the orientation session, I really loved the thrill of zooming through Rodney Bay. This tour covers quite a bit of ground as you explore the greener parts of the bay before heading to Reduit Beach – Saint Lucia’s most stunning sands – for a rest stop, refreshment and even a little dip in the ocean.
Those interested in islanders and their everyday lives should spend a morning in the capital, Castries. I love just wandering the streets and people watching but they have a central market, which is worth a visit if you’re looking for a few souvenirs or trinkets to take home. And you can’t miss the banana ketchup – it’s an island favourite and I always grab a bottle to bring back to the UK with me.
Before heading back to Rodney Bay, grab lunch or an early dinner at the Coal Pot. This family run restaurant sits on Castries Harbour, overlooking the water and serves some of the nicest dishes on island. The menu is French-Caribbean fusion and you’ll find islanders and tourists alike dining here – the seafood is a must.
Whilst in the north, I stayed at Harbor Club, a Curio Collection by Hilton property right on Rodney Bay Marina — you can read my full review here. It’s a bed and breakfast accommodation option that will give you the freedom to explore and eat at local restaurants as you please. The property offers a shuttle to Pigeon Island for the beach and some great beach bars – there’s no better day than those spent here vibing with the locals and enjoying the sun.
I have also stayed at Cap Maison, a lovely boutique clifftop property set within the Cap Estate. It has genuinely spectacular sunset views, and it’s villa style rooms offer both coastal views or they are set within the property’s verdant gardens. Cap Maison is a great accommodation choice for honeymooners or anyone celebrating a special occasion. It has a romantic dining spot just off the coast, nestled on a rock in the ocean, couples can spend an evening enjoying each other’s company with food sent down via a pulley system. It’s completely idyllic.
I have also spent time at The Landings, an all-suite beachfront resort with its own marina and perhaps one of my favourite resorts, particularly if you’re travelling with children, is Windjammer Landing. This luxury, family-friendly resort is set into the hillside above Labrelotte Bay, with villas rather than standard rooms and direct beach access. It’s consistently one of the most recommended family properties on this coast and a stay here certainly lives up to its reputation. The food here is also fabulous and you can opt for the all-inclusive option to cover everything you need whilst on island.
If you need some help choosing between Harbor Club, Cap Maison, The Landings, or Windjammer Landing, download my free pre-booking checklist first – it details the questions I ask before recommending any property.
The south: three nights
Soufrière is where the island slows down and the scenery takes over – the Pitons rising directly behind you, Sulphur Springs nearby, and a noticeably quieter pace than the north.
Having spent a night at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort — I can genuinely confirm it as one of the most spectacular settings I’ve stayed in anywhere in the Caribbean. Positioned right between the two Pitons on its own stretch of white sand, the resort has everything you could wish for. I was lucky enough to stay in one of its top villas with private plunge pool and butler service. The resort’s elegant take on a plantation design gives a tranquil, restful feel and each cottage or villa really does cater to everything – you really do not need to leave its safe confines. However, for the times you do feel social, the beach, the property’s restaurants and its wellness centre are all there when you fancy a change of scenery and pace.
Sugar Beach’s Wellness Centre deserves a special mention – its Rainforest Spa in particular is stunning. Set at the base of Petit Piton, in the rainforest, its unique treatment treehouses are built on stilts and the sound of the surrounding nature really relaxes the soul. An extensive treatment menu and expert therapists make a visit here something special.
If you’re able to stay in the south with a higher budget, Jade Mountain is the island’s top resort. Its three-wall concept means rooms have a full open view of the Pitons. Again, if you’d prefer, you don’t even need to leave your sanctuary. Each has a plunge pool and room service can be called at any time. Jade Mountain is a special property.
Two other options worth a mention are the nearby Green Fig Resort, which is built into the side of a cliff and again offers those stunning Piton views. This hotel is more affordable; it’s a smaller option, just 27 rooms, so a peaceful atmosphere and a very short drive from Soufriere. Stonefield Estate – which is similarly set into the hillside, also offers private plunge pools and its restaurant is small but special – I tried the island’s famed dish here, callaloo soup, and it’s one of the best I’ve had.
With a slower pace in the south, many simply stick to their resort but if you do want to explore, Soufriere is worth a wander. And of course, those with a more active nature can hike Gros Piton – I’ve done this myself and you can read all about it in my Saint Lucia guide. There is also a zip line option that travels between the Pitons. This isn’t one I’ve done – though it’s certainly on my list – but I’ve heard great things.
Again, if you’d like a little help deciding between Sugar Beach, Jade Mountain, Green Fig, or Stonefield, my free pre-booking checklist is built using my experience of hotel PR.
Why this split works
Four nights is enough time to properly enjoy Rodney Bay’s restaurants, nightlife and activities without feeling rushed. There really is a lot more to do in the north of the island and starting there allows you to explore before you slow the pace and get a final few days R&R. Three nights in the south is a great amount of time to do not much. If you want to explore, there are things to do – but really, I enjoy the south of Saint Lucia for the peace it brings to your soul. The accommodation in the south also has a higher concentration of super high end options, so spending a slower three days here, means you can perhaps stretch the budget and truly enjoy the facilities on offer.
Opting for a twin-centre stay in Saint Lucia would be my recommendation for anyone wanting to get a rounded feel for the island. You take in the lively, sociable side of Saint Lucia and the lush, quieter, more scenic side – and it really is enough time to experience it properly, neither side is positioned as an afterthought.
Keep planning your trip:
- Saint Lucia Travel Guide: The Pitons, Soufrière, and Where to Stay
- The Harbor Club, St Lucia: A Marina-Side Stay in Rodney Bay
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