7 Best Hotels in Martinique

A home away from home in the heights of Fort-de-France, Apolline is a modernist-style mansion with spacious rooms tucked away in a lush garden setting. Built in the 1930s, the hotel was recently renovated and decorated by Martinican designer Moana Luu; a Creole elegance permeates the property. The rooms are spacious and well equipped, and the infinity pool is heated. With the lush nature and the friendly staff, you will want to cocoon. There is also a table d'hôte with a chef available upon reservation. Do not hesitate to share your adventure plans with the personnel, who can help you plan.

Long one of our favorites, this heavenly hideaway is now a modern, Martinique landmark, with accommodations in Creole cases (cottages)—painted red, purple, and subtle earth tones—with contemporary bathrooms, and terraces that maximize the glorious sea views. The decor throughout is enlivened with the designer offerings from Bangkok, repurposed natural materials, paintings, and objets d'art. Suites (but not regular guest rooms) have private plunge pools; some have a second bath; massage services are available. The excellent terrace restaurant also has a deck with monumental bay views.

This hilltop boutique hotel gives Les Trois-Îlets some art-infused glamour and manages to maximize the Caribbean views from every room—even the bathrooms. Its vantage point allows for spectacular nighttime views, the star-spangled sky, and the lights of the village below, and recent renovations have redecorated all rooms and added terraces with Jacuzzis to suites. There is now 24-hour room service throughout and a small spa. The cascading infinity pool and bar are both highlights, as is breakfast. The six smaller suites have the superior views and gaze down on nine private villas with tropical gardens, covered terraces, solariums, outdoor showers, and Jacuzzis. French élan extends throughout, and two talented French chefs make their culinary magic at the alfresco, table d'hôte restaurant, where reservations are essential. Boat trips and other excursions can be arranged.

Right across from La Savane stands this hotel, which has been owned by the same caring, Martinican family since the 1950s; like the park, it's another landmark that's been revived in recent years. The guest rooms, though not luxurious, have nice wooden Creole furnishings, such as four-poster beds, plus contemporary amenities that include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and renovated bathrooms with impressive tile work. A good choice is one of the superior rooms (those on the third floor are best), which have private terraces overlooking the park. The hotel's central location means it's within walking distance to the ferry terminal, where boats leave for Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Saint Lucia; and to the dock, where there are departures for Les Trois-Îlets.

Ideally located in Pointe du Bout, this affordable hotel with a palm-lined swimming pool and lots of local art is one of the area's best. Its lobby is inviting, with its gray Euro-furnishings, vases of fresh, and flowers, and the lively Palm Bar churning out tropical cocktails has become a local gathering place. (Martinique's folkloric ballet, Tifermasc, performs there weekly.) Among the happenings are flower arranging classes. Breakfast offers plenty of protein choices; fresh breads and pastries; and dried, preserved, and fresh fruit for an extra fee. The stunning pool has been creatively designed with a palm-studded island and dramatic colored lighting. The poolside restaurant serves award-winning "bistronomic" cuisine for dinner.

Simple, modern decor typifies this modest bayfront property that is somewhere between a boutique hotel and a French business hotel. But while it is on the water it is not on a good beach. Five of the nine rooms have sea views and are just €10 more per night; the other four face the street, and you can expect some street noise. That annoyance is mitigated by flat-screen TVs and good Wi-Fi. Guests and nonguests alike enjoy the traditional French-Caribbean fare served at the 20-seat restaurant, which is open only for dinner (reservation only). The beach here has black sand and pebbles, but the hotel has a dive shop. Kayaks are available to rent.

Garden and water views are abundant at this lovely secluded hotel in La Trinité, close to the beach and to the Caravelle nature preserve. The simple but sufficient rooms are bungalow style with natural wooden walls and terraces that, on upper floors, have spectacular views of the sea. The whole property has an airy feel and tends to draw surfers due to proximity to the Bliss surf school nearby. Note that there's no restaurant or bar on site.