Bay Gardens Inn

Bay Gardens Inn is the smallest of the three Bay Gardens properties: One of its sister properties, Bay Gardens Hotel, is set adjacent to the Bay Garden Inn’s modest entrance; while the other, Bay Gardens Beach Resort, is a free shuttle ride away. As you might expect based on the inn’s affordable rates, it doesn’t offer many bells and whistles, with the compact property including an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a bar, and that’s about it. 

Rooms and facilities are quite clean, plus lots of colorful paint jobs help to create an inviting atmosphere, but the overall aesthetic is simple and unfashionable. Couples looking for a down-to-earth, affordable getaway may appreciate the quiet ambiance and competitive rates. Free access to off-site facilities gives Bay Gardens Inn an edge over most of the other wallet-friendly properties in the area. 

Bay Gardens Inn is located in Rodney Bay, a harbor side town located at north end of the island. Free shuttle service to Reduit Beach, a four-minute drive away, is available. Shops and restaurants line the hotel's surrounding streets, and there's a shopping center next door with eateries. Dining options within walking distance range from familiar chains like Dominos to local fare. 

Other attractions in the area include a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, which is a 10-minute drive away, and Pigeon Island, which can also be reached in about 10 minutes by car. Many of the island’s most famous sites, including the Pitons, are found a 90-minute drive south close to the town of Soufriere. St. Lucia’s main airport, Hewanorra Airport, is a 90-minute drive away as well.

Guest rooms at Bay Gardens Inn are colorful but not especially stylish, with their bright hues often clashing with one another -- think red-and-white drapes paired with a lime green accent wall and a gold bed skirt. Furniture is a bit mismatched too, with different pieces made from various types of wood and wicker. All units have flat-screen TVs, wall-mounted AC units, and free Wi-Fi (although the signal doesn’t reach every room). Standard and Superior Rooms offer coffeemakers, kettles, and mini-fridges, and Deluxe Rooms add microwaves. 

Private balconies or terraces furnished with basic tables and chairs are standard, with most overlooking the pool. Off-white tiled bathrooms have long vanities and wall-mounted hairdryers. Some have shower/tub combos while others have shower stalls with partial glass-block walls. Off-brand soap bars and hand lotion are provided, along with pump dispensers of shampoo and shower gel. 

Bay Gardens Inn’s roster of on-site features is adequate for a small property. Guests are free to use the facilities at the inn’s two sister properties, which include multiple pools, several restaurants, a spa, a fitness center, and access to Reduit Beach. It’s an easy walk to neighboring Bay Gardens Hotel, from where shuttle service runs hourly to Bay Gardens Beach Resort.

The centerpiece of the Bay Gardens Inn is a rectangular pool, which is surrounded by a handful of plastic loungers and patio tables. The pool is unimpressive, but it’s nice enough for a quick dip. Guests can also walk across the street and use the three additional pools found at the Bay Gardens Hotel. 

Breakfast is offered at the inn’s small, bland restaurant, although when the inn is at low occupancy (as it was during our visit), the restaurant closes completely. There’s also a faded bar in the lobby, but it wasn’t staffed during our visit. 

There’s a small lounge just off the lobby, furnished with some cushioned wicker sofas and armchairs, plus a low shelf filled with paperback books. This area also includes a single cubicle with a PC, which is available for guests to use. Free Wi-Fi is offered around the pool and in most guest rooms. There’s free self-parking in a small lot at the front of the property.