Sunsetcrest Romantic Retreat | Apartment in Anse La Raye

Positive: Our host reached out ahead of our arrival to offer help with organising transport and car rental - everything was arranged with clear communication and very fair, friendly rates. They were genuinely invested in making sure we had a great time and were always quick to answer any questions. They even showed us a beautiful, quiet beach just a short walk from the property. The room was thoughtfully designed - both cosy and spacious. It overlooks the sea and includes a lovely outdoor seating and dining area that made enjoying the sunsets feel extra special. We also appreciated the little touches, like cold beers and water waiting in the fridge, along with other thoughtful amenities. The area was exactly what we were hoping for - not overly touristy but full of life. Anse La Raye village is about a 20-minute walk down the hill, and we affectionately started calling it Saint Lucia’s little Manhattan - a place that never seems to sleep, where bars are always open and the atmosphere is incredibly welcoming. Valese Restaurant and Sports Bar is probably the most obvious tourist spot with good food and live sports, but there are plenty of local bars that are just as friendly and safe. With respect to their privacy, we haven’t included the host’s name in this review - but we’ll absolutely be staying at their place again on our next visit to Saint Lucia.

Positive: Amazing location with views of surrounding area and sea. Really accommodating staff, who gave excellent service gave us good information.

Negative: The approach road is awful. In a normal car great care has to be taken to avoid grounding the underside.

Positive: Had a wonderful week at Hermine’s lovely apartment. The family were so welcoming and we spent several evenings together sharing food, laughs and the odd rum punch!! The quiet location near Anse La Raye is perfect for seeing the most beautiful parts of the island and best attractions. Car recommended to make the most of your stay.

Positive: The apartment is in Anse La Raye and the village in the area is delightful. There's a local marketplace that opens when tours from the cruises come round (most days). The location of the apartment is between Castries and Soufriere. It made it convenient for us to drive north to Castries and Pigeon Island areas, or south to Soufriere to the sulphur springs, Project Chocolat, the Pitons, and Tet Paul. Catherine, who manages the property, was incredible. She responded to all our requests immediately. She made sure that we had enough towels for beach days and ensured that we had everything we needed in the kitchenette. There was a washing machine and Catherine got us a dryer and clothes pegs. Catherine made our stay really smooth and enjoyable! The owner, Hermine, was amazing. She organized the taxi to and from the airport at a discounted cost, and she also helped us organize a car rental. Hermine was so responsive to our messages and even though she was away at the beginning of our stay, she remained in touch to ensure we had everything we needed.

Negative: Transportation was a struggle for us. It was a bit of a walk uphill to get to the apartment. Since we had to drive north or south, we rented a car. The roads around the apartment were quite challenging to drive. We navigated around the potholes and huge bumps but it was pretty challenging. Roads in Saint Lucia are generally quite challenging to drive due to potholes. There are other means of transportation like the local buses, but we opted to rent a car to save time. If anyone wishes to rent a car in Saint Lucia, I strongly recommend a 4X4. Many parts of the island have extremely bad roads! Some of the beautiful beaches can only be reached with a 4X4. Boat tours to these beaches mostly leave from Castries so you'd need to drive up there to join a tour.

Positive: A quiet location up the hill, close to nature. The kitchenette was functional with everything you needed. The village of Anse la Raye is a walking distance away (20 minutes) downhill, if you want to have dinner at either Adjodha or Valelse Sports Bar... The village is a cool place, laidback with a 'rasta' vibe... Hermine, the owner is friendly and willing to please.

Negative: The access road up from the Sol gas station on the main road, is a bad dirt road, carved with gullies, with rocks and mud. Not easy to find at first if you don't know... Parking area on location is an issue. The back road was flooded and muddy, a dead end it was, making it tricky to turn around, I almost got stuck....

Positive: I loved the hospitality the apartment and the quiet heroine and son were great and Terminal her lady freind was really a nice and helpful

Negative: There was nothing to dislike