A typical Caribbean plantation house, with superb panoramic ocean views.

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Entire home

Mango Plantation House in the afternoon sun

Night view over Castries and out to Pigeon Island in the distance

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 63618 sq ft

Popular amenities

Washer
Kitchen
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space

Explore the area

Castries

Castries Central Market
‪4 min drive‬
St. Lucia Town Hall
‪4 min drive‬
La Toc Beach
‪7 min drive‬
Castries (SLU-George F. L. Charles)
‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Living room 1

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Master Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Upstairs Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Balcony

Separate dining area

Garden

Dining area

About this property

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.

Property manager

Cathy Rioux

Premier Host

Languages

English, French

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Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

Sea view

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House Rules

Flexible check-in available (contact host in advance of arrival)

Minimum age to rent: 21

Flexible check-out available (contact host to arrange)

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings

Group dinners and weddings with prior permission.

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 9 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Smoking allowed only on the verandah

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

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.

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

Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 6

Note from host: Group dinners and weddings with prior permission.

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

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.

Castries

What's nearby

Castries Central Market - 4 min drive - 2.2 km
St. Lucia Town Hall - 4 min drive - 2.3 km
La Toc Beach - 7 min drive - 2.4 km
Saint Lucia National Archives - 7 min drive - 5.7 km
Vigie Beach - 12 min drive - 4.0 km

Getting around

Castries (SLU-George F. L. Charles) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

‪KFC - ‬5 min drive
‪Armandos - ‬5 min drive
‪Cricketer's Pub - ‬4 min drive
‪Bayside Restaurant - ‬7 min drive
‪KFC - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A typical Caribbean plantation house, with superb panoramic ocean views. pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

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 Windward Islands, 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).

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

8.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Tracy R.

22 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A really wonderful place to stay!!!

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.

Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Richard M.

20 Jan 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing and wonderful

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).

Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brian D.

21 Jan 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise Found

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 +++

Stayed 14 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sheila N.

19 Mar 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.

Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Bethany F.

18 Oct 2018

Peaceful, beautiful house and amazing views

Hands down, this was one of the loveliest places I've ever stayed and we can't wait to return! Cathy, our host, was friendly and helpful - available when we needed her while giving us privacy at the same time. She helped us arrange a boat trip with snorkeling at deserted beaches and deep sea fishing with Rabbit (ask for him, he's amazing!), and treated us extremely well when we dined at their waterfront restaurant, Jacques (which we also recommend!) The house had amazing views and we spent many hours relaxing on the veranda, looking out over the water, listening to the neighbor's music vying with the insects. We had daily visits from Maya, the German Shepherd, and she brought a smile to our faces every time she stopped by while exploring. The property is lovely, with many different fruit trees and flowers in blossom. You can tell this home has been well loved and the structure itself is absolutely gorgeous with dark wood and trade wind breezes blowing through. We found it was the perfect place to come home to after zip-lining, climbing Gros Piton, hiking and snorkeling at Pigeon Island, and visiting the market in Castries. We loved our daily walks through the surrounding neighborhood and found the Pink Plantation house was a nice place to have lunch. We really can't recommend this home enough and are already anticipating our next visit!

10/10 Excellent

Martyn D.

12 Mar 2018

A wonderful place to stay

We chose Mango Plantation for our recent stay in St Lucia. Its a lovely, authentic old plantation house, and was perfect for our needs. The house offered all we needed for our stay, and the garden and surroundings were perfect for relaxing and enjoying the sunshine (and humming birds). As others have mentioned, access to the house is not straight forward, the roads are quite challenging, and a 4x4 is strongly recommended, although we just about managed with the normal car that the hire company delivered. The trip to Soufrieres is well worth making, and Pigeon Island was also good. Castries itself is a little disappointing, but the market offers fresh fruit and veg, and there is a supermarket next to the market for other provisions. Cathy is a good host, and made sure that our arrival went smoothly, and was on hand for advice and help on what to see and do. She also kindly gave us a guided tour of the local surroundings, which was a massive help for us finding our way around.

10/10 Excellent

laroche g.

9 Mar 2018

Pleasure in Sainte Lucie

We had the pleasure to stay at Mango plantation last January. We were 3 couples, staying for a week, looking for tranquility and peace far away from our busy lives in France. The location of the house on top of the hill, overviewing the beautiful bay of Sainte Lucie, surrounding by the nature made our stay fantastic. Isolated from the rest of the world, we had the most relaxing time. Cathy, the owner, is a beautiful person, always responding to our questions, despite the fact she is a very busy woman, she took very good care of us all, she was so helpful and always with a smile. We just loved being in their House. We definitely recommend this property to anyone who wants to discover beautiful Sainte Lucie Island....The house is very well equipped, we never went out at nigh except 2 .... in their nice restaurant by the harbor " Chez Jacques" which I do recommande too :) You just need a good car to climb up there :))) Gwenaël & Michel Laroche. France

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Roman D., München

22 Apr 2017

Never stayed like this before!!

This house is an exceptional holiday experience. Authentic, a brilliant view over Castries and on a bright day/night you even can see Martinique at the horizont. The house is very spacious! We stayed 8 night with our grown up kids and they loved having their own bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor. The terrace invites you for cozy evenings with a nice glas of wine. For the fact the house is located in the middle of nature it is clear that you have to expect some little animals like cocroaches. However we didn't have a problem with it and we were gifted falling asleep with the sound of singing birds at night. Besides the beautiful house the hosts Cathy and Jacques were of great help and made us feel at home from the first moment. Cathy even picked us up at the airport and went with us to the next supermarket. One important notice: you definitely need a SUV rental car to get to the location. The road to the house is in bad condition and steep. The good thing is as soon as you get familiar with the road conditions you can easily get to all hotspots on the island because the house is quite centrally located. In sum it is a 100% recommendation for those who want to make their stay at St Lucia an extraordinary, individual and special experience.

Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

olivier G., Tours

18 Feb 2017

Wonderful stay in Castries

Even after seeing the pictures on the website, and reading the previous reviews, it was a really shock when we arrived and discovered this wonderful house. The house is really unique. The garden and the view are incredible. We really enjoyed this place. Cathy and Jacques are also lovely people, who are doing the best they can to help, give advices, and make your stay as best it can be. Sushi the cat and Maya the dog are also very nice. Castries is also a central location to visit the different parts of the island. Our top 3 : anse castanets, la Soufriere and Pigeon island.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nevar J.

30 Dec 2016

A wonderful stay in this superb house

We had never been to the Caribbean before and my wife and 2 young boys were very excited - coming to this old plantation house exceeded all their expectations. Cathy, the owner, had helped us with the taxi and transport arrangements here (which in retrospect were essential as we would not have found the property easily by ourselves driving from the airport) and we arrived to be greeted by her and this beautiful - and beautifully appointed - house with its magnificent views high above Castries. It is very different from the anonymised poolside apartments and was just prefect for us - with the wonderful rainfalls teeming in front of us as we ate on the terrace and the balmy winds drifting through the house at night. We cooked for ourselves during our week long stay - a beautifully provided kitchen - and just simply unwound and relaxed in the house, on the terrace and driving to nearby beaches and bays. We watched the boats and cruise liners come in and out of the bay, adored the gardens and remained fascinated by the amazing birdlife and the little lizards. It is accessible by a very steep hill drive but this definitely part of the fun and the glory of this superb and characterful property. We could not have wished for a more gracious, fascinating and comfortable house. Cathy could not have been more helpful and welcoming (and her cat a lovely house companion

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

chun kidd c.

2 Apr 2016

Beautiful treasure, lovely hosts and cosy feel!

Cathy was very welcoming and was able to answer all my queries regarding the house. We were 5 medical students working at the nearby hospital, and we found the house to be the perfect balance of relaxation and culture! The house was beautifully furnished and was situated in a very quiet area. We had a few barbecues where we invited fellow medical students to the house, and all commented on how nice the place was! The house does suffer from quite a few Mosquitoes as there are no nets around the windows, however all the beds had nets around them. If you are particularly worried, just stock up on plenty of mozzy spray!! Overall, the house was just perfect for us 22-24 year olds!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Peter W.

1 Apr 2016

Fantastic stay in a 'get away from it' location

We stayed in January 2015. This was the second of a two-centre stay on the island, the first being a property overlooking the pitons, on the south-west coast. Cathy picked us up from there, and from that moment everything went swimmingly well. Our daughter and partner joined us for the stay in Plantation House. She had brought heels with the anticipation that we could walk to a nearby restaurant. This is not possible, as the house is up in the hills overlooking the town, and we thought, all the better for it. In this respect a car is really necessary, but we rented Cathy's Rava 4, and that was absolutely ideal and did everything we wanted of it. The house is just as described, and as portrayed by the photos. One of the best aspects was to actually stay in a house that has no glass windows, just a mixture of bars at some windows, and shutters at the others, both of which allow a warm breeze to gently blow through the house, making it very natural. If you are arriving / departing at the main international airport at the south of the island, it is well worth having Cathy arrange a pick-up / delivery for you as this is seamless and at a great price. Just another thing to ensure you have a great stay. if you enjoy animals, you will be smitten by the two dogs, although they can be removed if you would rather. Thanks again Cathy for a great stay.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gordon H.

3 Apr 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.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Joan W.

27 Feb 2015

Treasured memories were made here!

We began every morning and ended each evening enjoying the front porch and all its wonderful offerings. The sights and sounds both day and night awakened our senses and love of nature. We felt peaceful,private, and relaxed. The villa was presented so well I felt like I had been there before! The weather was perfect. Although it rained a few times , we could keep going and be dry in a few moments! And the smell of the rain forest was luscious. Getting around was a bit tricky. We rented Cathy's car which was perfect, but driving place to place was a challenge. You might want to research your choices. However, we did manage to experience many activities such as zip lining, horseback riding, taking a huge Catamaran to Soufrie, visiting the drive-in volcano, snorkeling, swimming, visiting the Pink Plantation, touring the Rum Distillery, and many more....all worthwhile. The restaurants are great including Jacque's on the waterfront and Spinnakers on the beach. All our other meals were, of course, on the front porch.! Cathy was helpful and friendly. She even lent us her two spectacular doggies, Maya and Millie, who added to our pleasurable stay. ( You don't have to have the dogs if you'd rather not.) So GO, explore, meet some neat people, learn all about St. Lucia, and have fun at Mango Plantation!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Catherine R.

27 Jan 2015

Amazing stay at La Plantation des Manguiers (Mango

We had a delightful stay at this open air plantation. Pictures are spot on and the view is amazing! Cathy met us and escorted us to the house and showed us all around. The house is comfortable with decorative gated windows to allow in the caribbean breezes and wooden locked shutters in case of rain. The grounds are beautiful with fruit trees and flowers. The front porch is a perfect spot to enjoy the incredible view of the harbor of Castries. We felt safe in our surroundings and the owner is nearby if you have any questions. Books and pamphlets in the house for exploring the island. We rented a car and enjoyed visiting many of the sights and beaches. We thought we might need air conditioning but the owners have a fan at the foot of each bed with nets around the 4 poster beds and we were always comfortable during our stay. I have always wanted to stay in a house with the tradewinds blowing in and out and this made our stay unique. The house has been updated and cared for and if you truly want to embrace island style, this is the place to stay. Our space and time was respected by all, with schedules by a caring owner. Special "Thank You's!" go to Cathy, the owner, who was always attentive, helpful and caring. To Angie, who always kept the house neat and clean, and we felt like neighbors talking to her. To Glenroy, a true softspoken gentlemen, who cared for the gardens and climbed the coconut trees and showed us the fruits of this special place, and yes, the sour orange juice was delicious! Once in a while you visit a place and you feel at home. You leave with a special memory and feeling. We truly left this place as friends. We highly recommend!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

denis c.

22 Jan 2015

Maison de charme, traditionnelle

Nous avons séjourné 2 semaines en février 2014 à la Plantation Mango. Accueillis chaleureusement par Cathy et Jack, nous avons découvert une superbe maison traditionnelle, nichée au creux d'un paysage de rêve, bénéficiant d'une vue panoramique sur la très belle baie de Castries. La maison, conforme au descriptif, et disposant de tout le confort moderne, tient toutes ses promesses. Nos petits-déjeuners sous la varangue étaient chaque matin égayés par le chant des colibris butinant les hibiscus du jardin. Cathy et Jack se sont montrés des hôtes particulièrement sympathiques et disponibles. Nous avons de plus, beaucoup apprécié la cuisine de Jack et son restaurant à la marina de Rodney Bay, où nous avons dîné plusieurs fois. Un séjour doux et authentique dont nous gardons un excellent souvenir. Suzanne et Denis CONSANI à HYERES, FRANCE

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Annie B.

12 Jan 2015

un séjour enchanteur

Nous gardons un magnifique souvenir de notre séjour à la "Mango Plantation" de Cathy et Jacky Rioux. Cette superbe maison coloniale située au dessus de Castries, offre depuis sa terrasse et son parc, un magnifique panorama sur la baie et permet de partir, aisément, à la découverte de l'île, du nord au sud. La villa elle même, offre un espace de vie confortable; aménagée et décorée avec beaucoup de goût par Cathy, elle est très régulièrement entretenue par la "fée .du logis" : Angie. Nous avons de plus été tout particulièrement touchés par l'accueil de ses propriétaires et leur disponibilité pour nous prodiguer tous les conseils souhaités pour nos balades ou nos pauses déjeuners sur l'île. Quant au restaurant "Jacques Waterfront", dans la marina de Rodney Bay, il est , par son site et surtout, les petits plats typiques préparés par Jacky, un incontournable d'un séjour à Ste Lucie. Nous recommanderons donc chaleureusement et sans hésiter, cette location à nos proches ou amis pour un séjour de qualité à Ste Lucie.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Shirley D.

2 Jan 2015

A memory that we will cherish!!

Four days before our trip, my mother inlaw was not able to go. Was not sure at first being a mom with twin boys, going alone!! Well that lasted 2 minutes after we met Cathy. The boys were able to experience living like real St. Lucians. The house had everything we needed, the view was breathtaking. Cathy and her husband were there for us everyday, she even gave me her phone with numbers put in. She oraganized a driver for us, took us place to see and do. The neighbours not too far or close, were very friendly and said if I needed anything. Angie the maid, who we have become to miss, cook us meals, and taught my boys about St. Lucia. The gardener showed they boys how to climb a coconut tree. I had alovera plants for our sun burns, and was shown how to do it myself. the house does not have air, but you don't need it with the warm breeze going thru. We felt so safe at cathys, that I would leave the doors a windows open until bedtime. I could go on about our amazing holiday at the plantation house, but listening to my boys say, wow mom, I really really like it here, is words enough. Thank Cathy and Jackie, we miss you! xo

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Zoe O., near London

22 Jan 2014

Fantastic and homely house with amazing views

What a treat to stay in a real home from home- the owners (Cathy and Jacques) move out when the guests are renting the house but live there when it's not booked and that makes for a wonderful family atmosphere. We were travelling as a family of 4 with a baby and a toddler and they also loved it. The toddler in particular loved her "princess bed" with canopy (mosquito net)! The house was clean and well maintained thanks to the housekeeper Angie who was also a fantastic cook and who taught me some authentic Caribbean cooking- a lasting momento of our stay. The views from the verandah and upstairs were absolutely amazing, we literally didn't tire of gazing out to sea and over the hills of northern St Lucia. The garden was a real plus, good space for the eldest to run around in and it felt totally safe. The car hire was pretty much essential but the villa is centrally located to visit much of the island, a highlight for us was visiting The Rabot Estate, home to the Hotel Chocolat estate where you can stop for an indulgent chocolate strewn lunch or dinner. The closest beach is Vigie which is just across town and almost visible from the house. It quickly became a favourite with us for its authentic and low key feel, perfect for a quick dip or more leisurely sand castle building. Overall we loved staying in the mango house and wouldn't think twice about recommending it to friends and family, indeed if we return to St Lucia we will definitely be giving Cathy a call!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

stephen a.

1 Nov 2013

Good Family Adventure

We are a family of 5 with 3 boys with lots of energy and needing lots of space, they all had a good time with the house having enough room for everyone to relax when they needed to. The house worked very well as a base to explore from being well situated a short drive to Castries and easy to get up the coast to Rodney Bay and Pigeon Island, We rented Cathy's car as well, Having a car was essential to get around. Cathy was very helpful with anything that came up. Our kids didn't gel with the cat and Cathy took her away the next day. House was clean and tidy and as described, The housekeeper came in 3x per week and would also do our washing which was handy. Downsides: dogs are quite noisy at night if you are a light sleeper, Places we liked: Wakeboarding in Rodney Bay; hanging out at Windjammer Landing, Pigeon Island; Jungle canopy tram and zip-wires. Disappointing: Soufries and the sulphur baths. We had a good time at the house and I'd recommend staying there.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David E.

20 Aug 2013

Wonderful Traditional Caribbean House and Gardens

We are a family of five and have just finished a three week stay in the Mango Plantation House. The house is a traditional Caribbean wooden building with shutters. It has all the amenities a family needs. The house is high up on the Morne and gives stunning views of Castries and its coastline.The gardens are beautiful with bread fruit, bananas, lime and guava plants to name a few. It was also teaming with wildlife and was visited by humming birds every day. This was the first time we had stayed in a house in the Caribbean without air conditioning. We found that we adapted quickly to the climate and that sleeping with room fans under mosquito nets was very comfortable. Jaques and Cathy made the booking process very straight forward and arranged transport from and to the airport for us. Cathy made sure that we had everything that we needed during our stay. We rented Cathy's Rav 4 for the whole of our stay which gave us access to the best beaches and allowed us to reach the local super markets, bakery and restaurants with ease. We dined at Jacques and Cathy's restaurant and the food was superb. We also visited a very good traditional Caribbean restaurant at Gros Islet called 'Flavours of the Grill' which is featured in Trip Advisor. The Mango Plantation House is well located for travelling to the beaches and attractions both to the North and South of the island. We have had the most wonderful holiday and would like to thank both Jaques and Cathy for allowing us to stay in their house.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

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11 Mar 2013

Private island property with beautiful gardens

Mango Plantation is a very comfortable traditional home with amazing views of Castries town and harbour and beyond to the coastline. On a clear day we could see the island of Martinique. We watched the large cruise liners arriving each morning while enjoying breakfast on the large shaded terrace. The house has all the amenities required with the added benefit of being able to dine outside, listening to the sounds of nature and island life while watching numerous humming birds visiting the beautiful flowers in this picturesque garden. We really appreciated the large rooms with plenty of space to unwind. This was such a relaxing haven away from the hustle and bustle of a large impersonal resort. Our maid Angie was a fountain of information on local culture, places to visit and Caribbean food, she gave us advice on cooking local food, and I came home with some of her recipes, plus a supply of Caribbean spices that she had purchased on our behalf and preserved for us on request. We have already enjoyed the flavours of St Lucia on our return home, thanks Angie. We were picked up at the airport by Stanley, their driver, who was waiting for us on arrival, no delays waiting for taxis or car hire, we were on the road within minutes. On the drive to Castries he gave us advice and information about the island particularly in relation to driving around St Lucia. We were welcomed by Cathy on arrival who gave us a tour of the house and a quick tour of Castries explaining the route to take in and around the town, this proved invaluable to us during our stay. We also hired Cathy's Toyota RAV 4 wheel drive, very comfortable with air conditioning, a good decision given some of the roads on the island and really good value for the duration of our stay. Having read previous reviews we booked a table at Jacques Waterfront restaurant in Rodney Bay, and we were not disappointed. The Sunday Jazz brunch is amazing, we went back twice and also enjoyed delicious evening meals, definitely the best restaurant in St Lucia, not to be missed. Having returned to the UK just a week ago today, its hard to adjust to rain, snow and thick sweaters again. We feel privileged to have had the opportunity to experience such a lovely traditional island home, while being within easy reach of so many of the attractions on this beautiful island. Thank you Cathy and Jacques for looking after us so well, for your advice and, assistance always with a smile. Best wishes Linda & Trevor.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Maria L.

12 Aug 2012

Pearl of the Caribbean!

We've been traveling a lot in the Caribbean but never before have we found a place to stay like this. The house is large and equipped with all amenities. You find yourself in a beautiful garden with bananas and other fruits fresh from the tree directly in your mouth. The views of Castries and the sea is breathtaking. House and garden are well maintained and the maid Madeline has an eye on everything. Cathy and Jacques are the perfect hosts. They took care of us from arrival when Cathy picked us up at the airport until the end of our stay when Jacques served us a delicious vegetarian dinner at their restaurant. Although the house is up on the hill shops, markets and restaurants can be reached by car in a few minutes (we did it almost every day on foot - a wise decision during peak hours in Castries). In order to explore the beauty of St. Lucia, it is advisable to hire Cathy's 4WD. Thanks again to Cathy, Jacques, Madeline and Maya (the watchdog) making our stay on St. Lucia so unforgettable.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

R C.

22 Feb 2012

A haven of peace and privacy

We stayed here in February 2012 for a week's family holiday. Cathy and Jacques make every effort to ensure a comfortable and relaxing break for their guests and are more than happy to help with any information etc needed. The house is full of character - wood everywhere you look, with really spectacular views out over the city of Castries to the sea and towards Martinique. It has all the facilities needed while maintaining a simple charm. We spent nearly all our time outside on the verandah surrounded by the wildlife of the garden - lizards, frogs and birds, including all three species of hummingbirds found on St Lucia. We used 4-wheel drive vehicle (can be rented with villa), recommended for access to house and most of the island, to give flexibility of movement around St Lucia, which is very hilly. Its situation means that it is possible to get to Castries/Vigie beach in just a few minutes (avoiding the rush hour!) and to most of the other highlights of the island within an hour or so. The Soufriere area, with the hot springs, cocoa plantations and the Pitons is well worth the trip, though the road from Castries to Soufriere is slow due to lots of hairpins, but very scenic. Lovely place to stay if you like to get away from the crowds.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Andy S.

9 Mar 2011

Special Little Gem in the South

We stayed here last minute having transferred down from a Villa in the north which was far to close to Rodney Bay and we wanted some peace and quiet. We landed on our feet being recommended this place. This quaint plantation house is really peaceful and the views are spectacular. We made use of the restaurant delivery service several times and enjoyed romantic dining on the balcony with perfectly cooked meals prepared by the French chef owner of the house. We don't have children but this would be an ideal spot for them to explore the grounds in safety and there is plenty of room for them to play and lots of toys and books in the house as well. The Housekeeper Madeleine took perfect care of us and was very quiet and unobtrusive so we hardly knew she was there. The Master Bedroom was comfortable and very breezy with large windows to two sides. A mosquito net ensured we were never bitten! This lovely house, full of character, is a rare find and coupled with lots of useful information from Cathy, we were able to do lots of exploring and really feel we had made the most of our stay on the island. We hope to come back next year for sure.

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

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A typical Caribbean plantation house, with superb panoramic ocean views.

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3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

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2 bathrooms

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