Le Village de la Pointe

The village is clean and pleasant, and it suits families looking to relax. I really liked the pool, the water was clean the whole time, and the staff were helpful. There isn't a shop inside the village, so it's best to bring essentials like shampoo and toilet paper before you arrive. We still enjoyed our stay and had a great time.

The pool is easily the best feature here, and the grounds are clean, tidy, and well looked after. The establishment is pleasant whether you book a villa or a bungalow. Two things kept it from being one of the island's best stays for me. Reception and the bar/restaurant beside the pool close in the afternoons, even though paying guests often want to use them then. Also, the only nearby beach can be overwhelmed by rotting sargassum. The terrible smell spreads across this part of the island, and makes the beach impossible to enjoy. That's not the establishment's fault, of course, but the smell and lack of usable beach nearly ruined our visit.

The bungalow's porch was fantastic for relaxing, and parking was simple. The pool was great too, and the pool towels you can rent were large and lovely. We were two, but the place would have been comfortable for four, with bunk beds in the second bedroom. There were also lots of cat visitors. Our bed wasn't comfortable, the pillows were very thin, and a sheet wasn't enough when the nights got cool. Our particular freezer smelled bad, and we could have used extra towels and toilet paper. The bar wasn't open often enough. Prices for food and drinks were reasonable, and I liked the drinks, though I really didn't like the pizza. That may just be my taste, since other people seemed to enjoy it. We asked for ice a few times because it was advertised, but never managed to get any, and it seemed like a touchy subject. The beach smell is awful, but I don't blame the hotel for that. You can't swim there or hang out, though some water sports were available. Nearby restaurants are good and friendly, even if they aren't open often, which seems common on the island. They have the same smell around them. Most employees were very friendly, especially at reception when it was open. Not everyone speaks English, and that's a good thing. It's a French island, and that's how it should be.

A roomy, clean villa made this a good place for families. You'll need a car for errands, though you can get food and find restaurants nearby. The beaches are covered with rotting sargassum and smell awful. The villa is far enough away that you don't get the stink there. The French armed forces have been called in to help with the cleanup, but they're losing the battle.