Residence Villa Bleu Marine

It was very cheap and generally okay, but the rooms could use a refresh. The location is far from everything, so getting around isn't very convenient.

A nice family place, with a friendly staff and a pleasant pool and patio area.

The pool was the one redeeming feature, though all the restrictions took away from it too. The place felt like terrible value for money, and it's the worst hotel we've stayed in. I wouldn't recommend it at all. Our room was very old, dusty, and badly maintained, with a musty smell and traces of mold. The toilets were dirty, the pillows flat, and the sheets had holes. Towels were stained and too small. There weren't any extra outlets for charging phones or other devices, and bats disturbed us through a terrible night. The manager controlled the limited A.C., plugging it in late and switching it off early. Rules and prohibitions were posted everywhere. Reception was late and unprofessional, and the furniture didn't feel suitable for a hotel.

The main thing that made my two-and-a-half-month stay bearable was spending as little time there as possible, just sleeping. Even that could be criticized, which is ironic when I was there for work. My employer chose this place, and from the start it was a terrible experience. I arrived to an apartment I should have cleaned before I could even settle in. The handles were sticky, so I washed my hands after touching anything. The stovetop was completely rusted, as in the photo, so on the first evening I went to a colleague's apartment to cook. When I raised the problem, the response was, "Oh, really?" Then I found a dead insect in the pan. I cooked there only once and made other arrangements for the rest of my stay. I cleaned things as I needed them and was very careful, because I was a guest, not the cleaning lady. The environmental angle is hard to square with all the strict rules, written prohibitions, and obligations repeated everywhere. Hot water is available only in three slots during the day, and even less after 8 PM. The A.C. is off during the day. You may get fans, unless there aren't any and you're accused of being a thief. The pool hours, 9 AM to 7 PM, don't work well for people with jobs. It's supposedly vacation accommodation, but I'm still looking for the vacationers. There was very little occupancy from December to early February, supposedly peak season, and it felt as if my employer was the main client. The hosts were welcoming as long as you followed their orders and stayed within the rules. They do talk to you, but mostly to tell you what to do. Between lies, incorrect bills, and bills changing at will, I wondered what this place was really for: welcoming guests and helping them, or something else. There was no advice or information about the island's culture, which was a shame. The amenities are a swimming pool and library. If you have visitors, you have to mention it and pay in advance to avoid problems. It costs 7 euros from 9 am to 7 pm, or 20 euros for the nighttime slot. This place may suit some people. If you're looking for freedom, discovery, enriching interactions, kindness, and a warm welcome, I'd recommend two hotels in Tartane owned by the same person. They're also close to the Caravelle, and one is at the foot of this walk and near the surfers' beach. It's a beautiful hike, a feast for the eyes!!!