Reply To: St Lucia hotel advice

[Peter K]

zio wrote:

@Peter K – Curio Harbour Club. (Sorry this is a bit of a thread hijack as it definitely isn’t adult only).
First of all I should say that a ‘flop’ type of hotel is not at all my usual style so I am probably lacking some important comparatives. However… I thought the pool area was great, with 5 separate pools, so cabana area (half day use comped for diamond) is separate from the pool for swim-up rooms, which is separate from the ‘main’ pool with swim-up bar… Rooms were finished nicely, and the hotel is quite new. Everything was push-button, no switches or knobs. Excellent aircon. Nespresso, fridge, safe, Noir by White Company toiletries, comfortable bed etc. Food was decent without being outstanding. A tasty goat curry, chocolate dessert and 2 local beers was 55USD inc tax, 10% added service and 5% extra tip. Breakfast for diamonds was continental, with not a huge spread. For unexplained reasons 2 days out of 5 I was given a coupon for the cooked buffet, which was again decent but not spectacular. As a data point there was no attempt to charge for these randomly given cooked breakfasts.
If you have ambitions to do more than flop then the hotel is not as convenient as it might seem. You are just a couple of minutes’ walk from the marina restaurants but despite the physical proximity of reduit beach it is an unpleasant 25 minute walk or 5-10 minute drive. The transfer to the airport is 95USD and if you aren’t hiring a car be prepared to drop a sizable amount on taxis on the island.
Given that the hotel is going for a flop market, I think your overall enjoyment is going to depend greatly on your room. The hotel is built right on the main road, sandwiched between it and the harbour. If you get a basic room or one with island or mountain “view” I think you will be very disappointed. I was upgraded (diamond on a points stay) to a marina view balcony room, which I loved and found a very relaxing spot. As far as I can tell there are only 32 of these rooms (plus a few suites and 8 swim-up rooms).
Apologies for the ramble. If you have any specific questions I will do my best with them.

Thank you for this. I’m not properly a “flop” type person either. I’ll usually spend max of about half the days at the hotel, but really I want to be out and about exploring the area.

The lack of cooked breakfast for diamond (I’m only gold) is important for me as I need gluten free food and that’s often the bacon, eggs and mushrooms at most places.

Was there loud music played all day like I’ve read in some reviews?

Doesn’t sound like a place I’d want to spend 5-7 days at as I suspected. Thank you.