A Peace of Paradise

A Peace of Paradise is run by an American expat, Lorraine, who has lived in St. Lucia for around two decades. The three-room inn, which was repainted blue after our visit, feels more like a family home than a hotel, which means guests can expect rooms and common areas to have an unpolished feel, with mismatched furniture and color schemes. It also means a relaxed, informal environment, where the owner might offer to give you a ride into town if she’s already heading that way. 

Common areas include a big veranda overlooking the garden, which features a hammock, a large wooden picnic table, a few Adirondack chairs, and a white dining table. The decor is pleasantly hodgepodge, with the furniture and fabrics featuring a range of colors and patterns. More hammocks and lounge chairs are dotted throughout the woodsy garden. There’s an outdoor shower sheltered by wide palm leaves. A rustic handrail helps guests navigate the steep slope down to the cool, mountain river that runs along the bottom of the property.

With so many shared spaces, the inn is best suited to guests who don’t mind socializing regularly with the owner and one another. A few friendly rescue dogs live in the building, an important consideration for guests with allergies.

There’s no nightlife or entertainment within walking distance, and the inn and annex attract guests looking for a peaceful place to stay.

A Peace of Paradise is located down an unpaved street, just off the main road leading to Castries. Mamiku Gardens, one of the most beautiful botanical gardens on the island, is a 10-minute walk away. The Fox Grove Inn, which has a good restaurant, can be reached in around five minutes on foot from the main building. (It’s right across from the annex.) Otherwise, there’s nothing else within walking distance, and the surrounding neighborhood consists of a few dirt roads bordered by tropical vegetation. Guests can catch buses to Castries and Vieux Fort from a stop a 20-minute walk away, but bus service can be irregular. The nearest beach is Sandy Beach in the town of Vieux Fort, a 25-minute drive away. Vieux Fort is also the closest outpost of supermarkets and conveniences such as banks. It’s around an hour drive to the other side of the island, where Soufriere and the Pitons are found. Hewanorra International Airport can be reached in half an hour by car.

A Peace of Paradise’s three guest rooms are each uniquely decorated, but all are cozy and bright. Two rooms have cream-colored walls, while the walls in the Twin Room are painted a bold blue. Beds with white or lavender linens are draped in mosquito netting. Painted-white closets offer a few hangers and shelving. Furniture varies from room to room, with some featuring shelves stocked with a few paperback books. All rooms have an assortment of wicker end tables and white plastic chairs, while the Double Room has a little wall-mounted desk. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, but rooms don’t have TVs or phones. There’s no air-conditioning, either, just upright fans. All three rooms share a narrow bathroom with a pedestal sink and a walk-in shower.

A Peace of Paradise has a modest line-up of on-site features. The building houses a cheery kitchen with an oven, a full-size fridge, and a good selection of cookware and cutlery. The kitchen also includes a common area with a small dining table, a desk, and a stack of books and games. Various little knickknacks, ranging from colorful glass bottles to a map of the island, add interest to the space. A light breakfast of breads, fresh fruits, and jams is served each morning and comes included in room rates. 

Free parking is available at both buildings, and free Wi-Fi is offered throughout both properties. Massage services can be arranged for a surcharge, and the owner can also organize tours and car rentals. Airport transfers are offered for a fee.