Amazing House ... Best View on the Island

Guest: Greg (St. Louis, MO)
Date of Stay: 01/17/11 Review Submitted: 02/07/12

I spent five days here with two friends in January 2012. I believe that the villa was built by the same person who built Ladera / Dashene in the 1970s. It's really an architectural marvel, and the view is simply stunning. The staff (Mary and Pius) were great and were super-sensitive to our preferences. They would come in just as we were leaving each day, and would leave just as we were returning that night. (They live nearby.) They kept the place impeccable. A bridge was out (since Hurricane Thomas), and so the drive from the villa to Soufriere took about 25 minutes. You'll want detailed driving directions, since there are few road signs. (The house is above the trailhead for the Gros Piton trail.) Later in our trip, we arranged for a water taxi (Solomon) to pick us up at the bottom of our hill (by Jalousie), which is a (very steep) 3-minute drive downhill from the villa. The water taxi took the three of us to Anse Chastanet round trip for $60. You pay on return passage, and he picked us up at the time we requested. We found the water taxi more enjoyable than the driving. You can get a weekly pass at Anse Chastanet for $105, which includes snorkeling, kayaking, chairs, umbrella and beach food service. We liked Anse better than Jalousie beach, which was a little too quiet for our liking. (And we like quiet.) Jalousie is 5 minutes from the villa, though, and has cool powdery white sand. The villa is about 1,000 feet (40%) up Gros Piton and looks across to Petit Piton. Because it is open-air, you should expect tree lizards, moths and a friendly bat who hangs out by the chandelier at night and eats all the moths. The bat was very respectful, though, and never touched us. He'd leave once we'd dim the lights. With mosquito nets over the beds (and a little Deet at night as a precaution), I didn't get a single bug bite the entire week. They just were not a problem, even being outside in the tropics. There are lots of steps in this multi-level villa, so it wouldn't be best for those with disabilities or for small children. The view from the tower is incredible, though. Overall, I know I'll be back. It's just too unique to stay anywhere else. I can't wait to return!

Owner response:We are glad that you enjoyed the Villa. We and our staff try our hardest to be sensitive to our guest wishes. We hope to see you again.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Guest: Marie Orewiler (Lakeside Park, KY, USA)
Date of Stay: 02/18/09 Review Submitted: 02/18/09

What a lovely place! We stayed here in February for our 10th anniverary and have never had such a wonderful vacation. We brought plenty of bug spray, but needed none of it, nor did we use the netting on the bed. The sounds of nature were all around - it was like sleeping in a treehouse. Mary comes in to clean and cook every day, which is wonderful, but the real treat for us was Mary's son, Pious. We had a rental car, but the roads are narrow, winding and steep. Driving in St Lucia is not for the faint of heart! By the middle of the week, we had decided to let Pious do the driving so we could relax. He is pleasant, kind, and all-around wonderful. My husband hiked to the top of the Gros Piton. The beginning of the trail is walking distance from the house. He tells me it was a strenuous hike, but the views were worth it. Personally, I can't imagine any views more wonderful than the views from this house. The view from every room is spectacular. Every night, we went up to the tower to watch the stars. I have never seen such a display. Astronomy buffs might never go to sleep. I would highly recommend this house to anyone who wants to re-connect with nature or with each other. We will definately be back! Dave and Marie Orewiler

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Guest: kathryn judge (cambridge, uk)
Date of Stay: 03/04/08 Review Submitted: 03/04/08

We stayed at the house for 9 days in February with 3 children, and had a fabulous time.The house is unique and the views are absolutely amazing. To sleep 'outdoors' was great fun and very comfortable.The bugs didn't bother us too much but insect repellent & mosquito nets are necessary!I could have sat & looked at the view from the house for the rest of my life quite happily.The four wheel drive vehicle recommended was essential & the journeys up & down the hill were an adventure not for the faint-hearted! I would recommend the house to anyone who loves the beauty of nature, and peace.

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Guest: Bob & Kim Fatora (Miami, Florida)
Date of Stay: 09/20/07 Review Submitted: 09/20/07

Wow! We had an amazing time. We (3 couples) visited this home from Aug 25 - Sep 1, 2007. We have never felt so relaxed in a natural setting. This 3 sideed home is truly a great experience, the sounds of the the crickets and frogs at night are hard to get used to, but after the first night they are the music that put you to sleep. I will tell you there are bugs, you just need to be prepared. The views of Petit Piton and the Caribbean Sea are amazing. We had the pleasure of late night and early morning rains...which allowed us to wake up to several rainbows over Gros Piton. We were also there during a full moon, which was spectacular. Mary & Pius are very helpful and everyone knows them in the town of Mourn La Croix. hiking Gros Piton is a challenge, the 3 guys and I hiked it one morning (I only made it halfway, it is tough) the guys made it to the top and said it was an amazing adventure. The Mineral Baths and Volcano Mud Baths are in close proximity to the house. Jalouise Beach is a great place to go and relax on the beach and have a few drinks brought to you by the cabana boys! The walk down is an steep, so the walk up is hard (although only one of us did the walk back up to bring the car down to get the rest of us!) Bob and I will definitely be visiting again as we have much more on the island to see! If you have any questions or want to know more please feel free to contact us! By the way, Tropical Depression #7 (became Hurricane Felix) came over us our last night there and it was just an amazing site to see the rain bands come and go. Petit Piton actually disappeared int he rain and then reappeared. We felt safe the whole time in this house and trust me we have dealt with plenty of Tropical Storms & Hurricanes being from Miami and I felt safer in this house than in my own home! This home is truy a great way to experience island living!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/18/06 Review Submitted: 09/18/06

What an amazing and wonderful experience it was to stay in this absolutely beautiful home in such an unbelievable setting!!! The home itself is an experience. It is so unique and beautifully crafted that words, or even pictures cannot do it justice…you really have to go and experience it for yourself! I don't know where to begin....whether to talk of the beautiful rainbows we saw on an almost daily basis (sometimes twice)-- the feeling of the fresh, cool breeze on my face continuously during the day-- or the feeling of being so close and connected to nature while being indoors. The structure of the house even allows one to truly enjoy the rain showers when they occur--.imagine feeling like you can "sing in the rain" while sheltered and dry. Despite this wonderful openness, I always felt safe and comfortable and surprisingly there were no bugs or critters. I must say that i slept better and felt more rested than I have in ages. We even slept up in the tower at the top a few nights which felt even more special and close to nature.Perhaps the best thing about our stay there was the healing and rejuvenating effect it had on my relationship with my husband. I think every couple needs that from time to time. In addition to all of the above, where else can you experience an authentic (and free) mud bath in volcanic mud right at its source, or take a hike up the Gros Piton trail with a native St. Lucian guide ? This is truly the experience of a lifetime and I cannot wait to return.. We have travelled extensively to many areas of the world and I can honestly say that this is the most beautiful, unique, and healing place we have ever had the pleasure to experience. .If you have the resources to make the trip, Don't miss it !!!

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Guest: Rob Schimelpfennig (Kingsville, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 07/31/06 Review Submitted: 07/31/06

Our Vacation in St. Lucia was wonderful. The House is truly unique with spectacular sounds of the rain forest and great accommodations. Mary and Pius did a great job taking care of the cooking, cleaning, and even acting as a tour guide for our two families. Our vacation included two families, a total of eight; we were very comfortable and look forward to returning soon. If you're ever looking for a private getaway this is the place.

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Guest: Jean-Baptiste Gubinelli (Geneva - Switzerland)
Date of Stay: 06/28/06 Review Submitted: 06/28/06

We had a fantastic experience. The house is beautiful, the view incredible and the staff very friendly. There is nothing like to be in this open house in the middle of the nature... an experience you should not miss.

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Guest: Mike D.1 (Mentor, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 06/12/06 Review Submitted: 06/12/06

Wow! What a wonderful experience! It was neat sleeping in a bedroom open to nature. No bugs, just beautiful sounds of nature to lull you to sleep. It was sort of like camping outside, only much better. The help is wonderful and makes a wide variety of delicious cuisine. I'm saving money now for another stay. Can't wait. I mean it. Mike D.

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Guest: Sara72 (Jefferson, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 05/09/06 Review Submitted: 05/09/06

If you wish to get away to a tropical island free from commercialism, this is the place for you. The natives are friendly, welcoming, and speak English fluently. This unique house is situated on the Gros Piton in the middle of a beautiful tropical forest and overlooking a serene Caribbean inlet. It is maintained by a fabulous staff who will go out of their way to make your stay comfortable and relaxing. This is the vacation spot for anyone wishing to get away and enjoy the beauty and serenity we all long for... It is for the adventurous soul seeking a unique experience in paradise. You won'tbe disappointed if you are among those who seek to take the path less traveled!

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