Villa Pomme d'Amour

The thoughtful extras made this stay stand out. Arnold had water and cold drinks waiting in the fridge, plus cooking staples and spices he was happy to share. He also provides a complimentary blue box from Caribbean Blue Naturals, full of toiletries and things like insect repellent, after-bite treatment, and after-sun lotion. I haven't seen anything quite like that before, and you can buy another box or individual items if you want. There's also a range of beers, spirits and liqueurs available to purchase. Villa Pomme d'Amour sits among the green lowland forest on a hill above Marigot Bay. We found everything we needed for self-catering, and the spacious apartment had comfortable beds with mosquito nets, which I was glad to use since I usually get bitten everywhere. The garden pool has plenty of deck space, and there's lots of birdlife and other wildlife. My husband loves photographing birds and wildlife and came away with some wonderful shots. A path leads to a beautiful secluded cove for picnics and snorkeling, though some sections are tricky, especially when wet. Arnold isn't responsible for the path, which isn't part of the property, but I understand he may try to improve it. Marigot Bay is about a 10-15 minute walk downhill, depending on your fitness. We would recommend this well-run place for a restful stay. Arnold took great care of us, and we hope to return someday. It was our first visit to St Lucia, and the villa didn't disappoint. Thank you, Arnold, for being such a thoughtful host. Karen & David

We spent a week unwinding at Villa Pomme D'Amour, a real hidden gem. The gardens are lovely, the pool is peaceful, and the upper deck feels like a quiet little retreat. Marigot's restaurants and bars are about a five-minute drive away. We considered walking, but the route looked too steep and dark. Josee came by each morning to check that we had what we needed, and helped with plans and reservations. The place has the feel of staying in a guest cottage owned by a favorite aunt and uncle. Josee and Pierre put a lot of thought into the property. We stayed in the upper unit, with two bedrooms, a living room, a small kitchen, and a great porch overlooking 'Fisherman's Cove'. From there you can see the ocean and boats leaving Marigot Bay to head south. There's a beach nearby, reached by a short but steep, rocky walk. Bring water shoes. It feels private, with shade, a picnic table, and a grille. A lovely spot for a relaxed week in St Lucia.

Pierre picked us up at the airport, showed us around the island, and stopped at a grocery store before taking us to the villa. Josee had a tasty rum punch waiting. I tried to make it myself later, but mine wasn't quite the same. She also helped plan our activities and arranged an affordable boat trip to see the Tetons and snorkel. Villa Pomme d'Amour was comfortable, especially for relaxing on the deck or by the pool in the evenings. We walked into Marigot Bay and down to the cove to snorkel, and rented a car, so we also learned to drive on the left. The accommodations worked well when we didn't want to go out all the time. We had a great time, and would recommend it for a visit to St Lucia. It was affordable and had none of the resort crowds. Ziplining was great too.

Arnold and Christine made us feel so welcome during our ten days at Villa Pomme d'Amour. Arnold met us at the airport, and the drive over had breathtaking scenery. He stopped with us at Massy for our first grocery shop and arranged for a rental car to be delivered the next day. A special thank you as well to Andre, known to close friends as Banane. He's a wonderful man who picks fruit, takes care of the property, and works hard in the garden. I recommend this villa to anyone looking for a full immersion experience in Sainte-Lucia. We can't say enough about our hosts!