L'Esperance Hotel

Travelers looking to stay near a quiet beach on-the-cheap hit up this small hotel on a residential street in Philipsburg. The location is hardly charming, set on the corner of a run-down residential road, and the amenities are few, with just a small pool and a breezy second-story sitting area. But certain redeeming qualities do exist. For starters, the property -- with its white-adobe walls lined with colorful bougainvillea, and its red Spanish-tile rooftop -- claims a certain charming ambiance. Most of all though, the rates are virtually impossible to beat, especially for units that have kitchenettes and a separate living room and bedroom.Plus, the proximity to beaches, a grocery store, restaurants, and the hubbub of Philipsburg means there’s no shortage of activity nearby. For adventurous and independent travelers looking for a place to crash without spending much, L’Esperance gets the job done.

Located on a rather desolate Philipsburg back road between the main thoroughfare and the beach, L’Esperance Hotel is surrounded by rundown houses in a residential neighborhood. Roosters cluck and call throughout the day, and cars tend to whisk rather quickly down the small road, resulting in a less-than-tranquil environment.The hotel is not located on the beach; however, two pretty and uncrowded beaches are within walking distance, as is a small market. Everything else requires a car ride, though Philipsburg’s biggest attractions are only about five minutes away. The hotel’s location just past the mountain that links the western side of the island with Philipsburg is also ideal for quick access to the airport and Simpson Bay. Be aware, however, that traffic can be quite heavy on the island; if a punctual arrival at your destination is required, be sure to budget extra time.- 10-minute drive to Princess Juliana International Airport

• 3-minute walk to a small grocery store
• 12-minute walk or 3-minute drive to Belair Beach
• 15-minute walk or 4-minute drive to Divi Beach
• 8-minute drive to Philipsburg/Frontstreet
• 8-minute drive to Great Bay Beach and the boardwalk
• 8-minute drive to Simpson Bay
• 10-minute drive to the St. Maarten Zoo
• 10-minute drive to the St. Maarten Museum

The biggest problem with L’Esperance’s 22 one- and two-bedroom suites is the lack of air conditioning in the living rooms. In a tropical setting like St. Maarten, a space is virtually useless if it doesn’t have some means of cooling the air, and travelers who can’t handle the sweltering heat will either be forced to camp out in their TV-less, amenity-less bedrooms, or vacate the premises altogether.Aside from temperature-control issues, the units are simply furnished -- none of the furniture is too garish or worn. By the same token, little is of note -- white wicker chairs, tan couches, and generic white-tile floors are about as average as they come. Units do have balconies, but they are completely walled-in by a thick concrete-patterned partition, allowing in some light but almost completely obscuring the views.Of course it's not all bad news -- certain updates to the rooms are apparent: Though small, the bathrooms have nice granite countertops and raised vessel sinks; and 26-inch flat-screen TVs appear rather new. Perhaps the grungy countertops and ugly white cabinets in the kitchenettes are next in line for upgrades.- Kitchenettes with stovetops, microwaves, mini-fridges, sinks, coffeemakers (but no coffee packets), toasters, and a small amount of cookware and serveware

• No air conditioning (just ceiling and floor fans) in the living rooms; wall-mounted ACs in the bedrooms
• Bathrooms have single-sink vanities with almost no counter space, small walk-in showers, a smattering of different generic toiletry brands, and no hairdryers
• 26-inch flat-screen TVs, but no alarm clocks
• Unappealing balconies have concrete walls obscuring any chance of a view.
• Living room windows face the hallway, resulting in little privacy.
• Comfy bedding is soft but not luxurious.
• Tiny safes are not large enough for laptops.
• Free Wi-Fi signal is only strong in some units

• A small, but well-maintained pool with lush surrounding landscaping
• A large, breezy second-story lounge with oversize couches, strong Wi-Fi signal, and views of the pool
• A computer with Internet in the lobby (for a fee)
• Free Wi-Fi throughout, though signal weakens the further you get from the lobby
• Lovely grounds with bougainvillea climbing the walls and oversize palms lining the walkways
• Free parking
• View Full List of Amenities