Martinique
 

Martinique-----best hotel for children @10 and beach?

I stopped at Martinique for the day on a cruise and I wouldn't recommend you stay there. Although the island is beautiful, the islanders tended to be quite rude and we returned to the ship not long after we got off. As a matter of fact, the RC ship no longer stops in Martinique. Perhaps due to complaints?

croix..having frequented this board for over a year now, i can tell you 99% (if not all) of fodorites don't do the french islands. so this is not the best board for your question. wish i could tell you which one is.
i went to martinique about 10 years ago and stayed at le meridien trois-islets..but it was so long ago, it wouldn't be right to give you any impression of the hotel (may even be another hotel now!). i don't think you should mind the previous poster..it's really not fair to judge any island on a one-day excursion stop.

Thanks L. and Caribtraveler.

Caribtraveler, I am appreciate your candor. I have been going to the Carib.since 82. I LOVE St John overall. Like Cayman for a quick trip and snorkeling (even though it is more like S. Florida with blue water). I think it would be an interesting, very colorful experience to go to a non-American frequented island with lushness and history. I just need to figure out if the people are truly rude and if the accomodations are good enough. I am mentally prepared for the lack of English spoken and black sand beaches.

I also enjoy reading your other respones. It's fun to hear everyone's opinions and almost addictive. Thanks. Croix.

Croix--

I've always wondered why I haven't seen more comments on Martinique on this board. I went about five years ago and loved the island. I can't really comment on family accomodations (I stayed at Club Med) but the beaches and scenery were spectacular. The beaches on the south coast in Sainte Anne are gorgeous white sand, warm turqoise blue water, and minimal surf. I took a tour across the entire island, seeing the rain forest, waterfalls, a banana farm, the volcano and a black sand beach on the north coast. It is such a lush, beautiful island. While I prefer white sand beaches (the black sand is very fine and sticks to your body and towel), it was lovely to spend a couple hours there. Our guide was French but spoke English fairly well. The local people we met were very friendly, but the guide had to translate for me. It's a beautiful place and I would definitely return if there weren't so many other places I'd like to explore in the Carribean.

Enjoy!
Lisa

We stayed there a few years ago for a week. We stayed at Bakoua, which was supposed to be the best hotel, with a small but nice beach, but the rooms were not as luxurious as other islands. As I remember, the sand was not black. We had a car and went all over the island, which was fairly interesting. It is worth a visit for a several days, but a week for us was too long. The people were fine, but it helped to speak a little French. Go for the experience. ((Y))

Croix: Someone on this forum made a really smart observation one day. If I remember correctly, she had just returned from St. John. She made the point that when she gave a big smile and said hello and asked how the person was doing BEFORE asking for something, the person would noticably thaw. I thought as well as another Fodorite that she was so on the money. The Caribbean is such a different place than the U.S.
And islands like Martinique and Guadeloupe are French territories and the local folks are very "French" (if i may say that) in their manners. You say "good morning, sir or madam" and "how are you", etc...before you start any conversations. Politeness/good manners are a must...you don't do those things, you will most likely not get a good response.
I am originally from the Caribbean (not from Martinique), so yes I do get a bit defensive when people make blanket statements about an island or people when they haven't even stayed there.
And yes this board is addictive! :-)

CaribTraveler,

Thanks. You are so on the money. I will never forget a day in St Croix----my wife yelled down the street at Big Beard one morning who does the snorkeling to (I forget the island)----"When does the boat leave" and Big Beard's response was "Good morning young lady, that is how we start the day in St. Croix. You are dead on. I appreciate all the responses.

About Martinique: We had a cruise stop there last summer and I was wary as I had heard so many stories about the unfriendly locals. Our experience was quite the opposite. Everyone we met was friendly and one of the cabbies turned out to be one of the most bubbly gals I have ever met! We felt well treated. And I was surprised!