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.