Le M Hotel Marie Galante

Le M Hotel Marie-Galante is billed as a “hôtel de charme,” the French name for a boutique hotel. A sloping driveway and low flight of wooden steps lead up to the property. Its open-air restaurant and reception counter are set under an attractive wooden shelter, which is attached to the modest white building where the guest rooms are located. It’s a simple setting, but a diverse collection of artwork and ornaments -- like antique watering cans and conch seashells -- give the property oodles of personality. Guests are predominantly couples of all ages, along with a few families with older children. There’s not much to do on-site, so everyone typically heads out for the day -- often acting on the recommendations of the owners, Laetitia and Didier, who are happy to provide local tips. The owners are French, but speak good English as well, which helps draw a somewhat more international crowd than you’ll find elsewhere in Guadeloupe. 

Le M Hotel Marie Galante is set on a nondescript road lined with lush greenery. The coast is just across the street from the hotel, but there’s no beach in this area. Petite Anse beach is about a five-minute drive away, and it’s a 16-minute drive to Anse Feuillard beach.  The hotel is less than a five-minute drive to the island’s small airport, and a 10-minute drive to Grand Bourg, the largest commune on the island and home to the island’s ferry terminal and conveniences such as ATMs and pharmacies. There’s nothing within walking distance of the hotel, though this is true for most properties on this predominantly rural island. Taxis are pricey, making a rental car virtually essential for reaching restaurants and attractions.

Guest rooms at Le M Hotel Marie Galante are individually decorated, and all are bright and cheerful. Subdued color schemes range from neutral beiges and grays to soft blues and purples. Some have wood paneled floors, while others have seagrass matting. Artsy decorations include watercolors of local scenes, tribal-style masks, and vintage black-and-white photos. Many beds are draped stylishly in mosquito netting. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, with Superior Rooms also offering flat-screen TVs. Additionally, Superior Rooms feature sofa beds, mini-fridges, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Balconies or terraces with views of the surrounding tropical greenery are standard. A strip of ocean is also visible from some upper-level rooms. Each balcony in Standard Rooms has two armchairs and a table, while each in Superior Rooms offer Adirondack chairs and a table. Bathrooms have long countertops, with many featuring above-counter sinks. Walk-in showers are set back in wall niches. Pleasantly-scented soaps and bottles of shampoo and shower gel made with Argan oil are provided. Toilets are separate from the showers, located on the other side of the room, near the entrance.

Features at Le M Hotel are limited, which isn't atypical for a tiny, boutique property. Breakfast, which is offered for an extra fee, is served on a charming terrace decorated with wooden tables and hanging lanterns. The breakfast buffet is a beautiful spread of pastries, waffles, fruits, jams, and homemade panna cotta, among other dishes. The restaurant also occasionally serves dinner (seasonally). There’s a cozy common area just beyond the restaurant with some comfy sofas and eclectic knickknacks. A small stack of magazines is available for guests, along with a shelf of used books. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and free parking is offered on-site.