St. James’s Club Morgan Bay

St. James’s Club Morgan Bay is one of the least-expensive all-inclusive properties in St. Lucia. From average-quality restaurants to lackluster guest rooms, the resort is clean and attractive but lacks any kind of “wow” factor. The 22-acre property stretches from a small beach along Choc Bay to a low hillside. Most of the facilities and rooms are found close to the beachfront, with some upper-level guest rooms, Tree Tops Restaurant, the spa, and the adults-only pool set in the hills, overlooking the bay.

This property is a good fit for both families and couples. Numerous bars with free-flowing drinks, and designated adults-only areas are nice features for couples, while the excellent kids’ club, crowd-pleasing food options, and large family pool with waterslides ensure that travelers with children feel equally welcome. 

The resort can get pretty crowded, particularly during the high season, which can mean limited space on the small beach. With tons of choices for dining, activities, and entertainment, St. James’s Club delivers the simple, fun-filled all-inclusive experience that many guests are wanting. 

St. James's Club Morgan Bay is set along Choc Bay in northwestern St. Lucia. The property is located off the highway linking Rodney Bay and Castries, which are a 10-minute drive north and south of the resort, respectively. There’s nothing of note within walking distance, although many guests spend most of their time on the property to take full advantage of its all-inclusive dining and activities. 

Most of St. Lucia’s attractions, including Soufriere and the Pitons, are found toward the southern end of the island, a little more than an hour’s drive away. George F.L. Charles Airport can be reached in less than 10 minutes by car from the hotel, while Hewanorra International Airport is about an hour's drive away.

Guest rooms at St. James's Club Morgan Bay are pleasant enough but not especially stylish, with tile floors and either white wicker or low-quality wooden furniture. The decor doesn’t seem completely pulled together -- for example, our room paired floral curtains with striped accent pillows. Caribbean-inspired artwork adds some interest, but overall rooms feel outdated and in need of a refresh. On the plus side, all rooms have flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, mini-fridges, and closets that hold ironing boards, personal safes, and beach towels. Simply furnished balconies or terraces offer lovely views of the gardens, pool, or sea.

Beige-tile bathrooms have long countertops and shower/tub combos. Fixtures are well-maintained but hardly modern. Generic bath products, towels, and wall-mounted hairdryers are provided. 

One- and Two-Bedroom Ocean and Garden View Suites add living areas, some of which have sofa beds. There’s a fee for Wi-Fi and it’s only available in the Deluxe Ocean View Rooms, and One-Bedroom Ocean and Garden View Suites. Interconnecting Family Suites are available. 

St. James's Club Morgan Bay offers a dizzying range of facilities and activities for both children and adults. There are four outdoor pools set in various areas of the property: The main pools are two sprawling freeform pools found near the beach, one of which includes a swim-up bar. There’s also a two-tier family pool with plastic pool slides and a shallow wading area. The most scenic pool is the lagoon-shaped, adults-only pool, which features beautiful views over the sea and island from its hillside location.

The property backs onto a short stretch of beige sand beach dotted by palm trees. The blue beach umbrellas and loungers provided by the hotel are close together, making it easy for the beach to feel crowded. The resort’s all-inclusive rates include a wide choice of activities and entertainment, such as non-motorized water sports like snorkeling, waterskiing, and kayaking.

The kids’ club, which is open to children age 2 to 11, features crafts, cooking classes, board games, and a variety of other supervised activities. A small, peaceful spa overlooking the sea offers scrubs, massages, facials, and hair salon services. There are also a few shops, which sell a standard selection of souvenirs, beach wear, and basic amenities like sunscreen and toothpaste.

The well-sized fitness center is bright and modern, with an impressive range of machines and free weights, along with an attached yoga deck. Group classes like Tai Chi, Caribbean dance, and spinning are included in the all-inclusive package. Guests also have access to four tennis courts. Free Wi-Fi is only available in the lobby and the Sunset Lounge. There’s free self-parking on-site. Wedding planning services are available as well.

The St. James’s Club Morgan Bay all-inclusive package covers food and drinks at five of the resort’s six restaurants. The Palms is the main restaurant at St. James's Club, offering the standard buffet spread for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The resort’s other restaurants are a la carte and require reservations. The seafood restaurant, Morgan’s Pier, is the most distinctive, set in a covered wooden pier that extends to the sea. Other dining options include Bambou, which offers Caribbean and Asian-inspired cuisine; Plum Tree Grille, which serves casual poolside fare; and Tree Tops, a hillside restaurant specializing in pizza and pasta. The resort’s sixth restaurant, the adults-only Le Jardin, charges an extra dining fee. Room service is also available, but it’s not part of the all-inclusive package. Most guests report the food is average across the board.

For snacks, there’s Choc Bay Cafe, which is quite cute with its striped cushions and cheerful green ceiling. In addition to the bars found at the restaurants, there are bars located at the main pool and hilltop pool, plus a beach bar. Sunset Bar & Lounge, the resort’s biggest bar, hosts live entertainment each night, ranging from karaoke to fire-eating performances.