Amy Adejokun
Section editor
The Creole Beach is a major hotel complex with four establishments. It will therefore annoy those looking for a remote location, but would suit those who like to meet new people around a convivial poolside area.
La Créole Beach Hôtel Spa - © Igor Lubinetsky / EASYVOYAGE
La Créole Beach Hôtel Spa - © Rémi Dubus / EASYVOYAGE
By the sea, 1 mile from the village of Gosier, 15 min from Pointe-à-Pitre airport (7.5 miles) and 4 miles from Pointe-à-Pitre. On the left of the Creole is a hotel, and on the right, another hotel.
156 cleverly designed rooms, luminous, spacious (452 ft²) and comfortable. Renovated in October 2007, they are decorated simply in the style of the island: immaculate white bed linen, teak furniture, white tiles - it's perfect. A tiny flat screen linked up to a satellite means you can choose to watch a film or have a festive evening. All the rooms have a bathroom with hairdryer, bath, (toilets not separate), plenty of welcome products, a minibar, individual air conditoning, a telephone and a television. Individual safe. As for the view, half of the rooms overlook the sea. The others overlook the gardens.
The Creole Beach is the older part of the complex. Built in 1976 and renovated every two years, it has 218 rooms in six 1-or-2-storey buildings in a large park planted with trees, in the centre of which is a pleasant 5,380 ft² pool. The outside architecture makes use of traditional materials: wood columns, tiled floors, whitewashed walls.
2 restaurants: the Zawag, situated on a rock, made of wood and overlooking the Atlantic, at the foot of the hotel, for fish specialities (open from Tuesday to Saturday, lunch and dinner). "La Route des Epices", a buffet for breakfast and dinner ;1 sandwich shop (pizza, paninis) next to the boat club; 1 bar.
The buffet opens out onto a terrace overlooking the pools and provides an excellent cooking space for the barbecue grill, a space for Asian specialities, and another for Italian food. A fourth buffet offers Creole specialities. Although the tables are a bit too close together, the wooden furniture and lovely table cloths, together with the good decor and green plants, gives it quite a classy feel. The original layout prevents it from looking too much like a canteen: on demand, several "private" rooms can be reserved for groups of up to 20. Ask at the reception. For a bit of peace and quiet when digesting your meal, there is a large teak terrace just above the restaurant, overlooking the pool.
Artificial, with deckchairs under straw huts (5 euros to hire) and coconut trees. It is one of the largest in the area (but everything is relative). It is also one of the best equipped on the island for watersports, and in addition to traditional sports, it offers kitesurf, wakeboard, and hobie cat 16 and 21, as well as the chance to obtain a sailing permit (motor boat licence).
The Creole Beach Hotel was given a boost in January 2006 with "Palmes" (recent hotel unit renovated in 2005). The two buildings were awarded 4*. They are part of a hotel complex made of the Mahogany and the Yucca (3* hotel residences). In total: 384 rooms and studios. That means the poolside and beach are crowded when the hotels are full. On the other hand, they do benefit from half-board.
A small team of three organizes the usual types of entertainment (aqua fitness, tournaments) for the entire complex.
There is a spa - opened in February 2008.
sauna, Turkish bath, massage, spa, keep fit, hammam
beach volley, water skiing, (paying), aqua gym, jet ski, (paying), sailing, (paying), canoe, (paying), fitness, tennis, sports, gym
You won't spend your days at the Clipper. Just nights. In big, calm, comfortable rooms. The amenities and entertainment are located in the neighbouring hotel.
The Canella Beach is one of the few residences by the ocean. So it is great for families who can stay in quite spacious accomodation a stone's throw from the beach and well-equipped watersports centre.
The Marifa residence is suitable for those seeking peace and quiet and who wish to explore Guadeloupe as opposed to its beaches. It is a peaceful place set in a residential area of Gosier, far from the sea.
The "Vieille Tour", as it is commonly known, has a good reputation thanks to its restaurant and trendy bar. It is a restful and elegant place where people dress up for dinner. Business people and young couples will find a haven of peace here.
The Prao is designed for sleeping, in apartments with living room and kitchenette. It is in a quiet setting within a lively complex of three hotels. Recommended for families.
The Salako hotel is a good compromise between calmness and activity. It is good for families who want to rest but also want some activities.
Set in a 7.5 acre tropical garden, this hotel, which directly overlooks the beach, is ideal for families and young people who can stay up to three in a room. Rather dead out of season, it becomes much more lively during the school holidays.
This little formula 1 style hotel is perfect for those who want a basic place to sleep at night with days spent on the beach or exploring, but definitely not staying in the hotel. Young people on a tight budget will like this.
Set in a 7.5 acre tropical garden, this hotel, which directly overlooks the beach, is ideal for families and young people who can stay up to three in a room. Rather dead out of season, it becomes much more lively during the school holidays.
The friendly atmosphere and the modest size of the establishment make the Maison Créole a welcoming place. As for the leisure activities, don't expect too much: the pool is the only facility. Ideal for couples and as a base for exploring the island.
The Canella Beach is one of the few residences by the ocean. So it is great for families who can stay in quite spacious accomodation a stone's throw from the beach and well-equipped watersports centre.
The Mahogany is a simple but welcoming hotel residence set within a big complex of four hotels. Although the communal living areas are busy, certain parts of the hotel offer welcome peace and quiet.
There is a spa - opened in February 2008.
The Prao is designed for sleeping, in apartments with living room and kitchenette. It is in a quiet setting within a lively complex of three hotels. Recommended for families.
The "Vieille Tour", as it is commonly known, has a good reputation thanks to its restaurant and trendy bar. It is a restful and elegant place where people dress up for dinner. Business people and young couples will find a haven of peace here.
The Salako hotel is a good compromise between calmness and activity. It is good for families who want to rest but also want some activities.
You won't spend your days at the Clipper. Just nights. In big, calm, comfortable rooms. The amenities and entertainment are located in the neighbouring hotel.