The bay it sits in has been ranked the third most beautiful place in the world. The island it is on is a five square kilometer island with red-roofed houses, hibiscus gardens, and clear water that can only be accessed by ferry. And the hotel itself has been quietly operating since 1969.
meet Hotel Voice Jolly — 3-star boutique hotel in Terre Hautmain island saintA small French archipelago off the southern coast Guadeloupe. This is one of the most off-the-beaten-path destinations in the Caribbean and one of the special places in the French West Indies for travelers who actually want to explore it.
I stayed there on my honeymoon, and it’s still one of my favorite hidden gem getaways.
setting
Les Saintes is a cluster of eight small islands floating just south of mainland Guadeloupe. Terre-de-Haut is the biggest of them all, but “largest” is relative. The entire island is less than 2 square miles. One village, two beaches, a colonial fortress built in 1777 and named after Napoleon, a small Catholic church, and daily ferries from mainland Guadeloupe.
That’s it. There is no cruise port dock. There are no big brand resorts. There isn’t much traffic. Because there are very few cars. Scooters, golf carts, and bicycles do most of the work.
All it has is a bay. Les Saintes Bay — Voted one of the three most beautiful bays in the world. Rio de Janeiro and Halong Bay. It’s the kind of landscape that quietly redefines what you thought a Caribbean island could be like.
The Hotel
Hotel Voice Jolly It sits directly on the bay. Opened in 1969, it is one of the longest-running hotels on the island and has a well-maintained feel, having quietly built itself over half a century rather than chasing trends.
The room leans against it. There are several categories designed for both couples and families, all built around what the hotel describes as a “peaceful and cozy atmosphere.” Think clean, understated French-Caribbean style, a type of building where the view does most of the design work and the building doesn’t get in the way.
The hotel’s intimacy by Caribbean standards is key.
restaurant
hotel restaurant and bar, sunset bayis one of the most notable places on the island. This is where traditional Creole cuisine and French-Caribbean specialties share a menu with more creative contemporary cuisine. On an island where the dining scene is one of its real attractions (Les Saintes is famous for its small but exceptional collection of restaurants, where reservations are essential in high season), having a serious kitchen is a significant perk.
There’s also a view on the island that never stops making headlines.
what to do
The hotel has a watersports center with a lineup of toys that go far beyond the hotel’s three-star rating, including transparent kayaks, paddle bikes and barbecue donut boats. sea rice And more. Guests can also enjoy relaxing massage, lymphatic drainage and maderotherapy treatments available on site.
Beyond the property, the island itself is an activity. village village Beach cafes, French-Caribbean boutiques and a small but lively dining scene are within a 10-minute walk (or take the complimentary hotel shuttle). port napoleonPerched on a hill above town, is open in the morning and offers some of the best views in Guadeloupe. Pompierre Beach It is one of the most beautiful protected beaches on the island. And local fishermen still take guests out in the traditional way. saint toise Sailboats — wooden crafts that have defined the island’s culture for generations.
distribution
Arriving at Hotel Bois Joli is one of the reasons why almost no one knows about this hotel.
The standard route is to fly to: Pointe-à-Pitre From mainland Guadeloupe — direct flights are available. fly, miami Then take the ferry to Terre-de-Haut via several other gateways. Ferry departure point Trois-Rivières (takes 20-30 minutes), Pointe-à-Pitre (about 1 hour) and boiling. The island also has a small airport for small plane connections, but most travelers come by sea.
The extra legs are what keeps Les Saintes intact. It’s also what makes arriving feel like an actual Caribbean discovery rather than just another resort transfer.
Why it’s under the radar
Hotel Bois Joli is the type of hotel that doesn’t appear in most of the Caribbean, has no major promotional efforts, and doesn’t try to compete with the all-inclusive resorts on a few islands. A small character driven hotel on a small character driven island in one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
For travelers looking for a quieter, more authentic side of the French Caribbean – a side little known despite being right next to one of the region’s most popular destinations – this is one of the best places to find it.
voice jolly price
This is the best part: you can find rooms for less than 200 euros per night. It’s really good value in my opinion.
