Bel-Jou is an adults-only all-inclusive resort that sits on the northeastern coast of St Lucia. The resort itself has a very natural feel to it, with lots of lush greenery and small pathways throughout the grounds. It’s definitely not one of the biggest resorts in terms of size, but its charm and cozy atmosphere will certainly make you feel like you’ve been whisked away from everything. That being said, there are some downsides to this resort, which we'll cover below. As with most all-inclusive resorts, Bel-Jou’s food and drink is their primary selling point. They have one main buffet restaurant as well as two a la carte restaurants: namely Italian and Japanese options. Additionally, there are also two bars at this resort that serve cocktails alongside the usual array of soft drinks, juices, and water. This review will break down everything you need to know about Bel-Jou so that you can make an informed decision before booking your trip!
What’s Included?
One of the main selling points of this resort is its all-inclusive nature. This means that all food, drinks, and activities are included in the price of your stay. You will not have to worry about paying for mini-bar items or for excursions. This is great for those who want to have a stress-free, no-fuss vacation. That being said, the mini-bar items are also a bit overpriced compared to what you’ll find at other all-inclusive resorts. There are also two a la carte restaurants at this resort, but they are not included in the price of your stay.
Awards and Recognition
This is not so much an awards-worthy hotel as it is an awards-worthy island, St Lucia. This island won the number one spot on the Travel+Leisure readers' choice award for Caribbean islands in 2018, as well as the best island in the world in 2019. Because of this, many resorts on St Lucia have received a surge in popularity, making it challenging to find a room in some of the more popular places.
Best season to visit
This is definitely a hotel that can be visited all year round, but certain times of the year are better than others. For example, the summer months (June-August) are typically very hot and humid, and many people find the weather unbearable at this time of year. This is not the case for St Lucia as a whole, but rather just the northeastern coast where Bel-Jou is located.
Rooms & Services Available
Amenities
This resort has all the amenities you’d expect from a Caribbean all-inclusive, but not a lot more beyond that. There is a small spa where you can book massages, facials, and other treatments. Additionally, there are two small swimming pools (one of which is for children only), a small gym, and an outdoor tennis court. There is also a small area of shops on the grounds where you can buy souvenirs, snacks, and toiletries. There is a small shopping plaza just a few minutes’ drive from the resort, where you can find a wider selection of things to buy.
Pool and Beach at Bel Jou
The pool at this resort is very small, so you may want to go down to the beach instead if you want more room to swim. The beach is quite small as well, but there are plenty of loungers and plenty of shade, so you’re unlikely to have any problems finding a place to sit. The water is very warm for swimming, but it is quite murky due to the fact that there are no strong currents to clean the water. This means that you may find the water looks a bit mucky. There are also a lot of small rocks nearby, so you will have to be careful as you walk into the water to avoid stepping on them.
The Food Review
This resort’s food is their main selling point. They have a wide variety of different cuisines including Asian, Indian, Mexican, and even a place serving up exclusively vegetarian dishes. The staff are very friendly, and you’re likely to receive multiple visits throughout the day to see if you need anything. As mentioned above, two of the restaurants are a la carte, and the standard price for one of these meals is $19.99. This is quite a high price, given that you have to pay $650 for a week-long stay at this resort. As far as the all-inclusive meals go, there is a wide variety of different options that change daily, with the majority of them being decent enough.
Bel-Jou’s Good and Bad Points
As with any resort, there are both good and bad points to consider before booking your stay here. One of the positive aspects of this resort is that it’s located in the northeast of St Lucia, which is arguably the most beautiful part of the island. This means that you’re almost guaranteed to have perfect weather during your stay. Another positive aspect of staying at Bel-Jou is that it’s one of the cheaper options in St Lucia.
Getting there
Depending on where you’re flying in from, getting to Bel-Jou can take anywhere from 1-2 hours. Most flights to St Lucia land at the Vigie Airport which is about a 40-minute drive from this resort.
Bottom Line
Bel-Jou is a great option if you want to visit the northeastern coast of St Lucia, but it doesn’t have the same level of charm as a few of the other resorts on the island. It’s a good choice if you want a relaxing, quiet vacation, but it’s not ideal if you want to party. That being said, it’s a good value for money, and there’s a high chance that you’ll have fantastic weather during your stay.
