Love SXM

True to the
New Age-y associations linked to the hotel's name, LOVE has a peaceful and easy-going atmosphere. Guests enter via a long, sunny
hallway lined with eye-catching checkered floors. There’s no real reception area -- check-ins
take place at an unmarked side table, where a staff member can usually be
found sitting casually with a laptop.Guest rooms
are spread between two buildings: LOVE Hotel is the main building and includes
the on-site restaurant; the second building, called LOVE Residence, is located
less than a one-minute walk down the street. The hotel has a distinctly
Bohemian feel with a hint of European elegance. Rooms are unfussy yet polished,
while the restaurant serves cheap local beer alongside fine wines and Champagne. But aside from
the restaurant, on-site amenities are virtually nonexistent, although this isn’t a
problem for most guests. The young couples drawn to this hotel are more
interested in local charm than flashy on-site features. LOVE Hotel’s low-key
ambience blends perfectly into its surrounding neighborhood, which is colorful
and down-to-earth.

The front
of LOVE hotel faces Boulevard de Grand Case, the main road that runs through
town. It's a small but bustling road, lined with art galleries, boutiques, bars, and cafes. And Grand Case is well-known throughout St. Martin (and the entire Caribbean)
for its cuisine, offering restaurants ranging from French fine dining to lolos
(local BBQ shacks). The back of
the hotel overlooks Grand Case Beach. Another beach option, Orient Bay Beach, is less than a
10-minute drive away. For sightseeing, Fort Louis and the French capital of Marigot can be
reached in a 15-minute drive. It’s less than a 25-minute drive to Princess
Juliana International Airport and the Dutch capital of Philipsburg. 

Guest rooms
at LOVE are bright and simple. White bed linens and walls contrast with dark
wood furniture to create an elegant, colorless atmosphere. Pillows, coffee
cups, and bathrobes are branded with the hotel’s sleek logo, a boxy shape that's mirrored by square floating shelves. All rooms include mini-fridges,
electric kettles, and Nespresso coffeemakers. Rooms also have free Wi-Fi access,
although some guests report the connection can be spotty. Note that there are no TVs (a
deliberate choice by the owners made to encourage romance and relaxation).The
interplay of light and dark shades continues in the bathrooms, which feature
square above-counter sinks and open showers illuminated with blue lights.
Bathrooms are stocked with two-in-one shampoos, shower gels, and soap bars by the
French brand Fragonard.Many rooms
include terraces furnished with tables, lounge chairs, or benches. Some have
full or partial ocean views, while others face toward the street. The most basic
rooms do not have terraces, and open onto a hallway leading toward the
restaurant, which can get busy at mealtimes.  

Though its on-site features are limited, LOVE
has a breezy restaurant and bar on its ground floor, which offers tapas
and a great selection of wines, cocktails, and beers. Seating is at high-top stools set along a beautiful dark wood bar counter, or overlooking Grand Case Beach. The
restaurant is small and intimate, with funky music and picture-perfect beach
views that create a delightfully laid-back vibe. Breakfast is a simple affair, with toast or a muffin, fresh juice, and coffee or tea -- not included in the room rate. The hotel's best feature, however, is the stunning stretch of Grand Case Beach that the hotel backs into, with the island of Anguilla visible
on the horizon. This narrow, white sand beach has calm waters that are ideal
for swimming. It can get busy on weekends, but it’s significantly less crowded
than nearby Orient Beach.There’s a
tiny shop just outside the restaurant that sells trendy merchandise branded
with the hotel’s logo. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. There’s no parking
on-site, but an affordable lot is located across the street.