Ti Kay Alèze, above beach in Laborie, great view

Comfortable, private cottage Fabulous view Authentic village setting For couples/solo travelers looking for simple, safe, low-cost accommodation in a great location 2 minute walk to beach 12 minute walk to village center (1 km) Fully equipped kitchen (no oven) Ensuite bathroom, hot shower High speed internet Dual voltage plugs, no adaptors needed NO AC Mosquito net Door/window screens, fans Security door Parking on site Washing machine Private garden area Outdoor shower Long stay discounts The space Wake up to the sound of ocean waves in Ti Kay Alèze, a breezy, comfortable small house ("ti kay") with a stunning view, ideally located on the outskirts of a charming, thriving, traditional fishing village. The balcony overlooks the ocean. You will be a stone's throw from the swimming beach, and within easy walking distance (flat, except for our driveway, 1 km) to the center of Laborie. Most of the time it is pretty quiet in our end of Laborie, while at other times there is liveliness and noise at the beach (in particular on a Sunday afternoon or holiday). Sometimes neighbors play amplified music. At certain times of the day you will hear more traffic on the road below. There are dogs that bark, roosters that crow, and children that laugh. Laborie is a typical small, and at times noisy, Caribbean village Don, your host (Neti is co-host), is a professional diver, and experienced water sports instructor. When not diving, Don is available to answer any questions and show you around. If you want to rent a kayak, or want diving recommendations, talk to him before or after you arrive. Ti Kay Alèze is a separate cottage located on the same property as Don's larger house. From both the balcony and the deck you will have a fabulous view of the Caribbean Ocean (which you can also see from the bed), including spectacular sunrises, gorgeous sunset colors, and, on a clear day, a view of St. Vincent in the distance. The swimming beach at Rudy John Beach Park is just down the driveway, across the road, and down another driveway (or via some stairs through the Papel Art Center if it's open, where there is a good restaurant, a restroom, a massage studio, and a small crafts store). True to its' name, which means "small relaxed house," the house is compact. However, it does have a roomy kitchen, fully equipped with pots and pans, utensils, cutlery, plates, bowls, cups, glasses, toaster, electric kettle, coffee maker, microwave, upright fridge, and plenty of counter space, including a counter peninsula. There is a four-burner propane cook-top. The private bathroom is en-suite, with an on-demand hot water shower. The outdoor shower has cold water only, very refreshing after a sea bath. A washing machine and washing line are provided for your use. Most homes in St. Lucia do not have running hot water in the kitchen sink, and Ti Kay Alèze is no exception. If you want to heat water for doing dishes, you can use the electric kettle. Ti Kay Alèze has a comfortable full-size bed with a mosquito net, a wall fan, a ceiling fan, two chests of drawers, a table and two chairs on the balcony, a small table and two chairs inside, plus seating at the kitchen counter. There is a television with remote (we don't have cable or antenna, but the TV has an HDMI port, and streaming YouTube). The switches for the lights are located near the bed, and there are both US style outlets (110v), and UK style outlets (220v), so you will not need an adapter. There is a bedside light. You will most likely spend a lot of time enjoying the amazing view. Eating dinner on the balcony by the light of the moon, seeing the lights of Laborie reflected in the water across the bay, with the expanse of the ocean spread before you, and with the Caribbean night-time chorus of insect noises and the sound of ocean waves below... that is something we hope you will enjoy very much. We are pretty flexible and don't have many rules, but definitely our house rules say no smoking in the house. Smoking outside is fine, and there are no rules about what one might smoke, since St. Lucia has recently legalized the recreational use of cannabis. Mosquitos are part of life in St. Lucia, but we do our best to minimize their effect on daily life. There are mosquito screens on all the windows and doors. There is a sliding glass door to the balcony, which has both a screen and a security door, so you can safely leave the glass door open at night for the breeze. Your private garden area comes complete with a picnic table and hammock (it needs to be put away at night in case of rain). A large mango tree provides welcome shade, as well as fruit when in season (summer). The large deck to the side of the house is for the shared use of guests and landlord. Having said that, since it is right next to the little house, we will do our utmost to respect your privacy and only use the space when we know it will not impact your comfort. Guest access You will have access to your private garden area, which has a picnic table as well as a hammock; and to your private balcony, which has a table and two chairs. Your will have the use of a barbecue (ask Don), washing machine, laundry line, hammock, and outdoor shower. The washing machine is right outside the cottage and is for your exclusive use (if for any reason it is not functioning there is another washing machine for your use outside of Don's house). You may park in the driveway, in a designated spot, or you can safely park on the road below. The large deck/patio to the side of the house is for the shared use of guests and landlord, however we will do our very best to respect your privacy. The patio has lounging chairs as well as a table and chairs. You are welcome to use the space for yoga, socializing, sunbathing, etc. Other things to note For total independence we recommend guests have a car rental . We can recommend several local companies that will deliver the car to the house, and pick it up when you are done, so you don't need to get one at the airport on your very first day. Some companies (Drive-a-Matic for example) allow pick-up in Laborie and drop-off in the north, or vice versa. Transfers from the Hewanorra (UVF) airport can be organized at a cost of USD$20/EC$53, this is slightly less than a taxi, and can include a stop at the ATM and at the grocery store, as well as a tour iof the village. The more adventurous can use the local mini bus system, but it is NOT available from the airport. The driveway is steep, but there are steps alongside. There are additional steps to get to the house. Please note that there is no AC. There is a constant breeze from the sea, a ceiling fan, and a wall fan. There are screens and a mosquito net. We do have another two bedroom rental available that has AC in one of the bedrooms, La Kayé Laborie, airbnb.com/h/laboriebeachtwobedroomhouse; please inquire if interested. St. Lucian villages tend to be noisy, with dogs barking and roosters crowing. At times, there will be neighbors or people at the beach playing amplified music. Most of the time we find it is very peaceful. At busy times, there is noise from traffic, as we are located above a main road. Check-in and out times can almost always be flexible with prior arrangement. Be sure to give us plenty of notice if you are planning to arrive early (before 4pm) or leave later than 2pm. We will do our best to work with you. It is a good idea to stop at an ATM in Vieux Fort on the way from the airport, as there is no ATM in Laborie. You can also stop at the Massy grocery store on the way from the airport (they also have an ATM). Please note that Massy in Vieux Fort closes at 1pm on Sundays. WE PROVIDE for your arrival: Oil, salt, pepper and spices for cooking. STARTER SUPPLIES: emergency snacks in case of late arrival, bottled drinking water, coffee, tea, sugar, evaporated milk, new kitchen sponge, several rolls of toilet paper. We provide a starter supply of guest consumables only, anything additional will need to be purchased. If you would like a Breakfast Basket with locally made bread, butter, eggs, jam, cheese, fruit, and juice we can provide that for an additional charge of US$12/EC$30 per person. We need at least a day’s notice to shop. The Massy grocery store accepts US dollars in bills smaller than $100, at the same exchange rate as the bank ($2.67EC/$1US), but only if the bills are with no tears or stains. If you use US dollars in the village, the exchange rate might be lower ($2.5EC/$1US). You can change money at the Bank of St. Lucia: the closest branches are in Vieux Fort and Choiseul. There are ATMs at all Massy stores, and at banks in Vieux Fort and Soufriere.. If arriving by ferry or to SLU airport in Castries, you will have to arrange transport to the south of the island by bus and/or taxi. We can help you find a taxi at a competitive rate, but it will still be in the neighborhood of US$100. The bus from Castries to Vieux Fort costs about US$4, and then there is another bus from Vieux Fort to Laborie, please ask us for more specific directions if you are planning to arrive by bus. Don has a double seater kayak available for rent (for experienced kayakers only, use at your own risk). If interested, ask him about it before you arrive so he can make sure all the necessary equipment is in place. The kayak can be stored at the beach near the playing field in the village. The cost is US$100 a week or US$20 a day. The closest dive shop is in Soufriere. There is a very small studio apartment underneath the guest house that is occasionally rented out. Any guest staying there will not be coming upstairs to the shared deck, unless invited. We welcome musicians; no worries about practicing and disturbing anyone.