Rooms

Various 1- to 5-bedroom villas are scattered throughout the 26-acre tropical grounds; names reflect the lush surroundings and many have their own pools. Some charming 1-bedroom villas come with stunning Piton views while larger 2- or 3-bedroom villas overlook the mountains and sparkling sea.

Abound by the rustic charm of the old stone mill ruins, the Lime Mill Cottage is particularly good for groups of friends or older families (over 18s only). With 3 double bedrooms, a huge living space and a fully-equipped kitchen/dining room there is certainly plenty of room for everyone.

Largest of all is the 5-bedroom Chez Anista - great if you’re planning a group holiday (sleeps 10). Constructed from stone, with high-beamed ceilings and ceramic tiles or stone floors, the theme throughout is light, space and air. Louvre screens on the windows and doors filter out the hot Caribbean sun and keep rooms cool enough to make the air-conditioning or ceiling fans provided largely unnecessary.

Most bedrooms have kingsize or queensize beds (many are antique four-posters), all have mosquito nets, walk-in wardrobes, phones, CD players and either full kitchens or basic kitchenettes (with tea and coffee provided). All but the original Chez Anista - which has 5 indoor showers - have wonderful semi open-air bathrooms with exotic garden showers. Each villa also has a shady wooden veranda kitted out with hammocks, chairs, sun loungers, daybeds or sofas for private sunbathing and evening sundowners.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Stonefield Estate is a little off the beaten track, so come prepared if you're embarking on a self-catering adventure. If you e-mail your shopping list before arrival, staff will kindly arrange for your first lot of groceries to be bought for you. The nearest shops are in Soufriere, a 10-minute drive away (you can walk, but it’s a steep climb in the heat and humidity). You can help yourself to fruit on the surrounding trees - mango, avocado, lime, papaya, coconut and breadfruit.

If all this sounds too much like hard work, head to the estate’s poolside restaurant, The Mango Tree. Here you’ll find simple continental and fried breakfasts, all day baguettes and a selection of home-cooked Caribbean dishes for dinner, eaten to the sound of live local bands. There are also different themed menus every night. The bar is open all day and the views from this bright pastel-coloured venue are simply stunning.

For a change of scenery, you can eat out at one of the great hotel or local restaurants which lie within a (rather pricey) 10-minute taxi ride.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Fridge
• Kitchenette
• Oven
• Restaurant
• Shopping service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Head out to explore the island - it’s easy to take trips from the hotel. Staff can point you in the direction of a week’s worth of organised hikes, horse riding, biking, rainforest adventures, walks to waterfalls and marine excursions. If you hire a car, however, there's plenty to see and do on your own
  
  
• Visit the botanical gardens on the Soufriere Estate and take a restorative dip in their mineral baths, or head up to the natural sulphur springs at the island's "drive-in" volcano (you drive to within a few hundred yards of the crater then continue on foot)
  
  
• Browse the colourful early morning market which takes place in Soufriere on Saturdays
  
  
• If you want to socialise, there’s a communal pool by the restaurant where you can sunbathe, relax and read, with a cocktail in hand
  
  
• Enjoy a massage, manicure or pedicure at the estate's spa, The Bamboo Door
  
  
• Bird watch - there are over 50 species on the estate, including hummingbirds, parrots, finches and bananaquits. You might also meet the owners' family pet, a 50-year-old macaw named Abdul
  
  
• Follow the estate’s nature trail through the rainforest. It will take you past petroglyphs dating from 350 A.D. which were created by the Amerindian Arawak people, the island’s earliest known inhabitants
  
  
• Head to the beach - a complimentary shuttle service runs from Stonefield to the white sands at the Jalousie Hilton and the black sandy beach at Malgretoute
  
  
• Learn to scuba dive at Anse Chastanet - staff can arrange dive packages and courses. It’s one of the safest places to learn and is also excellent for snorkelling

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cycling
• Fishing
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Plantlife / flora
• Private guided tours
• Sailing
• Scuba diving
• Scuba diving courses
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Well being
• Wildlife

Kids

This is an adults only resort.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Stonefield Estate is set in the hills just above the town of Soufriere, on St Lucia’s west coast.

By Air
Hewanorra International (29km away) is the nearest airport. The island's other airport, George F L Charles (formerly known as Vigie), is 44km away near Castries and is served by inter-island flights only. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
It takes around an hour to drive from Hewanorra International and 1.5 hours from George F L Charles. The hotel can arrange airport transfers (see Rates); alternatively, taxis are readily available at the terminal.

By Car
For car hire, see our car rental recommendations. You will need to obtain a temporary St Lucia driver’s licence purchased from the Immigration Office upon arrival at the airport or at the car-rental kiosks when you pick up your car. In addition you have to be over 25 years old and show a valid driver’s licence from home.

Getting Around
Stonefield Estate offers a free shuttle service to a nearby beach, but you'll need a car if you want to explore further afield. Taxis in St Lucia can be very expensive.

Detailed directions will be sent once your booking is confirmed through i-escape.com.

More on getting to St Lucia and getting around