Best Pool Hotels in Martinique

Occupying the southeastern corner of Martinique, the all-inclusive Club Med Buccaneer's Creek offers Club Med's signature luxury with a dose of Creole spirit. Facing Diamond Rock, the resort's bungalows neighbor a coconut grove and a white sand beach and feature amenities like minibars, CD players, free Wi-Fi access and flat-screen TVs. Let Club Med school you on proper scuba diving techniques or sign up for an island excursion (both at extra cost). When you need a break, head to the property's PAYOT-affiliated spa for a body scrub or massage. Continue recuperating with the buffet at Le Pays Mélés, or try L'Ô's traditional Creole dishes. Although recent guests said the resort deserves kudos for its bevy of activities, many bemoaned the outdated accommodations and its location on a crowded public beach. Others warned that the on-site cuisine is hit or miss.

Nestled along Martinique's southeastern coast, Cap Est Lagoon Resort & Spa boasts 52 suites divided between 18 villas. Standard suites sit on the ground or first floor and come equipped with flat-screen TVs with DVD players, safes, free Wi-Fi access and stocked minibars, while upgraded suites offer private plunge pools. When you're not relaxing in your accommodation, explore the adjacent lagoon via sea kayak or boat or take advantage of the available diving excursions and helicopter sightseeing adventures. After indulging in some island recreation, get pampered with a luxurious spa treatment. And when it's time to quench your island thirst, choose from a selection of more than 100 different types of rum at Le Cohi Bar. Light dishes are served at Le Campêche restaurant, while a more formal experience can be had at the seaside Belém restaurant. Although some past guests enjoyed both eateries' dishes and the property's quiet location, many lamented the outdated suites (some with malfunctioning plumbing and air-conditioning units), the uncomfortable furniture on the pool deck, the inattentive staff and the high room rates.

Once a family colonial-style residence associated with the French East India Company, Hotel Bakoua preserves its authentic ambiance with Creole-style rooms and decorative accents. Uncluttered spaces, cane furniture and rich woods create an inviting retreat, especially for travelers who need a hotel not too far from Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport. Accommodations offer furnished balconies or terraces that overlook the property's garden or Fort-de-France Bay. Despite the scenery, recent guests said the guest rooms are dated and in need of a facelift. But a Martinique vacation isn't about sitting in your room – it's about enjoying warm turquoise waters. On-site activities include kayaking, paddleboarding and tubing. Hotel Bakoua also houses three restaurants and a bar, but reviewers give mixed feedback about the pricey cuisine.

Combining a traditional Caribbean atmosphere with business-savvy facilities, Hôtel La Batelière is ideal for both work and play on Fort-de-France Bay. With a business center, one of the largest conference centers in the Caribbean, and rooms outfitted with large desks and free Wi-Fi access, travelers can only blame the allure of swaying palm trees and azure waters for any lapse in productivity. When it's time to relax, visitors can head to the pool (which boasts views of the island's capital city, Fort-de-France) or unwind with a treatment at the on-site spa. End the day with Creole-style eats at Le Bleu Marine restaurant or Creole-French fusion fare at Lili's Beach Bar, or enjoy some tunes with a cocktail in hand at the piano bar. But even with the heavenly Martinique landscape, recent guests said Hôtel La Batelière is need of refurbishment, citing worn rooms and common areas as the main disappointments while staying here.