have just had the BEST carib. holiday i`ve ever had.english management,french chefs,friendly staff for whom nothing is too much trouble,fabulous quiet location,large bungalow rooms set in lush grounds,all inc. GOURMET food, REAL champagne every night and different fine wines with every meal. is there a down side ? just one. i would have LOVED air con. instead of ceiling fan. will i return ? YOU BET !

We spent an amazing honeymoon here at the beginning of April. Anyone wanting peace and tranquility and away from it all then this is for you. Rather than feeling like a typical hotel you are nestled amongst the beautiful trees, flowers and of course the beach. We loved it all from the location to the great staff and relaxed vibe. It is very quiet so if you're after a late nightlife forget it but if a nice meal and constant supply of whatever drink more or less you fancy then this is the one. It is low key with a very high standard which is appreciated. The beach is lovely and quiet wich lovely blue water which most of the time is brilliant for snorkelling and always brilliant for swimming. Not a suitable beach or resort for very young children but certainly caters for a nice relaxing holiday for young and old. We also went out and about a lot to see this beautiful island and we highly recommend it, reception will book you a taxi to take you wherever you like and the taxi drivers are the most friendly you will ever come across. The excursions were really good and I advise you try as many as possible, inland and out to sea are well worth it. As for mosquitoes etc we were hardly bothered at all and after an unforgettable two weeks to start our marriage we have no complaints!

Myself and boyfriend have just returned from the most amazing holiday in St Lucia. The day before we were due to fly out we had our hotel cancelled through the travel agency, franticly trying to find another place to stay we came across East Winds... we actually called direct and spoke to the manager who couldn't have been more helpful and accommodating, we arrived to find the most stunning/secluded/pretty place I can honestly say I have ever seen (I have travelled the world and stayed in lots of 5* hotels) the staff were so very friendly, the food out of this world and the rooms and premises on the resort were gorgeous!!

I was so shocked to read bad reviews about this place, it truly was heaven on earth, and no wonder they have people returning year after year!!!

Having read all the excellent reviews on East Winds, my husband and I were really looking forward to spending our 10 days there in January 2005 after spending 10 lovely days in Tobago.

The cottage we were staying in was very pretty, but it was boiling hot with no air conditioning and only one fan on a very high ceiling which we had to put on at full speed to get any air. This unfortunately prevented us from sleeping properly because of the noise. On top of that we were infested with mosquitos buzzing around our ears all night and we were both very badly bitten in spite of mosquito screens being fitted at the windows. On closer inspection, however, we noted they had holes in them.

On the day we arrived we also noticed that there were no shutters for privacy on the bathroom windows and when it was dark we put the bathroom lights on and walked around the back of the cottage to find that you could see straight into the bathroom. We complained about this and a maid was sent to our room with two old towels which she proceeded to peg up at the windows which meant for the rest of our holiday we had to put the bathroom light on in the daytime. Also, there were dogs barking constantly for most of the night and for the majority of our stay we were absolutely exhausted through lack of sleep.

The staff, although on the whole pleasant, looked absolutely exhausted and fed up and seemed to be constantly rushing us. No sooner had you put your knife and fork down and your plate was whipped away and your next course put in front of you. Every day we had to ask if we could have a rest between courses. The food was average but not enough variety to choose from and a lot of it was either lukewarm or cold.

We are both in our mid-40's and the majority of people staying at East Winds were much older and they obviously cater for the more mature person. We spoke to a few of them and were speechless to discover that alot of them come back year after year and think this place is luxurious. Have they never been anywhere else? My husband and I have travelled a lot over the years and have stayed in many luxurious places for a lot less money than we paid for East Winds.

Needless to say, we will definitely not be back.

My wife and I stayed at East Winds for 11 nights at the end of Sept/beginning October 2004. We had looked at many hotels before finally deciding on East Winds attracted by some very favourable reviews on this Website and the small size of the hotel. We definitely did not want a large hotel with lots of activities having done all that sort of thing with and for children over the years.

The virtual tour on the hotel Website was a great help giving a good idea of what to expect. What we found was certainly up to expectations. Having recently stayed in a Country House in the west of Ireland where you were treated as though it was a 1930's house party, this was similar. The hotel was only half full due to the time of year (and possibly the unusual hurricane activity) but even full there would have still been the same sort of ' family atmosphere'

Food and Drink --- First class in our humble opinion. I gather the chef has been there for some years and long may he remain. His kitchen support was excellent. Great variety ( plenty of fish which you could witness being bought daily from the beach) and good quality meat dishes. Unless you are a glutton you have to ease off after the initial enthusiasm! The service can be a little quick but the staff will respect your wish to slow down.

The drinks are all very good quality and each night the wines are described on the menu and at the table. They change every day. Champagne ( proper French and no cheating) is available if you wish and that is very unusual for ' all inclusive' hotels. The Clubhouse bar has the after dinner drinks left in Decanters on a tray so you just help yourself up to midnight when it closes. A nice touch.

The rooms are simple but very adequate. We had one of the oceanview rooms which are very pleasant ( although ocean a little obscured by bushes and trees) but the bathroom was unbearably hot in the evening so one's shower before dinner was not always the cleansing experience it should be. Perhaps a fan would help? There is a mini clubhouse for these 3 rooms which has a sofa and chairs so you can sit out of the room but away from the beach and bar. Wonderful view of sunsets.

This is a very good place to relax and unwind. There is a small but pleasant beach and if you want active water sports the Windjammer hotel is next door, a short stroll along the water's edge. The staff are all very pleasant and eager to help and many have been there sometime which is an good indicator of a well run hotel. It was very easy to fall into a pattern of eating, drinking and lazing around which is what we wanted and received fully. A particular pleasure are the long lunches at the outside tables in individual ' roundels'. We quickly fell in with other guests to have little parties which made it all the more pleasant.

Although there are so many places to visit in the world, we will almost certainly return. Our view is that it is very good value for money indeed. The hotel will do you a wonderful picnic hamper for lunch if you go out for the day. We drove down to the Hilton in the south one day and picnicked on their beach. They were a bit surprised but a few dollars to hire a sunlounger sorted it out!

Happy to answer any individuals queries by e-mail.

This resort throughly lived up to our expectations. The food, wine, accomodation and service was as promised and we had a totally relaxing week. If you like gourmet dinners, peace and quiet and no restrictions this will be the place for you. Check out their website for further info (www.eastwinds.com). Do be aware though, that St Lucia is still 10% rainforest so not surprisingly it rains (especially off season) - for 2 days in our case!! However nothing a good book and a few cocktails cannot put right!

Cant really add much to what the recent reviewer from Taunton UK said!
Its not the place to go if you are looking for lots of activities and entertainment but if you want good food and good wine and to get away from the crowds, its ideal. It even has the best selection of books to read I've ever seen in a hotel or resort.

This hotel is a refreshing change from the plastic-fantastic Sandals chain which seems to dominate St Lucia. What a fantastic place! The staff are so friendly and genuine and will not hesitate in seeing if there is anything they can do for you. Its a very quiet and secluded resort which is perfect for relaxing in the Caribbean sun, as well as being a base in which to see the sights.

The hotel only has 30 rooms, which means you get a very personal service and the Manager makes an effort to talk to each guest personally at the weekly Champagne Cocktail party. The Deluxe room that we had was spacious with a large shower and bed. The only complaint was the ceiling fan that didn't really provide much relief from the hot evenings! Maid service is once a day, and I was particularly impressed with having a mini-bar which, like the rest of the resort is all-inclusive.

The food in the hotel is unbelieveably good and not the usual all-inclusive buffet rubbish. It compares very highly with Michelin Starred restaurants that we have visited in the UK. There were buffets for breakfast and lunch and frequent barbeques. The chef offered a very broad menu in the evening a heavy French influence and local St Lucian ingredients. A set menu of four courses was presented each evening with around three choices in each, and always a vegetarian option. The menu is fairly adventurous with dishes such as fois gras, pate, lobster, local fish, veal and the most tender goose and beef I have ever had. For the less adventurous, the chef will prepare a very good steak and chips - but you don't know what you're missing!!! Also, at dinner an array of VERY good wines are offered, 5-7 year old whites and reds from France and Chile predominantly. A good quality Champagne is served also.

I can understand why people return year after year and as soon as we save up enough money to go again - we will be joining them!

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but as someone who has stayed at Eastwinds for 11 years out of the last 12 I feel I must comment. Many of the guests at Eastwinds are repeat guests and many of these people (including us) have been (and still do visit) to lots of other destinations. They still come back to Eastwinds because it has for them a special magic. This may not suit everyone but it does suit us. The staff are always very keen to please and to ensure guests have a good time. The place itself is not palacial but has a very laid back, relaxed atmosphere that makes most people feel they are part of a "house party" rather than a hotel. There is a danger I suppose that as more and more "repeaters" get together then others may feel excluded - certainly on my last trip at the end of April more than half of the guests had visited the hotel before. It must have something to offer! We love it!

I have traveled all over the world. The East Winds Inn was absolutely wonderful. I intend on returning. As a matter of fact, it is the only place in the carribean that I will be going back to. Not that the others were bad, just that they don't compare.
As any well travelled person knows, do not go to the carribean on the off season. Trying to save a buck? Then you should stay at home and wait until you can afford it.
The off season is when they do construction, expect it!
The food was excellent. I could not say enough about the meals. I have eaten at some of the finest restaurants and would put The East Winds right up there.