Le Saint Alexis Hotel & Spa

We loved how the hotel looks, especially after dark, when the lighting feels really romantic. We left our curtains open so the blue glow from the inner-pools could reach our second-floor room. It’s about 30 years old, so some might say it’s getting dated, but at 160€ a night in July, I think it’s a must do.

The beach access is direct and the location is lovely. Breakfast was great, and the breakfast staff were welcoming and kind. We’d expected more for what we paid, though. The bathroom drains were clogged when we arrived, and at dinner the restaurant didn’t seem to know how to handle allergens. It feels too expensive for what you get, even with that nice beach location. It must have been a lovely hotel once, but could do with a redo.

The beach right outside is fantastic, though you can’t swim there, and after driving around the island we realized there are very few resorts right on the beach. Breakfast is on the top floor, where we could see whales. The outdoor pool is great, but the rooms are old and basic, and there’s barely any English spoken by the staff. It took us a while to get used to the hotel, but the longer we stayed, the more we liked it. By the end, we’d grown fond of the place and beach and wanted to return. The terrible Wi-Fi was the main downside.

I’d stay here again. The Saint Alexis is a mid-sized hotel right on the beach, and bars and restaurants are only a short walk away. Since sea activities are forbidden because of frequent shark attacks in the surrounding waters, its connected pools are useful. My sea-view suite had a bathtub with a whirlpool but no shower. The room was spacious, though a little dated, and both it and the shared areas were clean. Staff were very friendly, but mostly spoke French. Dinner at the bar and restaurant has a dress code: no shorts, muscle shirts, or flip-flops. The place has an intimate, family-like feel. Driving from the airport takes about 45 minutes with light traffic, or 1 hour 30 minutes at rush hour.