Reviews and Media

BEST PLACE TO STAY ON THE ISLAND, CHARM, NATURE, HISTORY ALL AT ONCE Where to start…? This is a little piece of heaven on earth, you must stay here if you visit St Lucia and you are not an all-inclusive resort type, looking for a home away from home to explore the island. The owner Uta could not have made our stay more comfortable and welcoming. She cooked a delicious meal in the evening of our arrival, and breakfast is simple but tasty. As a gay couple in the Caribbean, we have never felt more at ease than at Balenbouche, and that is thanks to her. She is very well connected (and loved) in the community and recommended great local restaurants. Everyone we met who asked where we were staying were sending their regards to the owner, and it speaks for itself. The estate as a whole is full of charm, not overly polished, but not abandoned either, just the right amount of looked after. Ask Uta/her daughters to take you on a tour of the property and she’ll tell you everything about its history with such passion. Lots of interesting stories.

Flavien G October 2023

We stayed 4 nights in the Frangipani cottage which is in traditional West Indies style, well equipped and clean. You do not have air conditioning but the two fans work perfectly, and because of its location the heat isn’t as unbearable as in other places we’ve been to. A few natural beaches are easily accessible by foot, although only one is fit for swimming, but there are a few others west and east of the estate that are well worth the 10/15mn drive. There is a good supermarket (Massy) just 5mn drive from the Estate if you need anything, and the location is ideal to go explore the west/south coasts and the Pitons. The cats and dogs roam the surroundings and are very protective of the guests, on top of being super affectionate for some of them (as dogs lovers, that is just an unexpected massive bonus). Incredibly sad to be leaving St Lucia, even more sad to be leaving Balenbouche. If I set foot on the island again, I know where I’d stay.

Flavien G October 2023

NATURE LOVERS PARADISE Balenbouche Estate was the perfect place for our family of 4 to unplug and recharge. We stayed at the beautiful Almond Cottage which had plenty of space for all of us. My kids especially enjoyed exploring the property and playing with Uta's grandson. We appreciate the vision of the family that owns and runs this place, and I have been here many times over the years although this was my first time here with kids. Overall fantastic experience, looking forward to the next visit.

Kimberly H

July 2023

A TIMELESS EXPERIENCE IN NATURE Our stay was simply magical! Our hosts were so welcoming and we felt right at home. The rooms are basic but very clean and well equipped and there are home cooked meals offered most evenings. The whole place has a timeless quality to it and we got into a routine of breakfast on the veranda followed by a walk around the estate (something new to discover each time!) and reading/swimming on one of the two beaches on the property. Soon enough it was time for dinner! I would highly recommend this place for anyone looking to unplug and relax in nature. I felt quite tearful when it was time to leave and we were very sorry to part with our wonderful hosts!

Rosie P April 2023

Stepping into the Balenbouche Estate is like going back into the past. This place is magic, special, authentic, somewhat rough around the edges, and we immediately fell in love with this place! Anitanja and her mother Uta welcomed us as if we were family, took us into the history of this beautiful place and gave us the opportunity to relax after the crowded Coconut Bay Resort. We looooved the stories, the antiques, the soft touch and family feel of this place! Anitanja is a great cook, probably the best food we had on St Lucia, mixing local ingredients with talent and passion. We had a really relaxing yoga session in the barn, with her as well, and as a novice, I must say I felt the benefits of it even after a few days. Both our hosts are extremely well connected to the life of the island, so feel free to ask them everything you want to know. The only issue we ran into was with mosquitoes, as our cottage had open walls on top, right under the roof, which made our stay slightly annoying. If you are looking for authenticity, kindness and amazing stories from the past, this is the place to be. Sit down, relax, and listen!

Arthur Liegeois April 2023

Had four wonderful days at Balenbouche. Beautiful estate and access to two lovely beaches on site - we really enjoyed going down in the afternoons and had the beach to ourselves! We stayed in Water Lilly cottage which was beautiful, spacious and had a lovely veranda plus a kitchenette with enough equipment to cook simple meals. We enjoyed the cats and dogs on the estate keeping us company but do keep in mind they are free roaming - massive plus for us as animal people! Balenbouche is all about being at one with nature and we loved the cottage for this - involved a few bugs and critters but nothing plenty of bug spray couldn’t fix for us. Really delicious breakfast and dinner offered several times a week up at the main house. Well worth hiring a car too to explore the island - not too much walkable from the estate but plenty within driving distance - we had a lovely time using it as our base and exploring local towns and beaches during the day. All in all we had a lovely stay.

Jessica March 2023

A VERY SPECIAL PLACE We were delighted to find this charming hotel tucked away in a very quiet area of south west Saint Lucia, we had previously stayed in the more commercial northern part of the island and wanted a more relaxed style of visit. Balenbouche did not disappoint us. Communication was easy through email and WhatsApp and the ladies gave us helpful advice and guidance. The hotel grounds are stunningly beautiful and tucked away is a ruined sugar mill and intact Victorian machinery. The mill is worth a visit in its own right! Our cottage was well equipped and it was easy to prepare a simple meal. The bed was large and comfy and the mosquito net was the best I have ever slept under. The ladies have managed to create a safe and sustainable environment where even the wild birds are tame. Don’t come if you need hairdryers, shaver points and TV, but do come to be nurtured and healed. The onsite exploring may not be suitable for those with mobility issues, but the cottage that we stayed in was mostly easily accessible with only 1 step. The cottage was well-equipped with basic items. Kitchen items available. Note that they are not air-conditioned but 2 fans in ours made this not an issue with cool breezes at night. Amenities are rustic but similar to rest of island when not at a resort. We enjoyed this experience so much. We had 2 breakfast which was lovely. Note that dinner is not every night, so you may need to eat out or plan to bring food. We had a rental car which worked out very well (driving is on left side – so a major adjustment if coming from states). A supermarket is nearby in next town, a short drive away. A great place to eat is Mama Tilly’s in Laborie. We were served fresh lobster here on New Years day when everything else was closed and we were hungry! It was an amazing surprise. Prices at Balenbouche for food and Mama Tilly’s are very reasonable. Food prices on island tend to be expensive. If you are looking for an experience rather than a luxury resort, stay here. You will not be disappointed. I hope I can return with my kids someday once they are a bit older. Uta is an amazing host. Everything about payment and arrangements was easy-going and very accommodating. We appreciate the hosts very much and will hope to return sooner than later.

Jeanine February 2023

This is a must for your St Lucia stay. Balenbouche estate is a peaceful and magical property available for stays, day trips, and dinner. We did a day visit and explored the property which has 2 secluded beaches. Only 1 of the beaches felt safe to swim and was delightful. You need to climb down fairly step stairs to access the swimming beach but worth it! The vegetation is lush and wild. Their family of rescue dogs and cats lay about the property. Then the FOOD! We ate there for a buffet which they offer most nights. We sat out on the porch and felt immediately transported. Magic was everywhere. One of the owners is the chef and she cooks wholesome food some of which is locally sourced from the property such as amaranth and couscous. Every dish was beyond delicious. The owners were a large part of the magic, inviting welcoming intimate conversation. If you want a special experience, don’t miss this place!

Deb

February 2023

WONDERFUL CHANGE OF PACE WITH FASCINATING EXPLORING This is my second visit to Balenbouche. My first time was just for a lovely dinner about 15 years ago. This time with my husband for a 2 night stay. Love all the mystery this place has to offer! Amazing hosts will tell you stories of the past that will leave you wondering what’s possible. Main house is full of history. Grounds are begging to be explored. 2 different secluded beaches that are likely not suitable for swimming at any time due to current, but a great place to lay out and hang out. About 1/4 mile walk to get to them and some steps down are needed. The sugar mill remains surrounded by rainforest are enchanting and impressive.

Scarlett January 5, 2023

Articles, Travel Guides and Blogs

Grenzenlos – die Welt Entdecken
“The big 6, Caribbean Green Retreats”, The Independent UK
Caribbean Eco-hotels: Four of the best, UK Telegraph
Ecological Retreats,
Conde Nast Traveller
More Sun for the Money,
Conde Nast Traveller
All in the Family, Islands Magazine
Spiegel
New York Times
New York Magazine

Kenwood Travel
Frommer’s
Lonely Planet
Travel and Leisure
Island Effect
Stlucia.org
my-stlucia.org
numundo.org
Hidden Gem Travel
SuperYachtservicesguide
sonne-wolken.de
Chasing Magic Places
Loop St Lucia

meghantelpner.com
jhdricker.blogspot.com
Lindsey in the Garden
Big Country (Leo)
Segeln um die Welt
Jennifer leigh photos
Balenbouche Workaway
Worldschooler Exchange
Global Ecovillage Network
Open Green map
Balembouche Wikipedia

Newsletter 2017