Balenbouche Estate

I L-O-V-E-D Balenbouche, but it is not for everyone. If you want room service, bars, central air, and a fancy restaurant with a many choice menu - think about booking at Sugar Beach. If you want authenticity, a little funk, gorgeous natural setting, two wild 'walk to' beaches, a masseuse who will come to you, and delicious, fresh, locally sourced group meals - go to Balenbouche. Ute the proprietor is an amazing women. The yoga barn was a beautiful venue for my yoga retreat. I had my own little west Indian cottage (that came with a darling resident calico cat who slept outside the mosquito netting every night) . I also had my own little outdoor efficiency kitchen. Perfect for morning tea. Meals are served at the gorgeous main house on the veranda. I feel like I had travelled back to a simpler time. ....the old Caribe.... I could not have asked for a more unusual or better experience. I will definitely be back. Thank you so much Ute !

Balenbouche was an amazing experience! It is such a hidden gem 🥰 Uta is the sweetest and caring host I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Staying here was fantastic! There is always a breeze, there is a fan in the room so it’s comfortable to sleep without AC, it’s peaceful and quaint, the property has so many neat buildings and it’s full of history! You can even take a short walk to a few black sand beaches. The food was fresh and local - which is fantastic! This is truly an eco-friendly paradise where you can connect with nature and feel like you’re staying with friends and family.

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Balenbuche Estate during my 4-day trip to St. Lucia, and the experience was truly exceptional. From the moment I stepped onto the property, I felt like I had been transported to a bygone era, immersed in the rich history of this 200-year-old estate. The current owners, who have lovingly maintained the property for the past 65 years, provided insightful guidance that added a personal touch to the colonial charm. The dedication and respect for nature and the environment were evident in every aspect of the stay. Fresh morning flowers, heartfelt meals, and estate tours curated a genuine labor of love. The staff, with their caring and attentive demeanor, contributed to an atmosphere that felt like more than just a vacation – it was a calming and authentic experience. What stood out the most was the hospitality, which went beyond mere service. I felt genuinely cared for and treated like family throughout my stay. The inspiring warmth emanated from a sincere sense of humanity, making this a memorable and worthwhile experience. Balenbuche Estate is truly a gem that deserves to be experienced at least once in a lifetime.

Popped here to go to the beach - lovely little walk down and then had the beach to ourselves! It was a Sunday so very quiet and didn’t use any of the other facilities.

This is a must for your St Lucia stay. Balenbouche estate is a peaceful and magical property available for stays, day trips, and dinner. We did a day visit and explored the property which has 2 secluded beaches. Only 1 of the beaches felt safe to swim and was delightful. You need to climb down fairly step stairs to access the swimming beach but worth it! The vegetation is lush and wild. Their family of rescue dogs and cats lay about the property. Then the FOOD! We ate there for a buffet which they offer most nights. We sat out on the porch and felt immediately transported. Magic was everywhere. One of the owners is the chef and she cooks wholesome food some of which is locally sourced from the property such as amaranth and couscous. Every dish was beyond delicious. The owners were a large part of the magic, inviting welcoming intimate conversation. If you want a special experience, don’t miss this place!

Stepping into the Balenbouche Estate is like going back into the past. This place is magic, special, authentic, somewhat rough around the edges, and we immediately fell in love with this place! Anitanja and her mother Uta welcomed us as if we were family, took us into the history of this beautiful place and gave us the opportunity to relax after the crowded Coconut Bay Resort. We looooved the stories, the antiques, the soft touch and family feel of this place! Anitanja is a great cook, probably the best food we had on St Lucia, mixing local ingredients with talent and passion. We had a really relaxing yoga session in the barn, with her as well, and as a novice, I must say I felt the benefits of it even after a few days. Both our hosts are extremely well connected to the life of the island, so feel free to ask them everything you want to know. The only issue we ran into was with mosquitoes, as our cottage had open walls on top, right under the roof, which made our stay slightly annoying. If you are looking for authenticity, kindness and amazing stories from the past, this is the place to be. Sit down, relax, and listen!

I stayed with Verena, Uta, and Anitanja at Balenbouche for two weeks when I arrived to Saint Lucia for my quarantine and the stay was absolutely delightful. The property itself is gorgeous with multiple beaches to swim and explore, so much light, green, and open space, and adorable cabins. I felt like I was in a slice of paradise my whole time. Beyond that, they absolutely took care of me- the meals were delicious, they took care of my shopping so that I was always well stocked, and they were ready to help with any excursions or anything else that I needed. The whole process of booking, arriving, and staying was so seamless and wonderful. I definitely will return and have any of my friends and family stay here when they visit.

My partner and I had the best time at Balenbouche Estate. We stayed there for two weeks to quarantine for the rest of our stay in St Lucia, and it was the perfect transition between life in the US and life on the island. We enjoyed our downtime at the estate by exploring the grounds and sugar mill ruins, and swam at one of the two beaches just about every day. The home cooked meals were delicious and our hosts were very sweet and accommodating! We can’t wait to go back.