Mango Beach Inn

The journey to reach Mango Beach Inn is an experience in and of itself. Set on the far side of Marigot Bay, the inn is accessed via a colorful little ferry that continually chugs back and forth across the bay. After the two-minute ride, guests arrive on the dock of The Rainforest Hideaway restaurant, beyond which a wooden gate and weather-worn sign mark the entrance to the Mango Beach Inn. 

Stone steps shaded by plant life lead up to the inn; the steps branch off to the pool area along the way. Gardens filled with hummingbirds, tree frogs, and lizards part to reveal a historic stone building with white trim. An arched entranceway with a wrought-iron gate opens into the reception area. It’s a cluttered, multi-purpose office space that the owners, John and Judith Verity, use to manage several different businesses. This main building also houses the common area and the Green Fig Suite. The Blue Bamboo Cottage is set in a separate building down an adjacent pathway. 

John and Judith live on the property with several friendly dogs and cats -- an important note for guests with allergies or aversions. With domestic decor and an informal ambience, the inn feels like the family home that it is. John and Judith interact regularly with guests, taking them on guided nature walks, offering yoga classes, or organizing other personalized experiences upon request. The inn is popular with couples as well as families -- children under 10 stay for free. Mango Beach Inn’s peaceful atmosphere is ideal for budget conscious guests interested in experiencing a less touristy side of St. Lucia. 

Mango Beach Inn is located in the tiny community of Marigot Bay, which is built around a gorgeous natural harbor. Set on the far side of the bay, the inn is inaccessible by road. An on-demand ferry serves as the connection between the bay’s two shores. It runs 24 hours a day, and the journey across the bay takes less than five minutes. There’s a free public parking lot where guests with rental cars can leave their vehicles before catching the ferry across the water to the inn.

While it doesn’t have its own beach, Mango Beach Inn is less than a five-minute walk away from the beach at Marigot Beach Club. This thin strip of sand definitely isn’t one of St. Lucia’s better beaches, but it’s a nice spot for snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, and admiring the view across the bay. Marigot Bay Marina Village, located on the opposite side of the bay from the inn, is home to a grocery store, a few shops, a bank, and a handful of quality restaurants. Although the village barely spans a block, the vibe here can get quite lively during the high season. 

Set about midway between the attractions of the north and south, the inn is a good base for exploring the island. It’s a 45-minute drive north to Rodney Bay, and just under an hour’s drive south to Soufriere and the Pitons. Hewanorra International Airport can be reached in a little over an hour by car. 

Mango Beach Inn has just two guest rooms, both of which are clean and homey with beachy white, blue, and sea green color palettes. King-size beds with simple, white linens are draped in mosquito netting. Headboards are carved to resemble rows of palm trees, and throw pillows with branch motifs are lined up neatly along the tops of the beds. The fabrics are pleasantly mismatched, with stripes in some areas and floral prints or checked patterns in others. There are a few hand-painted wall murals, as well as somewhat faded artwork depicting local scenes. Flooring is tiled, and stone accent walls are painted white. Both rooms have mini-fridges and air-conditioning. The Green Fig Suite has a flat-screen TV, and although both rooms have Wi-Fi, the signal can be spotty in the Blue Bamboo Cottage. Blue Bamboo also has a modest sunken living area with a daybed, which can be used as a bed.

Unfussy bathrooms feature narrow showers with printed curtains, as well as older fixtures and small sink areas. Towels, generic shampoo, and local handmade soaps are provided. Both rooms have big porches with loungers and either a table or picnic bench. Green Fig is attached to the main house, and its porch is a bit less private than the other unit's; its view is slightly obstructed by tropical vegetation as well. By comparison, Blue Bamboo’s porch has clearer views of the bay. 

As a two-room inn, Mango Beach has just a handful of on-site features. There’s an oval pool nestled amid greenery, which offers partial views over the bay. A few blue loungers are arranged around the pool, and a wooden hut shelters a couple of tables and a jumble of pool toys. One of the inn’s two guest barbecues is found on the pool deck, and the other is located in the garden. 

Guests have access to a large, breezy common area with whitewashed vaulted ceilings and stone pillars. With eclectic knickknacks like old clocks and seahorse ornaments, along with a range of comfy seating, the common area has the warm, low-key feel of a family room. Huge windows along the far wall offer spectacular views over the bay. Guests are free to use the common room for watching TV, reading, or surfing the internet (the Wi-Fi signal is strongest here). Free breakfast, which is served in the common room each morning, features a lovely spread of local jams, fresh breads and pastries, cereals, yogurt, and fruit grown on the grounds. 

The Rainforest Hideaway restaurant is set on the wooden dock below the inn. Striking views over the bay are complimented by the restaurant’s rustic luxe interior, which features dark rattan chairs, fairy lights, and hanging lanterns. Live jazz music is performed here four nights a week, further enhancing the romantic ambience. Specializing in Caribbean cuisine, the restaurant is one of the best in St. Lucia -- just don’t expect the prices to be as affordable as the inn’s rates. 

A fridge in reception serves as an honor bar. Guests are free to help themselves to beer, wine, soft drinks, and water after making a note of their purchase. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, but the signal is best in the main building.