Jalousie Plantation Resort - ANYBODY

[Dawgone]

Has anybody recently taken a water taxi to the Jalousie Plantation Resort for a day pass?

[NoNoNanette]

We spent the day at Jalouise last month. We had hired a driver, Spencer Ambrose. spencerambrose1990@hotmail.com

 

We were approached by a guy who offered to take us back to the ship via his boat, though.

 

Why don't you contact Spencer? He'll be able to find out for you. He seemed to know everybody on the island. :) Heck, for that matter, just hire Spencer...he was a doll! ;)

 

Pictures of the beautiful beach in my SNAPFISH link in my signature.

[grobbins]

How much was Spencer? Did you take the water tzxi back? Did you have to have a Day Pass at Jalousie or could you just use the beach?

[Dawgone]

Thanks "Nanzo" for posting. I have a few more questions, if you don't mind.

 

I assume you were driven to the resort from Castries. If that's the case, how bad was the road? I'm leaning toward the water taxi because I was under the impression that the road was VERY bad. I was quoted $150 round trip for land taxi (same for a water taxi)...is that correct? How long did the ride take?

 

You said you spent the day at the Jalousie...was that at the Jalousie Plantation Resort via a day pass, or did you go to a section of the Jalousie beach?

 

Thanks for your help, and the email for Spencer!

[Ants Girl]

Dawgone, what water taxi gave you a qoute? Do they have a website or email address?

[Dawgone]

Dawgone, what water taxi gave you a qoute? Do they have a website or email address?

 

I received the quote directly from the resort. I've been trying to connect with their concierge (Efe) (via email and telephone) but haven't been successful, as yet. The resort phone number is 1.758.456.8000. When I inquired about a day pass and a water taxi, they suggested the water taxi be reserved ahead of time. It needs to be reserved thru their concierge who reserves it thru the resorts' water activities section. I assume you "might" be able to pick up a water taxi at Castries, but I prefer to use a recommended water taxi from the resort.

 

Please post anything you find out. Thanks.

[cinnam0n]

The road is not "VERY bad." It is just like all the other roads in St. Lucia. That said, the roads are narrow, winding, and in some places hilly.

If the price is the same, I would think that the water taxi would be the best choice since it would surely be faster?

[NoNoNanette]

Hi guys...

 

There were four of us. Spencer charged us $25 per person.....ROUND TRIP. (I'll be honest.... we share a friend in Levi Baron from Dominica.... that MIGHT have had something to do with the great rate). The guys tipped him extra, of course.

 

We paid no entrance fee to the Jalouise Plantation Beach. Upon our arrival, Spencer talked to a security guard, and the next thing you knew, we were loaded up in a van, and driven down to the beach. Even had a guy with us to set up our "camp".

 

We would have been able to eat/drink at the resort, but had no need to. Jalouise is a VERY SMALL, secluded stretch of beach. We practically had the place to ourselves.

 

The snorkeling was OUT OF THIS WORLD! The view was incredible.

 

When we were done, we caught a free shuttle back up to Spencer. (Apparently "drivers" are unable to enter the resort grounds).

 

I'll do my best to post a couple of thumbnails for you guys. (I get the feeling that the files are too large, though). You need to register to see the photos in my Snapfish account, but they won't spam you. :)

 

It was an incredible day.

 

Roads were GORGEOUS. Very much like Dominica. Mountainous, Green, Curving... Half of the fun was the R/T drive! I saw ferns the size of human beings! It was a long drive.... better check with Spencer, but I want to say almost an hour each way.

[Ants Girl]

What time did you leave and return to the ship? $25 that is cheap!:eek: compared to the boat. But the water taxi is probably a lot faster.

[NoNoNanette]

What time did you leave and return to the ship? $25 that is cheap!:eek: compared to the boat. But the water taxi is probably a lot faster.

 

Sadly, we didn't have much time in St. Lucia. We were there from 8am-3pm. It was the shortest stop on our cruise.

 

I'm wondering if it's a matter of $$$$ why Holland America doesn't stay until later? High port charges, maybe? I'd sure like to spend more time there!

 

(The drive was TOO KEWL!!! :) It felt like something out of Jurassic Park!)

[Ants Girl]

I will be on the Crown Princess and we will be in port from 7:00am to 5:00pm. I emailed Spencer! So maybe he will take us. Were you able to walk around the resort a little or did you just stay at the beach?

[NoNoNanette]

I will be on the Crown Princess and we will be in port from 7:00am to 5:00pm. I emailed Spencer! So maybe he will take us. Were you able to walk around the resort a little or did you just stay at the beach?

 

I ENVY your hours!!!!!

 

We had free reign of the resort. In fact, they encourage you to look around, in hopes that you'll return for a land based vacation. The place is GORGEOUS! Also big bucks!

 

On the way back up the hill to hook up with Spencer, our shuttle driver gave us a quickie drive through of the resort. It really is quite nice.

 

And honestly.... we were treated like VIPs, as Spencer had brought us. I hope that works out for you guys! :)

[Ants Girl]

WOW I emailed him today and he responded right away with great details. I think might use him :D . He quoted us $120, but if we added another couple we could split the cost between 4 people. Even at that price for 2 people this sounds great. BTW I loved your pictures they get me excited.

[NoNoNanette]

WOW I emailed him today and he responded right away with great details. I think might use him :D . He quoted us $120, but if we added another couple we could split the cost between 4 people. Even at that price for 2 people this sounds great. BTW I loved your pictures they get me excited.

 

He's a really nice fella. I'm confident that you'll be very pleased with him!:)

 

(Thanks for the compliments on the pictures, but honestly, they don't do the island justice. It's absolutely breathtaking!)

 

If you're into snorkeling, I highly suggest that pick up your own cheapo-snorkel-gear at WalMart for the day.

 

If I can be of any other help with your excursion planning, let me know, kiddo..... I've developed friends on several islands.

 

Don't you LOVE planning? :D

[Eric Vasili]

What time did you leave and return to the ship? $25 that is cheap!:eek: compared to the boat. But the water taxi is probably a lot faster.

 

I will be on the Crown Princess and we will be in port from 7:00am to 5:00pm. I emailed Spencer! So maybe he will take us. Were you able to walk around the resort a little or did you just stay at the beach?

Water Taxi is usually a bargain like that only if there are 6 or more booked per trip, and I am sure it is a "per person" rate.

Part of the "arrangement" of the trip to jalousie is that the fare pays the pass rate, and they only allow certain "operators" that are in good favor to bring in their guests, like Herod and Simon both mentioned above. And, no, pass guests are not allowed to check out the resort area: the either escort you from the jetty to the area of the beach you may use, or allow your motor transport in to drive directly down. *They are also strict about the Beachside Cafe, since they have inclusive guests....

I have cruised to St. Lucia 2x and done this before, in addition to staying at jalousie for a week just last July (stayed in the Nelson Mandela suite!).

[adamaugust28]

I will be with my girlfriend and we are looking to split the water or land taxi with another group/ couple...Does the fare include entry or do we also need to buy a day pass.

 

email me at adamaugust28@yahoo.com or talk through CC.

 

Thanks

[lovetodream]

My husband and I recently did a trip to St. Lucia on our own (Christmas '07). We stayed at the Coco Palm Resort in Rodney Bay and were initially told by the hotel concierge that the way to go to the Jalousie was to take a water taxi from Castries to Jalousie, then to return back to Castries the same way OR to do a water taxi one way and a land taxi back.

 

Due to the Christmas holiday, many tour operators were not working. So, DH & I decided to rent a car and drive from Rodney Bay to the Jalousie Resort on Christmas day.

 

There are no special "passes" or anything like that needed to gain access to the property, hail taxi vans, etc, etc. so you can rent a car from the Castries port-of-call, if you'd like and go to Jalousie on your own. It IS and adventure, though! The Jalousie is private property, of course, so they can turn away people if they like. But the entire resort, beach and restaurant areas are open to the public for no fee. And everyone graciously welcomes most tourists! Of course, tips are greatly appreciated!

 

DH & I drove through the 1st main gate where we were stopped by a security guard. We told her (the guard) that we were visitng the Plantation to "spend some time at the beach and eat lunch at the restaurant." The guard passed us through to a second station, where everyone visiting by car is required to park.

 

From the second station, the security guard called a Jalousie taxi (or van) for us that took us down to the restaurant and beach area. When we were done, guards at the beach got us a taxi (van) back to our car and out we drove.

 

It's pretty nice...not a great beach but the natural scenery near the Jalousie and the Pitons is surely not to be missed.

 

I'll try to post a few photos of the Jalousie Plantation Resort Beach:

 

 

 

 

[lovetodream]

I just read through this thread again. NoNoNanette has some incredible photos on SnapFish! I think she's right on, too. DH & I also heard great things about Spencer Ambrose's tours but as I mentioned, most tour guides did not work on Christmas Day...they were home with their families, as they should be :D

 

Anyhow...one thing I recalled after posting before is that driving the roads can be treacherous in parts. And even though Castries (your port-of-call) to Soufriere (where Jalousie is) is only about 15 miles (as the crow flies), the ride WILL take about 1 hour by road each way, give or take (with traffic), because of the challenging road conditions.

 

Also, if Spencer Ambrose doesn't work out, try this:

 

http://tropicalholidaysslu.com/tours/tours.php

 

Good luck and have fun!

[BrightIS]

Hello

 

Based upon the reviews on this site, we just booked with Spencer Ambrose in just 10 days when we arrive on Galaxy. Certainly his cost is very low - $140 plus a few entrance fees.

 

We are really looking forward to it.