Cosmopolitan Martinique is one of the most sophisticated islands in the Caribbean. This is an overseas region of France, so the island’s culture is a distinctive blend of the Caribbean and French influences. What’s more, in terms of laws and general sentiment, Martinique is very gay-friendly as well. In fact, it’s one of the more LGBTQ-friendly Caribbean islands. Hence, you’ll find a host of gay friendly hotels in Martinique too. Despite there being just one very vocal gay hotel, most of the digs are very welcoming of LGBTQ people. Moreover, Martinique even hosts a wonderful annual Pride event. This, even though it doesn’t have a gayborhood or gay bars and clubs. But, the island has something that very few Caribbean islands have – not one, but two gay-friendly nude beaches! Plage des Salines and Grande Anse des Salines are great places to lounge, people-watch, and meet new friends.
That said, there’s so much more to explore in Martinique, which is one of the Most Colorful Places On Earth. For instance, the Balata Gardens feature eye-popping verdant greenery, while the magnificent St. Louis Cathedral is the island’s religious epicenter. Hikers and intrepid adventurers will love Mount Pelée. Meanwhile, culture vultures will love La Savane Des Esclaves, one of the Top Things To Do In Martinique. So, head on a gay Caribbean sojourn, and so include Martinique in your itinerary. To that end, here are the top 11 gay friendly hotels in Martinique.
Apolline Hotel
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The Apolline Hotel is one of the most luxurious gay friendly hotels in Martinique. Less of a hotel and more of a boutique guest house, the grand mansion has just four rooms. What’s more, the hotel is an accurate representation of Martinique’s hospitality scene. Think vivid interiors and design, personalized service, and the most spectacular outdoor pool on the island. Sprinkled with sunbeds and umbrellas, the pool boasts jaw-droppingly gorgeous views of Fort-de-France and the bay. The spacious sun terrace also boasts grand and awe-inspiring views, where you can lounge after a session at the pool. It’s also where the hotel offers delectable breakfasts with fresh fruit.
The beautifully designed rooms are decked with Creole-inspired furnishings, vibrant Caribbean hues, and contemporary additions: bright azure-rimmed shutter windows, king beds, spacious bathrooms, seating areas, and even swish kitchens.
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Resort Carayou Hotel and Spa
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LGBTQ families will love Resort Carayou Hotel and Spa, which is an excellent affordable and kid-friendly option. This all-inclusive resort is tucked on an artificial beach in Martinique. It might not be as exclusive as others around, but it sure has plenty of amenities. Firstly, you’ll find water sports such as snorkeling and kayaking right out front. Secondly, it also features a host of land sports such as volleyball and tennis. When it comes to water time, you have two pools to choose from. One of them is party-oriented, while the other is more relaxed. After a pool session, head to the full-service spa for a massage or a body treatment. The best bit is that it even has a whirlpool and sauna, making for the ultimate relaxation trio of facilities.
The resort has a superb Creole restaurant and bar that serves all meals. Begin your day with a continental buffet breakfast before delving into activities and sights on the island. Rooms and suites, albeit slightly on the functional side, are spacious. Furthermore, they have flat-screen TVs and feature traditional and vibrant Caribbean decor.
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Simon Hotel
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One of the newer gay friendly hotels in Martinique is Simon Hotel, a breath of fresh air amidst all the island kitsch. Tucked in the heart of downtown Fort-de-France, Martinique’s capital, the highrise hotel faces the turquoise waters of the bay. On the inside, the hotel is anything but cookie-cutter. In fact, it’s an urban take on the Caribbean experience; think moody gold-and-black hues, striped carpets, and huge abstract murals. What’s more, the hotel does very well in terms of amenities too. For one, it has two incredible restaurants as well as a well-equipped gym. In fact, one of the restaurants even has alfresco seating with superb bird’s-eye views of the town and the Caribbean beyond.
You’ll love the accommodations here too. All rooms and suites offer either sea or city views. Additionally, bold white-and-black carpets contrasting with yellow-and-black accents enliven each room. What’s more, they also come with huge plush beds, chic bathrooms, and separate seating areas with lots of space.
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Redoute Paradise
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Located right in the heart of downtown Fort de France, Redoute Paradise is one of the most vibrant gay hotels in Martinique. The hotel is just four chic dwellings nestled in tropical and lush gardens. Run by an adorable couple, this boutique hotel features spacious rooms and suites. They come with seating areas, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and views of either the garden or the pool.
Despite being a boutique property, Redoute Paradise offers many amenities that you’ll typically find in larger hotels. The best of them all is the outdoor pool and hydromassage hot tub. The pool is sprinkled with shaded sunbeds, alfresco seating, and poolside service. Plus, each of the rooms, the Upper Tent, Superior Tent Jacquier, the Goyave Apartment, and the Maracudja Apartment, have their own private hydromassage tubs. And even though it’s separate, even the Carambole room has its own bathroom that lies a few steps away. Rounding up the features here are billiards, table tennis, and an outdoor kitchen.
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Domaine de la Palmeraie
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Peaceful living might be slightly elusive in Martinique, but not completely impossible to find. One such hidden and unique gem is Domaine de la Palmeraie. Lying in the heart of the town of Diamant, this hotel is ensconced by zen-like gardens just steps from the beach. Comprising just six villas, these exclusive digs are Caribbean yet contemporary. It’s furnished with artistic taste and French élan and is designed to catch the cool sea breezes. The lush gardens are the perfect place to enjoy an on-site picnic. The best feature is the year-round outdoor pool, whose deck is sprinkled with comfy sunbeds for enjoying a lounge post-swim. Begin your day with a sumptuous and hearty spread for breakfast.
Choose from a host of stylish private villas, each of which comes with long dining tables and well-equipped kitchens. In fact, the hotel can even arrange for private chefs. Of them all, three villas, Coco, Maracudja, and Corossol, have their own private pools. Even the smallest villa can sleep up to five people! Nevertheless, they feature exotic plants, French modern couches, antique mirrors, and vibrant pops of color – oranges, purples, and pinks.
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Residence Hoteliere Les Cayalines
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LGBTQ travelers who want a quieter place that’s no-frills and within their budget will love the serene Residence Hoteliere Les Cayalines. Nestled in southern Saint Luce, this 64-room beachfront property features simple but elegant digs. What’s more, they all feature kitchenettes for when you want to whip up meals of your own. In fact, some even have fantastic outdoor kitchenettes on a balcony! Aside from free Wi-Fi, each “studio” also comes with charming Caribbean-style décor, cable TVs, and small but immaculate bathrooms.
The amenities at this hotel are basic, but still, they’re pretty great. The small but relaxing pool sits in a lush and romantic setting and is the most divine place to relax. There’s even a ping-pong table and a playground, and an excellent local restaurant right around the corner. The best feature is the private beach out front, an uncrowded and tranquil place to unwind.
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Hotel La Pagerie
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Tucked in the gorgeous Pointe du Bout, Hotel La Pagerie is one of the best beachside gay friendly hotels in Martinique. The boutique hotel is peppered with a buzzing restaurant, attractive European décor, and the island’s most scene-stealing pool with dramatic lighting. The lagoon-style pool area is, in fact, the hotel’s beating heart with massage huts, loungers, and even a tiki bar! After a refreshing dip, lounge at your perch and order cocktails from the tiki Palm Bar, which is very gay-popular. I fact, on Saturday nights, there are performances by local folk ballet group Tifermasc. Besides the pool bar, the hotel also has a lobby bar and a cafe-restaurant that serves delicious breakfasts and dinners, along with live music.
All 96 rooms and suites at this hotel come with balconies, which offer pretty great views of the lush surroundings. Tropical vibes emanate from the use of natural woods and bright accent colors, interspersed with minimalist decor. Simple bathrooms with huge shower areas, plush beds, and sliding doors that let a lot of natural light make up the rest of the room.
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Hotel Bakoua
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Hotel Bakoua is one gay-friendly Martinique hotel that has both party and old-school Caribbean vibes. Housed in a former colonial-era home, this one lies on a stretch of private beach in Les Trois-Ilets, with rooms located right on the sand! Now, if that isn’t a true Caribbean getaway, we don’t know what is. What’s more, rooms here ooze oodles of Caribbean charm and come with porches or balconies with incredible views of the surroundings. Plus, they range from deluxe rooms to more lavish suites with soaking tubs and mahogany furnishings.
However, it’s the property that truly impresses you. There’s a stunning beach, of course, with the most divine infinity pool overlooking it. A thatch-roofed over-water bar at the pier’s edge is a favorite hangout spot, as is the lobby bar and the romantic restaurant. A watersports center and tennis courts make up the rest of the place.
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Le Hameaux du Morne des Cadets
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One of the most rustic and laidback gay friendly hotels in Martinique is Le Hameaux du Morne des Cadets. Located in Fond-Saint-Denis, this is more a holiday home and less a “hotel” hotel. In fact, the place is a collection of typical Creole-style bungalows dating back to 2012. Basically, they were built by a prosperous farmer who wanted eco-tourists to enjoy and partake in this verdant farm. Step back in time at this mountain hamlet that overlooks the seaside town of St. Pierre. The biggest activity here is thematic day tours organized by qualified professionals in music, hiking, and agriculture. Moreover, the rustic prix-fix restaurant serves delicious meals and organic fruit and produce from their own fields!
All rooms are spacious and light-filled, and despite there being no TVs, it doesn’t mean you’re going to rough it here. Fresh mountain breezes ensure that you don’t even need air-conditioning. What’s more, all bungalows come with fully equipped kitchenettes and private bathrooms with a shower are and free toiletries.
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Hôtel L’Impératrice
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Perfectly located in the heart of Fort-de-France is Hôtel L’Impératrice, which lies right across from La Savane. Since the 1950s, both establishments have been owned by the same amazing Martinican family. Just like the lush park, the hotel is now a Martinique landmark that’s been revived and refurbished recently. All rooms feature old-world touches such as four-poster beds and wooden creole furnishings. What’s more, you’ll love the contemporary amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and renovated bathrooms with impressive tilework. If you want to splurge, go for the third-floor superior rooms with private balconies overlooking the park.
Featuring an incredible terrace with city views, this hotel also has a great on-site restaurant that serves all meals, including a hearty breakfast buffet. It even has a cafe on the terrace, business facilities, and dry cleaning services.
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La Suite Villa
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Occupying the top spot on the list of best gay friendly hotels in Martinique is La Suite Villa. Of all quirky boutique properties in Martinique, and the island has many of them, this one is a favorite, especially with gay travelers. Tucked into the hilltop near Les Trois-Ilets, the hotel boasts incredible views of Fort-de-France Bay. What’s more, the beach is just half a mile down the road.
There’s a lot to love about this hotel, such as the divine infinity pool with sun loungers and deckside seating. Drink and dine at the exclusive and reservations-only French fine dining restaurant Zandoli. Begin your day with a delicious American-style breakfast before relaxing in the lush gardens. If that wasn’t enough, the hotel even offers activities such as themed night gatherings and painting.
With just six suites, you get the feeling of staying at an exclusive property. What’s more, the suites are all about over-the-top contemporary glamor, as they stay away from typical French-Caribbean decor. Think tropical hues, faux fur and leather detailing, and black velvet upholstery-like art. If you love traditional stays, go for the nine private villas decked out in French Creole style. It’s no wonder that it’s one of the Best Hotels in Martinique.
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Just So You Know:
- Le Carbet Gay B&B which offers nude sunbathing on a rooftop terrace is the most out-and-out LGBTQ place to stay on the island.
Get Some Culture in Martinique:
- Martinique Gay Pride: Also called La Gay Pride au Carbet, the spectacular event takes place for an entire day in June on Coin au Carbet beach. It not only features a vibrant parade but also a rainbow crossing painted in the streets of Carbet.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Martinique:
While Martinique doesn’t have a gay scene per se, its establishments are sure very, very gay-friendly.
- Le Kano: This seaside lounge bar is famous for its cute bartenders who whip up some of the best local “rhum agricole” on the island. Perch on one of the deck-side lounge chairs and recline with an excellent “rhum” cocktail.
- Le Petibonum: Tucked on a private beach in La Carbet, this “rhum” bar and restaurant is popular as one of the Caribbean’s best beach bars.
Best Gay Saunas in Martinique:
Unfortunately, Martinique doesn’t have any gay saunas. But who needs a sauna when you have not one but two gay beaches!