Balenbouche Estate

The mission page says about 60 acres around the cottages are largely undisturbed habitat for trees, wildlife and birds. The homepage says 70 acres are protected and recognised as a nature heritage site by the Saint Lucia National Trust, but that recognition could not be confirmed with the Trust, so it is not scored higher.

The mission page lists solar hot water, line dried laundry and buildings cooled by natural ventilation, and the homepage says there is no air conditioning, only standing fans. No electricity generation or measured use is published.

The FAQ says the tap water comes from a nearby spring and is treated and piped in by public works, so it is the public supply, not the estate's own source. Rain and river water were the only supply until 1998 and are still kept as a backup and for watering plants. Guests get Brita filtered water in reusable bottles and are asked to conserve water.

The mission page says organic waste is composted and glass and plastic are recycled. Guests are reminded to use filtered water and reusable bottles, which is a request rather than a system.

No chemical fertilisers or pesticides have been used since 1987, with free range cattle and tree crops (mission page). The FAQ says that since the early 1990s the estate keeps some livestock and grows a small amount of organic fruit and vegetables largely for its own consumption, and the dining page says only some ingredients are grown on the estate, so guest food mostly comes from surrounding farms and shops.

The homepage says the cottages are individually renovated in largely historic buildings designed to catch the breeze, and the mission page describes the upkeep of the 19th century plantation house, a 200 year old aqueduct and other historic structures.

Practices are self published on the mission and FAQ pages, including candid notes that St. Lucia's grid is almost wholly fossil fuel and that farming has been small and largely for the family since the early 1990s. No certification or measured figures are published.

The tap water is from a nearby spring, treated and piped in by public works. The estate filters it with a Brita filter, fills reusable bottles in every room and discourages single use plastic bottles. Public supply, filtered at the tap.

“We filter the tap water with a simple Brita filter which takes out some of the chlorine and improves the taste. We discourage the use of single use plastic bottles.”

The dining page says meals use fresh, local and organic ingredients, some grown on the estate, with vegan meals on request. The FAQ says the estate grows only a small amount, largely for its own use.

“We use fresh, local and organic ingredients, some of which are grown on the estate.”

No chemical fertilisers or pesticides have been used since 1987 (mission page). Mosquitoes are controlled biologically with mosquito eating fish and Bt, a naturally occurring bacterium that destroys the larvae (FAQ).

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03.

The FAQ says the buildings are designed to be naturally cooled without air conditioning, but no smoke free policy is stated.

“The buildings and bedrooms are designed to be naturally cooled without air conditioning.”

Owned and managed by the Lawaetz family since 1964. Uta, Verena and Anitanja Lawaetz, a mother and daughter team, run the estate and live on site.

Balenbouche told Hold The Throne in November 2026 that its team of four to five full time staff is paid above the standard rate on the island, published in our south of St. Lucia guide. This is the estate’s own report. The share of staff from nearby villages is not yet stated.

Special arrangements let local people plant gardens, keep bees, graze cattle and harvest crops on the estate. It buys local, does community service and hosts schools, community groups, cultural exchanges and charitable events.

“We offer volunteering and internship opportunities and host schools, community groups, and cultural exchanges.”

The estate is a national landmark open to the public. The family opens the plantation house to visitors, and community festivals regularly take place on the grounds.

“remains an important national landmark, open to the public and involved in many environmental and social initiatives.”

The history page tells the Amerindian, African and East Indian story of the estate, archaeological research is ongoing and artisan workshops are hosted. A community led programme and paid makers are not documented.