Le Village de la Pointe

The hotel features 80 individual, cabin-style units spread across a sizable property on Martinique’s quiet Atlantic coast. While the look and feel is crisp and the landscaping is lush and meticulously maintained, the overall atmosphere feels canned. It’s as though the entire hotel -- the buildings, land, and design -- was purchased from a catalog and erected like a Lego set. The modest pool is mostly clean, well-maintained and -- coupled with the small, adjacent bar -- serves as the hotel’s only social space. Overall, this is a simple place that lives up to its budget status through and through. As most cabins feature multiple bedrooms and a full kitchen, guests are likely to share the property with equal numbers of families and couples who prefer a self-catering vacation.

The hotel is located on a small peninsula on Martinique’s mid-Atlantic coast. The beach, restaurants, bars, and small shops of Pointe Faula are five to 10 minutes away on foot. Unfortunately, the beach isn't the nicest for swimming, though is popular for kite surfing. Le Vauclin -- the nearest small town -- is approximately one mile away with a handful of additional restaurants and bars. A local market is 15 minutes away by car, with groceries and other sundries for stocking the kitchens -- which is necessary as the hotel provides no supplies whatsoeverFDF Airport (Aime Cesaire International) is a 45-minute drive west along the modern, well-maintained N6 highway. The hotel does not offer an airport shuttle. Taxi service can prove exorbitantly expensive, especially over long distances, and so car rentals are likely the most affordable and convenient option, especially to explore the island's best beaches (one of the most popular, Les Salines, is a 35-minute drive south of the hotel).

Decor in all 80 rooms is bright and crisp -- there's lots of light wood veneer and white to be seen. However, it has a cheap, prefabricated feel that’s reminiscent of a modern recreational vehicle. Add to that the haphazard attention to detail (expect to see lots of exposed wires and cords), and while modern, these aren't the most pleasant rooms to be had on the island. The furniture is spartan, with a distinct IKEA-esque feel. Except for a few floral curtains, there are no tropical accents of any kind to remind visitors that they’re actually in the Caribbean.Every room is a freestanding cabin with similar features. All offer a separate living room, bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. The latter has a queen-size bed that includes a thin mattress and little decor or other furnishings. The main point of differentiation between each room category is the number of bedrooms, which ranges from one to three (to accommodate up to six guests). Rooms are geared toward self-catering travelers. They have full kitchens and covered, private porches with dining tables. Kitchens are equipped with electric, glass cooktop ranges, full refrigerators, microwaves, coffeemakers, and dishwashers. Also included are dishes, glassware, and utensils, however, soaps and cleaning products are only available in prepackaged kits (for a fee). Technology amenities include a single, tiny flat-screen TV in the living room, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Internet speed and reliability depend entirely on the distance of the individual cabin from the lobby.The bathrooms in every room feature a split layout. The toilet is situated in a tiny, closet-like room with just enough space to stand. The adjacent room contains the shower and sink in a similarly cramped room. Like their respective rooms, the fit and finish of the countertops, surfaces, and self-contained shower “capsules” all seems prefabricated. No soap or shower amenities are provided (although shower kits are also available for purchase in the lobby).

There's not much on offer here, though the absolute basics are covered and on par with many Martinique hotels in this category. The sundeck near the front of the property is the hotel’s only gathering space, and the pool is adequately sized given the hotel’s capacity. Dozens of plastic lounge chairs ring the space, providing more than enough seating. However, there are no umbrellas and consequently no shade of any kind. It's worth noting that the shower area could use a fresh coat of paint and deep cleaning. Immediately adjacent is a small bar and snack shack. By morning, a simple continental breakfast is available (fee). Beginning in the afternoon, the space serves a basic menu of snacks, finger foods, and drinks (including alcohol).The hotel is technically located on the waterfront and advertised as “beachfront.” However, the public beach at Pointe Faula is approximately a five-minute walk from the property. The hotel does not facilitate or provide any beachfront services or water-sports activities. Additionally, the beach isn't always suitable for swimming. Laundry services are available but are pricey. There's also a small playground, which is a nice addition for the many families that stay here. Free self-parking is available in a large gated lot.