5 Best Hotels in Guadeloupe

At this island classic, built around a historic sugar mill, everyone loves the initial welcome: a cool drink and citrus-scented towels. After a day at the beach it's back to your bi-level room, with its glass-enclosed bathroom, to watch the lighthouse begin its nightly blink (ask for rooms 85 to 90). The bedding throughout is luxurious, although other furnishings could stand an improvement. The wing closest to the lobby has smaller but more recently renovated rooms. The lounge is a trip back in time, as guests relax in planter chairs and listen to the piano man. The in-house restaurant is a gastronomic pleasure with affordable prices. And there's a snack bar at the beach.

This eco-chic boutique hotel at the marina is the buzz in St-François for its unique decor that combines recycled wood and driftwood with ultra-contemporary Euro furnishings; the lobby has become a gallery for local artists. The 43 guest rooms and 11 spacious duplexes appeal to both singles and couples—and golfers, who get a 10% discount at the revitalized Golf International de St-François across the road. Rooms with balconies overlooking the pool and the marina are the best options. All have clean, contemporary furnishings, terraces, and large, flat-screen TVs with international channels. The bartender mixes a perfect mojito. A breakfast buffet is served on the terrace and extension of the bar. The hotel also serves small plates for dinner during high season.

The seafront section of Bois Joli, which sits apart from the main hotel, houses Terre-de-Haut's best guest rooms—the architecture and design suggest a luxury yacht, including dark wood accents and portholes. Large rooms have quality bedding and contemporary baths and are just a bit more than regular rooms (and worth the upgrade); corner rooms have the best views. Seafront bungalows are a better choice for families, where bunk beds and the proximity to the pool and beach offer kid appeal. Breakfast is pleasant, and the restaurant turns out generous portions of French-Creole cuisine. The village is almost two miles (3 km, about 40 minutes by foot) down the hill; most guests learn that they do not want to walk back.

Low prices, gorgeous hilltop views, and nice dual pools keep this simple, family-owned complex filled. The real drawback for Americans is that little English is spoken, but that may be a reasonable trade-off for such a good deal. In front of the original hotel, with furnishings from decades past, is a large terrace with two pools and 360-degree views of the village and sea below. In addition to the newer building that houses the apartments, there are 10 bungalows, five with full kitchens. An open-air restaurant and bar serves an ample continental breakfast (for an extra fee) as well as basic dinners. More rooms were added and the new spa offers massages, facials, wraps, a sauna, Jacuzzi, and a sports hall.

This small, cheerful beachfront hotel is painted sunset orange with marine-blue trim; dramatic nightlights illuminate the beach area, which is furnished with chaises. The waterfront terrace is an ideal place to be at sunset, with a tropical daiquiri or planter’s punch in hand. Imaginative artwork decorates the guest rooms, which evoke faraway places like India and Africa. Soundproof double windows block out the annoying drone of the motor scooters. Breakfast (not included) offers eggs, cheese, fresh breads, homemade jams, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.