Hotel Le Panoramic

On an island that often seems packed with dated, underwhelming budget and mid-range hotels, there's a lot to like about what's going on at Hotel Le Panoramic. The hotel consists of several rows of low-slung, bungalow-style buildings. Each is painted in a distinct tropical color with weathered shutters and balcony railings, creating an understated Caribbean look. The property offers few common amenities which means little communal space for guests to congregate. The small, but lovely garden-style pool and sundeck serve as the only real social hubs. Well-maintained landscaping includes coconut palms, banana trees, and exotic flowers, providing a beautiful, garden-style setting throughout much of the grounds.

The property is equally suited to singles, couples, and adults traveling with children. Day and night, the vibe is quiet and relaxed. It’s clear that many guests use the property simply as a jumping-off point. After sleeping and cooking in their in-room kitchens, many hop the shuttle to town, beach, or water taxi terminal in Anse-a-l'Ane for the day.

The hotel sits on a quiet, residential road that winds steeply up from the sea in Anse-a-l'Ane. The village’s restaurants, shops, and beautiful public beach are less than 10 minutes away on foot. While short, the walk may prove too steep for travelers with mobility issues, especially on the return journey. The beach offers some water-sports activities, including parasailing, snorkeling tours, and banana boat rides. A water taxi also provides direct, inexpensive transportation to and from downtown Fort-de-France. Most of the islands best beaches are within a 60- to 90-minute drive. 

Assuming light traffic, Martinique’s only international airport -- Aime Cesaire International Airport in Fort-de-France -- is less than 30 minutes from the hotel by car. Due to the island’s prohibitive taxi regulations, the hotel is unable to provide airport shuttle service, though a number of brand-name rental car counters are available in the terminal. Rates are on par with other Caribbean destinations, and the island’s roads are mostly modern and well-maintained. Taxi rates can be exorbitant compared to other Caribbean islands.

Each of the 36 mostly identical guest rooms is bright and modern, with only slight variations in color palettes and artwork. The decor is equal parts homey cottage and cheerful boutique, with clean lines and cool gray tile flooring with subtle, tasteful splashes of color on the pillows and walls. Rich, solid wood in the bed frames, wall paneling, and other furnishings adds a distinctly upmarket touch, while wall art is a bit old school, consisting of pastel landscape paintings.

Each of the rooms is laid out identically, with a bed and fold-out sofa bed allowing each spacious 36-square-meter (388-square-foot) unit to accommodate up to four guests. A small, separate kitchen provides a full range of amenities including a full-size refrigerator, glass electric cooktop, oven, microwave, and sink. Every room also features a private furnished balcony with lovely views of Anse-a-l'Ane. Additional standard features include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. The internet service was reliable and fast throughout our stay.

Bathrooms are mostly white and beige with subtle pops of color to provide a bright, creamy color palette. Fixtures are sleek and modern with rain showerheads and tray sinks. Walk-in, glass shower stalls and generic bath products are standard in every room.

As a small, three-pearl property, on-site amenities are limited. The nice sundeck is compact, though adequate given the hotel’s diminutive size, and the outdoor pool includes a half dozen lounge chairs and a few palapas to provide ample shaded seating. The space also has excellent views of Anse-a-l'Ane, its beach, and the adjoining bay. There are no poolside services, however, such as a bar or snack shack.

In lieu of an on-site restaurant, the hotel’s staff can prepare lunch and dinner beach baskets for an additional fee. The property also offers one free continental breakfast per stay by stocking each kitchen with ham, yogurt, milk, jam, and bread. Fresh baked baguettes are available each morning in the lobby.

Free self-parking is also available in an off-street lot. While the lot is not staffed, the surrounding area is quiet and safe throughout the day. The hotel also runs a free shuttle into town throughout the day for those who don't want to make the short-but-steep walk.