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. 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.
Staying at Balenbouche was a dream and Uta and her family were great from the get-go! We messaged on Airbnb to see if we could book for the next day and Verena – Uta’s daughter – had responded within the hour with not only a booking invitation sent but also more information about breakfast, dinner and airport pick-up! On such short notice, we were so impressed and grateful that dinner (let alone booking!) was still an option.
Balenbouche is its own mini paradise – so very beautiful and tucked away in a luscious green haven. The estate has plenty to do, walk around and see – both of the beaches are secluded and each time we went, we were the only people there. Frangipani is a gorgeous cottage and is a perfect place to relax and unwind. Whilst we didn’t do too much cooking, all of the necessary amenities were there.
Dinner and breakfast were amazing when we had it at the main house – Uta and Anitanja are amazing cooks! What was most endearing was how gracious and kind Uta and her family were – we got some sandfly bites and Anitanja gave us some oil and cream for the bites. Anitanja was also amazing with recommendations of what to do and see, and even took us to the supermarket so that we could grab a few groceries. It’s this level of care and dedication that you certainly don’t get elsewhere.
Thank you for such an unforgettable and beautiful stay!
A verbose review – no amount of words can do Balenbouche Estate justice – we will certainly be back when we return to St Lucia.
Madeleine, airbnb, July 2022
Booked and arrived for a 2 week stay and nearly fell out of the van upon our arrival from rubber necking my way around the property. Stunning, magical, quiet, vivid colors, birds, flowers, Waterlily cottage and of course the family. All were well above expectation. We have been married for 21 years and were never able to take a honeymoon. We found Balenbouche Estates and kept going back to the website. Verena and Uta welcomed us as we arrived and we just felt like we were being greeted by old friends. The estate is a treasure trove of small and grand experiences. From two beaches to wade in, walks around the property, always with a tour guild of one of six dogs, exploring the massive sugar cane wheel, dining on the porch of the 180 year old house, visiting with new friends at one of the other very unique cottages, or just sitting under a blanket of stars at night. And that was day ONE and just the beginning! Dinner the first night was delivered to our door and was delicious as was breakfast the next morning on the porch of the main house. We didn’t have any set plans on this trip and just slowly developed our daily itinerary as we went. Verena and Uta were never far behind to lend us a hand on where to go and see but were never intrusive. We hired two drivers and both were great. Shem drove us for several day trips and never disappointed with knowledge of the island, local culture and fabulous little stops for grilled meats and seafood. Again it felt like we were visiting an old friend. Our trip never ventured further north than Soifriere and we never felt like we missed out on anything on the north end, maybe next trip. Some highlights were The Atlantic Horseback ride on the beach with our guild Max, the Des Cartier Forest Trail with Marvin, the Tet Paul Trail with Fabulous. It is not that we needed a guild but we deserved one. They all know the trees and trail secrets and history and locals and have such pride for their island. Always to return in the evening to Balenbouche. It was so much more than just a place to stay, it became a place to come home to.
Claus, April 2022
I spent 8 wonderful days at Balenbouche. I can truely say that here I found my ‘happy place’.
My beautiful cottage Moringa was clean and airey – no need for air con here – and I had all the utensils I needed to make meals if I wished. There was the option to request breakfast and dinner if desired and the meals I ate were nicely presented and very nutricious, using locally sourced produce. The bread with breakfast, baked locally in a wood fired kiln, was the best I have tasted!!!
Within the grounds there are great walks, giving access to the diversity of flora and fauna and also to the facinating ruins of the old sugar processing mill.
There are 2 beaches within a 10 minute walk through the estate. When I used them I was the only person there.
The little village of Laborie is fairly close by and there are a couple of nice local bar/resaurants and a beach.
Uta, Verena, her partner Josh, and Arabella who run the estate all welcomed me and made me feel part of a family – a fairly rare feeling when you travel solo as did the wonderful estate dogs.
Balenbouche is a gem and I Gods willing, I will return next year.
Allan D, March 2022
“Balenbouche is indeed a world within itself exuding a tranquil presence of warmth, hospitality and harmony.” (Tropical Traveler)
info@balenbouche.com
+ 1 (758) 455-1244
P.O. Box VF 707, LC12101, St Lucia
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