Balenbouche is the perfect starting point to explore the picturesque still largely undeveloped south of St. Lucia. The Hewanorra International airport and the town of Soufriere and Pitons are only a 20 and 30 minutes drive away. It is recommended that you rent a car for part of your stay, which we can arrange. Some beaches and nature trails are accessible by foot. Taxis and local buses are readily available.

The Almond and Banyan Cottages each offer 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen. The Calabash and Frangipani offer one bedroom with bath and refrigerator, and a veranda.

Balenbouch Estate hosts weddings and retreats for up to 14 people, and offer special rates during the low season (May 16 - Nov 15).

Almond Cottage

The Almond Cottage is the smaller of our two bedroom vacation rentals. It offers 2 adjoining bedrooms with private bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a large, bright, partially enclosed veranda with swinging lounge chairs.

One of the bedrooms offers two single beds with a standard bathroom, the other bedroom has a king-sized bed and an outdoor style shower, built with natural stone. The Almond Cottage can sleep up to 4 people.

Banyan Cottage

The Banyan is our largest vacation rental which can sleep up to 6 people. It is also perfect for a couple or family. The Banyan cottage offers 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen, veranda, and a living room with room for two extra beds.

The layout of the Banyan is very open and the bathrooms are surrounded by tropical foliage, one with rose-tiled shower and bath, the other with a outdoor style shower and sink set in beautiful red cedar wood. 

The Calabash Cottage is our smallest vacation rental, suitable for a single person or couple. 

It offers a cozy bedroom with Queen sized bed and ensuite bathroom, as well as a wooden deck shaded by palm trees overlooking the garden.This cottage offers a refrigerator and electric water kettle, and guests also have access to the kitchen in the nearby Plantation House.

The Frangipani Cottage is slightly larger than the Calabash and more secluded. It offers a king sized bed and a spacious bathroom with a natural stone shower. It is a breezy with a soft, sunny interior. The Frangipani has the feel of a traditional Caribbean house and it has an interesting and unusual story - it was purchased from a nearby local community, and then relocated and restored. The seasoned wood is more resistant to climate and insects, and the cottage fits nicely into the historic landscape of Balenbouche. Amenities include a refrigerator and electric water kettle. 

The Creole, Asian and European-inspired meals are freshly prepared using delicious local ingredients. Breakfast is included, a dinner special US $20 - $30) is offered 3 -5 nights a week. Lunch, Vegetarian and Vegan meals are available by request . Children under 12 pay half price, children under 7 receive free meals!

The Almond and Banyan villas have kitchenettes, Frangipani and Calabash offer refrigerators. Guests may also use the Plantation House kitchen. Convenience stores and the supermarket are a 5-15 min drive.  Two local restaurants are just a 5 minute drive away.

Group Retreats
Balenbouche hosts family reunions, yoga and artist retreats, field schools, and other activities. We can sleep up to 14 guests, additional rooms can be booked at a nearby guesthouse.

The Balenbouche Jazz Festival
For many years, Balenbouche Estate hosted "Jazz in the South" one of the popular opening shows of the Annual st Lucia Jazz Festival, organized by Labowi Promotions

Volunteers
A property like Balenbouche Estate requires constant care and maintenance. Balenbouche invites retired professionals and skilled individuals to contribute their time and expertise in during the off season months from September to mid November, during which time we normally close for renovations.

Environmental Sustainability
No chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used on the Estate, and organic waste is composted. Water is used sparingly, and complemented with rainwater and river water. Instead of using energy-intensive air conditioning, all our buildings are cooled through natural ventilation. Our hot water is heated through solar energy and we recycle whenever we can. Along with the other members of the Heritage Tourism Association of st Lucia, Balenbouche Estate is in the process of implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS). In the future, we hope to be able to use more alternative energies and become largely self-sufficient.

Activities:

Saltibus Waterfall and Rainforest Trail

This 1 1/2 to 3 hour moderate st Lucia Rainforest Hike begins in the community of Saltibus (20 minute drive) and gradually leads into deep rainforest vegetation, where the Saltibus Falls offer a welcome refreshment.

Laborie

Laborie is a picturesque st Lucia fishing village about a 15 minutes drive from Balenbouche, with a beautiful calm beach and a magnificent viewing point (Morne La Blanc). Two restaurants are located on the way to Laborie, "Debbie's" and "The Seafood restaurant." 

The Choiseul region is rich in natural, cultural and historical resources and known for its traditional art and craft. Highlights include the La Pointe Carib settlement, the Morne Sion sugar mill, the River Doree area (see above) and the Saltibus Trail (see above). These St Lucia attractions are affiliated with the Choiseul Association for Tourism, Craft and Heritage (CATCH).

River Doree sugar mill and Devil’s Bridge

East of Balenbouche Estate near Anse Touloulu beach (15 min walk) ancient sugar mill ruins are hidden amongst the forest. If you hike upstream, you will eventually reach the legendary st Lucia Devil’s Bridge, which spans a narrow river canyon of over 50 feet.

Windsurfing and Skyriders Kite surfing

Island Windsurfing Ltd., Vieux Fort, Point de Sables
Contact: Cecile Walker  www.slucia.com/windsurf  windsurf@slucia.com