Wahoo Bay Beach Hotel

Wahoo Bay is a laid-back tropical hotel set on an oceanfront cliff, and it has the grounds and simple style to match. The hotel is lush and full of blossoming bougainvillea, coconut, lemon, and mango trees, and there’s a huge field where horses, used for horseback tours, graze. Without a doubt, one of its top draws is the view. The open-air restaurant, pool, gardens, and guest rooms share the breathtaking turquoise ocean vista that’s especially picturesque when bathed in the evening's soft light. There's not much indoor space, as most buildings open up to the hotel's grounds. But what interiors there are are done in a colorful beach-cottage style, with whitewashed wood sitting alongside bright tilework. There are lots of outdoor games and activities at the hotel, and it’s definitely geared toward families. Near the lobby are life-size checker and chess boards, there’s a playground, and on the beach, activities for both kids and adults. Guests are mostly Haitian travelers returning from abroad and Americans. Like the other less-expensive hotels on Les Cotes des Arcadin, missionaries of all ages also pass through. At times the hotel gets busy and crowded with day trippers looking to unwind after spending a week (or more) living and volunteering in small Haitian villages.

Wahoo Bay is located along Les Cotes des Arcadin, Haiti’s western coastline known for its stunning beaches. The immediate area is mostly filled with other smaller hotels, and there's not much to see or do within an easy walk of the hotel. Most guests will want a car if they plan on doing any exploring. The colonial village of Montrouis is a 15-minute drive and the bustling port town Saint-Marc, full of colorful colonial architecture is a 40-minute drive away. The Musee Ogier-Fombrun -- a restored 18-century sugar and wheat plantation that was converted into a museum and full of regional history and local artifacts -- is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. The amazing beaches of the undeveloped Arcadin Islands are a 25-minute boat ride from shore. When traffic is running smoothly, it’s an hour-and-ten-minute drive to central Port-au-Prince, and just over an hour to Port-au-Prince International Airport. 

Rooms at Wahoo Bay are big, with tall exposed-beam ceilings in upper-floor rooms, white walls, and colorful photographs of local tropical scenery like boats cruising in azure water. Overall, decor is pretty uninspired, but will do the trick for a simple stay. Beds are either kings or two queens with dark, slatted wood headboards. Furniture mostly consists of dark rattan armchairs and dressers. Other standard features include thirty-two-inch flat-screen TVs with DVD players and battery backups in all rooms. A big plus are the balconies or patios with chairs and a table to enjoy the ocean view. Other room amenities include alarm clocks, mini-fridges, safes, air-conditioning, and two free bottles of water. Bathrooms are fully tiled and have stand-up showers, vanities with lots of counter space, and bar soap. Lotion and shampoo are also included. Irons and ironing boards can be borrowed from the front desk, but don’t forget your hairdryer, they’re not available to borrow. Wi-Fi is free in all guest rooms. 

There’s no doubt that Wahoo Bay’s beach is one of the best around. It’s long and sandy and, despite being mixed with pebbles, a top draw. A beach volleyball court, lounge chairs and cabanas with white sheets dot the oceanfront (although the cushions are missing). Waiter service is available. Just offshore are two floating trampolines and swimming docks. Wave runners and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent. Wahoo’s freshwater pool is set on the side of a cliff and overlooks the turquoise ocean and beach. It’s the classiest thing at the hotel, with its tile deck embellished with polished river-stones plus wooden lounge chairs with plush cushions, umbrellas, and plastic rattan cabanas. There’s a pool bar, but it’s only open on the weekends or for special events. Otherwise, drinks must be purchased at the restaurant located next to the pool. The restaurant serves Haitian and international cuisine and gets mixed reviews. The ocean views are great, and the space is decorated with wahoos, a big local game fish. There’s a large one on the wall and chairs have carved wahoos on them too. The hotel’s game room is located next to the restaurant and has a pool table, foosball table, and ping-pong table. It’s also where the 24-hour coffee and tea station is set up. There’s a big playground plus a life-size chess board and checkers board near the lobby.The hotel can arrange taxis, boat rides, tours, diving trips, boat tours, and rents snorkeling equipment. Ocean-view massages are available as are guided horseback riding tours. Beach towels can be rented (for a fee) and the hotel has a big open-air event space with ocean views. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.