Balenbouche Estate

Our stay at Balenbouche Estate was nothing short of magical, and the heart of this experience was Uta—a once-in-a-lifetime kind of woman. She is, without a doubt, the most incredible host we have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Uta welcomed us with open arms and the warmest heart, making us feel not just like guests, but like part of her family. Her kindness, generosity, and beautiful soul radiate in everything she does. She took care of us in a way that was beyond hospitality—it was genuine love and warmth. We will forever be grateful for the memories we made here and for having had the chance to meet such a remarkable woman. If you are looking for an authentic, soulful, and unforgettable experience in St. Lucia, Balenbouche Estate is the place to be. Thank you, Uta, for making our trip so special—we will cherish this forever! ♥️

My words are a reiteration of what others have written – the magic of place and person (Uta) alike. There is flora and fauna aplenty, a beautiful pristine beach, trails to meander on, perfectly placed benches on which to read, and (not) think, historical remnants to explore, and warmth of hospitality. Just as the recent human history of the landscape has evolved from plantation to shared beauty and abundance, energetically, this positivity can be felt somehow – there’s a kind of peacefulness that you feel as soon as you enter the estate and stays with you the entire time you are there. This is a loved and cherished piece of the earth that has outwitted the march of exploitative tourism thanks to the vision and tenacity of the Lawaetz family. I planned to stay at Balenbouche and use it as a kind of base for excursions elsewhere, only to find that when I left, I couldn’t wait to return. At Balenbouche the perfect spot is where you already are.

Balenbouche is a really magical place. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful, and the cottages are private and all unique in their own ways. Uta is such a lovely presence and wonderful host. We felt less like paying guests and more like visiting friends of the family during our stay. This may not be for everyone. You need to be comfortable without air conditioning and sleeping in a room with open windows, without screens to keep the bugs out. Though the bed nets do a fine job. If that's up your alley then you can't do better than Balenbouche.

The ruins of the sugar mill are a must see. It is very similar to the jungle temple at Angkor Wat albeit on a smaller scale. I cannot recommend it enough. In terms of accommodations Balenbouche is definitely on the rustic side, no a/c, no screens on the windows, lots of insects, so it is not for everyone. We loved it but it is for a specific clientele. If you need a/c, resort facilities it is not the best choice

Our 6th time back at Balenbouche! This place still retains the magic that made us fall in love in the first place. The evening chorus of insects and frogs, the beautiful beaches, the charm of our favorite cottage, Waterlily…it’s hard to imagine Saint Lucia without thinking of the marvelous times we have spent at Balenbouche. Thank you as always for having us! We will be back as soon as we can.

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.

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!