We have just returned from 6 nights at Jalousie. We were apprehensive about staying here after reading some mixed reviews. There is no doubt about the location being fantastic,nestled inbetween the Pitons and set in 192 acres of rainforest. Truly inspiring. Superb beach which is being improved having just taken a delivery of tons of sand. The views from the Oasis are magnificent as is the view back to Jalousie from out to sea from Jalousie Bay.
The meals are excellent. Breakfast buffet was varied and plentiful down at Bayside as was the buffet dinner.
What really makes this place is the staff. Everyone seemed truly to want you to have the best time. Everywhere you went from the maids to the shuttle drivers to the drinks people,they were all so nice and courteous. A special mention must be made about our butlers Joan and Marilyn. Fantastic! Nothing too much trouble and always done with a smile.
Jalousie is so close to being an absolute paradise but there are a number of niggles which leads to frustration as the Jalousie experience could be so much better. Our villa (902) is luxurious but is sold as an ocean view but has no ocean view. Some of the furnishings were old and stained-bit of a surprise in one of the new villas. Being in the 900s meant we had the services of a butler. Very nice of course but they serve all the 900s and so all too often they were not available. The shuttle service was inconsistent. Sometimes immediately available but at other times we seemed to wait for ages. Jalousie is being closed in May but the upgrading and building of 40 new villas has already started and so at times you get the feeling that you are in the middle of a building site.
Don't misunderstand-this place is great but we hope that when it reopens around August 2010 all the niggles will have gone and this place will truly be heaven. It's not far off now.

We were guests at the Jalousie Plantation for 2 weeks from 9 – 23 November. Our holiday was booked through Virgin Holidays in December 2007, and as our departure got closer, I became very concerned about the negative reviews of the resort, that had started to appear on Trip Advisor. I even telephoned Virgin Holidays to register our concerns that the holiday we were going to get was not going to be the one we booked 11 months ago.

I could not have been more wrong – we had an absolutely brilliant holiday.

On arrival we were upgraded to Villa 405 with a plunge pool. Martha, who visited us twice a day, and always left fresh flowers on the bed and in the bathroom, kept the villa spotlessly clean and tidy. The furnishings were a bit dated, but were clean and in good order, and the room appeared to have been repainted quite recently. I wish I could have taken the enormous bed home with me.

The shuttle service around the resort was efficient and a great way to meet other guests. It usually only took a couple of minutes from phoning for it to arrive at our Villa and we only once had to wait a long time. Quite often, we would choose to walk down to the beach, looking at the flora and fauna along the way, and at the boats moored in the bay.

Our arrival coincided with the arrival of Fernandez the new Food and Beverage Manager. Fernandez was very pro-active with guests, trying to ascertain how the restaurants could be improved. We had been concerned about the closure of two of the restaurants, but again it hardly mattered.

Breakfast was taken at The Bayside, adjacent to the beach, and everything that you could possibly imagine wanting to eat for breakfast, was served.

Lunch was also at The Bayside, comprising of huge buffet of hot and cold dishes, salads, vegetables, soup and a BBQ with varying fish, chicken, ribs etc. There was also an a la carte Light Bite menu, which was anything but a light bite! We were there for 2 weeks and we never got bored with the buffet, either at lunch or dinner. The problem was more a case of what to leave off the plate rather than something different to put on it.

Afternoon Tea was served in the Palm Court at 4.00pm each day. Dinner offered three options. The Plantation was a chance to get dressed up and enjoy fine dining. Some of the dishes did incur a supplement, but we did not find this too restrictive. The ambiance was wonderful, and enhanced by the presence of a musician. The staff were attentive and the Maitre’D even lent me his white jacket when the air conditioning made me cold.

The Palm Court Veranda incurred a supplement of 10 – 15 $US, but was well worth it for experiencing the intimate and romantic dining setting in individual areas divided from the next by large potted plants. The food and service were excellent.

The Bayside. This took the same format as lunch but with different dishes being served. Dining here was informal and casual, yet it was necessary to make a reservation earlier in the day. We found this very restricting for a casual dining experience and, am sure that it would all work out, just as it does at lunch time, if you were able to just turn up and eat.

Much has been made on previous posts about the resort being run down due to its planned closure in May. We did not find this to be the case. A new sandy beach was imported just before our arrival, and another shipment was brought in while we were there. There is evidence of ongoing maintenance and painting being carried out discreetly around the property, and a new free Internet area in the reception building was installed during our stay. The staff, without exception, all wore large and genuine smiles and it was their mission to ensure that we had a good holiday. The Managers were all visible around the resort every day, and were happy to talk and listen.

The location can only be described as breathtaking, the beach stunning, and the pool large and inviting. The practice of ‘reserving’ sun beds was almost non-existent, hence it was always possible to find somewhere to sit either around the pool or on the beach, even though the resort was full during our stay. There were Hobie Cats, which occupied my husband for much of the day, kayaks and pedaloes all readily available. The red flag beach service certainly contributed to making the holiday good.

A holiday is largely what you make it, and if you require quick, snappy service, then this is perhaps not the resort for you, but if you, like us, appreciate the laid back Caribbean attitude to life, the character of the Jalousie accommodation and the beautiful smiles of all the staff you will go home refreshed, relaxed and dreaming of next year.

Alison and Mike

Just got back from a week at the Jalouise... having read many of the reviews on here, I was prepared for an amazing location but a tired resort. The location exceeded my expectation, with what has to be one of the most beautiful settings in the world. It's hard to take in the scale of the Pitons and the way that the Jalouise nestles in between them... unique!!

We flew Virgin (really good flight, and shorter than they quote) to the airport at Vieux Fort and easily picked up a taxi to take us to the hotel. We paid US$ 75 and it takes about 45 minutes. A wonderful journey hugging the coastline and through such lush vegetation.

We used a different driver, Darren on our return journey (and for a trip to the volcano / waterfalls / botanic gardens - well worth it) who was recommended through the hotel. Happy to pass on details if people would like to contact him.

Our entry into the resort took our breath away with such stunning views and surroundings. You feel like you are experiencing a tiny slice of the rainforest, but with modern comforts.

We had a villa with a plunge pool, which we used many times to cool down and relax. The villas are in need of some love and attention now (the new ones being built look amazing! - no building work disturbed us and is very discreet), but for someone with a degree of OCD, I found the accommodation to be better than I was led to believe from other reviews.

Get to the beach early, as sun loungers are popular! The shuttle buses that ferry you around at your will are certainly a god send. The service is superb.

We did get a little bitten and found a few bugs sharing our villa, but nothing much. Just soak in the most amazing location and enjoy every moment!

10 day All Inclusive holiday at beginning of November 2008 to Jalousie Plantation in St Lucia
The resort is stunning with equipment such as for snorkeling, scuba, canoes, pedloes, slide, etc available to use.
We did not make full use of all facilities which included many fitness activities including pilates and water aerobics and Spa facilities.
Full golf facilities were not available as stated which was a disappointment as this was one of the reasons booked this particular resort.
Setting of resort stunning with lovely views, beach and well maintained grounds.
Restaurant facilities diminished recently and not as advertised nor expected but those on offer had excellent food ie Bayside Bar and Diner buffet lage choice and well cooked, prepared and presented food, good bar menu also to choose from, Plantation Restaurant excellent but limited choice for all inclusive guests, Terrace restaurant very limited availablility and carries surcharge for inclusive guests. Two other restaurants closed prior to arrival therefore limiting choice, especially for those with special dietary requirements. Not as advertised in brochure but what there was the quality was very good.
We felt the price and grading of the holiday did not reflect exactly was was available to us when we were actually there, and the need for overdue maintenance of some aspects of the accommodation was not taken into account with the grading and the resort is due to close in May 2009 for refurbishment.
Be wary that if you choose day trips from a brochure your wishes may not be fulfilled as if there are not enough guests for the required minimum you will be unable to go on that trip.
Staff were the best experienced on a holiday before and were very attentive, kind and friendly without being too over-the-top. They were also very friendly and listened if you said no to invites to get involved in activities!
Good entertainment nightly which included light entertainment on some nights of saxaphone playing and other instrument / music playing which was very relaxing and in keeping with environment.
Good security around grounds and on beach.
Disappointed that despite the location of villas quite high up in the valley neding shuttle from and especially back up to villas, the all inclusive deal did not include mini bar drinks of any kind nor for meals to be served at own villa which was not clear in advertising of the holiday prior to booking so we missed out on meal and or drinks on our terrace which we were looking forward to.
Some may say we could have paid extra if we wanted these treats but the holiday was all inclusive and we had already saved for over 2 years to pay a lot of money for the holiday that was offered.
We had a very relaxing enjoyable holiday but if you intend to go please check what is REALLY included and you will also need a fair bit of cash for taxi or water taxi for trips to get out of the very secluded resort.
Overall we had the relaxing holiday we needed and met some really lovely people.