We had read that the locals were super friendly and that Soufrier was a beautiful town. We arrived in our own rental car just as it got dark. As we attempted to turn down the side road along side of our hotel, a local jumped out into the road and started patting the hood of our car saying it was a one way street and that he would show us the way. It turns out he was just using that as an excuse to get us to think he was being helpful. He proceeded to show us up the stairs to the hotel reception desk. He then expected a "donation" for his services. We were constantly hounded by what appeared to be homeless beggars every time we left the building. They people ranged from being extremely bold, to just staring us down, to offering us pot. The town was terribly old and dirty. The room itself, aside from being up 3 flights of stairs, was fine. Our balcony overlooked the town square. People were hanging around outside until the wee hours of the morning. They were often yelling at each other. Roosters woke us up at sunrise. Overall, we were very unconfortable in the town and would not go back - especially at night. We had people try to stop us while we were driving on several occasions. We learned to just keep driving, even though they were aggressively trying to get us to stop and give them money for this or that.

The Downtown Hotel was in the middle of the town. We were on the upper floor and the hotel was surprisingly clean. I was expecting bugs but I didn't see one in five days, not even mosquitoes (I'm not sure why, maybe the Sulfur Springs has something to do with it). There were two groceries stores within a minute walking and a ton of small shops like bakeries etc. We got fruit off the street (no need to negotiate, it was pretty cheap) and there was a guy selling baguettes. There was also a Chinese restaurant downstairs which I was skeptical about because of it's appearance but the food is the same as here in Montreal (and better than some places here). It is convenient and tasty so I recommend trying it out.

I had just finished sailing the ARC and wanted to escape the 'sanitized' Rodney Bay environment, and wasn't disappointed in having chosen to stay at Soufrière.
Soufrière, once the capital of St Lucia, is a small, friendly town, and you soon become part of it.
If you really want a St Lucian experience away from the tourist resorts then this is the place, and the Downtown Hotel is where to stay.
It is in the heart of the town on the top floors of a small shopping centre. Clean, simple, spacious, air-cond. rooms with balcony and free wi-fi access; rooms either overlook the town square and cathedral (closed at the moment) or the sea and the Pitons, which I chose.
I hardly ever used the air cond, preferring to leave the balcony door open.
Friendly and professional service from Charlma, with information on the town and surrounding attractions: restaurants, bars, sulphur springs, trails, estates, beaches, pitons, mineral baths, waterfalls.
A truly enjoyable visit, and made to feel very much at home

Prompt friendly service, great value for the money and an excellent base for visiting the many attraction that Soufrière has to offer. Internet was free, there was hot showers, a mini refrigerator, microwave and AC with great value for the location and amenities. I loved coming out on the balcony in the morning and looking at the mountains and bustle of the early commuters. The beach is just a short walk away with cliff diving and snorkeling along the cliffs. The hikes are phenomenal with mangoes just dropping off the trees that you eat as a refreshment. Visit the sulfur baths, pitons, botanical garden, beaches, bars and don't be afraid to walk the streets and engage the locals in conversation. Great Chinese take out on 1st floor of the hotel.