Le Cap Est Lagoon Resort and Spa is on the Atlantic side of Martinique, 18 Creole cottages containing 50 suites, nestled against a sparkling crystal blue lagoon. This place is French through and through — its owner is descended from Martinique’s first French settlers, who arrived in the 17th century.
The feeling is equal parts island castaway and Parisian luxury hotel, with impeccable service and every modern convenience. Some tropical resorts tout their lack of technology as some kind of character-building exercise, but Cap Est trusts you to decide for yourself whether to use the plasma-screen television or the DVD player. 31 suites have outdoor showers and even plunge pools, and all have views of the lagoon.
The service seems imported from Paris as well, and in some cases, this is literally true — many of the restaurant staffers are veterans of Michelin three-star establishments. La Bélem is the award-winning fine dining restaurant, classically French, with an absurdly large selection of wines and obscure rums. The other, Campêche, is open for lunch, serving fresh lobster and fish by the beach.
Any beachfront or aquatic activity one would desire is available here, in addition to helicopter tours and 4×4 excursions into the tropical forest. The prime focus, though, is on unwinding in the most decadent manner — complete inactivity at the Euro Spa is by far the most popular activity.
Aimé Césaire Martinique International Airport is just 25 kilometers away, on the west side of the island. From there, Cap Est is 35 minutes away by car, between the villages of Francois and Vauclin. Those traveling by helicopter will be pleased to find that the hotel has its own heliport.
author watson@mouselink.net, source www.tablethotels.com