Marigot Beach Club and Dive Resort

We booked a dive and the resort picked us up right at its dock, which was very convenient. It’s a lovely, secluded little place to tuck away in. The food is basic and costs a lot more than the same sort of meal at an off-resort restaurant, so I’d go elsewhere for dinner. Some of the best food we had in St. Lucia was cheap local fare. We also had a private beach dinner, and the staff made it a romantic, special evening. Still, the food was basic and didn’t justify the price.

I’ve read a lot of bad reviews, but I’m staying here now and enjoying my visit. The view is amazing, and the rooms are comfortable and nice. The pool is the weak point: it needs more attention and a daily clean, since there’s plenty of debris floating in it. I won’t swim there because of that. The restaurant is good, breakfast is solid, and the welcoming, friendly staff make a real difference. Despite the pool, I’ve had a positive stay and would recommend the resort.

I booked a day pass for myself and four other guests by email, and the hotel confirmed we could come. We arrived by boat, which was the only highlight. I feel totally ripped off after a very poor day. There was building work at the front dock, with noise and dust. Bags of rubble kept arriving at the second dock all day and were carried through the hotel. The facilities were poor, and the sunbed area hadn’t been cleaned up from the day before, despite reception knowing we were coming. There were cups with cigarette butts and lots of empty bottles. It would have taken only a few minutes to tidy. The sunbeds themselves were tatty and falling apart. Doolittles Restaurant may have been one of the island’s best years ago, but now it’s run down and didn’t seem very hygienic. The scenery is stunning, but a view only goes so far. Charging $130 US dollars per person without warning us about extensive, disruptive work felt unfair. On the beach, locals trying to sell us drugs were intimidating and persistent. They kept pressuring us to take cocaine and wouldn’t leave us alone, so I turned back. Luckily, the boat driver we’d hired for the day recognized us, moved them away, and came to check we were okay. This was my second visit to St Lucia, and I’ve never experienced this kind of aggression from locals before. I’d suggest hiring a private water taxi for a tour through Marigot Bay, but I wouldn’t get off the boat.

The place is in a beautiful spot, but the hotel feels worn and overdue for renovation. My beachside-view studio had a nice double four-poster bed, though it took up most of the room. The balcony door was incredibly hard to slide open, and the curtains didn't cover the full width of the windows, so bring an eye mask if you need a dark room. The little kitchen worked, but the fridge was rusty and its ice compartment was one solid block, so I couldn't use it. The bathroom was fine, just very small. The restaurant was expensive for food that was only okay, and I didn't think the hotel was good value overall.