Soco House

My wife and I just returned from this fabulous place in Rodney Bay. First- I'll do a quick overview of the place in general so you know what to expect: Location: Rodney Bay is the tourist area located in the NW of the island. The large international airport is located in the south. There is essentially one 'highway' that will take over an hour to get to the area. It travels up the SE coast to the eastern coastal town of Dennery before crossing the country through the rainforest. This road is beautiful, but can be a bit daunting for those prone to motion sickness (due to the numerous switchbacks and local driving styles). The road goes through Castries (capital city) on the west and then up the coast to Rodney Bay. The trip time can be extended when there is rush-hour traffic, accidents, slower moving trucks etc. The driver will expect a tip (and will tell you he is not getting paid by his boss- happened both there and back). The resort is located a very short walk to Reduit Beach. There isn't a 'beach bar' but the resort will pack a small cooler with beer, water and/or soda with ice for you. Once you arrive on the beach, there are some designated chairs for the Soco House. There will be someone to show you the chairs with umbrellas. they will expect a tip (and will tell you they aren't paid by the hotel). There aren't any 'private beaches' in St. Lucia so expect to be asked relatively frequently if you would like a jet ski ride, drink, smoke/drugs, tours etc. The people are friendly and are not aggressive or pushy- just businessmen doing business. Hotel: The grounds are immaculate with pristine marble/alabaster decor. The lobby has an information/assistance desk, a small bar, a piano and restrooms. The dining area is located off the lobby down a small corridor. Outside, there are a few banks of long 3 story buildings that surround the main area with a small pool, cabanas, loungers, seating area and bar. All of the ground floor rooms have a walkout to the pool area. all of the 3rd floor rooms (which is where we were) have a balcony overlooking the pool. All of the second floor seemed to have an enclosed balcony but could open the windows to overlook the pool. (There are no elevators so if you have mobility issues, request a ground floor room). Dining: The resort is all inclusive, but there are no buffets here. All meals are served A la carte (seated, and ordered off menu in the dining room). The food is fantastic! The Breakfast menu is the same each day (see picture posted). We had coffee/tea and pineapple/orange juice choices as well. The lunch menu changes every 2 days, as does the dinner menu (different menus for lunch and dinner). Each meal was delicious and my wife and I tried to order different things just to try them all over the 2 days. We usually had wine or beer with lunch/dinner. There is also a tea time in the late afternoon. Accommodation: The room was nicely appointed with a comfortable bed.

Sadly not up to standard of So Co Barbados rooms fine and clean .Receptionist very miserable especially when asked for pool towels which were never available when wanted one .Service in restaurant very slow lots of staff no organisation .Cabana cushions very dirty also soaking wet covers taken off day before we left then cushions went not sure what was happening think if washed would fall apart.Manager walks about taking no notice of complaints sad to say would not return sort it out or will be closing down .

I cant believe the recent reviews, we were there the same time as the lady with her daughter, and we certainly did not share her experience. We had a lovely room with everything working correctly, and hot water available at all times. Staff were amazing, friendly and attentive throughout, from Reception, dining room and especially the bar. Food and red wine were great, service may have been slow at times, but food tasted great for all meals. Only time we ate out was when on a trip or at the beach, we enjoyed being served rather than a buffet scrum. We met some great people and had a lot of fun with them. Location of hotel great, minutes from a lovely beach. Would recommend getting the water taxi from the beach to Pigeon Island, definitely worth a visit. Ignore the mean reviews, we would go again. Maybe could do with more sunbeds, but we didn't stay at the pool so didn't bother us, but did others.