Residence Marine Hotel Diamant

The downmarket look of this hotel won't be a shock to travelers familiar with the quality of hotels on Martinique, but for others, expectations will need to be managed for a stay here. Things are reasonably pleasant for a budget getaway, but there's a decent amount of wear throughout the property. The hotel consists of a series of two-story, motel-style buildings with exterior hallways, all overlooking Diamond Rock and the Caribbean Sea. The combined lobby and restaurant building provide one of the property’s main social hubs. By day, guests gather to play foosball, pool, and take advantage of the only available on-site Wi-Fi reception. By night, the adjacent alfresco bar attracts mostly adults sipping cheap, tropical cocktails and beer from the limited liquor menu. On the property’s lower level, the sizable pool is accompanied by an open-air snack shack where the atmosphere remains family-friendly day or night. With a kiddy pool, waterslide, and the ability for every room to accommodate a family of four, the hotel is kid-friendly without being kid-centric.

The hotel is situated on a quiet, rough back street that has about as much charm as an industrial park. As the immediate vicinity consists mainly of other hotels, there is little of interest within walking distance and rental car will be key to staying here (this will also be far cheaper than hiring the island's expensive taxis to do any exploring). Five minutes away by car is the small town of Le Diamant with a handful of restaurants and shops (it's also walkable in 15 to 20 minutes). The town is home to the nearest public beach as well. The hotel provides a free shuttle to both the town and beach. A Carrefour Market -- handy for stocking the rooms' kitchenettes -- is less than 10 minutes away on foot. Aime Cesaire International (FDF) Airport is less than 30 minutes away by car, while the island's main city, Fort-de-France, is a 40-minute drive.

While the hotel's common areas are generally pleasant enough, the guest rooms are notably dated and simple. Every room is adorned with aging white tile flooring, a ‘90s-era tropical color palette, and wooden furniture that appears handmade (not in a good way). Overall, the aesthetic is cheap, and we spotted plenty of wear on many of the painted details. Outdated patterns and fabrics -- like the old-school bedspreads -- don't do much to perk things up, though rooms are at least bright. 

All 149 Studios feature identical floor plans with balconies that have views to Diamond Rock. Square footage is slightly smaller than a typical budget chain hotel room. A firm, queen-size bed is standard while a fold-out daybed adds additional sleeping space to accommodate a total of four guests. As with many area hotels, a kitchenette -- including a mini-fridge, two-burner electric cooktop, and a wet bar -- is standard in every room. According to Martinique standards, housekeeping is provided once per week with towels changed every third day. Amenities are otherwise limited to a small flat-screen TV and air-conditioning. There is no in-room Wi-Fi. As with many Caribbean islands, the area is prone to blackouts. The electrical power -- including the in-room air-conditioning and lights -- dropped several times during our stay.

Bathrooms are similarly basic. All feature a split design, with the sink in the sleeping area, and the toilet and shower are in a small, separate room. The fixtures are dated, salt-worn, and in need of replacement in many cases. Old white and green tile adorns the walls while salmon-colored wash basins anchor the walk-in shower stalls. Generic, pump-style bath products and a sliver of generic bar soap are all standard.

Residence Marine Hotel Diamant offers a solid list of amenities for the category property, though the lack of direct beach access, unpredictable restaurant and bar hours, and mediocre food are all disappointing. The hotel is serviced by one full restaurant and a poolside snack shack. The former is unnamed and located just off the lobby in an open-air space overlooking the water. Opening hours and menu selections vary daily to the point of being unpredictable. However, breakfast is typically served as a buffet while lunch and dinner are available buffet or a la carte. A takeaway counter adjacent to the restaurant opens nightly with a limited menu of pizza and pasta for guests to bring back to their rooms. Adjacent to the pool, Kote Soleil serves an a la carte menu of basic snacks and fried finger foods. The hours of operation are similarly unpredictable, and the space never opened during our stay. Unfortunately, the food throughout the property is widely panned as poor.

The 6,400-square-foot (600-square-meter) pool is large, especially given the size of the hotel, and has a touch of resort-like atmosphere. The entire space, including the surrounding sundeck, is clean, well-maintained, and offers partially obstructed views of Diamond Rock. Rows of plastic lounge chairs and palapas ring the space to provide plenty of shaded seating. A large water slide leads to a small kiddy pool and a second kiddy pool offers additional family-friendly play space. There is no poolside drink service.

While the property is situated directly overlooking the water, there is no direct beach access. However, for guests heading to the public beach in Le Diamant, towels are available for rent with a refundable deposit and the hotel runs a free limited shuttle. There are also extra features like a small gift shop, billiards and foosball, and a tennis court that has certainly seen better days. Self-parking is available in a gated lot. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby and is subject to drops in both speed and service during heavy use in the morning and evening.