Travel notes
from Martinique

Séjour du 5 au 18 mai 2004
Accomodation: Cap Est Lagoon Resort

The objective of this trip was, amongst other things, to test the general services of the Cap Est; up to then, the French Antilles did not have a top end hotel with the comfort and services rivalling hotels on other Caribbean islands or Mauritius.
Could the Cap Est at last fill this shortcoming?

Cap Est Lagoon Resort

The hotel is situated on the East coast, between Le François and Vauclin, in a residential zone. At a distance from these two cities (5/10 km): a car is essential. In this area, the coast is rather rocky and steep, the dominant east winds are blowing constantly, the vegetation is rather scraggy and thus the exuberant nature of tropical vegetation, possible as soon as it is sheltered from the wind, is definitely lacking!
Villa type construction in exotic wood. Hotel of “human” size: capacity limited to 18 villas of two stories with a total of 50 bedrooms. Personalized and pleasant welcome.
All in all, the personnel is considerate and efficient without becoming intrusive or obsequious.

Bedrooms
The bedrooms are actually very comfortable suites, spacious. King-sized beds with mosquito nets on canopy Double wash-basins, bath-tub and big shower. Separate dressing; TV plasma screen of 32" with DVD player (DVD available at the desk).
Lounge area with coffee table and armchairs. Big table desk. Large closet-buffet including a complete bar with an ice maker and “expresso” type coffee maker.
Efficient air conditioning + ceiling fans.

Restaurants
2 restaurants: one gastronomic, the other more simple on the beach:

- The Belem (gastronomic):
Menu: good quality dishes but the choice is limited (you will quickly run through the menu), nice wine cellar but the prices are relatively high. (Lobster 50 euros).
Numerous restaurant personnel (half of which come from France) The service is on the whole efficient and pleasant. Breakfast is served in this restaurant: very complete buffets. Warm plates can be ordered (bacon and eggs for example).

- The Campèche (beach):
The beach restaurant is not systematically opened (function of the weather and the number of guests) Limited menu, too few simple dishes, pleasant at noon, when the temperatures are warm by the sea.

The differentiation between the two restaurants is not sufficiently marked: as much as one can enjoy a comfortable restaurant in the evening, at noon one would wish for a more relaxed restaurant where a bathing suit is accepted as proper dress and one can lunch over such things as salads.

Bar (Cohi-bar)
Beautiful decoration, comfortable The barman, a Belgian of Antilles origin, is likeable and friendly.

Beach
A rather distant coral reef protects the hotel beach; the result being a very wide and not very deep lagoon, especially at low tide. It is a sand beach, small in size with quite a few small rocks and vegetation. Hard to have the water up to your waist without going far out… and thus not very pleasant for swimming! Unless swimming is an unconditional “must”, it might be best to wait for those outings to the beaches of the Saline or the Diamant, the two nicest beaches of Martinique. It is possible to wind-sail on the lagoon (the hotel will furnish the equipment).

Miscellaneous
A hard–court tennis, seemingly used very little (no problem if you wish to play); the hotel will lend you free of cost the necessary tennis rackets and balls. Library, videos (DVDs to be played in your bedroom), games (chess, checkers), all gathered in one room. Free access to internet, high-speed connection: very practical for emailing or sending photographs to friends !

SPA
The hotel has its’ own Spa.
Not tested.

Car Rental
The hotel has cars for rent at your disposal at all times (Hertz). Cost corresponds to local prices.
For example: Ford Focus with AC around 40€ per day all included (contract > 1 week).

More information: www.capest.com (French/English)

Surrounding area of Cap East Lagoon Resort

There are no restaurant in the immediate area ; but if you still wish to leave the hotel, there are 2 restaurants not to be missed (car needed to go there):

Hotel Riviera Le François, by the nautical club road.
Terrace by the sea ; excellent lobsters are proposed at very acceptable prices (25 euros).

Cabana beach, Faula point
Relaxed restaurant on the beach managed by pleasant metropolitan French people ; specialties of the Antilles and very nice terrace. To be avoided on weekends.
Beware! the last 500 meters of the road are not paved… but car access is not a problem: you can even park in front of the restaurant.

See all the photographs of Cap East