Carayou Hotel and Spa is a seaside hotel at Pointe du Bout in Les Trois-Ilets, the resort peninsula that faces Fort-de-France across the bay. It sits on the more upscale side of Martinique’s mid-range, with garden grounds, a pool, a spa and access to a small beach, and it suits couples and families who want a polished base with a Caribbean feel and French standards of food and service. Pointe du Bout is the island’s main marina and ferry hub, so the capital is a short crossing by boat, and the beaches and rum distilleries of the south are an easy drive. Evenings are quiet and pleasant, with restaurants and bars around the marina. It is a sensible choice for a first visit to Martinique, balancing comfort, location and value.
Location and getting around
The hotel is at Pointe du Bout, on the Trois-Ilets peninsula on the south side of the Bay of Fort-de-France. A ferry runs between Pointe du Bout and the capital, which is the most pleasant way to reach the city and avoids the traffic around the bay. Martin Aimé Césaire International Airport is roughly half an hour by road, depending on traffic, and a hire car is useful for exploring the south and the rum distilleries.
The rooms
Expect a range of rooms and suites with air conditioning, balconies or terraces and views of the gardens, the pool or the bay. Check what each category offers when you book, since layouts and outlooks differ. If you want the sea in view, ask for a higher-floor or water-facing room, and if you prefer quiet, ask about rooms away from the pool and the bar.
Who it suits
Couples, families and independent travellers who want a comfortable base with a spa and a pool, close to restaurants and ferries. It is also a good choice for visitors who plan to combine beach days with sightseeing, since the peninsula is convenient for the capital, the La Pagerie museum and the beaches of Anse Mitan. Guests who want a large, lively all-inclusive resort will find other options elsewhere on the island.
Good to know
Meals are normally paid separately, so check whether breakfast is included in your rate. The beach at the hotel is small, and the larger sandy beaches are a short walk or drive away at Anse Mitan and Anse a l Ane. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent, and carry some euros for small purchases. Many staff speak French first, though English is understood in most tourist settings.
Eating, drinking and extras
French and Creole cooking share the menus, and fresh fish, accras, grilled prawns and rum punch are everywhere. The marina area has a good choice of restaurants and bars within walking distance. The spa offers massages and treatments, and tour desks can arrange a boat trip, a visit to a rum distillery, a hike in the rainforest or a day in Saint-Pierre.
When to go
The dry season from December to April is the most popular and the most expensive, with settled weather and calm seas. Summer is hotter and wetter, with lower prices, and the hurricane season runs from June to November, so choose flexible bookings and consider travel insurance. Reserve early for Christmas, New Year and carnival, when the island is at its busiest.
Why stay here
- ✓Pointe du Bout location
- ✓Garden grounds
- ✓Swimming pool
- ✓Spa services
- ✓On-site restaurant and bar
- ✓Small beach access
- ✓Close to the Fort-de-France ferry
- ✓Walking distance to the marina
Good questions
Is Carayou close to Fort-de-France?+
Yes, a ferry crosses the bay from Pointe du Bout to the capital, and the drive around the bay is also possible.
Does it have a spa?+
Yes, spa services are on offer. Check treatments and prices when you book.
Is it on a beach?+
It has a small beach, and larger beaches are a short walk or drive away at Anse Mitan.
