Sitting high on the hills above sleepy Soufriere, you feel as though you are quite simply on top of the world. Despite its name, this is not just a resort, but first and foremost a working cocoa and citrus plantation that’s much more than a stop-off for tourists. The fabulous location allows you to experience what it's like to live and work on the land in St. Lucia.
If you manage to drag yourself away from the refreshing pools (there are 2, including a stunning infinity pool at the owners' villa) and from the hypnotic views (of the iconic Pitons), you can ask for a guided tour of the estate and learn how tropical fruits are grown, or help feed the baby goats.
Family-owned and managed by St Lucian-Canadians, this is a relaxed, informal place, where you can pot a few snooker balls, play the old piano and unwind in beautiful surroundings. It's a must for nature-lovers, whether couples, families or a group of friends: you can book an individual room, a cottage, or the whole hotel.
Highs
- The spectacular views take in the Pitons, the fishing town of Soufriere and the Caribbean Sea
- The atmosphere is unpretentious, relaxed and homely (things may not always run to time); ripe fruit on the trees is yours to pick
- There’s a wide choice of rooms and cottages, all with kitchenettes
- It’s excellent value for money (by Caribbean standards) and there are two pools for guests to use
- The cool breeze blowing through the windchimes makes a welcome change from the baking heat of the beaches
Lows
- Rooms are old-fashioned plantation style and not all rooms have a/c
- Solar heating means the hot water can be limited at times
- The Premium Vista Rooms and 2-Bedroom Cottage are 200 yards away from the bar
- Not a place for those seeking hectic nightlife or beachside rooms
Best time to go
High season runs from December through to April and the island gets very busy, so you'll need to book well ahead. May is the hottest month. The hurricane season runs from June to November, though be prepared for sudden showers at any time (it's what makes St Lucia's vegetation so lush).
Our top tips
Go on one of the morning tours of the working 52-acre plantation, which includes oranges, grapefruits, limes, coffee, cocoa, nutmeg, cashew, soursop, guava, mango, avocado, papaya, banana and coconuts. It’s a great opportunity to find out about St Lucia’s past and present and discover the island beyond the beach resorts.
- Boutique Hotel
- 12 rooms + 2 cottages for 2-4
- Restaurant and bar (restaurants a short drive away)
- All ages welcome
- Closed: 28 Dec 2024 - 31 Dec 2025
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Laundry Service
Rooms
Six of the hotel's bedrooms are situated in the main plantation house. The vibrant blue corrugated tin roof (typical of Caribbean houses) sits atop the wooden walls painted in pretty peach. The first-floor Superior Deluxe Rooms are large and comfortable with dark wooden floors, air-conditioning, high ceilings, vibrantly coloured walls and ceiling fans. The ground-floor Superior Garden Rooms also have air-conditioning and red clay-tiled floors. All have lace-draped French doors opening onto a veranda with views to the ocean and the volcanic peaks of the Pitons.
Kingsize beds with good mattresses and mosquito nets ensure a sound night's sleep. Antique mahogany furniture, tea-making facilities and a bulging fruit basket make things homely and each room has a small kitchenette (with minifridge, kettle, microwave and toaster) and a spacious ensuite bathroom with a mosaic-tiled shower and soft white towels.
Separate buildings house the newer Premium Vista Rooms (200 yards away), which have clay-tiled floors, calm cream-white colourings and French windows, as well as linked balconies with hammocks and picture-perfect views of the Pitons.
If you’re coming en famille you could also try the 1-Bedroom cottage, which has a double bedroom, bathroom and a huge veranda upstairs, and a kitchen/living room and space for extra beds downstairs plus a hammock for lazing away the day. Or the 2-Bedroom Cottage in the owners’ garden. This has 2 connecting bedrooms (2 kingsize beds), 2 ensuite bathrooms and a big balcony and a hammock.
Features include:
- Fan
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Mosquito net
- WiFi
Eating
Peach-coloured fencing blends with a profusion of orange and pink bougainvillea to set the scene for the charming hilltop Com Lok Yah Restaurant, where you can go for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Seafood chowder, conch in Creole sauce, fishcakes with garlic mayonnaise and spinach lasagne are some of the specialities, with freshly caught fish (usually mahi-mahi or tuna) whenever possible. All dishes are accompanied by locally grown fruits and vegetables, ensuring that it not only tastes divine but is good for you too. Special dietary requests can be catered for, with notice.
The cooked breakfasts (included in the rates) are accompanied by a rich assortment of fresh fruit, juices and home-baked bread and muffins.
For a change of scene, there are plenty of other places to eat out in and around Soufriere, a short taxi ride away.
Features include:
- Bar
- Kitchenette
- Microwave
- Restaurant
- Room service
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Visit Soufriere to explore its colourful street markets and the lovely botanical gardens on the Soufriere Estate, complete with mineral baths
- Take in the sulphur fumaroles of St Lucia’s volcano, dubbed the Caribbean's only "drive-in" volcano. You don’t actually drive in, but take your car to within a few hundred feet before following a guide to the edge of the steaming crater
- Walk to one of the many photogenic waterfalls, including the Diamond, Piton, Enbas Saut and Toraille falls
- Hike in the rainforests; the adventurous can climb up the Pitons, though bear in mind you'll need a guide for the Petit Piton
- Head to the beach. The nearest is at the Hummingbird Resort in Soufriere (1.5 miles away) but most guests opt to use the facilities of either the Jalouise Hilton or the Anse Chastanet (15-30 minutes away), which have a monopoly on decent beaches in the area. Both charge a day rate for using loungers and towels, although you can lie for free on the sand
- Try snorkelling and diving in clear, warm waters - Anse Chastanet is the top spot on the island and has been ranked by the Sunday Times as one of the 10 best places to dive in the world
- Sailing, deep-sea fishing, horse riding, sea kayaking and island tours can also be arranged (ask staff for details)
- Lounge around at the hotel while taking in the magnificent vistas: the gardens and pools are great for sunbathing, relaxing and reading
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
Kids
Children are very welcome and will enjoy meeting the resident donkeys, cows and various other animals, but they need to be supervised at all times around the hotel. Babysitting can be arranged and cots are available on request (for an extra charge).
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Under 6s stay for free when sharing a bed with two adults and all rooms are spacious enough for an extra single bed or baby cot. The 2-Bedroom Cottage would be ideal for families.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting is available by arrangement.
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Distances:
- Airport: 1hr
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
La Haut is situated high on a hill, 1.5 miles above the town of Soufriere, on St Lucia's west coast road.
By Air:
Hewanorra International (32km away) is the nearest airport. The island's other airport, George F L Charles (formerly known as Vigie), is near Castries in the north and has inter-island flights only.
From the Airport
It takes around 1 hour to drive from Hewanorra International and 1.5 hours from George F L Charles. The hotel can arrange airport transfers, but a hire car is highly recommended as La Haut is fairly secluded and is a pricey taxi journey from Soufriere.
By Car:
For car hire, see our car rental recommendations. You will need to obtain a temporary St Lucia driver’s licence purchased from the Immigration Office upon arrival at the airport or at the car-rental kiosks when you pick up your car. In addition you have to be over 25 years old and show a valid driver’s licence from home.
Getting Around:
You'll need a car if you want to explore further afield. Taxis in St Lucia can be very expensive.
Detailed directions will be sent once your booking is confirmed.
More on getting to St Lucia and getting around.
Airports:
- Hewanorra International 32.0 km UVF
- George F L Charles (Vigie) 40.0 km SLU
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km