On St. Lucia’s south-west coast, on the northern point of, the delightful old capital, Soufriere, this affordable small hotel was established over 30 years ago by Joan Alexander Stowe who was born on the island.  She ‘enjoys pampering her guests to make their stay a memorable one’; they like the unpretentious style, the local feel, and the laid-back atmosphere. The ten bedrooms are arranged around a pretty garden where there is a freshwater swimming pool, and humming birds feed on exotic flowers. Two rooms have a four-poster bed; some have ‘great views of the Gros Piton’, and the hotel, which  backs onto a long, uncrowded public beach, has a small scuba outfit. Its waterfront restaurant (open to the public) serves French-Creole cuisine by candlelight. Breakfast is leisurely.