Hotel Arawak Beach Resort

We stayed two nights, one when we first arrived in Guadeloupe and one on our last night. It’s a great spot by the beach, and you can hear the waves from the room. The beaches nearby weren’t crowded and the water was very calm for swimming. Staff were friendly, and they can store your bags if you arrive early or need to leave after checkout. The hotel was comfortable, though it could use a bit more care and attention.

Our Air Canada flight was cancelled because of Tropical storm Phillip, and the hotel team quickly made room for a busload of stranded passengers. Even though we didn’t feel unsafe during the storm, it was a relief to be welcomed and looked after. The grounds were lovely, my room was extremely clean with a gorgeous ocean view, and the meals were good. The bartender also makes a stiff rum and coke. We were delayed again the next day and were accommodated when we came back. They still had our check-in details, so we got the same rooms, which made the return much less of a hassle. A tasty dinner buffet appeared again despite the short notice, and drinks were flowing that second night too. Thanks to all the wonderful staff at Arawak for making the stay so good. I hope to return someday in sunnier weather.

The hotel could use a fresh coat of paint. On our last day, there was no water in the room. We were told it was a town-wide issue, but I think the hotel should have water tanks for situations like that.

The views from the lobby and bedrooms are stunning, and the location is great, right on the beach in a busy central part of Gosier with restaurants and shops nearby. It’s also about a 10-minute walk to the boat port for trips to Islet Gosier, which is a must-see. The hotel is dated, and the spring mattress in our room was very uncomfortable, but I still really loved the place and was sorry to give it only four stars. Breakfast was included, with the basics like fruit, yogurt, bread, pastries, eggs and omelettes, plus coffee and tea. There were no sugar substitutes such as stevia or Equal, and no alternatives to dairy milk like almond or soy. The staff were so nice that they put in a special request for me, but it took two days to get Equal and soy milk. I travel often and haven’t stayed at a hotel at this price point without those options. I’d go back and email my requests ahead of time. Guadeloupe is a gorgeous island and a must-visit, though it doesn’t have the mass tourism of Jamaica, the Bahamas or Mexico, and the hotel standards aren’t the same. I recommend this hotel.