St. Martin L'Esplanade Caraibe is perhaps the best small hotel on the island, with rooms superior to La Samanna's at half the price. A steep road leads past immaculate beds of tropical flowers to a small open-air reception area surveying bobbing yachts at anchor. Stairs descend through tropical flowers to a stone walkway with built-in benclies and romantic pools of light. The path winds down to the narrow beach that stretches to the village's restaurants and bars. Off to one side is a pool with a swim-up bar.
Most guests spend their evenings enjoying their studios and suites, all of which face the ocean.
Details so often missing in Caribbean hotels are plentiful here, from the seamless joinery of the Venezuelan hardwood banisters and the hand-painted tiles on the balconies to the mosquito milk in the toiletries basket. Kitchens are fully equipped, and the roomy tiled baths have plenty of counter space and vast open showers. Crisp air conditioning, ceiling fans, and clear 'I'V reception encourage guests to cocoon, but flowery furnished balconies lure them outside as well. One-bedroom and loft suites have king beds supplemented by sofa beds, while studios provide queens.