A typical Caribbean plantation house, with superb panoramic ocean views.
La Plantation des Manguiers (Mango Plantation) dates back over 100 years. It has all the hallmarks of a house built to make the most of the climate in years gone by before air conditioning. The windows sport big heavy shutters and there is no glass, allowing the balmy trade winds to flow through the house. The sheltered wrap around veranda stays cool from morning to night protecting the interior from the heat of the day. From this sleepy veranda you can relax whilst watching the world go by in the distance. The commanding view changes constantly, with sailing boats, small planes, cruise ships, the changing colors of the sea and the sky all offering entertainment. On a clear day Martinique can be seen, sometimes so clearly that you feel that you could swim there! The interior of the house is elegantly decorated and furnished in keeping with the 'plantation' style wherever possible and is comfortable and inviting whilst still offering all the mod-cons to ensure a relaxing stay.
The villa is owned by Chef Jacques and his wife Cathy. They also own Jacques Waterfront Dining Restaurant which is located on the waterfront in the Rodney Bay Marina.
Transportation : La Plantation des Manguiers is situated close to Castries the buses are regular. From Castries it is possible to catch buses to anywhere you want to go but be prepared for loud music and being a little squashed! The buses generally don't use air conditioning either, so it is hot but breezy with the windows open. Also please note that the walk to and from the house is for those who are of an above average fitness especially in the heat.
We live half way down a one way road with a bus stop at the top and the bottom. The walk to the bus stop from the house is all down hill. Coming back to the villa it is possible to get off the bus at the top of the hill and walk down the road to the drive way to the villa, however the drive is quite steep and would be challenging to those who do not walk on a regular basis especially in the heat. In this case I would recommend hiring a car. NB. Please contact Cathy for further information on special car hire deals.
Airport information: La Plantation des Manguiers is 21 miles or 1 hour 20 minutes by car from the international airport Hewanorra, which is situated in Vieux Fort in the south of the island. Helicopter transfers are available between Hewanorra and George FL Charles airport in Castries which is only 10-15 minutes by car from the villa. George FL Charles also has flights coming in from other Caribbean islands and flights that connect through Peurto Rico from the USA. Airport transfers are suggested and can be arranged, contact Cathy.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Ocean view
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Spacious 3BR Villa, Stunning Caribbean Sea View & 10 mins from the beach!
Spacious 3BR Villa, Stunning Caribbean Sea View & 10 mins from the beach!
Flexible check-in available (contact host in advance of arrival)
Minimum age to rent: 21
Flexible check-out available (contact host to arrange)
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Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events
No events allowed
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Pets
No pets allowed
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Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Smoking allowed only on the verandah
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Please hang any wet or damp towels on the line outside. Thank you.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
We require the guest to sign our rental agreement before staying in the villa, please ask for a copy.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Castries
Located in Castries, this villa is in a rural area and by the sea. Mont Fortune Historic Area and Fort Charlotte are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Marigot Harbour and Marigot Bay. Travelling with kids? Consider Vendor’s Arcade, or check out an event or a game at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding and cycling.
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception - 2 min drive - 1.4 km
St. Lucia Town Hall - 2 min drive - 2.0 km
Castries Central Market - 2 min drive - 2.0 km
Getting around
Castries (SLU-George F. L. Charles) - 15 min drive
Restaurants
KFC - 5 min drive
Cricketer's Pub - 4 min drive
KFC - 4 min drive
Piton Beer Lounge - 6 min drive
Dr Freezers - 3 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is A typical Caribbean plantation house, with superb panoramic ocean views. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at A typical Caribbean plantation house, with superb panoramic ocean views. ?
As of 1 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at A typical Caribbean plantation house, with superb panoramic ocean views. on 5 April 2026 start from NZ$228, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at A typical Caribbean plantation house, with superb panoramic ocean views. ?
On-site parking is available at the property.
Where is A typical Caribbean plantation house, with superb panoramic ocean views. located?
This family-friendly Castries villa is located by the sea, within a 15-minute walk of St. Lucia Government House, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and Mont Fortune Historic Area. La Place Carenage Duty Free Mall and St. Lucia National Library are also within 1 mile (2 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Host was very supportive and assisted during the check in process which was seamless. Location can be a bit tricky to navigate but we were provided with detailed information which aided us in locating the property.
Donna J.
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2026
I'm glad I could be of help. I was a pleasure having you to stay.
Beautiful and absolutely perfect place to stay for those who want to relax or explore the island. Very private and Reggie (dog) made it feel like home!
Beautiful house, charming, clean, and well equipped. Cathy was very helpful and responsive. Gorgeous view from the property over Castries. Thank you for a lovely stay. Note that an SUV or 4x4 is essential to access the property as the road is very rough.
Lene M.
Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 22 March 2026
Thank you for your review, we enjoyed having you to stay.
The house has all the charm described. My favourite part was the verandah for both sunrises and sunsets.
Andre H.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 23 June 2023
Hi Andre,
Thank you for choosing us for your recent vacation. We are pleased to hear you enjoyed your stay. You and I are on the same page, there is nothing better than a cup of coffee or tea on the verandah at sunrise and a sundowner at sunset. Another recent guest was telling me that it's possible to while away the day on the verandah with a good book and observing the view with it's constantly changing colours in the sea and the sky.
My family and I travel every other year around the Christmas holiday and this year we chose St. Lucia. We like staying in the midst of every day life and typically rent a home. This original plantation home was just what we were looking for; privacy, comfort and the most beautiful view of Castries and the surrounding area were highlights of our stay. The owner's two dogs greeted us upon our return home each evening, making us feel at home. We cooked many meals in the well stocked kitchen and on the outdoor grill. We sat on the large wrap around porch in the evenings and ate our meals on it as well. We made sure we rented an all wheel drive car to navigate the dirt road to the home and to get around the island on our own. I highly recommend this property if you want to create your own adventure.
This historic house is beautifully maintained and a pleasant fit for our group of four adults and six teens. It is close to everything and the view is gorgeous. Cathy is amazing to communicate with, and there are two wonderful host dogs to make you feel at home. It safe and cozy, with an alarm and electric gate. No air conditioning, but you won't miss it. You will need a rental car and a 4 wheel drive is strongly encouraged as the road up to the house is in rough shape. We would definitely stay here again on our next visit.
Cathy was amazing from the moment we booked and throughout the stay, really prompt in replying and couldn’t have been more helpful. The house is beautiful and felt home from home, very comfortable and everything there that you needed. The kitchen was well stocked with cooking utensils and equipment. We loved having Reggie and Ella visit us every evening, keeping us company on the veranda. It is really well situated for all the island has to offer, beaches, snorkelling, zip lining, hiking, swimming, local markets (great for fresh fruit and veg), bakery at the bottom of the hill. We loved sitting in the garden watching the birds, lizards and hummingbirds. An absolutely amazing place to stay with lovely hosts.
Tracy R.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 August 2022
Thank you for taking the time to write us a review. It was a pleasure having you to stay. We are so happy to hear you enjoyed the house and St Lucia and all she has to offer!
This place has a beautiful view of the harbour and the sea. It is surrounded by lush tropical trees, fruit trees, and flowers.The kitchen was well stocked and had everything we needed. We enjoyed the experience of living in an old plantation house without air conditioning. It felt almost like living in a museum.We quickly got into the rhythm of opening the windows and doors for the day and enjoying the Caribbean breeze.We are not dog lovers, but they gave us our personal space. And arriving home at the end of a long day they became our welcoming committee. We are thankful for the tip of renting a 4 x 4. You definitely need one to get up the hill.Cathy is a very gracious and helpful host. She was very informative and was available for any questions.
Paul A.
Stayed 11 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 April 2025
We are so pleased that you enjoyed your stay in our house and that Reggie and Ella were gracious hosts. It was my pleasure to take care of you during your stay.
Our second time in St Lucia, this time with kids. We had a great time at Kathy's place. The house is beautiful and so much better that the pictures. Caribean farm house with beautiful touches. It has all amenities you need. Very nice view to the ocean and close to beaches. Kathy was very easy to intract and communicate and we had no issues communicating with her.
We went to viggie beach, naked fisherman beach, Reduit beach, zipline in rainforest.... and enjoyed all.
One general thing to know when you go to St lucia is the roads are very steep, hilly, and narrow, so if you deicide to rent a car and drive be prepared. Right side driving wont be an issue as you will get used to it.
We all loved St lucia and will back again.
The historic Mango Plantation is a beautiful, picturesque house on a hillside. It has a great view overlooking the bustling City of Castries and its Port. We were there over New Years and watched the fireworks from the veranda and could hear the city enjoying themselves. The house was clean, well equipped, and comfortable. The dogs were very gracious hosts welcoming us returning from our explorations. The lot was secluded and private though would recommend a 4x4 or AWD to drive the short distance from the road to the house. The owner, Cathy, was extremely helpful with recommendations and we enjoyed dinner at her restaurant Jaques. Any drive from Castries North could take longer than anticipated due to traffic depending on the time of day. The local cuisine on the Island was excellent. Cathy’s recommendations of The Naked Fisherman and Anse Chastant (Soufriere) stood out (reservations are recommended). St. Lucia is a wonderful island.
Marc W.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 January 2024
Thank you for choosing Mango Plantation as your home away from home on your recent visit to St Lucia. We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed St Lucia and your stay with us.
This was our second stay at Mango Plantation, and it certainly won't be our last. As soon as we arrived, we felt like we were returning home. Reggie and Ella greeted us as we drove up, and hung out with us each day. They are completely unobtrusive, and wonderful company. There is nothing Cathy & Jacques haven't thought of to make the house a home.
From reading, relaxing, and having brunch and happy hour each day on the veranda, to having coffee at daybreak on the lounge chairs in the yard as the bats come home, our stay was once again magical. An added bonus was an exquisite dinner at Jacques Waterfront Dining. The food and service were outstanding - a five-star experience.
Vigie Beach is a short drive from the house and is beautiful. The city of Castries delighted us once again with its friendly people and delicious food. We loved visiting the market every few days to get fresh veggies and fruits, and preparing our meals in the well-stocked kitchen.
The island, particularly this property, is an amazing, gorgeous getaway. Don't miss this slice of Heaven!
Bryan R.
Stayed 9 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 11 June 2024
Its always a pleasure to have you guys stay with us!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sheila N.
19 March 2019
Quirky Caribbean Masterpiece
Wonderful house in an unforgettable location. Living in this old St Lucian house was, for four weeks, an experience we will never forget. It’s historical character was both quirky and above all comfortable providing a real feel of the Caribbean, which is so sadly lacking in modern day apartments and hotels. The view from the veranda overlooking Castries and the sea beyond, was both amazing and unforgettable. The house was very well equipped for everyday living complete with barbecue and fresh oranges from the garden...what more could one want!
Cathy and Jacques were the perfect hosts who could not do enough for us. We had two fantastic meals at their water front restaurant... highly recommended. The boy can cook!! Other local restaurants, the Pink Plantation and the Coalpot, are also very much worth a visit.
As the house is located off the beaten track a 4x4 /SUV vehicle is a must. Although we hired our own through Islander cars (who were excellent) Cathy was very helpful in providing us with information on local car hire companies.
Overall the holiday was first class and highly recommended.
Sheila N.
Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 5 March 2020
It was a pleasure to have you stay with us. We love to see people enjoy the house and garden as much as we do. I love your description of the house, it certainly is unusual and gives visitors an authentic feel for life in the Caribbean before concrete took over.
The Mango Plantation will forever be remembered as a heaven on earth experience!
The location and the property grounds are beautiful. The house is rustic but so comfortable and had everything we needed to just stay put and enjoy living right where we were!
The master bedroom was comfortable and so lovely to wake up just before sunrise in. The kitchen was well-stocked and a delight to cook in, and the veranda… well, let’s just say that we spent almost every waking minute enjoying the view, the breeze, the birds, and the lizards.
Reggie and Ella were wonderful companions for our afternoon happy hours and were always a joy to see coming (this is coming from people who are not really dog people). We were so grateful for them sharing their time with us.
We loved the sounds of the city of Castries below. Castries was actually quite delightful; bustling with the friendliest people.
Our only regret was that we did not get a chance to meet Cathy in person as she was away for family during our stay but she kept in constant touch through WhatsApp for every question we had during and prior to our stay.
When we arrived, we were expecting to have a once in a lifetime experience and by the time we left, we were making plans for our "next stay".
For anyone who wants THE IDEAL, real vacation getaway from the sanitized and corporate "resort" vacation, I highly recommend staying at the Mango Plantation. It will give you the quintessential 5 star experience!
Bryan R.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 23 June 2023
Hi Bryan, We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Mango Plantation. Your description of the house as "THE IDEAL, real vacation getaway from the sanitized and corporate "resort" vacation" really warmed our hearts, as this is exactly what we are hoping to offer our guests. Ella and Reggie are wonderful hosts but as reassurance for future guests, they don't stay at the house, they live with us further down the road. They just love to visit. I was also sorry that I didn't get the chance to meet you but it sounds like you will be back, so I look forward to meeting you then.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Emanuela B.
23 February 2012
The perfect choice for an escape to Paradise
This was my very first trip to a Caribbean island and I have to say I couldn't have make a better choice!
Whenever I travel, I like to get to know the place and get in contact with the local culture, history, traditions and people. I've been looking for a quiet, large, private house and the Plantation Villa is all that and more. It is very homey, stylish and comfortable, it is equipped with everything you would normally need during your vacation, spotless clean and simply awesome. I loved my big bedroom with ensuite bathroom, the huge four poster bed where no mosquitos would ever bite you, being protected by a net all over. The other two bedrooms upstairs were just as nicely furnished, with lovely view over the bay that my friend enjoyed every morning.
We didn't spend too much time at the villa during the day, but the maid stopped by daily and took care of the house and our needs. The house has an alarm system, but we never felt the need to use it, the beautiful german shepperd, Maya, made us feel more than secure. She is such a lovely dog, I loved waking up in the mornings, open the window to my bedroom and have her greet me with such joy!
The location of the villa is ideal if you want to be close to town, restaurants, shops, etc., but yet private enough that you see no other house/neighbor from the yard. It is a hidden gem on the top of a hill, overlooking the bay and the sea, the views are mesmerizing at day and night. A 4x4 car is needed at all times during your stay there, but Cathy, the owner will be happy to help you find a rental.
As for the owners of the property, Cathy and Jaques Rioux, they are some of the nicest people I've met. Very welcoming, happy to share the information you'll need and Jaques is an exquisite french chef. His new restaurant, Jaques Waterfront Dinning in Rodney Bay area, is the perfect spot for a lovely al fresco dinner. I loved the Sunday brunch with live jazz music too!
Thank you for everything Cathy and Jaques, you've both made my vacation special. I'll be back sometime for a longer period in St. Lucia and for sure I will stay again at the Plantation Villa.
Ema from Romania and Gary from USA
Emanuela B.
Response from VrboOwner on 5 March 2020
Dear Ema, Thank you so much for your superb review of Mango Plantation. It's nice to know that you enjoyed the house as much as we do! especially Maya, what a darling she is!" It was a pleasure to have you and Gary stay and we look forward to seeing you on your next visit.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Gordon H.
3 April 2015
Wonderful house, wonderful hosts
We enjoyed our stay in this wonderful house on our first visit to St Lucia. The house was a major reason for us choosing to come to St Lucia in the first place, having seen so many bland and overpriced villas and apartments elsewhere. We were not disappointed. The house and everything about it was exactly as shown in the photos and description, which is not always the case with holiday homes. The only change was the single beds on the landing have been replaced with a sofa and armchair and so this is now the perfect spot to read or use the internet with a stunning view of Castries and the sea beyond through the little window.
We agree with all the other reviews and many positive comments made in them. One big bonus for us was the reliable and fast internet access so that we could keep in touch with home, share our holiday experience with friends, and keep our self-employed businesses ticking over. It was also invaluable in helping to sort out a minor crisis during our stay.
We hired Cathy's car and were very glad we did, and also for driver Stanley coming to meet us at the airport - well worth the small extra cost. St Lucia's roads are an adventure in themselves, mainly due the alarming gradients encountered on all the hilly roads (not least up to the house itself), but 4WD and automatic makes it as easy as possible. Driving yourself is great fun once you get used to it, but certainly not something for the inexperienced or feint-hearted. Once we had learned the local driving rules we found other road users to be mostly very thoughtful and considerate. On many occasions pedestrians or other drivers would offer us directions within seconds of us looking a bit lost - a novel alternative to road signs which are almost entirely absent. The house is ideally located for visiting almost all of the rest of the island on day trips.
Our favourite beach was just inside the wall at Pigeon Island with the excellent Jambe de Bois cafe nearby, an idyllic spot with good facilities where you can just be with the locals, watch the boating action in Rodney Bay and get away from the resort dwellers. The Pink Plantation House restaurant just a short distance directly up the hill from the house was a joy, and of course Cathy and Jacques own restaurant is not to be missed. So many good memories, too many to include in a short (?) review. We will be back one day.
Gordon H.
Response from VrboOwner on 5 March 2020
It was a pleasure to have you to stay with us it is always nice to have people in our house who love it as much as we do! We look forward to welcoming you back.
Cathy and Jacky
If you would like to stay close to Castries and the north of St. Lucia while enjoying a lot of privacy, this is the place to book.
Communication with the owner Cathy was easy and you get all the required information for a smooth check in.
The view from the house is breath taking. The house itself is very spacious and well equipped, including the kitchen.
It is recommended to rent a 4x4 car (small SUV) as the road to the house is quite bumpy (but not an issue to drive there, it is only for a short distance).
Reggie and Ella, the two lovely dogs, enjoy good company and will „ask“ you to play with them (hint: there are some toys next to the main door).
Overall a very nice place that I would recommend to my friends.
Delia B.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 1 January 2023
Hi Delia, It was a pleasure having you to stay with us, you left the house beautifully neat and tidy, you can come again :)
The enticing photos do not do justice to the full beauty of this place. The ever changing view from the veranda is indeed stunning but the house is not overlooked and the gardens surprising secluded, and dare I say we have no tan lines! The description mentions no window glass, the climate never needs it, and the owners have gone to a great deal of trouble to make the whole residence one of the most secure I have stayed in the Caribbean. We both needed a relaxing break and boy did this deliver. You will find everything you might want in this terrific plantation house. The shelves are well stocked with novels, films and board games and all the kitchen equipment is at hand for a grand cook-out or barbecue. We were both pretty exhausted after days discovering beaches, waterfalls, smelly volcano and mud baths and swinging from forest tree to forest tree to explore the thousands of tv channels. We especially liked watching the bustle of Castries and port far below whilst eating our dinner out on the veranda at dusk and watching the stars slowly appear. But the best bit was the welcoming greeting we got from the owners’ dogs Reggie and Elsa every time we returned from a trip. They were the greatest entertainment and treat and we miss them so much I think we’ll have to go back soon...
Sadly we never made it to Jaques restaurant but other must-do places are the Pink Plantation for lunch, coconut bread and coconut turnovers from the Morne Bakery, cocktails at Agnes Bar just before the entrance to Pigeon Island National Park, sunset dinner at Hotel Chocolat (remortgage required) and great wholesome dishes at Mama Tilley’s in Laborie near Hewannorra Airport for when you arrive and leave (~EC$25 each) and a 4x4 to do it all (though not straight after Agnes Bar).
I must say that this is truly the most unique place I have ever stayed! BEAUTIFUL REAL DEAL Caribbean cottage with a spectacular view overlooking Casteries and the Caribbean Ocean. SO AWESOME! Now if fancy swanky resort living is your preference, then you might not be as carried away by Ms. Cathy's beautiful home as we were but if you want to truly unique experience that is true Caribbean then I think you would love it. The house will make you feel like you're in a romantic movie. LOL. Ms. Cathy was absolutely awesome in every aspect also. Great suggestions on how and what to do while in St Lucia. The only drawback at all, which has nothing to do with the house, property or Ms. Cathy at all, would be the city of Casteries. It can feel a little sketchy in areas and at times, but we always felt extremely safe and comfortable at home. Thank you Ms. Cathy for a wonderful stay!!!!
The house is on a hill overlooking the ocean and Castries. Very beautiful views. The property is well furnished and our stay was very comfortable. We really enjoyed staying there. Cathy was extremely helpful with all the questions we had.
We enjoyed staying at Mango plantation! Every morning we would sit on the veranda and enjoy the beautiful view and feel the nice breeze. The villa is surrounded by fruit trees- we picked coconuts and sour oranges for juice, there are mango and banana trees also but not ready to be picked when we were there. Cathy was very nice and accommodating, whatever we needed she arranged for us. She was a great host! We had all the privacy we needed, we would walk to Castries, Vigie beach and La Toc beach- it is quite a good workout since the area has fairly steep hills but we enjoyed it (most people either arrange a taxi driver or rent a car, there is also a bus transportation available). The nights are usually warm, we definitely took advantage of the fans provided. Also keep in mind you are surrounded by nature (you can hear cicadas at night, you will be visited by small birds, geckos and ants if you leave food lying around). Definitely pack a mosquito repellent is was helpful to have one. If you are interested in an authentic island experience you won’t be disappointed! We loved the villa and the garden and the view and Cathy is a great resource when it comes to exploring the island and will quickly help arrange whatever you need! Thank you Cathy for all you did for us!
We really loved "This Old House". It had so much character; a very classy act for sure! The house was well equipped and comfortable. Cathy was so helpful in so many ways especially giving us directions, as St. Lucia is a little lacking in signage. We got lost a few times, but the locals were always willing to help us out and get us back in the right direction! Vigie Beach was the best beach (on the other side of the small airport in Castries) We really enjoyed the tram ride through the Rain Forest, the volcano, botanical gardens and water fall in Soufriere.
Peter H.
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 16 March 2020
Hi Peter,
It was a pleasure having you guys to stay. We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the house, it certainly doesn't lack that wonderful Caribbean character that is so often missing in newer builds these days. It is so nice seeing people get out and about and enjoy all that this beautiful island has to offer.
Stunning views. Lovely naturally aired property. Superb property owner, happy to give local advice and guidance whenever asked. Fantastic food at Jacques restaurant. Genuinely holiday of a lifetime. 5 Stars +++
Brian D.
Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 5 March 2020
It was a pleasure to have you to stay with us, it is so nice to see people enjoying our house as much as we do!
About the host
Hosted by Cathy Rioux
I was born in Nottingham in the U.K. and spent part of my childhood in Yorkshire, Guernsey in the Channel Islands, and Oxfordshire. I studied Hotel Management at Bournemouth University in the UK. I have traveled extensively since then working on a cruise ship, in Bahrain in the Middle East and Sudan in Africa, eventually settling in St Lucia 28 years ago with my husband Jacques who is French, and our two children who were toddlers at the time and now live in the UK. We originally came to St Lucia as Jacques was offered a job as the Executive Chef at Anse Chastanet Hotel in Soufriere. Four years later we decided to move to Castries and open our own restaurant. 'Jacques Waterfront Dining' was located not far from the house in Castries until July 2011 when it was destroyed by fire. Jacques re-opened on 11/11/11 in Rodney Bay in a fabulous waterfront location with views over the Marina.
Why they chose this property
I will never forget the first time that I saw La Plantation des Manguiers (Mango Plantation for short). I was teaching English to children in a French school here in St Lucia. One December another teacher and I decided to teach the children English Christmas Carols and organise a bus tour around each of the children's homes to sing their newly learnt songs to their families. One of the children lived in Mango Plantation at the time. The bus driver dropped us at the bottom of the drive and we walked up the drive with the children. When we got to the top of the drive the view just took my breath away (or what was left of it after the steep climb) a lover of Caribbean architecture I instantly fell in love with the wooden plantation house and said to my friend 'If I ever live in Castries, I want to live in this house' I never thought another thing about it until a few years later we met the family that was currently renting in the house, we became good friends and we spent happy times there visitng them. As they were getting ready to leave St Lucia, Jacques and I were getting ready to open our restaurant in Castries and needless to say we jumped at the chance to rent the house. We lived in the house for 9 years and asked the owners if we could buy it several times eventually they agreed. We absolutely love our house and we know that you will too!
What makes this property unique
Plantation des Manguiers is a typical Caribbean Plantation style house. The foundations date back over 100 hundred years. The wooden part has been renovated over the years but by all accounts has been kept true to the original style. The view is superb. We never get tired of sitting on the veranda and watching the ever changing sea and sky. We look out over the City of Castries to Pigeon Island and beyond. On a clear day we can see Martinique so well, you would believe that you could swim there! The lights twinkle at night. We live only minutes from Castries but the house feels secluded, there are neighbors but we can't see them, and they can't see us.
Languages:
English, French
Premier Host
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