Bay Gardens Marina Haven

Palm Haven Hotel’s pastel facade and neatly landscaped grounds give the property a certain cheerfulness, but there’s still no mistaking this for anything but a budget property. The sparse lobby opens onto the pool area, a courtyard centerpiece that can also be seen from most guest rooms. The pool is relatively small but rarely busy -- in fact, the whole property was quiet during our visit. Guests looking for a party should keep in mind that the restaurant and bar closes early each night. 

Guests are independent travelers on a tight budget who appreciate the hotel’s decent rates. While there are a handful of conveniences within walking distance, the property is better suited to guests with a car -- you’ll need one to get to the beach and other attractions in the area. Travelers who can do without flashy on-site perks may find the Palm Haven Hotel meets all their needs.

Palm Haven Hotel is set just off the Castries-Gros Islet highway in Rodney Bay. Although the town offers lots of shops, restaurants, and bars, it’s not the most ideal place for walking since its attractions are quite widespread. Still, there’s a grocery store and some restaurants found within a 10-minute walk of the hotel. 

Reduit Beach can be reached in a six-minute drive, and it’s a five-minute drive north to Pigeon Island. Many of St. Lucia’s most famous attractions, including the Pitons and cocoa plantations, are found about a 90-minute drive south around the town of Soufriere. Hewanorra International Airport is also a 90-minute drive away, or smaller George F. L. Charles Airport can be reached in around 15 minutes by car. 

Guest rooms at Palm Haven Hotel are basic and outdated, with older wooden furniture and slightly mismatched fabrics. Most rooms have two double beds, with four Superior Rooms featuring king-size beds. Old-fashioned tube TVs are set on work desks, and each room include a small sitting area with a table and a pair of chairs. Mini-fridges are standard, with Superior Rooms also offering a kettle along with a few packets of tea and instant coffee. Closets hold personal safes and ironing gear. 

Ground floor rooms open directly onto the pool area, while upper-floor rooms have tiny, unfurnished balconies. Bare-bones bathrooms have long vanities and floor-level showers. Off-brand bars of soap and mini shampoo bottles are provided, along with wall-mounted hairdryers. Rooms are tidy overall but not immaculate, and you may spot the occasional insect or two (although this is common among hotels in the Caribbean). 

Palm Haven’s modest, dated facilities cater to guests on a budget. The property centers on a freeform pool, which is surrounded by plastic blue loungers and a few white patio tables. It’s pleasant enough but the exposed deck area offers little shade. 

Dining takes place in a drab restaurant that's separated from the lobby by a folding partition. The menu features a run-of-the-mill lineup of local and international dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with meal plan options available. The food gets mixed reviews from guests.  

Palm Haven has two meeting rooms: a small room with space for up to 50 people and a large one that can accommodate up to 100. Meeting rooms are adequate if generic, with tiled floors and pale yellow walls decorated with hospitality-style Caribbean artwork. There’s also a white gazebo that can be used for meeting breakouts and wedding ceremonies.

There’s no spa on-site, but massage treatments can be arranged. An elevator provides access to the upper floors, but it’s worryingly old and often out of service. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and there’s free parking in a lot at the front of the property.