Fond Doux Plantation & Resort

Staying at Fond Doux was such a lovely, unique experience. We were coming off of 3 nights at a Sandals near Castries and wanted to end our trip with a quieter hotel, close to some activities. We were welcomed with a cocktail and promptly shown to our cottage - we were staying in the Treehouse which was so aptly named. It was up a bunch of stairs, up in the trees, with a beautiful view of the valley. The cottages are so cool - I love how actual houses are taken from other parts of the island and refurbished. The decor is island shabby chic, and the outdoor shower was so enjoyable. Whenever we wanted to go to town, we would just call down to the front desk and they'd arrange transport. We would often take down the drivers' numbers so that we could just call them when we needed a return trip. Each of the rides was charged to the room and was settled at the end of the trip so no having to deal with cash. Super convenient. There is also a free shuttle that'll take you to either Sugar or Paradise beach daily which is a nice touch. The restaurant was great! Breakfast was included and they always had your standard fare, but also some local favorites that were fun to try. Get the cocoa tea! So good. Also the roti at lunch GAVE ME LIFE after a long Piton hike - would 100% recommend if you are a fan of Indian food. The waitstaff and barstaff were all very helpful and friendly and will make sure you are well taken care of. Our cottage had a plunge pool which was freezing, but amazing for soothing our aching muscled post-hikes. The main pool is beautiful, and when we were there, sparsely used so it felt like our private paradise. One thing to note - this place is truly in a jungle. The jungle is LOUD. Frogs, lizards, birds, and who knows what else.. at nighttime it turns into a bonafide symphony of nature. And if it rains on those tin roofs it sounds like a monsoon! It was difficult to fall asleep the first night (I am admittedly a light sleeper), but I got used to it for the subsequent nights. Nevertheless, it might be wise to bring ear plugs for sleeping. Our bed had a mosquito net, but I did get eaten up anyways, so bug spray would also be a good idea. There is also a lot of wildlife, some of which shows up in the outdoor shower! I found myself showering with lizards, frogs, and snails, depending on the day. One night, I opened the door and a lizard ran into the room and up my pant leg before I screamed and flung it off! You don't have to like critters, but make sure you can tolerate them at times, because you are deep within their territory!

Fond Doux is a beautiful lodge with very kind and friendly staff. We stayed in a cottage with AC and a plunge pool called the Tree House. It sat up on a hillside by itself overlooking over one of the historic buildings near the restaurant. It felt very private and peaceful. The room itself was very spacious, the outdoor shower was nice and had plenty of hot water. The patio space was very nice as well and had beautiful views. Unfortunately, the pump for the pool was not working so we didn’t utilize it during our stay. It would be nice if they gave you a skimming net to clean out the bugs/leaves that fall in overnight. The mini fridge also stopped working one of the days, but the staff did fix that quickly. The lounge chairs on the patio also needed replaced. The grounds of the lodge are beautiful and make for a very tranquil setting. We loved the abundance of birds, lizards, and frogs. Falling asleep to the whistling frogs was relaxing. We also had a family of kittens living behind our cottage which was fun. The grounds of the lodge are set into a hillside so many of the paths are steep and there are a lot of steps. This is probably not the place for someone with mobility issues. The Five Finger Restaurant was very nice as well and overall the food offered was good. Dinners where the food was Indian or Caribbean were definitely better than when they offered more American or international style food. A couple of nights there was live music which was fun. Breakfast in the mornings was a buffet and was generally good. Prices in St. Lucia tend to be expensive so just keep this in mind. The prices at the restaurant seemed fair compared to other restaurants in the area. Also, you are on an island in the Caribbean so service tends to be slower and more relaxed. You will not get fast paced service like in the U.S. Slow down and relax. This held true at other restaurants including one at a 5 star resort. All of the staff were very kind, from the front desk workers, to the wait staff, to the housekeepers and the security guards. We did not go on any of the onsite tours or use the spa. The chocolate machine was out of order when we were there so we decided to not do the chocolate tour. I’m sure that would be fun to do when it’s in working order again.

We stayed in Angelina - a beautiful 2 bed plantation house. However it could have done with a bit of an update….. Both toilets broke multiple times & we had to keep reporting them. Quickly resolved but unnecessary. Similar issue with WiFi dropping out. Bathroom & bedroom doors wouldn’t stay shut - not an issue for us but could be for others. The kitchen utensils were sparse & it felt as if no one wanted us to use it. Asked for some more glasses, bottle opener, sharp knife - never got them. Saying all of that the resort is lovely and feels authentic and a far cry from the so many soulless alternatives. Most of the staff were super friendly and keen to chat. The pool was quiet and a great place to chill; barely anyone there. Breakfast was delicious and staff super friendly. We only had 1 other meal in the restaurant - it was nice but pricey. Make sure you hire a car - so many people using taxis & tours & so much more flexibility & cheaper to have your own wheels. Plus found some great local places to eat - recommend Martha’s Table & Brigand Hideaway; both easy to drive to. Also must see - Anse Mamim our favourite beach. Enjoy!

Glorious setting. The resort was fairly basic as expected, but very lovely. Sadly there was only one restaurant, and it felt a little tired, but the staff were charming. it was a rainy few days but we were able to make the best of it. Although you needed to get taxis everywhere, it is easy enough, and we were very conveniently located for all the great attractions nearby. Our favourite was a great morning visiting the volcano, the mud baths and the mineral pools. Tet Paul walk nice and close. And the time we were able to spend by the small pools was peaceful and beautiful.

Beautiful surroundings, wonderful cottage, and the most caring, attentive staff. Felt like we were in the middle of the jungle, birds everywhere, tropical plants and flowers, and extremely secluded. Plunge pool was a great addition. There were a lot of stairs to get up to our cottage but the location was worth it. There are some more accessible rooms if needed that don’t require stairs. Food at the restaurant was yummy, big breakfasts everyday that are included with the stay. The receptionists help us book taxis and dinner reservations at neighboring hotels. The rest of the staff was so kind, remembering our names and always around for assistance or just to chat. A wonderful, nature focused resort for those who enjoy a mix of luxury and experiencing local culture and geography. Book here, you won’t regret it!