Guadeloupe is a sultry French island in the Caribbean home to colorful Creole cuisine and culture, pristine white and black-sand beaches, rum distilleries, and gushing waterfalls. Sounds like the perfect place to vacation, right?
Maybe—but only if you know where to stay. Guadeloupe’s cities and towns vary enormously, depending on which island you’re on. Grande-Terre versus Basse-Terre versus Les Saintes versus Marie-Galante… How are you supposed to know where to stay and how to divide your time?!
In this guide, I’ll be diving into the best places to stay in Guadeloupe by island, and then the best hotels in the top cities and towns, namely:
- Grande-Terre — Le Gosier, Sainte-Anne, Saint-Francois
- Basse-Terre — Deshaies, Bouillante, Trois-Rivières
- Les Saintes — Terre-de-Haut
- Marie Galante — Grand Bourg, Saint Louis, Capesterre
While Guadeloupe is in the Caribbean, you won’t find tropical paradise everywhere you go. Before you book your vacation, make sure to do a bit of research into the type of experience you want to have. Guadeloupe is ideal for luxury travelers wanting a private beach and outdoor pool with a bar, but it’s also for adventure travelers looking to get off the beaten path in a cozy hillside bungalow.
Whether you want to splurge on your honeymoon or backpack the island staying at holiday homes, here are the top places to stay in Guadeloupe!
19 Best Hotels in Guadeloupe Caribbean
Best Hotels on Grande-Terre
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Grande-Terre is the main island of Guadeloupe. It is famous for its white-sand beaches, craggy cliffs, and scenic fields of sugarcane and windmills.
If you stick to the southern coast, you’ll discover bustling coastal towns. However, the north side of the island is wonderful for road trips, hiking, and offers a more authentic off-the-beaten-path experience.
Things to do and see include:
- Watch sunrise at Pointe des Châteaux
- Hike the Porte d’Enfer Lagoon
- Visit the northernmost point of Grande Vigie
For more ideas, make sure to read and bookmark these Top 10 Things to Do on Grande-Terre.
Saint-François
⛵️ Saint-Francois is a quaint fishing village in the southeast of Grande-Terre. It’s popular for its laid-back vibe, bustling marina lined with restaurants, and windsurfing culture.
Résidence de Tourisme Domaine Saint-François — These rustic yet modern bungalows are the perfect escape for adventure travelers who enjoy luxurious touches and amenities. An outdoor pool, fresh breakfast, and a terrace with a tropical garden view await!
Ideally located (just 3km from the beautiful Raisins Clairs Beach), the Domaine Saint-François is a top pick for hotels in Saint-Francois. Greg and Aurore’s homemade dinners are also top-notch! Click here to check rates.
Bwa Chik Hotel & Golf — If your vacation in Guadeloupe is going to involve a lot of golf, then there’s no better place to stay than at Bwa Chik! With an ideal location between the golf course and the bustling Saint-Francois Marine lined with restaurants, you can ditch the car and get around easily on foot.
Suites include simple yet chic decor with everything you’d need to enjoy your stay. Breakfast is served on the poolside terrace. Sounds like your slice of paradise? Click here to check room rates.
Sainte-Anne
🏖 Saint-Anne is the cute, upbeat coastal town on Grande-Terre whose main draw is its pristine white-sand beaches and colorful Creole markets.
Le Relais du Moulin — True to its name, a “hôtel de charme”, Le Relais du Moulin offers a fabulous getaway in Guadeloupe. Even though it’s located 15 minutes from the Plage du Helleux, its idyllic atmosphere, with a garden, spa, tipsy bar, and an old traditional windmill, makes for a peaceful and relaxing setting.
Stay in well-equipped, rustic bungalows and enjoy craft cocktails and tasty meals from the on-site restaurant! Click here to book it!
La Toubana Hotel & Spa — Want to stay in a beachfront resort in Guadeloupe? No problem! Not only is La Toubana a beachfront hotel, but it also has its own private beach reserved just for guests. No crowds, no stress. Typical Creole cuisine is served in its beachfront restaurant with an open bar. There is even a spa, gym, and relaxation room!
La Toubana is a definite contender for being one of the best luxury hotels in Guadeloupe. If that’s your style, click here to check availability!
Le Gosier
🏝 Centrally located, Le Gosier is the perfect upbeat town to stay on Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe with shops, beaches, nightlife, and Le Gosier Islet to explore.
La Creole Beach Hotel & Spa — One of the best mid-range hotels in Guadeloupe is none other than La Creole in Le Gosier. With large, spacious rooms, a spa, and two outdoor pools with a tropical bar, it has everything you need while being only one minute away from some of the best surroundings beaches (like Canella Beach).
From the food to the palm tree views to the live music and more, there’s a lot to love about La Creole beachfront hotel in Guadeloupe. Click here to check room rates and availability.
Hotel Fleur d’Epée — Situated in Bas du Fort, the Fleur d’Epée offers a wonderful location for a couple or a family getaway. It has a private beach, enormous outdoor pool, and is located not far from the historic fortification of Bas du Fort, the Guadeloupe Aquarium, and the upscale Bas du Fort marina lined with bars and restaurants.
Simply put, Hotel Fleur d’Epée is ideal for those looking for a no-fuss vacation, with great food, great drinks, and great accommodation. It is one of the most frequently booked hotels in Guadeloupe, so be sure to check room rates and availability here.
Canella Beach Hotel — A top pick by travelers, Canella Beach offers a private beach experience with a small islet, outdoor pool, colorful and spacious rooms, and delightful food and drinks! There is a continental breakfast served each day in the on-site restaurant. Guests also enjoy free parking, wifi, and exclusive access to the private beach.
The Canella Beach Hotel has one of the best rates for beachfront hotels in Guadeloupe! Travelers often repeat book here because the hotel checks all the right boxes for a fabulous vacation on Grande-Terre. Click here to check the hotel’s honeymoon offer, studios, and suites!
Best Hotels on Basse-Terre
Now that we’ve seen some of the best options for where to stay in Grande-Terre, Guadeloupe, let’s cross the bridge into Basse-Terre.
Basse-Terre is the “sister” island of Grande-Terre. Over here, everything is much lusher and tropical thanks to the Guadeloupe National Park rainforest and the Soufrière Volcano.
Whereas Grande-Terre’s claim to fame is its white-sand beaches, Basse-Terre is known for its black-sand beaches!
Things to do and see on this island of Guadeloupe:
- Hike to the triple Carbet Waterfalls
- Scuba dive in the Jacques Cousteau Reserve
- Hike Soufrière
- Lounge in hot springs in Bouillante
- Snorkel & kayak the Pigeon Islands
You can find my guides for these activities and more in my guide to the Top 10 Things to Do on Basse-Terre.
Deshaies
☠️ Deshaies is a sleepy town on Basse-Terre’s northwest coast surrounded by gorgeous beaches. It’s the real-life filming location for BBC’s hit crime drama series Death in Paradise.
Langley Resort Fort Royal — If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in Guadeloupe, then consider the Langley Resort, which was awarded the Quality Label by the French government for having wonderful service. Rooms include modern facilities, like TV, a minibar, and an ensuite bathroom. There’s both an adult pool and a children’s pool, plus an on-site tennis court, beach volleyball, and the Kawann beach bar. Ready to book? Click here.
Bouillante
🤿 Bouillante is one of the best places to stay in Guadeloupe (Basse-Terre) if you’re basing yourself with activities such as hot springs, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
La Tortue Bleue — This sweet little bed and breakfast is the ideal retreat in Bouillante. Perched on the hillside, surrounded by a lovely garden, the hotel features a calm and quiet atmosphere with a pool and bungalow-style accommodation.
It’s the perfect place to relax with a ti-punch in hand after a day of diving in the Cousteau Reserve. Click here to check availability, as rooms fill up fast here!
Gîte La Nantillaise — This accommodation is unlike other places to stay in Guadeloupe! Instead of a hotel, Gîte La Nantillaise offers a fully-equipped apartment suite ideal for a couple or a large family.
The location offers one of the best views overlooking the coastline and bay of Bouillante with an enticing dip pool, wooden terrace, and hammock swings. Want to stay in La Nantillaise? Book now.
La Vielle Sucrerie (St Claude) — Planning on hiking Soufrière Volcano while in Guadeloupe? If so, you should consider staying at this cozy bed and breakfast perched at the slopes of the volcano in the town of Saint Claude. (Located 27km south of Bouillante.)
With special homemade touches, privacy from the garden, you’ll feel at “home away from home” staying in this bungalow. In the morning, you’ll be just a stone’s throw away from the Soufrière trailhead (not to mention the Bains Jaunes hot springs!).
Want to say you’ve slept at the foot of a volcano? If so, click here to book your stay at La Vielle Sucrerie.
Trois-Rivières
⛴ Trois-Rivières is a quaint town on the southern tip of Basse-Terre. Many know it as the gateway town to the Saintes Islands, as this is where you would take the ferry to cross to Les Saintes.
While many travelers breeze through this quaint little town, there’s more to it than meets the eye. If you stick around, there are nearby lighthouses, waterfalls, archaeological parks, and neat hiking trails. Not to mention, the drive isn’t too far from Trois-Rivières to the capital of Basse-Terre (also called Basse-Terre), and the Carbet Falls.
Jardin Malanga — There are few places in Guadeloupe that are as beautiful and complete as the Jardin Malanga. It is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Guadeloupe with an infinity pool (overlooking Les Saintes).
What’s more, the garden, the food, the terrace, and the rooms are tastefully put together and truly offer a getaway unlike any other in southern Basse-Terre. Click here to jump on this offer and reserve your stay at Jardin Malanga!
BEL Z’IGUANE — Bel Z’Iguane is a holiday home situated in the hills of Trois-Rivières. Your host, Chantal, has been welcoming guests traveling through here on their way to Les Saintes since 2018. The accommodation is equipped with a barbecue, a pool, air-conditioning, a TV, and includes special touches like baguette and jam for breakfast.
The panoramic views from the terrace and pool (which can be seen from your bedroom) are just amazing and give you an unhampered vista on Les Saintes and the Caribbean. Even though it’s not a hotel, this is definitely one of the best local experiences and places to stay in Guadeloupe. Click here to check availability for your dates.
Best Hotels on Les Saintes
Terre-de-Haut
🛵 Terre-De-Haut (main island) is one of two inhabited islands of Les Saintes. Here is where to stay if you’re going on a multiday trip.
Village Le Pre — A sweet little hotel-apartment on the Route Des Press Cassin beside the postcard-perfect restaurant “Les Balançoires” in Terre-de-Haut. Ideally located nearby the beaches (in particular, Anse à Gilot) and 1km from the town/marina. Fully and cutely equipped.
Kazajany — Spacious apartment located just ten minutes walking from the ferry port and 5 minutes to the Pisquettes scuba diving club. Includes wifi, AC, and an outdoor pool with a view on the bay and Terre-de-Bas.
Garden Bungalow (Gîte dans un jardin) — Typical Creole-style bungalow surrounded by tropical flora. Located beachside in the heart of the town and 450m from the Baie de Marigot.
Best Hotels on Marie Galante
🌊 Marie-Galante is the “pancake” shaped island of Guadeloupe, with pristine beaches, old windmills, and sweeping coastal views.
Coco Beach Marie-Galante (Grand Bourg) — Located beachfront, Coco Beach Hotel is one of the most convenient places to stay for a beach getaway on Marie-Galante while staying nearby the best restaurants and the harbor.
Au Village du Menard (Saint-Louis) — A charming and tropical hotel in the town of Saint Louis south of Marie-Galante! This airy and colorful bed and breakfast is situated on the north end of the island, nearby Anse du Coq Beach and the blowhole of the Gueule du Grand Gouffre — a photographer’s muse.
La Rose du Bresil (Capesterre) — This hotel snags one of the best locations on the southern coastline of Marie-Galante, ideal for kitesurfing and snorkeling. The accommodation is set in a tropical garden surrounded by beaches like Petite Anse.
Where Should You Stay in Guadeloupe?
Having backpacked Guadeloupe for over two months, I think the best place to stay on Guadeloupe is actually somewhere on Basse-Terre.
For me, the lushness of the island, coupled with its waterfalls, hikes, and diving opportunities just beat the white-sand beaches and resort vibes you find on Grande-Terre.
Grande-Terre’s towns were a little disappointing; too rowdy, too crowded, too noisy. So, if you want the paradisiac surroundings of Guadeloupe without the cars and the business, then head to Les Saintes (Terre-de-Haut). Even though it’s small, there are plenty of beaches to explore. Getting around by scooter is also super fun and a nice respite from the car-busy highways and roads on the main islands of Guadeloupe.
But, that’s just our experience having backpacked Guadeloupe.
I understand staying in a beachfront resort is a little different!
Whatever style of travel you’re going for, I hope you can find the perfect hotel in Guadeloupe within this guide! If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below.
Bon voyage!
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