Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Gros Islet, Gros Islet Quarter

East Winds Inn doesn't try to compete with the mega all-inclusive resorts on St. Lucia. Instead, the intimate, 30-room, upper-middle-range all-inclusive caters to guests who want to relax in a quiet location without constant attention. It lacks amenities such as a gym and spa but offers a laid-back vibe among lushly landscaped gardens. Guests hide out in air-conditioned, cottage-style rooms, snorkel the reefs from the lovely gold-sand beach, and lounge at the pool, where they can also mix their their own cocktails at the swim-up bar.

The newest of the three Sandals resorts on St. Lucia, Sandals Grande is a 301-room, upscale, couples-only resort that's set on a peninsula adjacent to Pigeon Island, a historic national landmark. Its signature pool with a huge tower and swim-up bar is the center of the action, a place where young honeymooners mix and mingle. Three other (quieter) pool areas, a slew of water sports (including unlimited scuba), a beautiful spa, and 12 restaurants, including an authentic British Pub, help keep guests occupied. Club Level and Butler Level rooms are available for upgraded service.

Coco Palm is an 83-room budget-oriented boutique hotel with style and service you'd expect at higher priced, beachfront hotels. It features a huge free-form pool, French Caribbean style decor, and the option to book with or without an all-inclusive plan. Rooms are cheerful and tropical, and some have terraces with pool access. While not on the ocean, it is a short walk to Reduit Beach and close to the amenities of Rodney Bay Village, St. Lucia's entertainment district.

St. Lucian by Rex was one of the first major resort hotels to open on St. Lucia, unfortunately, it has not kept up with the times and is now in need of renovation. Despite its imperfectly polished image, the resort holds a prime beachfront location, an adequate pool area and beachfront restaurant, and all-inclusive rates that are half of what other nearby all-inclusive resorts (such as Sandals) charge.