Budget-friendly rates and a central location
Within walking distance of restaurants and the beach
Guest rooms have attractive views of the coast or city
In-room AC, flat-screen TVs, microwaves, kettles, and fridges
Interconnecting family suites available
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Free street parking
Dreary, dated decor and cleanliness issues
Surrounding neighborhood is visibly impoverished
No on-site amenities or elevator
Street parking can be challenging
The Downtown Hotel is an older, two-pearl property located in downtown Soufriere. The hotel’s 18 guest rooms are past their prime, offering worn-out decor and minimal amenities. Units do have nice views of the coast or surrounding town, but balconies are unfurnished. All come with AC, flat-screen TVs, microwaves, kettles, and fridges. Aside from free Wi-Fi, this hotel lacks any amenities, making rock-bottom rates its most appealing feature. While the hotel’s central location is convenient for exploring the attractions of south St. Lucia, the neighborhood is a tad seamy. Guests with flexibility in their budget should try Hummingbird Beach Resort instead -- the higher rates are well worth it.
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Scene
Rates are cheap, but don’t expect much else
The hotel is set on the upper floors of Excelsior Plaza, an older shopping center found on the crowded streets of Soufriere. The shopping center has a bit of an abandoned feel, with little foot traffic and lots of shuttered shops. There’s no elevator, so guests need to carry their luggage up two floors to reach reception and then up another floor to reach the guest rooms.
The reception area is dark and things don’t get much better in the stale guest rooms. Nonexistent on-site features and dated decor give the impression that the owners have made only the minimum updates over the years (if that). Guests are anonymous -- interactions with staff are limited to check-in and check-out and it’s rare to run into another guest in the barren hallways. Aside from budget-friendly prices, this property offers little enticement.
Location
In downtown Soufriere, a short walk from the beach
The Downtown Hotel is found in Soufriere, the second largest settlement on the island. The town’s weathered, colonial-style buildings are charming and the location exudes a lot of local flavor, but the surrounding streets feel somewhat seedy and driving can be tricky. There are banks, pharmacies, and small restaurants found within walking distance of the hotel, and the town’s beach is less than five minutes away on foot.
Beautiful Anse Chastanet beach is a 12-minute drive away, and Sulphur Springs can be reached in six minutes by car. It’s a five-minute drive to Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens and Mineral Baths, and a 50-minute drive to Hewanorra International Airport.
Rooms
Drab rooms need a refresh but the views are top-notch
Guest rooms at The Downtown Hotel are sparsely furnished and tidy but far from immaculately clean. Beds are fitted with frumpy bedspreads and walls feature faded, hospitality-style artwork. All rooms have tables and a pair of chairs, but the wooden furniture is showing signs of age. Units also include AC, kettles, microwaves, and fridges (although the kettle in our room had the wrong plug type for St. Lucia’s outlets).
Flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi are the only modern amenities. Unfurnished balconies offer excellent views of the coast, or the rooftops of Soufriere’s French colonial-influenced buildings backed by rolling green mountains. Dim lighting does nothing to improve the dingy appearance of the bathrooms, which include shower/tub combos and pump dispensers of shower gel. Family Suites feature two units connected by basic living areas with lumpy sofas and armchairs.
Features
Free Wi-Fi is this spartan property’s sole feature
Don’t expect a pool, restaurant, or fitness center at this no-frills property. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout and the connection was solid during our visit. Free parking is offered on the street in front of the hotel, but narrow roads and frequent traffic congestion can make it difficult to get in and out of a spot.
