The Best Villas to Stay at in St Lucia

The island of St Lucia is an oasis of tropical calm and beauty, but Marigot Bay doubly so: this has been called the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean, and with palm-forested, rugged headlands, it’s easy to see why. These red-roofed villas offer sweeping views over the bay, some from private pools, and have a classic island aesthetic, with dark-wood floors and whitewashed wooden shutters.

Perched prettily on the side of a forested cliff, this historic villa has the feel of a family home and the comfort of a modern hotel. The 65ft (20m) infinity pool (or small plunge pool on the floor below) is the perfect spot to kick back with a cocktail as you gaze over the Caribbean Sea, while the rooms and suites have beautiful, tiled floors and ceilings and dark-wood beams. Beneath the hotel is secluded Snorkel Cove, where you can don a mask and snorkel or just enjoy the sound of the waves lapping the sand.

Combining organic dark wood and stone with sharp angles and clean lines, Serrana Villa is at once rustic and contemporary. The villas and apartments have kitchens, balconies or patios, and, in some cases, swimming pools overlooking the ocean. All have a homey yet modern style. Attractions within a short drive include Diamond Falls, a beautiful volcanic park home to natural hot springs and waterfalls.

Set in stunning surroundings in a quiet fold of Marigot Bay, with a secluded beach on one side and green jungle on the other, Villa Pomme D’Amour has an unbeatable location and an aesthetic to match. The two villas here have a classic Caribbean, tropical luxury look with tiled floors, whirring ceiling fans and dark-wood shutters. The complex is run by Josee and Pierre, a Canadian expat couple who impart a family feel to the place.

The Viceroy name is synonymous with quality and luxury, and this beachfront resort doesn’t disappoint. Sitting on the powder-white sands of Sugar Beach and overlooking the spectacular Pitons rock formations out to sea, the resort features beautiful beachfront bungalows decked in white wood, and several dining and drinking establishments. Try the mahi mahi with green fig mash at the semi-formal Great Room restaurant.

Glowing a brilliant white in the Caribbean sun, this beautiful villa sits high on a forested cliff overlooking a deep-blue bay unspoilt by overdevelopment. There are five bedrooms decked in a traditional style, a small library, and an outdoor pool and barbecue area. To sample the best of the local Creole cuisine, take the option of hiring a chef to cook you some classic island dishes.

This mint-green and white villa blends in nicely with the jungly surroundings and overlooks the pleasant town of Soufrière, home to the volcanic waterfalls and hot springs of Diamond Falls. Suites have a homey and informal feel, with kitchenettes so you can prepare basic meals for yourself. Otherwise, the town has plenty of seafood restaurants and bars where you can enjoy traditional Caribbean cuisine.