A beautiful place to stay in St Lucia overlooking the city

A Wonderful Time at Villa Frangipani
Hi Dylyn
Just wanted to let you know we are getting ready to vacate and make room for your next guests. I must say, we are sad to leave. We had a wonderful time here enjoying the house and deck, and that extraordinary view. Many days we didn't even want to leave as we were so comfortable and content just staying here at the house. But the best part about being here, by far, was Beverly. She was attentive to us without being imposing, responded immediately to any small inconvenience. Bev carries a radiance that brightens whatever room she enters and it was always a pleasure to see her arrive. She prepared fantastic Caribbean meals for us which we all shared together, as she and Miraqle became a part of the family, and we a part of theirs. She, Miraqle, and Duane joined us for a fantastic sailboat tour to Soufriere one day (I'm not sure Bev found it delighful however, since she was seasick). Bev brought an delicious Roti lunch for us, so much better than anything we could have purchased! The boat tour was also blessed by porpoises that swam alongside the boat for about ten minutes, flying thru the water just at the bow of the boat and eyeing us sideways from under the surface of the water, showing off as they leapt into the air. It was magical.

One day we went to Almond Bay resort, given a substantial discount arranged by Paulie. We did enjoy the resort, but were happy to get home. During the main meal there my nephew Michael expressed what we were all thinking- "We've been spoiled." He was referring to the wonderful meals prepared by Bev and which the resort restaurant could not possibly match, and our beautiful deck from which we watched the sunsets and cruise ship arrivals.

Paulie was also our caretaker, arriving at exactly the requested time and graciously accommodating us for anything we wanted. Changes to arrangements or special requests were responded to with a cheerful "No problem!" His bill was itemized clearly and quite reasonable.

So all in all, we were very very happy to have found Villa Frangipani and have made it our choice of residence for the duration of our stay. We were happy we chose to be here rather than a resort, for the homey neighborhood and lovely house, but mostly for being welcomed and treated so grandly by Beverly, Paulie, Duane, and even Miraqle. We will miss them.
You have a lovely family and we are grateful for the time we spent with them.

At home in the caribbean !
We, my wife and I and our three daughters (11, 9 and 5 years old), spent three wonderful weeks at villa Frangipani during July 2010 !

It has been a little bit difficult to come back to France leaving behind us a very nice typical tropical house, very well furnished where we really felt like at home.

Even if July may sometimes be hot in the Caribbean, it was always cool in the villa: the trade winds, the house on the top of a hill above Castries and the way the house is conceived can explain that.

We all enjoyed the wonderful view from the terrace during the day, with the Caribbean sea in front of us and the palm trees swaying in the wind, at dawn with amazing sunsets, and at night with Castries lights.

The large terrace is surely what we'll keep in our memories, with it's large round table (you could set for 8 or 10!) where we had breakfast, lunch and dinner, but we won't forget the living-room opening on the terrace (again !), the kitchen (How nice it is to cook looking at the sea !), the well furnished bedrooms (with large closets), and even the two bathrooms (from one of them you can have a shower with the sea in front of you) !

We really appreciated the neighborhood: very friendly neighbors who will take care of you as if you were part of their family (a special hello to Gabo ! and thank's again for the mangos you gave us !). Nice kids tried to become friends of our daughters, but our girls (shy ones !) didn't speak english and so, unfortunately, they could play that much with them!

We believe that one can go from the villa to beaches or wherever they want by bus, that what most people around the house do. But, for us, being five (with kids that have sometimes bus-sick), we preferred to rent a car. We didn't rent a four wheels car. It may be recommended sometimes. For instance, we couldn't go to one place we wanted to visit because we would have to go across a rough track, and if you go down to the south of the Island (what we did), a four wheels car may be more comfortable.

Beverley, who's in charge of the house, will pay attention so that every thing will go well. After a long trip from France, we really appreciated her nice welcome meal and fresh fruit mango juice !

During our stay we also had the chance to meet the owners, Dylin and Chris. We became friends and we really appreciated their support and help while we went through personal difficulties while in Saint-Lucia. Thank's again to both of you !!!

Phil, Anne & co

a great place!
I spent a week with 3others friends in June, and absolutely no regret to have chosen the villa Frangipani!
It's such a happy house, big, colorful, with a huge balcony where we have a great view!
Beverly was great with us, she helped us for some activities we wanted to do, showed us around, especially the best beaches, and also cooked for us! We went for a fancy and expensive diner one night in a restaurant...Beverly was better! And I'm really picky about food!
I'll always remember those vacations, not only for saint Lucia which is a beautiful island, but also for the villa and Bev, it was a big + to have a friendly person to take care of us!

Our stay with friends in May 2010
If you want an authentic Caribbean experience at a reasonable price then Frangipani is well worth considering. It is full of rustic charm, lots of space and the view from the balcony is breathtaking.

The villa is at the top of an extremely steep hill, the last part of which is rough. You need to bear this in mind if thinking of managing without a car. On arrival we were informed that the local bus service is infrequent except at peak times and there is no timetable. The stop is a short way down the hill leaving a short but steep climb back up. Difficult with bags of groceries! The walk down to the beach takes 30 mins but is very steep in places and you would have to be hard core to make it back on foot in the heat! The walk to Castries involves a climb up a steep hill as well as down. Taxis are available but the cost adds up and I felt a car was almost essential to really enjoy your stay here.

The noises emanating around the villa at night add to your Caribbean experience. As dusk falls the insects and frogs rev up their megaphones which was absolutely delightful, but this is a real Caribbean neighbourhood so be prepared for the local dogs and cockerels to join in at times as well!!

The villa's very clever louvred walls and windows allow cooling breezes to blow right through, although we did find it a bit hot when the wind dropped occasionally.

Bev cooked for us twice and produced lots of beautiful very tasty creole food along with jugs of simply delicious juices. We met some of her family who were charming and gave us a real insight into life on the island. Many thanks!

As a keen bird watcher I was happiest sat on the balcony in the cool early morning learning lots of new birds and my friends soon joined in. Numerous species visit the garden. The Tremblers serenading us from the roof in the evening were particularly special. Take binoculars!!

The lounge is spacious and very relaxing but I felt the the outside seating area was a little too rustic for long evenings sat around the table. Upgrading the seating would be an improvement.

The fittings and furnishings although colourful are a little tired in places and bear in mind that the louvred openings make it difficult to ensure European standards of cleanliness. This is the Caribbean though!!

I have awarded 3* because of the few negative items mentioned here but also because I feel that the description about the bus service and managing without a car is rather misleading.

great holidays
a lovely house with probably the best view in St Lucia! The house was breezy and cool, Beverley's cooking was good, the rooms were comfie and it was nice to turn up and some shopping had been done and a nice jug of julie mango juice and dinner awaited us! Like some of the other reviewers said, it was nice at the end of the day to just sit in the verandah or better yet the hammock and watch the harbour views till sunset (then slap on some insect repellent!). Lovely place. Paulie and Bev were good and we even got some mangoes from Gabbu! Miracle was charming. A truly lovely place for a holiday - I think Chase Gardens has more charm than Rodney Bay with its faux pretentiousness ever will! The beaches were gorgeous. All in all a lovely holiday. Dylyn, your architectural skills are amazing1

5 Relax and Enjoy
We arrived at the Villa on March 2nd 2010 for our 2week stay, and even though our flight was late (Paulie) our driver was wating to take us to the Villa,arriving at the Villa we found Bev waiting with our evening meal. She is without a doubt the nicest Lady and the best cook on the Island. We had her cook for us several times and it was better than any restrauant we went to on the Island. Hats off to Bev.
The view from the varanda is beautiful, we sat out on it each morning and had our coffee and watched the ships come in and the everyday traffic on the harbor. Every evening around 5 PM the Ships blew their horns and sailed out, it was so peaceful to watch and hear the birds singing and see the sun set. The people are so friendly and always ready with a Smile and a Hello. Gabo lives across the street and we had a evening and a drink with him. What a nice gentlemen. The little store down the hill has the everyday things you need and a lot of good neighbors ready to sit and tell stories or play cards. I can't say enough about the great hospitility we recieved from everyone. Paulie was Great, ready and willing at any time and always on time, and he knows everyone on the Island and where every place is.

Villa Frangipani is a great place to spend quiet time and yet be close enough to the night life. It is a great place, Try it, you will like it.

Memorable holidays
It had been 2 years since we wanted to cross holidays restful and pleasant. Since I am all young my grandmother who is of native of saint Lucie, told me how it crossed its childhood. We had the opportunity to leave over there.
We did not want to be in the hotel thus we rented a house. It was the first time when we rented a house abroad. Photos seemed attractive and the price of the very interesting rent. But one we were afraid. When we arrived, we were sublimated by the fraicheur which reigned in this house. My wife liked the architecture of this house. Moreover she wants that we are inspired by this villa for our future house. However we shall never have this breathtaking view. We were entitled to a warm welcome. Belvie was very thoughtful with us. We enormously estimated her. Without speaking about Mister Paulie with his smile and his incomparable kindness.
We liked our stay grace has this

A beautiful place to be
Hello!
What can I say about my staying at the Villa Frangipani? It is a very beautiful house, it felt like being home because it is such a welcoming place. The view is better in reality, we loved the sunset and the sunrise. You have to know that it is really hot in Saint Lucia but in the Villa we could feel a nice wind so no need of air condition. I am 20 years old and I didn't find this place boring, I came with my parents and it was like an adventure because we didn't know anything. The cool thing about St Lucia is that nothing is expansive and the neighborhood was the best. People are really nice, they even gave us mangoes (they were very very good), and the beaches... Oh my God! Wonderful. I will go back for sure at the Villa, the owner is really nice, the place is big and quiet... I would have a lot of other things to say, maybe next time I go.

We had a wonderful time!!!
Nearly a whole year went into planning and looking forward to this holiday with a difference, helped along by enthusiastic emails from the owner of the villa Frangipani. But arriving in St Lucia was by far the best thing to happen to me and my girl-friend in a long and difficult time. We treated ourselves to this holiday after working hard to secure our BA degrees, and we have just returned from a truly brilliant 2 weeks in St Lucia . When we first saw Dylyn’s Holiday Rental site, we liked both the villa and the reviews, and we emailed asking a couple of questions. Back came a quick reply, and for the next 12 months she whetted our appetites with entertaining responses to just about anything we asked. Dylyn described the beauty of her local beach on the Vigie peninsula along with reminiscences and humorous stories about some of the characters around. And when we got to her favourite beach we were not disappointed, and we feasted on Miss Pam’s yummy (and cheap!) dhal purees and ‘bakes’ at her rustic table under the spreading umbrella tree. We got nice stories of some of the hill residents near the villa (most of whom are related to Dylyn), and so by the time we got to our holiday home we not only knew names but felt we’d already met the neighbours! And what a fine bunch of people they are – kept bringing us a variety of luscious mangos which were in full season, and sugar-cane from their gardens. We spent lazy times chilling out on Frangipani’s veranda, and for a rented house we think that the spectacular view must rival any on the island. We occasionally got Ganza’s taxi (he’s within shouting distance of the villa), and for two days we hired a jeep to go round the island and were bowled over by the gorgeous lushness everywhere. But for short distances we travelled mostly on small buses where good-natured locals always had something jokey to say or to sing about! Dylyn got her friends to include us at a picnic party on beautiful Reduit beach in Rodney Bay and this was a very enjoyable day . A great holiday and the villa suited us (and our purses!) absolutely fine. We were sorry to leave - and we will miss those jolly emails on the lovely villa and the stunning island of St Lucia

60th Birthday Celebrations
My sisters and I stayed at Villa Frangipani for three weeks in August 2008.

The moment I saw those pictures of Villa Frangipani I knew that was the place I wanted to stay, and when my sisters and I arrived, we were not disappointed. I quickly nabbed the wonderful en-suite master bedroom, and soon felt I had come home.

Mornings were spent on the very wide balcony watching the sun come up and partaking of the many mangoes and other tropical fruits we either bought or were given to us by friendly neighbours. Evenings spent watching the sun going down and the lovely lights of Castries coming on were a delight.

We were there to celebrate my 60th birthday, and the surprised party attended by neighbours and Dylan’s friends (whom we had met at a wonderful beach party on Veggie Beach). It was certainly a memorable day for me. I could not think of a better way to spend a 60th birthday.

We came together from America, Canada and England, and this year when we met up in England we were still discussing the wonderful time we had at Villa Frangipani and the peaceful days on Veggie Beach. We all agreed that I made a wonderful choice when I selected our accommodation. We all agreed that we will definitely be making a trip back to Frangipani. It is the best holiday I have ever had and anyone who is looking for a holiday with a difference should stay at the Villa Frangipani.

5 out of 5 5 The real caribbean
My wife, 2 year old son, and I stayed at Frangipani for 2 weeks in March 2009. The house, although relatively recently built, has all the style of traditional tropical architecture. Both the balcony and the view from it are every bit as good as they're cracked up to be, and the interior spaces are generous, attractive, and functional. The natural cross ventilation works well, so we didn't miss airconditioning, though it takes a bit of practice to get the louvres set right for a comfortable night's sleep. In this kind of building there is virtually no sound attenuation and quite a bit of light spillage in the morning, so we found ourselves waking early. Edward has got us used to that anyway, so no big problem.

Although the setting is said to be rural this is really the Caribbean version of suburbia - a bit wilder than North London where we live, but plenty of houses, and people, around. This was good for Edward - lots of children, plus their footballs and toys, and supervising parents. We felt comfortable letting him play across the street, which is a steep, unsurfaced cul de sac with just the occasional car passing slowly up or down.

The owners, Dylyn and Chris, have an apartment below the main house, and their presence was a boon - very helpful when we needed it, but respectful of our privacy when we didn't.

We rented a car, at enormous expense, but you need one if you are to get around easily. Although the house sits way above the town it is less than 5 minutes' drive to the streets of Castries below, or the highway north to Rodney Bay.

All in all, a good spot, in fact I can't think of a better one in all my years of holiday travel.

Frangipani Villa
We have recently returned from a wonderful week at the Villa Frangipani(May 2009) .The whole family had a fantastic time! The views from the verandah were breathtaking and you really felt at one with nature. We were made to feel very welcome by Paulie, Gabbo, Julie and Hidden and the meal Julie and Gabbo prepared for us was a true feast! Paulie was a great guide - full of information and always smiling! Nobody wanted to come home! Thank you very much - a very memorable holiday and we can''t wait to come back!!

Wonderful island hideaway
We stayed for a week in March and loved it. You'll get the best of both worlds here with a chance to experience local life (and those magnificent views) while still being close enough to most of the islands attractions. We found a car useful for a few days to get out and explore the island but by no means necessary if you're prepared to hop on one of the very efficient buses along with the locals!

Dylyn and Chris (The owners) were great to have on hand and went out of their way to offer advice and show us around when we asked.

Particular highlights included Marigot Bay, Pigeon Point, dinner at the Coal Pot (local) and of course the legendary Friday night jump up at Gros Islet.

frangipani..the house with the view on the hill.
we stayed as a family of four at villa frangipani in may this year (08) to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.
frangipani is the perfect place to explore st lucia. Not only is it a beautiful house but it has the most incredible view that i do not believe you could ever be tired of.
And the best way to enjoy it is....lying in the hammock with a malibu and pineapple....lazing on the steamer chair..just stand and admire...eating breakfast around the table on the deck.find your way..
to help you... turn to your neighbours. Mr j
the bus driver, or ganza the taxi driver, always there when you need them. totaly reliable. Ganza will always be early, is very friendly, and knowledgeable about the island. mr j and gabo happy to take you to far flung places.
both very reasonable prices.
the villa is very comfortable and attractive throughout.
info at the vila on places to go. we found the sunset cruise on the brig unicorn to be a fabulous trip, definatley worth the price.
although there is not a pool at the villa you can go for the day at most of the top hotels as all beaches are public. so long as you buy drinks. our favorite was windjammer landing especially on a sunday, a fab soul fusion band play live. simply divine.
Dylan the owner was truley helpful, from her resume' on the villa and info to actually getting one of her friends to take us to an annual beach barbecue, which was possibly the best day out we had.
frangipani is the perfect place to stay and you can pretend its yours for however long you stay. the birds sing to you in the turret of the house. It can be majical.
advice.... you must sleep inside the mosquito nets. try not to touch nets while sleeping. you will need insect repellant.
that being said ..... we loved staying among the friendly and kind people of st Lucia, so will you. The natural constant breezes will cool you down anytime of day at frangipani, you always look forward to returning to the villa.

Wonderful Place
I stayed at Villa Frangipani for a week in May/June 2008.
The accommodation was as depicted in the photos. The views were excellent and the surroundings peaceful. My friends and I really enjoyed staying there and all are willing to make a return visit. This is the place to stay in St.Lucia when you want to get away from the pressures of the modern world - surrounded by nature and tranquility.

Frangipani rating
Beautiful place to stay.Fully furnished, clean and the scenic beauty is captivating. i would highly recommend this villa married couples. The mountains, beaches and other sights are fantastic.

Room with a view
I first visited St Lucia over thirty years ago and last year, with my children now adults, I could treat myself to a return trip. I was not disappointed with my choice of a place to stay on the island. The rural setting of Villa Frangipani and the fantastic views over Castries and the bay were well worth waiting all those years! One of the delights of my stay was the way the villa Frangipani had been constructed to blend in with the surroundings. I loved the open wooden vents in my windows letting in cool breezes on even the hottest nights - beating any air conditioning hands down. But perhaps the greatest joy was reclining on the balcony with the verdant tropical garden spread out below; relaxing with a book or simply day dreaming to the sounds of birdsong, the wind rustling the plants and children playing in across the valley.

5 out of 5 5 FRANGIPANI ... the place to stay in
My family and I were at the Villa Frangipani between November 3rd and 17th, 2007. One of the most rewarding things about this place is the breathtaking and ‘lively’ views from the veranda - the city of Castries with its busy natural harbour, the cruise ships arriving and leaving the City daily, the small planes landing and taking off from the local airport, the greeny-blueness of the ever changing and constantly moving Caribbean sea - what magic!!!. You can spend hours on the veranda and never get bored. The warbling of a variety of birds, some of which would sometimes fly through as though to say hello, struck us too as absolutely charming. The Villa is spacious and because of its location, is cooled by breezes with no need for air-conditioning. Everything we needed was available, and the place was kept clean and tidy by the caretakers. We found the neighbours friendly and helpful and it was a pleasure chatting with them. We sometimes cooked for ourselves or visited some great restaurants, but we specially looked forward to having the villa’s own Chef Gabbo prepare his tropical "feasts". There are lots of gorgeous beaches in St Lucia, but we particularly liked Vigie beach just 20 minutes’ walk down the hill, simply because it is truly beautiful and unspoilt, and away from all tourist bustle! My family and I have talked it over and we have decided that our next vacation will definitely be in St. Lucia at the Villa Frangipani.

The Villa Frangipani, Saint Lucia
Earlier this year, during the first 2 weeks of March, I spend some scintillating days again on the island nation of Saint Lucia, in the Caribbean. To say that I had a memorable time would really be an understatement. The Saint Lucians were delightful in their attitudes, and treated me in kind and helpful ways. Their behaviour truly complimented the exotic beauty of their island.

When I return, I hope that I'll be lucky enough to stay at The Villa Frangipani again, for my days there were exceedingly pleasant, and my nights were wonderful.

I shall complement my review by including essential stanzas from my poem, The Villa Frangipani, Saint Lucia, which I composed after a similar joyful interlude in that beautiful haven on the hill, 2 years ago. That poem is dedicated to the owners of The Villa.

The Villa Frangipani, on a hill
In sweet Saint Lucia – under azure skies! –
Offers such pleasures, you might have your fill.
From its veranda, all that meet your eyes
Bring constant joy and peace … and sure surprise.

It seems so fine above the harbour where
The Caribbean Sea basks in the sun,
And birds and blooms in beauty, here and there,
Regale your senses till the good day’s done –
As brilliant stars proclaim more tropic fun.

Inviting on the hill in daytime, white,
That Villa can inform all those who roam
To sweet Saint Lucia: If you want delight –
And striking points of view – you'd make me home.
Grandly, I wait, mere miles beyond the foam!

So if you take a ship, or come by plane,
The Villa Frangipani’s there for you –
Both under sunny skies, and in the rain,
You'll feel contented with the things you do,
As bright stars fill your night till skies turn blue.

Those ethereal memories that you'll find,
In your sweet sojourn on this lovely isle,
Will be so etched in grandeur in your mind –
In scintillating rainbows! – You'll just smile,
And dream of Frangipani for a while….

The Villa Frangipani, through the year,
Is a delightful haven you can share.

******************

Sincerely, RGA

Frangipani, Oi!
Because Oi! is exactly what you'll say when you step out of the transport vehicle and see the setting for the first time: I'm not a woman of many words, so I'll just say that the scenery leaves one in awe. Only a fifteen-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of mainstream business and yet the setting is as close to paradise as one can get. In all of this the true Caribbean culture is not lost because Frangipani somehow remains true to what Caribbean living really is--you'll see what I mean as you drive up and down the winding country-like roads to and from the "magic mountain". This is most certainly not your everyday "tourist trap". The description regarding the location, layout, and amenities is accurate: The property is clean as clean gets: Maid and Chef--and he is most certainly a Chef in the true sense of the word--services are excellent. And yes, the property is very well maintained. The owner is a very articulate woman--outgoing and with a sense of humour. And yes, I certainly recommend Frangipani to anyone seeking a true but exotic Caribbean getaway. My holiday was intended for rest and relaxation so I spent most of my time eating home-made foods--cooked by the property chef--Gabu, and swimming at Vigie beach. There are actully several beaches which one can drive to, or walk, depending on how adventurous and active one is. As for restaurants, there is no lack--and even Chinese cuisine is available a fifteen-minute drive away. It would take too long to list all of the attributes of Frangipani so I'll just say again, Frangipani, Oi!

Don't stop the carnival!
When the owner of Villa Frangipani St Lucia asked me to write a review I was happy to do so. I read tributes from past guests and felt that there was more than enough good feeling towards the villa to positively make up a mind still considering staying there on holiday.
The reviews inform about the gorgeousness of the villa, the amazing views from the veranda, the friendliness of the neighbourhood - and I am in agreement with all these things. But as I’m trying here not to replicate or compete with any previous observations, I’ll simply tell you a bit about possibly the most exhilarating holiday I’ve had.
In July 2003 (how time flies!) my three college mates and I spent two weeks at the villa and loved it. Our most memorable experience was the week long carnival season which took place in the capital and accounted for half our holiday! The elaborate event had it all, starting from our very first day with the vibrant spectacle of the Carnival King and Queen contest, followed by a hugely popular Judging The Steel Bands competition the next evening. The extravaganza seemed to go on and on. But one of our most exciting times was a massively attended afternoon/evening party at the Mindoo Phillip park featuring top soca bands not only from St Lucia but from practically every island of the Eastern Caribbean. Then came ‘De Big Ting’ - a magnificent parade of the Carnival Pageant through the town - so many bands, such dazzling displays of fabulous costumes! On the final day the action exploded in a kaleidoscope of colour and rich calypso sounds on the streets of Castries with us dancing and having a hell of a good time in the centre of things. It was pure unadulterated fun for four (mostly staid) English girls. Saint Lucians really know how to party!
And for recuperation to recharge our batteries there was beautiful Frangipani’s cool veranda to flop onto, helped along by our excellent chef Gabo and the most heavenly rum punches imaginable! How can I ever forget this fabulous holiday?

The prettiest island ever
A TRULY BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE

My husband and I returned home last Monday after a fabulous two weeks in St Lucia. We stayed at the villa Frangipani, an exceptionally gorgeous place. We are in total agreement with one reviewer who said that she and her husband could have spent their entire holiday on Frangipani’s veranda. The views are spellbinding and it took some effort dragging ourselves away. It’s now a time of fruitfulness in St Lucia. The villa’s huge grounds were littered with mangoes and plums from laden trees; banana plants groaned under the weight of their ripening fruit, sometimes we could hear heavy stems squeaking against stalks as the wind blew. And still the neighbours kept offloading their own excess fruit onto us! What friendly people they are.

The weather was wonderful the whole time and the jazz festival was on. We took a picnic to the Pigeon Point National park and enjoyed a fantastic show featuring Anita Baker. Along with about a couple of thousand others we sat on blankets on rolling lawns round the stage, the calm Caribbean sea just a few yards away. Terrific atmosphere we won’t easily forget.

St Lucia is such a pretty island, so much to see. We hired a jeep for one week and got to enjoy many of its delights: the volcano where we stood very near the crater, the sulphur springs where we covered ourselves in glorious mud, we were awed by the twin peaks of the two Pitons, mountains seeming to jut straight out of the ocean, we went up hill and down dale getting lost and arriving at magical inlets and coves and loving every minute of our well earned holiday! We think the beaches must be amongst the world’s most beautiful: we stretched our legs on two occasions down to the local Vigie beach which was practically devoid of sight-seers, and we took a bus to Reduit beach in Rodney Bay, absolutely teaming with tourists mainly from the USA who had come for the jazz.



And whenever we got back to our villa Frangipani it was Welcome Home every time. Welcome from our myriad of small birds, ever changing views, unbelievable sunsets, starry night skies, the music of crickets and tiny frogs.....

Birder's paradise
Being an avid birdwatcher I was eager to arrive at what was advertised as a birding hotspot. I was not disappointed. The enormous deck at the back provides a spectacular view of the town and harbour but also of the back garden which has a variety of fruit trees. Mangos, bananas and plums among others all relished by birds. The most common birds are the Lesser Antillean Bullfinches which are very fond of visiting the interior of the villa if one leaves the door open. Bananaquits are seen and heard all day as well as the Gray Kingbirds. Three species of hummingbirds, Mangrove cuckoos, two species of thrashers, Tropical Mockingbirds, Black-faced Grassquits, Caribbean Elenias, two species of doves, Carib Grackles, Shiny Cowbirds, Grey Tremblers, Saltators and one Bare-eyed Thrush were seen in the trees. Other birds flew overhead in the morning or evening such as Caribbean Martins, Lesser Antillean Swifts, Kestrels, Hawks and Cattle Egrets. As for the St Lucia Warbler, I found one along a footpath beginning at the end of the street. In all, I was able to identify 26 bird species in one week from Frangipani villa.



Villa Frangipani is not only and accommodation but also a destination. Bring a good book or pick one to read from the bookcase and just relax.

A place in Paradise
The villa Frangipani in St. Lucia is simply a place in paradise. I rented the place in June of 2007, me and my family of 4, together with my friend with his family of 4. The only drawback we experienced was the trip to the villa: a 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. Once there, it was downhill. Greeted with a wicked rum punch by Gaby and Louisa, the caretakers who kept the place nice and tidy throughout the week, we were overwhelmed by the magnificent view from the very spacious balcony/deck, overlooking the capitol Castries and it's harbor and providing unforgettable sunsets. Immediately, the hang mock, easily giving room to 2 adults, was ransomed. The spacious and breezy rooms indeed needed no airconditioning. Every single day the caretakers cooked us healthy but above all amazingly delicious island food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ever had fried flying fish with breadfruit? Callaloo soup? We couldn't wait for food that surprised us every single time. From the villa, daily trips to scenic island locations were organized and every time it felt good to get back "home". Because that's what the villa breathes: Home. The spacious garden beneath the villa could fully be watched from the deck so letting the kids out was fun for them and for the adults: room to play without any hazards and easy babysitting.
My advice to parents with small children? Do the villa Frangipani in St. Lucia!

Birds eye view!
There is no place more adventurous and stunning to stay at when visiting St. Lucia. Experiencing awakening in the early morning and having breakfast in the veranda with a birds-eye-view of a large part of the south-eastern side of St. Lucia, ..... UNFORGETABLE.
"...... staying elsewhere, there is your CC, ..... experiencing Frangipani ...... PRICELESS.

Lovely place!
Very nice villa with a beautiful point of view!!! The villa is perfect to discover the island! Perfect for a family!
Superbe villa! On a passé un séjour magnifique grâce à cette somptueuse villa!

My stay at Frangipani!
Frangipani villa was recommended to me by my mother, who had stayed at the villa previously. I have stayed in other villas on the island before, but none compare to the warm welcome I received from Gabbo - by way of the local and strong Caribbean rum punch - the good amenities within the house, and plus the beautiful views from the veranda made this a fantastic base for me to enjoy yet another beautiful holiday in St Lucia! The beach at Reduit is well known to me,and my frequent visits to the beach were more than well catered for by the lovely Ganza. the taxi driver, who is most reliable, has a good knowledge of the island it's historical sites, beaches and quaint villages.

I am more than happy to recommend Frangipani as a fantastic base from which to enjoy the island of St Lucia. Enjoy!!!

We love this place
We’ve stayed in hotels and villas around the world, and we think that the villa Frangipani is one of the most picturesque and best value-for-money holiday homes in the Caribbean. My mother and father-in-law were with us then. The villa is placed on a hilltop with the most stunning views. All round the island visitors have to get out of their hired vehicles to stand at ‘Viewing Points’ for the type of panorama you get for free from Frangipani’s veranda. We first visited St Lucia in May 1997 when the first Jazz festival had started. We promised ourselves a couple of shows but there was so much to see and so little time we never got round to it. Marigot Bay, the Pitons near the Sulphur Springs and the village of Soufriere are some of our favourite places. Taking pictures is our hobby and we took many of this beautiful island and its people, especially the charming children of the community.

Ten years later, in May last year my husband and I returned to St Lucia, again during the Jazz Festival (which has become famous we hear), and again we stayed at the villa. It was like coming home. We were joyful at rekindling old friendships, and showed our video to the children, most of whom had grown into delightful teenagers.

This time we missed the Jazz Festival, again! We particularly wanted to catch sight of Natalie Cole, one of our favourite artistes and the main attraction at an afternoon concert at Pigeon Point. But we had casually mentioned to three kids living opposite the villa that with their parents’ permission we’d take them to Vigie beach. And there they were, bright and early next morning all lined up outside their house waiting patiently and clutching towels and little picnic baskets. All thoughts of Natalie Cole vanished from our minds.

We love this place.

Annabel and Gavin

LOVE, ROMANCE…. AND A PERFECT VACATION
I came back on to the website to review the availability for this year and saw all the reviews so I've decided to add my great experience as well! For 10 days my friend and I stayed at Frangipani villa the delightful vacation home placed within a small neighborhood on the edge of eastern Castries. The views are breathtaking and the sunsets unbelievable. We are both nature lovers and the villa set in a garden of flowers, banana and mango trees heavy with fruit and exotic birds flitting in and out - and always those incredible views - was what made our stay so very wonderful. We loved the high ceilings and quaint ‘copula’ in the living area which explained why there were no ceiling fans apparent. Even on the hottest days we found that the villa’s hilltop position really caught every cross-section of cooling breeze. The community was friendly and the food lovely, and having some of our meals prepared by the Superb Chef Gabbo was another terrific part of our vacation. There is such a lot to do in St Lucia and not enough time to do it all. We got ourselves a 4X4 and spent our days at the resort in Rodney Bay and the historic Pigeon Island in the north of the island - and the Sulphur Springs, the botanical gardens, the waterfalls, and the twin Piton mountain peaks down south. We spent an afternoon cruising on the brig Unicorn which gave a real sense of past imperial adventuring, we swam or just idly lay on at least four different, gorgeous beaches (swimming at the base of the smaller Piton was surreal!) But returning to Frangipani villa to catch up on our sleep had its own special reward. The sky studded with millions of bright stars and the views all around so beautiful in the dreamy night-light seemed to have been created as an exclusive indulgence just for young romantics like us!

A Beautiful Hillside Retreat
Having previously stayed at Frangipani back in 1998 we couldn't wait for the plane to land, leave the tourists behind and be picked up by our dear friend Mr Johnson.

Frangipani is the ideal destination to chill out and unwind (or party if the mood takes you) and we knew just what was waiting for us at the top of the morn - a home from home!! Everything you could need is there, but what you don't have back home is that fantastic deck area with the awesome views of Castries. You can never tire of sitting out there (or lying in the hammock - I still haven't quite mastered the knack of getting in and out, I obviously need more practice!!!), from the moment you wake up til the time you roll into bed, you will always spot something that you haven't noticed before!!

The villa is lovely and airy with small birds as built-in pets, and if you leave your bananas uncovered they will definitely have a party!!

Make sure you head on down to Vigie, a beautiful stretch of beach which is relatively unspoilt and used by the locals. We made very special friends on this visit, a young lad called Imran, who was happy to chat with us and very soon returned to the beach with his brother and sister. We spent many an hour playing cricket, the kids supplied the tennis ball, and the bat and the stumps were made from whatever we could find on the beach that day - I don't think we've ever had such fun and the children were an absolute joy. The bonus for us was that by the end of our fortnight we had taught the sister (Ghia) how to swim!!!!

Visiting Frangipani is a taste of the real Caribbean; you interact with the local people who are without doubt the most friendly, helpful and fun people you could ever wish to meet. You will take away with you memories that will last you a lifetime.

Villa Frangipani is exactly what is says on the tin, we can't wait to visit again!!!

VILLA AT FRANGIPANI A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER
If you are looking for a pool, or sea and sand on your doorstep, then this villa is not for you. But my two friends and I were glad we chose this large and good-looking holiday home situated in one of the most ecologically picturesque regions of the island. The villa Frangipani is part of a gracious and old fashioned neighbourhood, where small children happily play outdoors and roam about within the confines of their caring community. All the neighbours are naturally nice. We were amused but grateful to one in particular (a policeman serving with the Royal Saint Lucian Police Force) for keeping hens in his backyard and supplying us with a carton of newly laid eggs, all in varying sizes! The magnificient panoramic views from the villa are unsurpassed, and some of our most pleasant times were spent on the veranda at sundown with meals prepared by our most charming chef and his wonderful family. Those sunsets are awesome!

We were in St Lucia during the carnival season, the most theatrical, fun event of the year.

A friend of a very helpful neighbour who lived in town on the main route of the procession treated us to snacks and drinks and her best balcony seats on the big day!

St Lucia’s Caribbean coastline is second to none, and we picnicked practically every day on several beaches in glorious weather, but all too soon our enjoyable holiday came to an end.

We had a fabulous time and are looking forward to returning one day to the lovely Villa Frangipani and to the simply beautiful island of St Lucia.

More Hammocks for the Girls please!
My three girlfriends and I spent two weeks at the villa Frangipani in August 2007. It was just brilliant. We were met at the airport by Mr Johnson in his public transport minibus and ‘Gabbo’ the villa’s caretaker and chef. The villa is lovely, masses of space, and the views are fantastic from every room. Wow! We’re all foodies, on a budget, so bought local stuff which we took turns cooking in our fully-equipped kitchen. On our last evening Gabbo treated us to a creole meal - fried flying-fish and avocado salad – total mouth-watering yum! Most mornings we walked to Vigie beach, about 20 minutes down the hill, and had freshly-made scrumptious dhal-puree and fruit juice at Miss Pam’s open-air ‘café’ – a large table and a couple of benches under a huge spreading tree. The beach is almost empty – and much more interesting than the resort area three miles up the coast at Rodney Bay which is heaving with tourists, but I have to admit that the night life at Rodney Bay is great! The villa is well placed to easily and quickly get to anywhere we wanted. We didn’t hire a jeep but traveled cheaply on little transport buses which you see darting about all day, but we did take the occasional taxi ride home after a late fun night. Sometimes we went to ‘Spinnakers’ beach bar at Rodney Bay for Happy Hour (two cocktails for the price of one), and we’d hang out around “The Lime” restaurant & Bar and dance to the calypso band playing outdoors which was really cool. The villa is in a nice and close-knit neighborhood and we appreciated the kindness and friendliness everyone showed – they were often bringing us fruit and vegetables from their gardens. But the downside to this holiday was that we needed more than just the one hammock on the veranda! I remember we were forever racing for it and fighting over the silly thing….and it still makes me smile. But beside this little ‘inconvenience’, we loved the villa so much that we’ve already booked for another two weeks this summer!

Villa Frangipani
Villa Frangipani was an ideal holiday for my whole family, from elderly parents to teenage children. It is comfortable with plenty of space for everyone, surrounded by a garden with exotic tropical flowers and with spectacular views over the sea from the long verandah where we ate all our meals. The villa had everything we needed and housekeeping and driving is provided as required by friendly and reliable local people.

We enjoyed walking down the hill to the lovely unspoilt Vigie beach and found it easy and cheap to explore the island using the regular and reliable minibus service. We enjoyed buying food at the market in Castries and found it very good value to have lunch there as well.

The whole family enjoyed it there so much that we came back for a return visit, and look forward to going soon to revisit the friends we made there and enjoy the lovely sunshine and St. Lucian friendliness and hospitality.

Holiday In Paradise
I stayed for just over 3 weeks at the villa Frangipani with my 10 year old daughter and three sons, 13, 15 and 16. The spacious hilltop villa is in a perfect spot for some stunning views over the city, and it was really amazing seeing the island of Martinique across the Caribbean sea whilst doing the washing up! There is so much to explore in St Lucia. I had no problem with letting my boys drift off by themselves to the nearest beach on the Vigie peninsula – all are good swimmers - and to the town which is only a mile away from the villa. My children also spent a lot of time with the local kids, playing cricket and catching exotic toads and lizards in what I found was a friendly and happy neighbourhood. I think this is what I loved most of all – a nice little bonus really - my children learning at first hand the customs of another way of life, even if only for a short while on holiday.

I would thoroughly recommend the villa Frangipani as the perfect holiday home for large families. It was a wonderful experience and I long to return.

A spectacular place to stay!
The Villa Frangipani is simply breathtaking! It commands a unique postion on the hillside overlooking Castries and way beyond. It's architecture is stunning and the views from the veranda are fabulous. We often sat there eating a wonderful St Lucian meal cooked for us by Julie, the manager's wife, or drinking a glass of wine or just chilling out - and feeling so sorry for those on the grand liners we saw arriving early in the morning, being bundled into taxis to 'do the island' and sailing out again in the evening! The villa is very clean and well cared for and the people who live locally so friendly and welcoming - this place is wonderful. Peter and Margaret - Bury St Edmunds

Thanks - had a great stay
We spent a couple of weeks at Frangipani with our young child (18 months) and two adult friends. There was more than enough room, and Gabbo with his family (neighbour housekeeper and sometimes cook) made us feel really welcome. We split our time between relaxing at the house (the veranda is fantastic) and touring the different beaches using a hire car.

The house is a delight, and whilst well equipped maintains a simple charm, and is sufficiently removed from the main tourist areas that you get a little of the real St Lucia.

Comments from Owner Guestbook
The location of beautiful Frangipani is quite exceptional. We could easily have spent the entire holiday sitting on the veranda enjoying the view and watching boats and little planes coming and going! St Lucia is a gorgeous island, and Frangipani a great place to see it from. ANDY & ROSIE PAGE, BRIGHTON.
If you want a true taste of St Lucia, rather than spend your holiday enclosed in an all-inclusive beach side hotel complex that could be Costa del Anywhere, then Frangipani Villa will provide the ideal base. The large covered veranda is a perfect setting for family meals, especially around sunset. With a pair of binoculars, three species of hummingbird can be seen flitting from flower to flower, with kingbirds, mockingbirds and grackles providing an impressive supporting cast. Thanks for a very wonderful experience Dylyn.
JOHN & VAL LAW & CHILDREN, NORFOLK

Fond Memories of St Lucia
Only our first time in St Lucia but we're already hooked and thinking of our return to this magical island. Everything worked for us - people, scenery, beaches, food. We like to mix relaxation with activity on vacation and this is easily achieved with so many great beaches and sights within easy reach.
Of course, when you're out there exploring and sampling the island delights it helps to have a good base to return to at night. Villa ' Frangipani ' fits this bill very nicely. It's spacious and comfortable and has the most wonderful position up on a hill overlooking Castries and its natural harbour. It has the usual features you'd expect from quality accommodation of this type but what makes truly memorable is its large living room leading to an outside, covered veranda from which you can see the whole panorama of the Castries port and coastline. An abiding memory of our stay here is sitting on the veranda with a cooling drink in hand watching those awesome sunsets.
What makes the island interesting is the sheer variety of landscapes and vegetation from jungle to plains to mountainous rainforests and, of course, so many fine and secluded beaches.
Blessed with an ideal climate for growing all manner of foods including delicious tropical fruits, we have to mention how well we ate during our time here - and drank too since all those typical Caribbean concoctions are produced locally. Good restaurants too with a strong recommendation for a visit to the Green Parrot - memorable eating and an equal memorable owner and chef.
We hired a Jeep and toured the island and were impressed by the dramatic views on all sides. We will not forget to Soufrieres, for example. A stop at Anse la Raye for a morning coffe - a tradtional fishing village - then for cocktails at the Ladera Resorts with ist stunning outlook to the twin Pitons followed by a visit to the nearby volcanic crater and its active hot springs where we literally took the plunge and had a mud bath. And then to conclude our visit a cooling swim from the beach set between the Pitons.
We must have covered most of the island during our time here and, along the way, we met most of the population or so it seemed and were impressed by their hospitality, friendliness and good humour. This is an educated and switched on people and ready to engage you on any topic under the sun. On reflection, this was perhaps the element which made our vacation so enjoyable.