John & Catie 

We started the year out right at this Dreamy Villa. We can’t express our Gratitude Enough. 


We decided to rank each activity for some quick advice. 5 STARS POSSIBLE. 


Gros Piton Hike – ($50.00 Per person) *** -  Fun to say we did it, challenging, rewarding, hot if you start late, good view @ top. 


Soufriere Tour – (US$65.00 per person) ***** -  Tet Paul Hike, LOVED. Amazing views and not nearly as hard as Gros Piton. Volcano, cool, Sulphur Smell, informative. Mud bath  - Must Do!! Memorable treat. Waterfall, power shower, worth the stop. A picture worthy day; our favorite overeall. 


ATV TOUR ( $40.00 PER PERSON)  - **** Patient guide, group tour, worth the $. Go on black sand beaches, through water and quickly back on roads. Get your own atv – don’t share! 


Beach Day ($15.00 per person)  - **** Can spend a lot or little time, nice drinks to buy with water sports available. Right under petit piton. 


Scuba Diving ($100.00 Per person) so fun! Our favorite – a whole new world. We wish we didn’t wait until the end so we could of gone twice! Saw fish, coral, turtles & crabs!! 


THANK YOU!! JANUS, SHANEBOY & LIAM! 
WE HAD THE BEST WEEK!! 

P.S CHEF RAMSEY IS AS GOOD AS EVERYONE SAYS….


#sargasvilla #stluciaairbnb #airbnb #stluciavillarentals #caribbean 

​Brian + Rachel 

Had an awesome time at sapphire 4. 

First night drove up from the airport + checked in. super easy. A/C was on very nice! 

Ate dinner and had drinks @ Hummingbird on the Beach. Decent Food. The Bar next to The Hummingbird made really good drinks. Don’t know the name of the place. But it was a round the hut on the north side of the beach. 

Day 2: Walked down to the track and stadium to run and watch the local kids play soccer fun! 

Drove to Zaka’s after reading reviews. Zaka’s is now closed, nor not servicing coffe or food. So we flexed and went to Mango Tree! Great views + amazing Brekkie! Highly recommend. 

After brunch we went to Sugar Beach. One of the coolest beaches we’ve been too!! 

Also check out Botanical Gardens + Diamond waterfall. 

Dinner was snaks here/ spent all day @ sugar beach. 

Day 3: 

Gros Piton Hike  - Gnarly hike…took just under 3hrs total, awesome view but diifutult for fure. 

Got back, showered + napped until donner. 

Dinner @ chocolat Resort…Great view + great eats….DO IT!!! 

DAY 4 

Hit the track again to stretch out + run. 

Made breakfast here. 

Drove to sugar beach again to lounge. 

But all the chairs were reserved for guests…BUMMER

We are off to Marigot Bay for the rest of the trip. Never Met Janus but enjoyed our Stay!! 

“Your Villa was gorgeous and we fell in love with your team! Your father is a an AMAZING chef and Jermal spoiled us with his friendship and always provided us with anything and everything. Introducing me to Denise, was the best thing that ever happened to me, lol. One of the many things she did for us, was arrange poolside massages for us with Mercher, where we didn’t even have to leave the Villa.

​It was truly the whole package, beautiful Villa, private driver, private tour, private chef and private massages. We can’t thank you enough for your hospitality (quickest replies I’ve ever had to any questions or assistance needed with Airbnb) recommendations, accommodating us with the apartment due to our late departure and making our entire experience memorable.

I plan on coming back with friends once COVID is over to rent out all of your villas, hopefully get lucky enough to have your dad cook every night, and stealing Jermal’s time for our entire stay. Appreciate you and THANK YOU 😊.”

​St. Lucia All-Inclusive Resorts vs Luxury Airbnb- Which Is Right for Your Getaway?

St. Lucia, a beautiful island located in the Caribbean, is a magnificent place for a tropical getaway.  Beautiful, packed with activities, and offering ample opportunities for privacy and adventure alike, St. Lucia is a gem that is perfect for everything from weddings and romance to business travel and more. 

​But where should you stay while visiting this tropical paradise?  Should you book a stay at an all-inclusive resort like Anse Chastanet or a luxury Airbnb like Enclaves or Saba villa or Sapphire Apartments?  The aim of this article is to help you determine which St. Lucia accommodation is best for your vacation.

Identify Your St. Lucia Travel Goals Before You Book

The accommodation you choose can play a huge role in your satisfaction with your trip.  This means that it can pay off big time to sit down and think about the amenities and qualities that are most important and that will lead to you getting the most enjoyment out of your vacation. 

For example, if you are looking to avoid all cooking without having to go to restaurants for every meal, an all-inclusive resort is definitely appealing, but if you just want a private chef to prepare dinner and to be able to make something small or dine out for breakfast and lunch, a luxury Airbnb like Serrana that includes the option for a private chef can be a perfect compromise.

One of the most important things to consider when choosing travel accommodations is your desire for privacy.  While St. Lucia resorts such as Ladera and Sandals offer ample privacy within guest rooms and suites, the communal nature of resorts means that restaurants, pools, and other areas are likely to have crowds. 

One of the good things about a Soufriere Airbnb is that many include private pools, outdoor seating, parking and more that are only available to you and your guests.

Space is another big factor for many travelers.  While a guestroom is great for travelers who don’t plan to spend much time indoors, vacationers looking to relax and enjoy sanctity and solitude in a Caribbean setting may find themselves more content in a nice Airbnb. 

While most resort guestrooms are fairly small and cookie-cutter, a luxury Airbnb offers an entire home or apartment including multiple bedrooms, a large kitchen, computer and laundry facilities and more.

While many people associate Airbnbs with being much more costly than an all-inclusive resort, the truth is that the Airbnb you choose and your overall travel plans will determine which is more cost effective.  For example, Airbnbs by St. Lucia Superhost Janus include 24/7 concierge service, airport transfers, and even an on-call private chef as well as discounts on everything from tours to taxis and rental cars. 

For travelers planning to get out and explore the island, a luxury Airbnb that is already priced comparably to a hotel is definitely the long-term money saver, while travelers who just want to hang out at the beach and enjoy onsite amenities will likely fare better at an all-inclusive St. Lucia resort like Sandals Grande.

Last but not least, travelers should consider their safety when travelling in the era of COVID.  There is no doubt that everyone in the travel industry is doing all that they can to mitigate risk to guests while ensuring that they are still able to have an enjoyable stay in paradise. 

​All-inclusive resorts like Ladera work hard to enforce social distancing and cleaning protocols where possible, but the simple fact is that in this category, Airbnb is the clear winner.  When you are the only guests on the property and when you have access to private tours of everything from The Pitons to the Sulphur Springs drive-in volcano, your chances of catching even a cold drop to near zero.

The Choice Is Yours, and St. Lucia Welcomes You No Matter What You Decide

At the end of the day, where you choose to spend your time in St. Lucia and the Caribbean is up to you.  While resorts have long been the default option for travelers, the expansion of Airbnb and the desire of Superhosts to provide amenities that compete with even all-inclusive resorts has certainly created a sense of competition that benefits travelers.  St. Lucia can’t wait to welcome you, and no matter where you choose to stay, we know you’re going to love it here.

​Thank you so much for your hospitality and opening up your beautiful property to us. We loved staying there and hope to come back. – Christina 

Janus, thank you so much for all you did during our stay at Serrana Villa! You made our honeymoon comfortable, enjoyable, and relaxed! – Ryan 

Amazing time! Can't wait to come back soon. Thanks for making our honeymoon absolutely perfect. – Colby 

Thank you for having everything available to us with such ease and for always being available for anything we needed. – Phyllis 

We had a blast at your villa and it was great to meet you personally. Next time I’m in st. Lucia, I’ll definitely want to stay at one of your villas (May be your new one). Missing st. Lucia already. Wish you all the best, happiness and success. Cheers! – Nishant 

Jermal was incredible and I have been recommending your villas to everyone who asks about my trip. The stay was perfect, every experience was completely memorable. – Anjavi 

Thank you so much for the hospitality while in Saint Lucia. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience! – Steadman

You and your team are incredible. Thank you so much for your hospitality! We will definitely be back. Never good bye but see you later 👋🏻 – Carter 

You were nothing short of AMAZING!!! So sorry I didn’t have time to write anything in your book because I was rushing out but if you’d like to write on my behalf I can definitely send you what I’d like to say! I enjoyed your place so much, it felt like paradise! I cannot wait to return! And this time I will not be arriving alone lol. Thank you so much for your hospitality and I hope your units continue to flourish! – Casey 

Thank you Janus for everything..! From the apartment, the service, the energy, you team..!! This holiday would not have been as amazing without you and your team..!! This will definitely not be the last time you see me in St Lucia again..!!😃 – Tchien
​
Good communication from Janus and his team. Beautiful villa Amazingggg views overlooking Soufriere, the ocean, & the pitons. Watching the sunset by the pool was beautiful. The morning sounds make you feel like you’re surrounded by nature (which you are.) All televisions had many options to watch like Netflix, cable, etc – Floating paradise 

Thanks for the nice stay, and very appreciative of the help we received from, I believe her name is Sofia, when we were departing. – Donald 

Thank you so much, my man! This was our first family vacation and you made it a special one. From one man to another, thank you : - John 

Thank you for EVERYTHING!!! You and your staff made this experience such a pleasure. – Abeo 

Thanks so much for everything! Made our honeymoon an amazing experience – Michael 

I wish I could give 10 stars. Nothing to complain about. Service and add-ons are incredible – M

We were accommodated in every way. Janus went above and beyond for us. Every driver, the chef, and Janus were great. I couldn’t have made this trip anymore special without that team. I appreciate you all and I will be returning and will be recommending to others. – Ameerah 

Thank you for being an amazing host. The team was incredible and truly a great mini-vacation. Looks like we may be back next summer for a full month and will certainly look to this home or another one you have given the excellent service. – John 

Thanks for everything Janus. We had a great time and really enjoyed the villa and the excursions. Also give our thanks to Jermal, Shane boy, Jermel, Kim, and the rest of the team. They were fantastic and were always responsive. – Jake 

Hi Janus, Thank you, again, for allowing us to enjoy SABA and the wonderful services that came with it....especially our great friend, Jermal. The value he adds to your business is beyond measure. On another personal note... Mark and I parted ways after our trip to St. Lucia. We remain friends and will always remember our wonderful stay in St. Lucia. – Tammy 

Janus and team, Thank you so much for a wonderful St Lucia experience! Will def recommend your spaces to anyone I know planning a trip there! – Tammy 

The Airbnb was exactly as advertised and the experience was amazing, the island was beautiful and so was the view. – Evernesse 

Thank you for the accommodation. I am fully satisfied with everything as I have evaluated. Especially the view from the balcony was very nice. – Hiroaki 

Thank you so much for an amazing stay! Words cannot describe how much we loved St Lucia. Also you have an amazing staff and we appreciate how helpful you’ve all been! Just thank you thank you thank you! – Adina 

All we can say is 'Thank you'! Our stay was amazing and the place is gorgeous and the views are breathtaking. We appreciated it more and more every day, didn't want to leave and already miss it. Thank you for being so welcoming and sharing your place with us! We will be back and advertise it to all our friends. – Ruta 

Thank you for providing a great stay. Couldn’t get enough of the view of the Pitons. Really close to everything and you’re easy to get a hold of. 10/10. – Nelson 

Thank you to Janus and your team for an amazing week at Serrana. We loved every minute of it. – Sam 

Janus, thank you so much for everything. You made the trip 1000x better! Hands down best trip I’ve ever been on and it’s because your team made everything so easy. Also, really appreciate you allowing us to stay at your villa! Amazing property to say the least! Till next time my friend - Matthew


Hey Janus, Thanks for having us, your place was beautiful and we really enjoyed ourselves. We plan on coming back for our 1st anniversary and will probably stay in one of your other villas as well. Thanks again – Marion

Seriously the vacation of our dreams - THANK YOU for everything!!! – Melanie 
We cannot thank you enough for welcoming us to your home with open arms and allowing us to explore the beautiful island of Saint Lucia! Serrana Villa was spectacular, the drivers were so courteous and helpful and your hospitality was unmatched. We miss it already. Thank you! We will be back! – Shauna 

Janus i loved your property, it was beautiful. You were so helpful— arranging the covid testing, tours and literally everything we needed. Janus made it easy to navigate everything. Until next time – Amy 

we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the Saba Villa. Major props to you, Jermal, Shane Boy and your whole team. The experience was flawless and we hope to come back again! – Nakia 

Thanks you for an AMAZING stay! We absolutely loved the apartments and your hospitality was top notch. Chef Ramsay cooked us the most delicious meal and your drivers Shane and Jamal were wonderful. We had such a great time visiting Soufriere and hope to stay at one of your beautiful villas next time we visit. Thanks so much!

Janus, I want to thank you so much for the accommodations at your villa. It was truly an incredible experience we will never forget! We hope to return again and will do our best to spread the word about the awesome properties you're developing. We wish you nothing but continued success in all your future endeavors! Cheers, Hans & Elisa Schleimer

thank you for a great stay! We had a blast and will have memories to cherish forever.Remember you’ll always have friends in Texas! – Heather 

Thank you so much for your hospitality. Honestly you made us feel so comfortable and like we belong. We have zero complaints, you nailed it and have it all figured out. Our only recommendation is below. Hair dryer Wash Cloths (we didn't find any) – Trisha 

Thanks Janus - it was a pleasure staying at your place, I appreciate your thoughtfulness and communication throughout the process. 5 stars treatment all around – Tarek 

​“Thank You so very much for welcoming us to Saint Lucia and your beautiful property. Your team is amazing and it really felt like we are home away from home .” - Amanda

​Good communication from Janus and his team. Beautiful villa Amazingggg views overlooking Soufriere, the ocean, & the pitons. Watching the sunset by the pool was beautiful. The morning sounds make you feel like you’re surrounded by nature (which you are.) All televisions had many options to watch like Netflix, cable, etc

Honeymoon
​
From the minute upon our arrival, the immediate positive impact Janus made for us was incredible. His positive vibe, incredible mentality on taking care of us upon our stay, and great attitude made our stay that much better.

We thought COVID would put a hug dumper on our honeymoon, but the connections saba villa has, helped tremendously!! We had private massages with Sunshine upon arrival, went to Hotel Chocolat, Ladera. We found Paradise beach to be one of our Favorites and sulphur springs to be one of the coolest experiences.

Everything with Janus was just a breath of fresh air. Thanks for making this such an unforgettable trip for us on our honeymoon. We’ll be back sooner than later
Cheers!!

Nate & Brooke 

Btw Jermal Killed it on the private taxi service. Thanks Jermal
This trip was an absolute dream!! Could not have asked for a better host!

December 29th- January 3rd- Serrana Villa

Day 1: Dec. 29th

Arriver, went to the grocery Store for food, drinks and snacks. Decided to go to Pier 28 (local restaurant) for drinks. They have good fries and excellent jerk wings, we also grabbed their spicy wings too, but preferred the jerk, hands down.

Pier-28 – 8/10 – jerk wings – yummy

Day 2:Dec. 30th ‘’2020 almost over’’

Started the morning going to ATM Machine in town then to Zakas for a local cup of coffee $8ec. They grow and grind their own coffee, very good.

Wanted to visit the beach, was told only options because of Covid was Hummingbird and Magretoute beach. We chose magretoute, it was decent not great. Beach chairs and umbrellas $10isd each plus food. Spent 4 hours there. Bill $56USD plus tip.

For dinner we visited Orlando’s restaurant In town for his tatsing menu. Authentic Caribbean Cuisine was amazing. Orlando is a genuine poison who provides excellent service.

Orlando (whatsapp) +1 758 784 6211

Instagram: @Orlandos.stl

Day 3: Dec. 31st 2020 (last day of 2020 😊)

Covid restrictions at Better beaches ☹ Being told the better beached were not an option for us :Sugar Beach and Anse Chastanet. We decided to leave Soufriere for the day to visit Rodney Bay in the north. We thought since it is New Years Eve there would be  more to do.

Trip to Rodney Bay takes 1 hour 30 minutes with no traffic. Costs $70usd or $190ecd

Rodney Bay : Found out about Kendele (taxi) from the host. Kendele has a nice car. There is a duty free liquor store at the mall across from KFC near Dominos pizza. The owner/ Manger is a jerk but the liquor is 50% cheaper than the wine store across the street.

For dinner we booked a restaurant at Big Chef Steak House in Rodney Bay near shopping mall. Restaurant was very nice. Recommend reservations. Steaks service was excellent. Wine list is lacking for having such fine cuts of meat.

Kendele (Rodney Bay Taxi) - +1 758 584 8744- 10/10

Duty free liquor store prices 10/10- service 1/10

Big Chef Steak House – 9/10- need better wines to accompany steaks

END OF 2020

Day 4: January 1st 2021

Rodney Bay St. Lucia 

Decided to go to Reduit Beach while in Rodney Bay. Nice beach, chairs and umbrellas only $10ec each. Must bring towels!! Restaurants near by, not a plush beach, very chill and relaxing. Waves kinda aggressive. And another option is Pigeon Island Beach , stopped by there also, very nice, more restaurant options.

My friends suggested Dukes place in Rodney Bay for local fish and lobster. Only open on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 10:30pm because of Covid.

That night we stayed near a local pizzeria. SO we decided to stop by the Italian restaurant. The owner is amazing, very knowledgeable and he had many recommendations, many places to go and things to do.

Rodney Bay recommendations

KeeBEees Restaurant – 9/10

Reduit Beach- 8.5/10

Dukes Place- 9/10 

Key Largo’s Italian – 9.5/10

We were also recommended to try the Naked fisherman (Cap Maison) @thenakedfishermanstlucia
Live Music and band also DJ.

Day 5: January 2nd 2021

Rodney Bay to Soufriere.

While in Soufriere we met another couple, so we decided to split a fishing carter. We asked our driver Kendele to bring us back to Soufriere. Kendele charged US$70.00 plus tip. We stopped on our way down at the look out point and sites. Trip took 2 hours because of the 3-4 stops which was totally worth it.

Rented a fishing charter  from David & Marcus. Unfortunately we do not have more details as the other couple booked while at the docks in Soufriere. We did see Mystic Man Boat. 

IG- @mystic_man_tours

Confirmed with my wife, David works for Mystic Man tours so you can reach out to him there.

The fishing is Amazing! David knows exactly what to do to help you and catch fish. We caught 2 barracudas  1 3lbs and the other 40 lbs, we caught the fish within the first hour. So we went further offshore where they caught a bisser fish ei. blue malin.

The fishing hour is great! Because you are able to see the shoreline, beaches and Pitons from the boat. So peaceful and beautiful. While my friend and I fish, our wives drank rum and beer and enjoyed the views. Sometimes for everyone.

The fish was take to stonefield hotelwhere our friends were staying and their chef agreed to clean and prepare them. We had dinner at Mango Tree. They didn’t charge for the fish so we paid for drinks and sides total bill $100ec.

Kendele’s taxi ride  from Rodney bay to Soufriere- 10/10

Fishing Charter coast if St. Lucia -100/10

Once in a lifetime

Day 6: Sunday Jan. 3rd 20201 – Last Day at Serrana Villa 

So we have another week in St. Lucia mot likely we will stop writing in Serrana Guest book and Write in Sargas Guest book. You noticed that we have not gone to Sulphur springs, botanical gardens, waterfalls, hotel chocolat (dinner) or many other activities in the area. Today we plan to relax, maybe fly the drone and prepare to change villas

We sincerely hope our notes help you. So far we have loved our visit. Thank you Janus, Ramiah, Jordan and the countless drivers that have taken us around. Enjoy your trip and relax, the people of St. Lucia are so amazing. Definitely planning to return to St. Lucia in the future.

Thank you for reading!!
​
Peace, love and Happiness in 2021
IG- @iam_tdiddy
@shes_tripping

​Janus stayed in frequent communication with me on both AirBNB and phone messenger for a booking that I made at his beautiful Saba villa in St. Lucia. 

Unfortunately, the St. Lucian government, despite inspecting Saba's property, failed to turn over an approval notice in time for our trip, so I had to re-book a different AirBnB. 

Janus was very communicative throughout this situation and was extremely understanding of my approaching travel dates, and provided a full refund without any questions. 

Moreover, once on the island, Janus stayed in touch with me and connected me with a friend of his who gave my friend and I a boat tour that we liked so much, that we did it twice!

We plan on staying at the Saba villa - based on how beautiful it looks and how helpful Janus was without even meeting him or staying there - when we return to St. Lucia in the future.

While Airbnb is the go-to name in vacation rentals, there are a number of avenues you can use to list your St. Lucia vacation property in order to maximize exposure and ensure more bookings. 

If you are considering listing your rentals on multiple channels, there are a number of things you must take into consideration. 

​While there are benefits to listing on more than one site, it is imperative that you understand the challenges as well as how to mitigate them.

​While there are countless sites and platforms that allow you to list your St. Lucia rental, it is important to find the ones best suited to your needs. 

​Things to consider include popularity, rating, exposure, pricing models, and the ability for top notch hosts to see their properties rise to the top of the listings.

Here are the three listing platforms that prove the most lucrative and beneficial for St. Lucia rental property owners.

Without a doubt, Airbnb is the top vacation rental website in the world right now.  As a household name around the globe, failure to list your property on Airbnb can present you with a massive missed opportunity. 

With over 7 million listings and a relatively low commission charge, Airbnb offers the perfect combination of exposure for St. Lucia rental properties and trustworthiness for potential renters. 

​In short, if you want to maximize your St. Lucia vacation property, Airbnb should be at the top of your list.

While HomeAway might not have the traction that Airbnb has gained in the rental market, it still caters to over 70 million global travelers every month, making it worth your consideration. 

While HomeAway doesn’t allow shared rooms or private rooms within larger properties, it is ideal for owners looking to rent out an entire apartment or vacation home. 

​The commission for hosts using HomeAway is double what is paid via Airbnb, but an annual subscription plan can help reduce per-booking charges.

Last up, we have Booking.com.  While this avenue is geared more towards the hotel crowd, vacation rentals make up almost half of searches. 

​Catering to more than 430 million travelers every month, Booking.com is a great way to boost exposure, though it is worth noting that per-booking commissions range from 10% to 25%.

With such a variance in commissions and rules, you may be wondering why you should list your property on more than one site. 

The answer is pretty straightforward- more exposure equals more bookings.  While you don’t want the headache of listing on every rental website in the market (more on that in the next section), listing through the most popular avenues is a great way to make sure that your property gets the exposure you need. 

More marketing means more bookings, which in turn means a much greater cash flow. 

​Couple this with properties that offer great amenities and features, affordable prices, and proximity to the things travelers want to see (Sulphur Springs, the Pitons, Anse Chastanet, Hummingbird Soufriere Beach Park, Botanical Gardens, Airport, Marigot Bay, etc), and multiple listings can propel your vacation rental to the top in no time.

While listing your St. Lucia rental villa on multiple platforms is a great way to achieve more bookings, it isn’t as simple as setting up multiple profiles and watching the money roll in. 

Acclimating to each platform, managing communications on all platforms, and managing prices along with setting up each profile can be very time consuming.  There is also a significant risk of double bookings, which can harm your reputation. 

Thankfully, vacation rental software can help you automate much of this process, synchronizing all of your listings in one easy to understand interface. 

​There are programs on the market that offer benefits like a single inbox for all platforms, channel managers, and seamless integration with all of the channels listed in this article.

In short, while setting up multiple listings across platforms can be time consuming and a bit of work, when properly implemented it can also be quite lucrative. 

Every top-rated platform is a potential income stream, and your property can benefit greatly by utilizing the best options. 

​Whether you own a quaint apartment near the Castries Market or a luxury villa near Sugar Beach, taking the time to get your St. Lucia vacation rental the most possible exposure benefits you while also bringing more travel money to businesses across the island.