Top Airbnb Alternatives in St. Lucia, SLU

Ladera and other St. Lucia all-inclusive resorts are perfect for some travelers, but a luxury apartment or villa may be the perfect fit for you.  Read on to find out!

​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.