Villa Beach Cottages

Villa Beach Cottages makes a charming first impression, with its red-brick parking lot and colonial-inspired cottages. Painted pale blue and yellow with white trim and fretwork, the two-story cottages include upper and lower units. The property is small, with short, garden-lined pathways wandering between the closely set cottages and leading toward the pool area and beach.

Although the interior decor is a bit dated, Villa Beach’s suites are a practical choice for families and groups of friends. The property tends to attract a fair number of repeat guests -- St. Lucian Nobel Prize laureate Sir Derek Walcott has stayed here several times. There’s no restaurant or bar on-site, so it’s definitely not a good choice for guests looking to socialize and party. The vibe is easy-going and intimate, with the pools and beach typically serene and uncrowded. 

Villa Beach Cottages is off a busy road running between Castries and Rodney Bay Village. Fortunately, the cottages are set far back enough from the road that traffic noise is not a problem in most suites. Two supermarkets, a shopping mall, a few restaurants, a bank, and a movie theater are all less than a 15-minute walk away, but the walk is along fairly high-traffic roads. 

The property offers direct access to a relatively quiet stretch of Choc Bay Beach. The beach becomes progressively more crowded a short walk away, as it gets guests from the nearby Sandals resort. There’s an excellent beach restaurant and bar next door to the hotel. It’s a 12-minute drive to Rodney Bay and a five-minute drive to George F.L. Charles Airport. The town of Soufriere, the Pitons, and Hewanorra International Airport can all be reached in a little more than an hour by car.  

The 20 suites at Villa Beach Cottages are tidy and inviting but hardly modern. With the exception of the Studio Villa Suite, which has a combined bedroom, kitchen, and living space, the one- and two-bedroom units feature separate bedrooms and kitchens with dining tables. Windows have attractive wooden shutters, and floors are either tiled or laminate wood. Cream-colored walls are adorned with a few pieces of artwork, which range from colorful local art to uninspired still lifes. Flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi are standard. 

Most kitchens have light- or medium-wood cabinets and hunter-green countertops. Kitchens are well-equipped with ovens, microwaves, and a variety of cookware and appliances. All have older, wooden dining tables. Living areas with striped sofas and armchairs might be part of the dining area or the bedroom, depending on the unit. The Honeymoon Cottage is a duplex with a living area, dining area, and kitchen on the ground floor, with a spiral staircase leading up to the bedroom. Beds have floral print or salmon-colored bed runners. Many are four-poster, while others have weighty wooden head- and footboards. Some bedrooms have wooden dressers and/or small work desks. Deluxe One Bedroom Villa Suites have whirlpool tubs.

French doors open onto terraces or balconies, most of which have sea views. A few suites do not face the sea -- most notably the Studio Villa Suite, which opens onto the road. Many balconies are furnished with lovely teak tables and loungers. Simple bathrooms feature pedestal sinks and showers -- most of which are walk-in -- with partial glass-block walls. Basic off-brand toiletries, towels, and wall-mounted hairdryers are provided.

Villa Beach Cottages has a handful of nice on-site features. The narrow plot stretching between the villas and the beach has an appealing mix of tropical hardwood, cut-white stone, and landscaped lawn. Two pools bookend the plot: a small plunge pool with a rock and waterfall feature, and a larger pool with an integrated whirlpool. The pools are lined with comfy blue loungers and beach umbrellas, which overlook the sea. A few hammocks are looped between a row of palm trees, and there are also a couple of elegant blue-and-white gazebos. 

Coconuts, a tiny open-air dining area, offers a few wooden tables set under a pretty octagonal shelter. Meal service is provided here (or in-room) if requested in advance, and there’s also a barbecue available for guests. The property backs onto gorgeous Choc Bay and a thin stretch of powdery golden sands. Loungers, beach umbrellas, and beach towels are provided for guests. 

A trio of low buildings toward the front of the property house Koko’s Mini-Mart, where guests can stock up on toiletries, souvenirs, grocery staples, and other sundries. The buildings also encompass a casual little business center with two computer stations, a printer, and a tall shelf of used paperback books. 

For an additional fee, guests can pre-order “starter packs” and arrive at suites stocked with basic groceries like bread, coffee, and cereal. Massage services, performed in a poolside gazebo or in-room, can be arranged for a fee. Babysitting services and wedding planning are also offered. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and there’s a free parking lot on site.