Village de Menard

Village de Menard is built on the site of a historic sugar mill, the remains of which sit on a verdant lawn at the entrance to the property. Reception is located in a small office across from the parking lot, beyond which random rock paths lined with palm trees and colorful flowers wind between the property’s cute bungalows. The pool and restaurant sit slightly downhill from a neat row of bungalows. 

It’s a modest but well-maintained property, which is ideal for families on a budget. As with much of the accommodation in Guadeloupe, most guests are French-speakers and the staff speak little English. A few guests can usually be found lounging around the pool during the day, but the atmosphere is otherwise quiet. 

Village de Menard is located in a residential part of Marie-Galante’s Saint Louis commune. It’s not on the coast, but the beautiful beaches of Plage d'Anse Canot and Plage de Vieux-Fort are less than a 15-minute walk away. There are no restaurants or shops within walking distance (this is common for many hotels in rural Marie-Galante), and taxis are quite pricey, so a rental car is essential for guests staying in this remote location. The village of Saint Louis and its ferry terminal are just under a 10-minute drive away. The village of Grand Bourg, where you’ll find the highest concentration of dining options and shops, can be reached in 20 minutes by car. The island’s small airport is about a 25-minute drive away. 

The villas and studios at Village de Menard are individually decorated, but all have simple, fairly haphazard furnishings. Color schemes often pair primary colors, such as red and yellow or blue and orange. The wooden furniture is mismatched in different hues and looks dated. Beds are set on tiled floors and made up with bland, beige duvets draped in mosquito netting. Some units have a few pieces of colorful local artwork, but other walls are left bare. In some villas, extra beds are somewhat awkwardly set in the living area, across from the kitchen. Free Wi-Fi is available, although the connection can be spotty, and some units have flat-screen TVs. Large bathrooms have round sinks with no counter space. Towels as well as off-brand bottles of shampoo and bars of soap are provided. All bathrooms have rainfall showerheads, with some featuring glass-block showers and others offering basic shower curtains. Some have separate toilet vestibules.

Villas include kitchens with full-size fridges, coffeemakers, and ovens with stovetops. Studios have outdoor kitchenettes with mini-fridges and two-burner stovetops. Both include a small selection of cookware and cutlery. Private terraces furnished with wooden tables offer views of the property’s lush grounds. 

As a value property, Village de Menard has a handful of low-frill features. The hotel's capsule-shaped pool is surrounded by a rock deck with comfy blue loungers and a few thatched-roof shelters. Vegetation softens the appearance of the fence surrounding the pool (a thoughtful feature for families with young children). There’s a small, independently owned restaurant overlooking the pool. It serves breakfast for a fee, as well as dinner in the high season. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, though the connection is not strong in all areas of the property. There’s free parking on-site, and babysitting services are offered upon request (for a fee). The hotel can also assist with rental car bookings and arrange transfers to/from the airport or ferry dock.