Bay Gardens Hotel

Bay Gardens Hotel isn’t a posh property, but pastel-painted buildings and lovely flower gardens give it an inviting ambiance. While the hotel’s rooms and facilities are far from exceptional, everything is clean and bright. The location is also a plus -- it feels safe and there are plenty of shops and restaurants found within walking distance. The hotel’s easy-going atmosphere makes it a popular choice for couples, families, and groups -- you’ll see a lot of American and European travelers as well as local visitors from neighboring islands. There are certainly comparably priced hotels in Rodney Bay, but Bay Gardens Hotel’s diverse amenities put it a cut above most of its competitors.

Bay Gardens Hotel is located in northern St. Lucia in the harbor side town of Rodney Bay. The property is adjacent to the buzzing Baywalk Shopping Mall and its surrounding restaurants and shops. A lot of the restaurants located within walking distance are chains like KFC and Dominos, but there are a handful of local options as well. Reduit Beach takes about 20 minutes to reach on foot. 

Other attractions in the area include Pigeon Island, which is a 10-minute drive away, and the Gros Islet Street Party, which is held every Friday night and a five-minute drive away. St. Lucia’s famous Pitons are a 90-minute drive away, as is Hewanorra Airport. George F. L. Charles Airport can be reached in 20 minutes by car. 

Guest rooms at Bay Gardens Hotel range from Standard Rooms with king-size beds to two-bedroom suites with full kitchens. While rooms feature modern technology like iHome radios, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, they nonetheless have a slightly older feel overall. The style of the dark wood furniture is old-fashioned, the artwork is generic, and the fabrics are dated and often slightly mismatched. 

All units have balconies or terraces furnished with simple tables and chairs, with some views better than others. Standard and Superior Rooms have stations with coffeemakers, kettles, and mini-fridges, while Junior Executive Suites add microwaves and seating areas with sofa beds. One- and Two-Bedroom Suites include full kitchens with four-burner stovetops, as well as living and dining areas. 

Bathrooms offer off-brand soap bars and mini shampoo bottles, along with pump dispensers in the showers. Some have been renovated with basin sinks, newer fixtures, and granite countertops. Shower/tub combos are found in some, while others have simple shower stalls. 

Bay Gardens Hotel’s on-site features are adequate for a mid-range property, with its appeal enhanced by the added use of its beachfront sister property. The main courtyard pool found just off the lobby has a shallow kids’ swimming area, which is separated from the rest of the pool by a low, glass-block partition. There’s also a quiet, rectangular-shaped pool and a third pool with a rock waterfall feature. Each pool is surrounded by a hodgepodge of plastic loungers, wooden patio tables, and beach umbrellas. 

Spices Restaurant serves a familiar menu of Caribbean fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The open-air restaurant is dated and unstylish, but bold blue walls and sunny yellow trim help to offset its drab furniture. Cinnamon Bar overlooks the pool from one corner of the restaurant, offering a few high-top chairs lined up around a compact bar. All-inclusive meal plans are available and include the option of dining at Bay Gardens Beach Resort as well. Room service is also offered. 

There’s a large, nondescript meeting room that can accommodate up to 200 guests, with a breezy front terrace, and there's a cramped shop in the lobby that sells beachwear and souvenirs. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, although some guests report the connection can be hit or miss. Free self-parking is offered on-site. 

The hotel provides free hourly shuttle service to its sister property, Bay Gardens Beach Resort. Guests have access to the resort’s wider range of amenities including a spa, a fitness center, additional restaurants, and -- perhaps most importantly – a stretch of Reduit Beach.