Hotel Résidence Mercure Diamant

Located in the village of Diamant, in the southern part of the island, the Mercure Diamant is 12 mi from Lamentin airport (25 mins) and 18 mi from Fort-de-France.

The Mercure Diamant is not a hotel but a hotel residence. Since November 2005, it has had a catering service added for breakfast and now serves take-away meals for dinner. Although it is located by the seafront, it has no beach or water sports activities (except for a diving centre), but it does have a pontoon, on which it is possible to take a pleasant stroll. It is not recommended to swim in front of the hotel. Due to its location on a slope, the hotel is not recommended for people who are not very mobile.

Built in 1989 on a vast estate which is slightly sloped, and perfectly situated opposite Rocher du Diamant, the Mercure has 8 buildings with 149 rooms distributed over various buildings and standing in between the reception building (where the restaurant can be found) and a large 6,458 sq ft swimming pool (with a slide). It also has a bar which is open from 5:30 pm to 11:00 pm, and a snack-bar by the pool.

The rooms are nicely decorated. They have a superb view of Rocher du Diamant, adjustable air-conditioning, a telephone, a television (3 local channels), a safe and a 'loggia' with a kitchen area. The only shortcoming: the shower is just next to the toilet.

The Mercure Diamant provides a breakfast service in a panoramic hall which opens out on to the swimming pool and the sea, overlooking the site. For lunch, a snack-bar serves light dishes. For dinner, a pizza service and a take-away dish of the day is available. The hotel does not really have a restaurant, so it is difficult to assess this service.

The Mercure Diamant may be next to the sea, but you will not be able to swim there. A wooden pontoon provides the departure point for diving excursions, as well as the perfect spot to admire the magnificent view of Diamond Rock. The immense and beautiful Diamond Beach, with its turquoise water and more than 2 mi of soft, fine sand, is about 500m away. However, there aren't any amenities to be found on the beach, which is windy and battered by rolling waves. Conditions like this are perfect though for windsurfing and body-boarding. Although it is very long, the beach is narrow, meaning that it becomes a bit cramped at high tide.