Habitation Grande Anse

The grounds and pool are fantastic, and the hotel is within walking distance of one of the world’s premier beaches and a gas station with all the groceries you might need. It’s a beautiful place, and we enjoyed our stay despite a few hiccups. The staff were friendly, too, and we plan to return. The hill up to the rooms is real. It could be tough if you’re older or have mobility issues. There should also be a simple handrail to help people get into the pool. We had two power cuts. The daytime one was fixed as soon as I reported it. The other started at 10:20 pm, when the room phone wasn’t working. My husband called the emergency number posted in the lobby from his cell, but nobody answered. Staff are only onsite for part of the day. Luckily it wasn’t a serious emergency, but our room stayed hot and uncomfortable all night. Once the front desk opened, they got the power back in minutes. Our room was adequate, but the kitchenette was missing basics like a large pot and spatula. My husband left a spatula for whoever gets the room next, and we took the pot home. The restaurant was a letdown, too. My husband ordered fish and chips and got bait with soggy fries. The restaurant had offered us a breakfast plan for the week, then closed for the rest of our stay with no advance warning.

The complex has been completely renovated and is probably one of the most beautiful in the lowlands. Breakfast was delicious, and the restaurant was exquisite for dinner.

Our junior suite, room 30, was beautifully designed, private, and had a lovely garden-view balcony. The metal roof got a bit noisy at times, but that was minor. There’s a wide range of rooms, from lovely sea-view suites to smaller rooms by the pool with less privacy, so choose carefully. The restaurant was a highlight, with tasty, beautifully presented dishes at prices that felt affordable by US or Canadian standards. Main courses were around 20-25E. The open, nicely designed space has a balcony. Breakfast was included for guests on the hotel formula and was quite nice, though some items ran low at busy times. Dinner staff sometimes struggled during peak hours, but it seemed worse elsewhere on the island. The staff were friendly. The manager was patient with my limited French, and staff generally managed some English with guests from Germany, Italy, and Britain. A few French words help, but you’ll be fine even without them. Grande Anse beach is close, about a 3-5 minute walk along a busy road. I and the other guests didn’t mind, especially as we passed all the cars hunting for parking. Great hotel, and I was very impressed with my stay.

The rooms are spacious and clean, with a functional balcony kitchen equipped with a fridge, microwave, hotplate, kettle, coffee machine, and dishes. Staff are accommodating and friendly, and the restaurant serves a very good mix of French and Creole food. The serious drawback is the climb. Some suites, especially those with sea views, sit high up the mountain, while the parking lot is at the bottom. You have to make that climb each time, so it’s only advisable if you’re in good health. People who are older or have existing health conditions need a solution here, perhaps e-scooters or something similar.