TRANSPORTATION

Visit our st Lucia Airlines page for complete information on how to get to the island!

Do you offer airport transfers?
Yes, we can arrange an airport transfer by taxi (US$ 30 from Hewanorra International, US$ 100 from George FL Charles). However, taxis at both airports are readily available.

How far is it from the airport to Balenbouche?
Hewanorra (St lucia airport code UVF): 20 minutes drive. George FL Charles (castries - st lucia airport code SLU): 1 ½ hour drive

How much does the taxi from the airport cost?
US$ 30 from Hewanorra and US$ 100 from Castries. Make sure you agree on the price in advance.

Do we need a rental car?
We recommend a rental car, especially if you will be staying with us more than a few days. This allows for flexibility, is less expensive than a taxi, and much more convenient than the public bus. Driving is on the left, and you will need to get a local driving permit at the airport or rental agency, which is valid for 3 months and costs US$ 22 (if you have an international drivers license there is no fee but you need to get a stamp, which you can do upon arrival - enquire with the immigration officer). The daily rate for a car is US$ 60 - US$ 90. We work with St. Lucia National Car Rental, which offers our guests a 10% discount. You can contact them directly at slncr@candw.lc or ask us to arrange the rental for you. Pick up and drop off at both airports and at Balenbouche is available.

ST LUCIA VILLAS FOR RENT    -Back to the top

What exactly is the difference between the cottages?
The Almond and Banyan Cottage are self-contained 2 bedroom/2 bathroom rentals, with kitchen and living areas. The Banyan offers more space and can accommodate up to six people. The one bedroom Frangipani and Calabash Cottages are smaller, they sleep up to 2 people and have a refrigerator. A small bed for a child can be placed in any of the rooms.

How many people can you accommodate in total?
It depends on the group – there are 6 double bedrooms available on the property, so 12 people can be accommodated comfortably if 2 people occupy each double room, and one or two extra beds can be placed in the rooms and living rooms. However, if there are more single occupancy rooms or the group requires more privacy, fewer people can be accommodated.

Is Balenbouche suitable for babies and young children?
Balenbouche is a great environment for children of all ages. However, keep in mind that the property and certain areas of the houses (especially the historic Estate house and the sugar mill ruins) are not particularly safe for young children - supervision is required at all times. Also, if your child is allergic or particularly sensitive to insect bites, we do not recommend that you stay at Balenbouche.

SERVICES AND AMENITIES   -Back to the top

Do you have air conditioning?
No, but the rooms are all open and breezy, designed for the tropical climate, and equipped with standing fans. As an environmentally responsible undertaking, we seek to avoid high energy devices such as air conditioning and water heaters.

Do you have hot water?
All showers in the cottages have some form of water heating. Some use solar heating, so the temperature may vary depending on the weather; others use auxiliary electric water heaters which are not as hot and need to be replaced fairly often. Please let us know if your shower water is too hot or too cold and we will try our best to fix the problem as soon as possible.

Do you offer baby sitting?
Arrangements can be made by request.

Is the property handicapped accessible?
Most indoor and outdoor areas are not designed to be handicapped accessible. But one of the cottages (The Almond House) is located at ground level and can be navigated with a wheelchair. We are very happy to assist in any way we can.

Do you offer maid service?
Yes, maid service is included. The rooms are generally cleaned every day or every second day. Towels are changed by request, your bed sheets are changed five to seven days after arrival, in order to conserve water and energy. If you would like them changed more frequently, please let us know.

Do you offer laundry service?
Yes, a laundry service is available at a small fee.  

MEALS   -Back to the top

Can we prepare our own meals?
The Almond and Banyan Villa have cooking facilities, the larger kitchen is in the Banyan Villa. All other guests may make arrangements to use the Plantation House kitchen.

Do you prepare meals?
Yes. Breakfast for US4 10 per person is available every day, and a dinner special or dinner buffet is offered 2 - 5 times a week, depending on the season. Lunch or a light snack is available anytime upon request.

Where are meals served?
Usually on the Estate house veranda or dining room, in the villas by request, and occasionally outdoors.

Do you serve vegetarian/vegan food?
Yes, all our meals are suitable for vegetarians, since we usually do a buffet which includes a selection of locally grown vegetables. Please let us know if you are vegan or vegetarian or have any dietary restrictions so that we can tailor to your individual needs.

Is there a restaurant nearby?
Yes, "Debbie's" is just a 5 minute drive away and has a wide selection of food (US $25 - 35). The Seafood Restaurant, which requires prior reservations, is also closeby and offers reasonable local fare for around US $15 - $20 .  

PAYMENT   -Back to the top

Do you accept credit cards?
We accept visa and master cards, but only via www.paypal.com, which is a secure online payment service. If you are not a registered and verified PayPal member, we will need to first send you a payment request by e-mail. Payment can also be made via bank transfer, in cash (multiple currencies) or with travelers checks.

Which currencies do you accept?
US$, Euro, GBP, CAN$ or local EC$ at the current market rate

Do we need to pay a deposit in advance
Yes, we require a 25% deposit, which you can pay conveniently by credit card through PayPal or by wire transfer. The deposit is refundable up to 6 weeks before your arrival, and we will hold the cottage for ample time to make the deposit.

If part of my stay falls under the summer season and part under the winter season (Nov16– May 15), which room rate applies?
The rate will be calculated on a day by day basis, so part of your stay will be charged at a lower rate.

What is your rate for children?
Children under 18 staying in the cottages and accompanied by an adult are free. Meals are also free for children under 6, they are half price for children up to 12.

Is there an charge for an extra person in the room or villa?
Yes, for any adult over 18 there is an additional charge of US$ 20.00 per day. This applies to the third, fourth, fifth and sixth person staying in the villas.    

COMMUNICATIONS   -Back to the top

What languages do you speak?
English and German (fluent), French, Italian, Spanish (conversational)

Can I use my laptop at Balenbouche?
Yes. Our voltage is 230; transformer and adapters are available.

Can I check my email?
Yes, you can check your e-mail on the main computer located in the Estate House. The service is free, but please limit your use, since the computer is also our only work computer.

Can I use my credit card or calling card to make phone calls?
You can use visa, master, discovery and amex to make calls by dialing the toll free number 1-800-744-7777. Generally, other 1-800 numbers are not free, but you can sometimes dial 1-400 instead and be charged a regular call. Local calling cards can be purchased from Cable and Wireless.

Can I use my cell phone?
We provide free cell phones to our guests which they just need to recharge themselves. You can also use your TDMA, Triband, Quadband or analogue phone in st Lucia. You can buy a local SIM card, which is about US$ 10 -15 and cards to recharge your account. There are two local cell phone providers, Digicel and Cable and Wireless.

HEALTH AND SAFETY   -Back to the top

How far is the nearest hospital?
The nearest hospital is the St. Judes Hospital in Vieux Fort which is a 15 minute drive from Balenbouche. The nearest ambulance is stationed 10 minutes away in the village of Choiseul.

Is the tap water safe to drink?
Yes, it is generally safe to drink the water supplied from the public water system. We will inform you if we are using an alternative water source, such as collected rainwater. In the main house, we have a dual cartridge carbon filter system where you can filter your drinking water if you wish. You can also buy bottled water in most shops and supermarkets.

Where can I store my valuables?
Smaller valuables can be kept in the safe in the Estate house; the cottages also have their own safe or lockable area.

Do you have any dangerous or poisonous animals on the property?
No, we have no dangerous or poisonous animals, apart from common mosquitoes and the very rare centipede. Among the friendly Balenbouche “wildlife" are: 2 cats and 4 dogs (who get along well and who are very affectionate pets), a land tortoise, cattle and horses, many birds and lizards, as well as frogs and crickets who make up the nightly orchestra. If you are lucky, you might see an indigenous opossum (“Maniku”) or a mongoose. Please do not be afraid of spiders, frogs or lizards; they are our friends because they eat mosquitos and other insects!

SPECIAL PACKAGES   -Back to the top

Do you offer group discounts?
Yes, we offer group discounts for groups of 8 or more. The discount ranges between 10% and 30% depending on the size of the group and length of stay. Balenbouche is an ideal retreat for special interests such as hiking, bird watching, yoga and healthy lifestyles, art, archeology and education.

Do you offer discounts for extended stays?
Yes, we offer a 10% discount if you stay for a week or longer, and we have special monthly rates.

Do you offer wedding packages?
Yes, we offer wedding packages to suit various tastes and budgets. See what we offer in our standard wedding package in st Lucia all inclusive and what additional services are available.

Do you offer organized tours?
We usually do not offer organized tours ourselves, but we can give directions and maps to local attractions and trails. Check out some of the tours & activities around Balenbouche. There are many organized tours on the island, most begin in the north and Soufriere. A few operators are also based in the South and East Coast. See a listing of touring companies in st Lucia. For Balenbouche guests, a rental car is often more convenient.