What you need to know about Balenbouche and St Lucia
Booking and Payment
Currently we are in the process of setting up a secure online booking system. In the meantime, please use our contact forms or send us an email.
If you are not yet ready to book, or your desired dates are not available, please send us an email or fill out the contact form. We will be happy to answer your questions about booking options.
Yes, we can make exceptions on a case by case basis. It depends on the season and our existing bookings.
Generally, the 25% deposit becomes nonrefundable 6 weeks before arrival. However, we always allow you to credit the deposit towards a future stay.
We accept cash (US, Euro, GBP or local EC), PayPal, most credit cards (via secure online payment), wire transfers and checks.
Online Travel Agents charge up to 25% commission, which means you pay more, and we are barely able to cover operating expenses. It is ALWAYS better to book directly though us. If there is any issue, you can always talk to us right away, and if you do find a better rate elsewhere, we are happy to match it!
The cottages are generally cleaned every other weekday. As part of our eco-friendly practices, towels and sheets are changed as needed or by request. There is no fixed charge for personal laundry service but we kindly ask that you leave a tip for our staff.
Check-in is anytime after 3 pm and check out generally at 12 pm. Depending on other bookings, it may be possible to check in early or late. You can always stay on property, store your luggage and use the wifi and restroom/shower facilities at the main house.
Kids of all ages generally love our property and pets, and we have personally raised three kids at Balenbouche, the most recent being a 10 year old. However, please keep in mind that the historic property and beaches are not particularly safe for young children – supervision is required at all times. If your child is allergic or particularly sensitive to insect bites, we do not recommend that you stay at Balenbouche. More about traveling to St Lucia with kids…
Our property is historic and therefore not particularly wheelchair friendly. However, the main grounds can be navigated with a wheel chair, and one of our cottages (Almond Cottage) is somewhat wheel chair accessible. We are happy to assist in any way we can!
The average temperatures are in the 80’s, and it rarely gets above 90 F. The buildings and bedrooms are designed to be naturally cooled without air conditioning. There are fans in every bedroom. In the winter months, it can drop into the low 70’s. The beds are protected by mosquito nets. Read about St Lucia weather…
Electronic appliances are very expensive in St. Lucia, and also low quality. We find that the cost of buying and replacing them outweighs their use, especially if you factor in the environmental footprint. The French press works well and is quick and easy to use. Since the ceilings in the older buildings are low, and we use mosquito nets, ceiling fans aren’t practical. Instead of a microwave, we use a small gas oven or toaster oven. Read more about our sustainable practices…
Every night, you will be serenaded by our night creatures – tree frogs, toads, crickets, and grasshoppers. Once you get used to it after the first night, it is very soothing and actually helps people sleep. It can also drown out the occasional music from the nearby village on the weekend.
Our Voltage is 240 and we have UK style square three pin outlets. Every cottage should have one or two travel adapters. if you don’t see one, please ask! If you need a step-down transformer from 240 V to 110V, we can provide you with one.
Every cottage has its own wifi via a 100 mb ADSL modem through the only landline provider, FLOW. It is fairly reliable and generally fast enough for most tasks. If you would like to purchase mobile data, you can do so through Flow or Digicel, the 2 mobile providers.
Meals and Restaurants
We offer breakfast for US $15 every day from 8 am – 10 am. Dinner is served on average 2-3 times a week, more often if we have requests from more guests, and less often when there are fewer than 6 people. Our daily dinner special is typically US $25 or $30 and served at 7 pm. More about dining at Balenbouche…
The closest supermarket is the MASSSY store in Choiseul, just a 10 minute drive away. The larger MASSY is in Vieux Fort (15 – 20 min drive). There are two branches, one at the Gablewoods mall closer to Balenbouche, and one in town. There is a small convenience store and a gas station in Piaye, as well as a fruit and vegetable stand in the village of Piaye, a 5 minute walk from our property.
The closest places to eat are the street food shops in the Piaye village, a 5 minute walk. The “Just a Chill” beach bar at Piaye beach is a 5 min drive or 20 minute walk. Other nearby restaurants include Country Side Eats in Balca and Mama Rose and Mama Tilly in Laborie. Please call ahead of time anytime you plan to eat out in St. Lucia, as opening hours can be unpredictable. More about St Lucia restaurants…
Location and Transportation
We are off the beaten path, but easy to find. From Hewanorra International airport (UVF), it’s about a 25 min drive. Follow the main road through Vieux Fort, past Laborie. After the Piaye bridge, you will see a school and sports field on your left. Balenbouche is just around the next large blind corner; look for a sign on your left.
Coming from Soufriere, the closest larger village is Choiseul. Two minutes after crossing the River Doree bridge, the sign and entrance will be on your right at the end of a straight stretch of road.
From the North (Castries, Gros Islet, Rodney bay, GFL Charles airport (SLU) or the Ferry Terminal), it is easier and quicker to take the East Coast road via Vieux Fort (about 1 hour 30 minutes). The West Coast road is scenic but very steep and winding, and actually takes about 30 minutes longer.
We recommend renting a car at least for a few days, and can help arrange this. Rental cars are cheaper than taxis and a lot more convenient than the local buses which don’t have a schedule and only drive certain routes. Driving is on the left, and you will need a local driving permit, which is valid for 3 months and costs US$ 22 (fee is waived if you have an international drivers license). The daily rate for a small car is US$ 65 – 70 or US$ 75 – 80 for a 4-wheel drive, including tax and a collision damage waiver. More about getting around St Lucia…
We do offer airport transfers with our taxi driver. A taxi from Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) officially costs US$ 50, our driver charges US$ 40. George FL Charles (castries – st lucia airport code SLU) is a 1 ½ hour drive and the rate is US$ 100. From Soufriere, you can expect to pay about US$ 60 – 70.
There is a tiny mall a 10 minute drive away, which also has a bank and the Choseul MASSY supermarket, which has an ATM inside. Nearby small village shops (Piaye, Laborie, Choiseul) carry a few nonperishable basics, and there is a fruit and vegetable stand in the village of Piaye (5 minute walk).
Our two beautiful black sand beaches are within a 5 minute walk. Balenbouche Beach is easily accessible and has shallow water, rough seas and rocky bottom, but you can wade and take a dip. Middle beach is just as close, but the steps are very steep and require a certain level of fitness. There, the bottom is mostly sandy and swimming is good close to shore, but beware of currents further out. Piaye beach, Laborie Bay and Anse de Sable in Vieux Fort, some of the best beaches in St Lucia, are only a 5, 10 and 20 minute drive away.
The closest attractions, apart from those on our property, are the River Doree beach and Piaye beach (15 and 20 min walk) and the Saltibus rainforest trail and waterfall, (20 min drive, 4 wheel drive and guide required). Laborie (10 min drive) has a beautiful beach, viewing point, and local village with restaurants and bars and monthly fish fry. Choiseul is very small, but has an impressive church and the arts and craft center. Ready to explore St Lucia off the beaten path? Read more about our favorite attractions in the South
Health and Safety
Mosquitoes are always present, but not as bad as in the summer months in the northern hemisphere. We use mosquito eating fish and BT (Bacillus Thuringiensis, a naturally occurring bacteria which destroys the larvae). After you’ve lived on the island for a while, your body adjusts and mosquitoes don’t bother you much.
For visitors, the best defenses are: Sleeping under the mosquito nets, wearing repellent and light, long-sleeved clothing, burning citronella or incense, and using the standing fans. Some insect bites are caused by sand flies found on or near the beach and in large grassy or sandy areas. Mosquito borne viruses such as Dengue Fever, Chikungunya and Zika break out periodically, but the risk to visitors is very low and they rarely cause serious complications.
Yes, most definitely, since we are surrounded by nature and the buildings are open plan and not screened. However, there is nothing poisonous or really harmful! The insects you will typically encounter are mosquitoes, moths, spiders, beetles and roaches. We strongly advise that you put all food in the fridge or plastic containers, and the organic waste in the small buckets with lids. We do put out roach bait, but try to minimize the use of toxic chemicals. We live more or less in harmony with the ecosystem and encourage our visitors to try the same. So, if you are squeamish about bugs, Balenbouche Estate is not for you!
The most common wildlife are birds, lizards (anoles), geckos, the small coqui frogs and the large cane toads. These all help control the insect population. Apart from that, you might catch a glimpse of a possum, mongoose, tree rat or mouse. Rodents are kept in check by our cats, and occasional traps. Finally, we have 3 tortoises, a few cows, two horses, and 6 friendly dogs. The dogs serve as security, tour guides and companions. As much as we seek to co-exist with all life in and around our property, please do let us know if any of the large or small critters become a nuisance.
The crime rate on the island is fairly high, so we like to be cautious. As a general rule, lock your valuables in the rooms/closets provided or leave them with us for safekeeping. We also lock our bedrooms at night, and suggest you do the same. Our dogs do a good job of alerting us whenever someone enters the property, several family and staff live on property. All St Lucia beaches are public, so we cannot control access. Please do not take any valuables to the beach, and report any suspicious activity on or near the property.
The tap water is drinkable and comes from a nearby spring, after which it is treated and piped in by public works. Up until 1998, we used only rain and river water, and still have this as a back up and for watering plants etc. We filter the tap water with a simple Brita filter which takes out some of the chlorine and improves the taste. We discourage the use of single use plastic bottles. As you know, the quality of bottled water is often not even as good as tap water.
All our cottages are equipped with a fire extinguisher, and we have an extensive first aid kit at the main house. Your room keys have a small whistle or alarm which you can activate in an emergency. On occasion, we experience heavy storms or flooding. For this there will be adequate warning and we will take all necessary precautions. Earthquakes are rare but small tremors do occur.
Our liability policy currently only covers certain organized tours. We are not responsible for any injuries or lost and stolen items. Please take the necessary precautions such as reading the information and signage provided, keeping your valuable items in a safe place, and making responsible choices in keeping with your health and level of fitness. We encourage getting an individual travel insurance and/or checking with your credit card company what it covers.
The nearest ambulance is stationed 15 minutes away, the closest health center 10 minutes and the nearest hospital (St Judes) 20 minutes. Medical services on the island however are basic and serious injuries or special procedures are often done in Martinique. The private hospital up north (Tapion) probably offers the best care, but there is also a brand new hospital OKEU. The old Victoria Hospital has now become the designated respiratory clinic for Covid patients.
Activities and Events
Our certified yoga instructor offers a regular class on Sundays (US$15) or by appointment. Of course you are always free to use our yoga barn for your personal practice. More about yoga and wellness…
Yoga classes and massages should be booked at least 48 hours in advance to ensure availability. We offer a regular yoga class for Us$ 15 on Sundays in the season (December – April). Private yoga classes start at US$ 60 for up to 4 people. Massages are between US$ 60 and $100.
Balenbouche Estate is the ideal venue for retreats. On average, we host 3-4 international groups per year, as well as several local weekend or week-long retreats. Group sizes vary between 6 and 14 people. Retreats are usually advertised many months in advance, with an “early bird” option. More about our retreats…
Typically, our retreats are closed events and we do not take other bookings for rooms or meals during that time. However, if a retreats does not fill completely, we may open up one or two cottages 2-3 months before the retreat. Many retreats are open to local residents, who can purchase a day-package including lunch or dinner. More about our retreats…
Occasionally, on average once or twice a month, we have a wedding or other event at Balenbouche. Typically, all events must end by 10 pm, in consideration of Balenbouche guests and residents. The only exception is if a group books ALL of the accommodations for a private event, in which case there is no cut-off time. More about Balenbouche weddings…
Yes, on most occasions, it is possible to camp at Balenbouche Estate for US$15 – $20 per person per night. We do not provide tents or official camping facilities, but we do offer restrooms, an outdoor hot shower, a place for keeping valuables, wifi, breakfast (US$ 15) and a very private and beautiful natural environment. Please contact us for further details. More about camping in St Lucia…
Property and Owners
Balenbouche produced sugar and rum from the late 1700’s to the 1930’s. After sugar, the main crops were cotton, citrus, coffee, cocoa and coconuts (copra). Since the early 1990’s, we only keep some livestock and grow a small amount of organic vegetables and fruits largely for our own consumption. More about the history of Balenbouche…
Uta is originally from Germany but has lived abroad since her mid 20s (Europe, India, Thailand, Japan, USVI). Her ex-husband, whose parents originally purchased Balenbouche in 1964 is from St Croix, with a Danish West Indian ancestry. Roy and Uta moved to St Lucia in the early 1980’s in an attempt to save and revitalize the family estate. Verena and Anitanja have lived in St. Croix, St Lucia, the US, Germany, UK and the Dominican Republic. More about the Lawaetz family…
Uta and some of the staff live on the estate permanently. Our work team consists of 4-5 full time staff and occasional contractors and volunteers. Verena is there most of the year but sometimes leaves for a few months in the summer. Anitanja lives on island and visits frequently but currently works elsewhere.
English and German fluently, Conversational French and a little Italian and Spanish.
Visitor Information (check-in and check-out)
ANIMALS
We share our space with useful bugs and several friendly cats and dogs, but have no dangerous/venomous animals. Please tuck mosquito nets in well, use repellent, protective clothing and fans.
WATER
The tap water is safe to drink; please use the Brita filter and
reusable water bottles to minimize plastic waste. The water bottles in your room have been filled with filtered water.
RECYCLING
Please put all organic waste in the compost buckets provided,
and place glass and plastic next to the bin or under the sink.
ENERGY
Our electricity is 240V and we use UK style 3 pin plugs. Adapters are available in every cottage (push in hard at slight angle). Please turn off lights and fans when not in use. We seek to keep our energy bill low through natural ventilation, solar hot water heaters, LED bulbs, and minimizing electrical devices. St Lucia’s electricity is currently almost wholly derived from fossil fuels, but geothermal and solar are being considered.
HOUSEKEEPING
Our housekeeping staff will clean your cottage daily or every other day. We recommend taking shoes off before you enter, and putting all food in the fridge or sealed containers. Please let us know if anything needs attention!
MEALS
Breakfast is available every day for US$ 15, and dinner 2-4 times
a week for US$ 30 per person. Please reserve in advance, and let us know if you have dietary restrictions. There are several local places to eat within a 10 minute walk or drive.
BEACHES
Two small, wild black sand beaches are a short walk away, one easily accessible, the other requires climbing down some steep steps through the cow pasture. Please exercise caution and stay close to the shore, as there can be strong undercurrents. Please swim and access beaches at your own risk.
TRANSPORTATION
We are happy to arrange a taxi or rental car.
There are also local unscheduled mini buses which run between
towns; please ask us for instructions on how to use the buses.
SHOPPING
The Choiseul Massy Supermarket is a 10 minute drive from Balenbouche. Take a left at the main road, in the direction of Soufriere. A small convenience store and fruit and vegetable stand are located in Piaye, the nearest village (10 minute walk).
EVENTS
Balenbouche Estate is a public nature heritage site which is regularly visited by tour groups and individual local and foreign travelers. We occasionally host weddings, field trips and other community events. All events must end by 10 pm, and we will inform you of any major events taking place.
SECURITY
Please secure all valuables and lock up your room at night and every time you leave your cottage. Familiarize yourself with our staff and security personnel, and alert our family or staff of any suspicious activity. Police numbers are 999, +1(758)456-3645 or +1(758)456-3635
We are not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
MEDICAL
For medical emergencies, please alert us and our staff immediately. The nearest hospital (St Judes) is a 20 minute drive away. Dr. Chicot is a private doctor who can do site visits. The emergency number for Fire and ambulance is 911.
FIRE AND NATURAL DISASTER
Every cottage is equipped with a fire extinguisher, located in the kitchen. St. Lucia is not prone to hurricanes, but can experience strong storms and flooding, as well as rare small earthquakes. We will inform you of any impending weather well ahead of time.
ATM
Many supermarkets have an ATM. The next closest bank ATM is in Vieux Fort (CIBC First Caribbean or Republic Bank).
CHECK-OUT AND PAYMENT
Check out time is 12:00 pm. An invoice will be emailed to you for the balance on accommodation and meals at the end of your stay. You can also pay partly or fully in cash (USD, Euro, GBP or local XCD)
