La Haut Resort

La Haut Resort is set on a leafy, 52-acre property that once served as a cocoa and coconut plantation. The main building is a charming, blue-and-white wooden structure, once the site where cocoa beans were fermented and dried. The nearby Copra House cottage was once used for processing coconuts. The restaurant and main swimming pool are across from these buildings. From here, a 200-yard pathway slopes down the mountainside to the additional buildings and a sparkling infinity pool. Donkeys, ducks, and goats can often be spotted roaming around the property, and many of the various fruits, vegetables, and herbs grown on the grounds are neatly labeled. 

The decor shows noticeable signs of age in the guest rooms and common areas, but La Haut Resort is one of the more affordable properties on the southwest side of the island, and its views are on par with those found at pricier resorts. The hotel mainly draws couples, although the Cottage, Two-Bedroom Unit, and Three-Bedroom Villa would all be fine choices for families and groups of friends traveling together. The restaurant draws some non-guests, but the atmosphere is generally quiet throughout the day and evening -- this is not the place for those seeking nightlife.

La Haut Resort is located along a steep curving road leading out of Soufriere, toward Castries City. It’s a five-minute drive to Soufriere, a small town home to a number of restaurants and conveniences like banks and pharmacies. Soufriere’s brightly painted buildings are quaint, but there are a few seedy areas. The hotel provides free shuttle service to town, as well as Anse Chastanet Beach, which is a 15-minute drive away.

While there’s nothing within walking distance of the hotel, it’s a short drive to most of St. Lucia’s main attractions. Diamond Botanical Gardens and Sulphur Springs Volcano Park are both less than a 15-minute drive away. Sugar Beach can be reached in a 20-minute drive. It’s a 50-minute drive to Hewanorra International Airport.

Guest rooms in the main building are homey and old-fashioned, with pastel colored walls and older rattan furniture. Ground-floor rooms have clay-tiled flooring, while upper-floor rooms have wooden floors. The linens are dated and often mismatched, such as floral bedspreads paired with plaid drapes. Firm beds are swathed in mosquito netting, and large wooden closets hold personal safes. There are no phones, not all rooms have TVs, and while Wi-Fi is available throughout the property the signal can be spotty. Ground-floor rooms have AC, while upper-floor rooms have fans. All include small kitchenettes with coffee- and tea-making facilities, microwaves, and mini-fridges. The hotel has its own water supply and recommends guests boil tap water before drinking it, which can be a nuisance. All rooms have beautiful, plantation-style balconies or terraces with rocking chairs. Views are of the Pitons as well as the sea or gardens. Basic bathrooms have showers with older fixtures and long countertops with round sinks. Towels and bath products by ProTerra are provided. 

The Premium Vista Rooms, which are set 200 yards from the main building, are more modern, with cream-colored walls, four-poster beds, and newer furniture. Bathrooms have hairdryers, and roomier balconies have hammocks. There’s also a two-story cottage (Copra House), with a separate living area and kitchenette with oven. Other room categories include a two-bedroom unit with two bathrooms, as well as a Three-Bedroom Villa situated 400 yards from the property. The Fond Canne Units, which are also 400 yards away, feature three one-bedroom units that can be rented together or separately.

La Haut offers a modest line-up of on-site features. The hotel’s open-air restaurant, which is arranged over three terraces, has eye-popping views of rolling green mountains. The decor is a bit hodgepodge, with pale coral exterior trim clashing with plaid tablecloths. The food, however, is remarkably good and cheap. Most dishes incorporate local seafood, fruits, veggies, and herbs. Free breakfast is included in the room rate and includes fruit juices, breads, pastries, as well as the option of cooked-to-order eggs and pancakes. 

There’s a common area at the back of the restaurant with a snooker table, an upright piano, and a small collection of books and games. This room has pretty French windows, but otherwise it looks fairly dark and dated. 

The hotel’s main pool is located alongside the restaurant. This capsule-shaped pool is bordered by a concrete deck with a mix of painted wood and metal loungers. The dramatic views of the surrounding mountains, with the Pitons peeking out over a row of palm trees, elevate the pool area from average to quite lovely. A second pool is located on the other side of the property, close to the Premium Vista Rooms. It’s a narrow, curving infinity pool with spectacular views of the Pitons, Soufriere, and the sea. 

The hotel’s fitness center is set near the Premium Vista Rooms and infinity pool, about 200 yards down the mountainside. It’s a hot, dimly-lit space that looks like it might have previously been used as a conference room. There are just three machines: a treadmill, a stationary bike, and a weight-lifting machine. 

A large, parlor-like room with handsome furniture is available for meetings. There’s no beach on the property, but the hotel provides free shuttle service to Anse Chastanet beach (as well as Soufrière) at fixed times every day. Massages, manicures, and a small selection of other beauty services can be arranged in-room for a surcharge. Guests can take free tours of the hotel property, and free plates of fruit are provided in guest rooms each day. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, although the connection isn’t reliable. Free self-parking is available in front of reception. Wedding planning services are also offered.