La Suite Villa

We used La Suite Villa as our base for three nights on our honeymoon while exploring the island's distilleries and nature. The bay views were excellent, and the hotel was clean and well cared for. We especially enjoyed the private hot tub and the restaurant downstairs, where we had some of the best food of our trip. We'd happily recommend it.

The restaurant looked appealing, and the other staff members were welcoming, but we never got to eat there. We'd reserved by phone and mentioned that we'd bring our small dog. At the door, the head waiter refused us because he said our beagle puppy was too big. He said the rule was for the other guests' benefit, even though there was just one person seated at a distant table. It was a shame, so we spent our money elsewhere.

The smell from the shower drain was what made this stay miserable. It came back every day, was awful, and never got fixed after we reported it. We paid £1600 for four nights, excluding meals, and ended up spraying air freshener and staying out as much as possible. My partner and I were disgusted. If that problem had been sorted, we wouldn't have minded the price. There were other room problems too. The coffee machine water had algae in it, so I had to wash it before using it. The bed panels were broken. The phone didn't work, though they replaced it the next day. Reception closes after 7pm, so restaurant staff handle problems then, and anything they can't fix has to wait until morning. The room, called marshmallows, was small and cosy, and they welcomed us with marshmallows. All the rooms have their own quirky names and different looks. Ours was an ocean-view king room with a lovely balcony jacuzzi. That was the best part, especially in the evenings when we had wine, looked out toward fort de France and the city lights, and relaxed in the warm, bubbling water after touring the city. La suite villa is a charming little French boutique hotel, full of colourful art, with a chic, modern interior. The staff were polite and friendly, and the views and atmosphere were lovely. The restaurant food tasted good, but the portions were tiny and the prices made little sense. The bar was enjoyable too, though overpriced. You'll need a car to get around town.

Erwin was especially helpful, going well out of his way to sort out quite a few problems. The staff generally were helpful too, and the restaurant worked well for breakfast and dinner. This was a good starting point for a trip around Martinique. The location is rather out of the way. It's a long walk down a steep hill to get to BOut, and there are no taxis after 1600. The pool is more for photos, as it's too small for swimming. The villas are due for an extensive renovation, and that work is overdue.