On arrival at the car entrance, we left our cases with the guys and were taken by a golf buggy to the reception. We were given cold flannels and offered a drink whilst we filled out a form. Then were escorted to our room where our cases were already there. We had a 1st floor bayview room near the car entrance and just had to go down about 4 steps to enter the room block then down some further steps to the room. The bayview was actually partially restricted by trees across the gardens so could only see some of the bay and boat masts but was ok for us. You would need to be higher to really benefit the views. The room itself was simply lovely. Very contemporary, clean and well appointed. A lovely huge bed, which was sooooooo comfortable I wanted to take it home!, with mosquito nets tied back, side tables with drawer and lamps, clock, a table at the foot of the bed, a desk, wardrobes(with plenty of hangers), safe in one with shelving and an iron and board in another, a sideboard unit with the tv, coffee machine, kettle in drawer and mini bar. Drinks in the mini bar were complimentary and topped up daily of coke, water, cans of juice and piton beer. The ensuite was big with a shower over the bath, two basins and loo and bidet. Plenty of towels/flannels and hairdryer by the mirror. Small bottles of shampoo, bodywash, teeny sunscreen, insect repellant, cotton wool, earbuds, sewing kit, emery boards and tissues. Also supplied were two types of robes and flip flops. The air con worked well and also the ceiling fan. Insect curtains and heavy curtains across the patio doors to a wooden balcony with table and two chairs. With the evening turndown service they let the mosquito nets down etc, placed the flip flops beside the bed, replaced towels and put a bottle of water and a glass on the bedside tables.Breakfast was included which consisted of toast, cereals, muffins, bacon, sausages, eggs, beans, croissants, juices etc. Only continental breakfasts were available for room service. Requests for newspapers were available for an extra cost. The pool is a good size with plenty of loungers/parasols and small tables. Sun lounger towels and pools towels are collected, or brought to you, at the swimup bar. Drinks can be ordered whilst in the pool, the outside part of the bar or ordered whilst on your sunlounger. Food can also be ordered from the pool bar. There is a shallow kids pool under a sail shade and another pool on the next floor down. We never ate at the restaurant in the evening but did at the casual Hurricane Hole bar. The meals were things like barbecue ribs and fries, burgers, fish cakes, baked potato, salads, paninis, bagette etc, a kids menu and also made up purees for babies. The resort itself is very clean and well cared for. Being hillside, there are either stairs or slopes which were steep in some places. There were some babies there with pushchairs but with wheelchair users it would really depend on who was pushing and if some rooms had no steps? Although i'm sure the staff would help out here and the golf buggies can take you around. We found all the staff friendly who always acknowledged you when passing. The marina itself had plenty of lovely boats to gaze over and although the hotel's solar ferry was not working, another boat was available to take you to other restaurants or the beach. When going to the beach you are given towels and he will try and find you loungers as well. In the marina village there is a supermarket open til 7pm, a bank, a handful of gift shops a bakery which also makes up bagettes, hot drinks and ice cream. We never used room service or had any spa treatments so obviously cannot comment on these. There was a meet the staff cocktail party one evening and a letter was put in the room about this. They also spray the hotel grounds against mossies and again you are given a letter informing you when and that it does not contain any pesticides etc. Overall the hotel was lovely and a welcome treat for us in fact the nicest hotel we have been in. Scenic location, stunning rooms, friendly staff, nice pool area and relaxed atmosphere. Highly recommended:)

My family and I spent a much-anticipated week during Easter week at Discovery Marigot Bay. I say much anticipated because I not only read the many other 4 and 5 star rave reviews on Trip Advisor, but we visited Discovery on our last trip to St Lucia in April 2007 and were bowled over by its location, its many amenities, and beautiful accomodations. I booked the trip over 9 months ago and was counting the days.

I’m sorry to say our experience was very dissapointing. Everything we saw a year ago is true. It is a beautiful resort. We had a suite with a drop dead view that overlooked the marina, and it was just as pictured, absolutely gorgeous. First class all the way with a stocked fridge, 2 HD tv’s, a gigantic bath, and probably the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. The accomodations, the food in the restaurants, the entire physical plant were not the problem. The problem was poor communication, a badly-trained staff, and a management that has essentially turned a blind eye to the situation.

To fully list all that befell us would take up several pages. I am sending the general manager of Discovery the complete dossier of our experience, but for the purposes of Trip Advisor, a short list: (1.) a rental car for pickup at UVF arranged through Discovery 2 months prior to the trip…no sign of it or the driver upon arrival, no record of the reservation. (2.) a dinner reservation for the Saturday evening of our arrival made by e-mail 2 weeks before before the trip for the Boudreau Restaurant (that’s Discovery’s own restaurant)…no record of the reservation upon arrival. A reservation for the following evening at Rainforest Hideway across the bay made at the same time…no record of the reservation. (3.) When we finally got the reservation to the Rainforest Hideaway, we went down to the dock to take the much heralded solar powered Discovery ferry across the bay. Before we left the room I called the front desk to make sure the ferry was running, I was assured it was. At the dock we and a group of 4 other Discovery guests waited 15 minutes by a completely dark ferry, no driver showing up. One gentleman decided to walk back to the hotel and find out what the problem was, he came back and said the hotel said someone would be right down. We are now over 15 minutes late for the reservation. I persuade my wife to walk down to the regular ferry in the Marina Village. As we were waiting for that ferry, all the other Discovery guests who had been waiting for the Discovery ferry, joined us. No one from the hotel had ever arrived. We found later that the ferry was broken. The staff and managers apparently totally ignorant of this fact, and many guests were inconvienced. (4.) We asked the concierge if the resort’s speed boat could take us to the beach at Anse Chastenet for snorkeling. Oh no, absolutely not, that would not be possible. Why not, I ask. It is in a national park, and there are too many divers in the water. OK. So we drive there. At about 3:30 that afternoon we’re sitting on the beach at Anse Chastenet and imagine our surprise when the Discovery boat pulls up to pick up 2 guests. (5.) The nightly turn-down service is great. You go out to dinner and when you get back, the beds are ready, the bathroom has been cleaned and refreshed, etc. On the 5th night of stay, we came back from dinner and the room was as we left it. We were shocked. Maids night off? Who knows? So it’s not going to kill us to pull the sheets back ourselves, which is what we did. At 9:45 there’s a knock on the door. It’s the maid, ready to make up the room. My wife is already in bed, I’m in my pj’s. I tell her to forget it. At quarter to 10!!. (a post script to this: our son was sleeping on the pull-out couch in the living room, which the maids dutifully made up every night, until that fateful 5th night. The last 3 nights of our stay even though our bed was made, our son’s bed was not…for 3 nights in a row.)

Well, this is getting a little long, but there’s a lot more: staff in the porte cochere who adamently refused to get our rental car from its parking place or return it when we came back: pool staff who refused to help my wife find a chaise under an umbrella or even give her a terry chaise cover; dining room staff who would seat us (a party of 3) at tables set for 2 and then take forever to find a place setting; and an ending very much like the beginning—we had the concierge make a reservation for the Rainforest Hideway for our last evening’s dinner, when we got to the restaurant, the captain told us that the reservation had been made for 2 people, not 3.

Discovery has set a very high bar. They boast about being the only 4-Diamond AAA resort on St. Lucia, they are members of Luxury Small Hotels of the World, etc. Based on my experience they fall very far short of their mark. They are not in the same league with the Four Seasons which have their staff trained flawlessly; trained to not just fill their guests’ expectations but to anticipate them.

Oh if you’re wondering, I never complained the whole time I was there. Why? I was afraid to. Based on the poor service and attitude of the staff, I thought it would only make matters worse. I didn’t want my food spit in, or my rental car keyed. (Yes, I thought it was that bad.)

We arrived at Marigot Bay for the weekend to attend a wedding. The rooms are nicely appointed and the beds have mosquito netting that provide a romantic air. The minibar is stocked with sodas, fruit juices, water, and beer and all charges are included. There is both free WIFI and Ethernet connections in the rooms and the internet service is also included in the cost of the room. Do be aware that some of the rooms are located at the top of a steep hill and involve climbing stairs that may be difficult for guests with physical disabilities. The staff have courtesy golf carts and will pick you up and take you anywhere you need to go on the property. We ate at the hotel restaurant for breakfast (standard breakfast buffet with some local items) where you can watch the million dollar yachts dock. Service was slow in the restaurant for dinner, one evening. There are several swimming pools to choose from. The beach is nearby, but you have to take a boat to it, which is provided free of charge. We did not go to the beach on this trip. There is a spa and several exercise classes offered daily. Overall, this is a beautiful place to stay and unwind.

My husband and I have just returned from a 1 week stay at Discovery at Marigot Bay. We booked it in the Autumn of 2007 after which I read all the reports on Trip Advisor. I have to say that I agree with all of the good reports and none of the bad. This resort is excellent, heaven on earth, the attention to detail is second to none. The staff are very attentive, nothing is too much trouble, and there are some little personal touches which I wont reveal and spoil the surprise for you. The property really is right on the bay, you couldnt get any closer unless you were on a yacht.

The rooms and suites are fitted out to the highest quality and are very spacious. Everything is exceptionally clean and well maintained. If you book a suite there is a full kitchen with all facilities and a utility with washer, a washing line, ironing board and iron. The fridge is stocked with soft drinks and a couple of beers which are placed daily free of charge. There is shampoo, and conditioner, body wash, insect repellent and sun lotion provided (although be aware the sun lotion is a very small bottle so you cant rely solely on this). There are also cotton wool balls, emery board and cotton buds provided.

The restaurants and bars are open air, the breakfast choice is very extensive and the Hurricane Hole has a very extensive menu choice for lunch and dinner. The Boudreau restaurant and the Rainforest Hidedaway are both excellent for something a little more special.

We didnt travel around the island very much as this does mean either taxi by road (which are very winding) or water taxi and both myself and my husband can be prone to travel sickness. However, we knew from the outset we were to treat this holiday as total relaxation and the Discovery resort is just the ticket for that. We spent many an hour at the Hurricane Hole watching the world and yachts go by.

I cannot recommend Discovery at Marigot Bay enough, the only disappointment was that we had only booked 1 week and could certainly have stayed for 2. There is no doubt we will be returning in a couple of years.