Hôtel Corail Residence

When arriving at the Hotel Corail, there's not much to look at -- scrubby bushes, a cracked concrete road, and a prison-like perimeter bordered by tall fencing with spirals of razor wire -- but travelers who look past the hotel’s scruffy exterior discover there's a lot to like about the place. The young couple who purchased the property succeeded in their vision to create a small, laid-back hotel with a residential vibe that would appeal to budget-conscious travelers. They updated the rooms with colorful bedding, added whimsical local artwork, and renovated the bathrooms with sleek tiles and vanities. They added a touch of boutique style while still remaining true to the low-key vibe, family-friendly vibe.

The cozy lobby overflows with brochures, books, and flyers advertising sights and activities offered in Martinique, and the front desk staff is eager to offer assistance. Bookshelves are lined with paperback reads and stacked with board games, distractions for guests who like to linger by the pool or on the terraces of their rooms. 

Adjacent to the lobby is the bar and lounge, and the adjoining dining room where a buffet area is set with an all-day station for tea. Exposed dark-wood beams frame the ceiling, a curvy well-stocked bar promises proper cocktails, and dark-wood wicker-style sofas are styled with ivory cushions and colorful jewel-toned pillows. Whimsical lizards and beach-inspired objects (oars painted with the word "Welcome") set the tone for the space, but the real attraction is the view of the sea and the distant Diamond Rock, one of Martinique's most prominent landmarks.

The hotel's somewhat remote location paired with its budget-friendly rates make it attractive to couples and families seeking a place to chill, but it's still easy enough for guests to get out and explore the island. The hotel is relatively quiet during the day when most guests are out adventuring or lounging with a picnic lunch on the shady shores of nearby Anse Mabouyas beach. While the hotel has its own restaurant, many guests choose to prepare their own meals in their kitchenettes, and dine on their terraces. 

Hotel Corail Residence is easy to reach via Martinique's main highway, yet it is set in a somewhat isolated area on a dead-end road, about a 30-minute drive to the airport. To reach tranquil Anse Mabouyas beach, guests have to trek for five minutes along a rocky, dirt path.

• Five-minute walk to Anse Mabouyas Beach
• 15-minute drive to Diamond Rock Beach
• 25-minute drive to Martinique Golf and Country Club
• 25-minute drive to Pointe du Bout
• 30-minute drive to Martinique Aime Cesaire International Airport
• 40-minute drive to Habitation Clement
• 50-minute drive to Balata Garden
• One-hour drive to the Caravelle Peninsula
• Almost a two-hour drive to Mount Pelee

Hotel Corail's 25 rooms and apartments are located in two- and three-story buildings with entry doors facing the parking lot and terraces facing the Caribbean. Rooms are categorized by size and the number of guests, and named for various islands in the Caribbean -- St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Barbados. Studio doubles have a more sophisticated style, with sea-grass headboards and matching chairs and mirrors, while the larger triple and quadruple studios (one king and two or three twin beds) have more basic furnishings in white or dark-wood finishes. Family apartments are the largest accommodations, offering a bedroom with a queen-size bed and a full bathroom on the first floor and a spacious loft on the second floor finished with three twin beds.

All the rooms are styled with ceramic-tile floors, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, cheery local artwork, and brightly painted accent walls that coordinate with the colorful bedding in shades of hot pink, purple, brown, and yellow. The rooms also have terraces with ocean views, and kitchenettes and dining tables, making them especially suited to guests who prefer to create their own meals.

Catering to low-key, budget-minded travelers, the Hotel Corail Residences doesn't have many frills. Its location is one of its greatest assets, as it's minutes to the N5 highway that traverses the island. Guests can peruse the stacks of information in the lobby or chat with the front desk staff for ideas before setting out on daily journeys. 

In the afternoon, the hotel's private pool, with its picturesque mural of the local view featuring Diamond Rock, is lovely spot to cool off and relax. A few minutes walk down the dirt path brings guests to a long pier (where the hotel's chef can be seen casting his lines). The serene Anse Mabouyas beach is a deserted stretch of soft sand shaded by Frangipani and mangrove trees and bordered by calm water. 

In the evenings, guests can prepare meals in their rooms, grab a drink at the bar, or dine at the hotel's Maybouya Restaurant, whose local cuisine has a French flair.