The bungalows at Diamant les Bains are a great place to stay if you're looking for a vacation on the beach. Our bungalow was about 30 feet from a very nice beach. This is not the Caribbean Sea, it's the Atlantic Ocean, so there is some surf and a bit of undertow. It's good for body surfing and not as rough as the beaches on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

The staff is friendly and most of them are fluent in English. You may not find that in many places in Martinique. If you want to get out and explore the country, at least learn a few basic French phrases.

The restaurant is excellent. You can pick your own langouste (spiny lobster) from the tank. The included continental breakfast consists of local fresh fruits, fresh fruit juice, bread and jam, cheese and cold cuts, and coffee, tea or hot chocolate. The restaurant is closed for lunch and dinner on Wednesday, so that's your chance to get out and try another restaurant.

The bungalows are rather small but, hey, you're right on the beach. You could probably find something a bit more upscale, but it would not be within walking distance of the town of Le Diamant, which means you would be insulated from the local culture. I suppose that's OK with some people, but not with us. You'll never find us at a Club Med or Sandals. The pool looks quite nice, but since the ocean was right outside our door, we never ventured into the pool. The grounds are a garden of tropical flowers.

Mike Martin and Carol Rogers

My wife and I stayed at Diamant les bains the week of Christmas, 2004. It was a wonderful hotel, clean, well-run by inobtrusive staff. The pool and garden are simply beautiful. Breakfast at the hotel is included in the price and is ample with lots of fruit and much better than the average American version of a continental breakfast. The kitchen is closed Wednesdays (except for breakfast) but is open other days of the week. The chef presents a menu spécial some days. We had the menu spécial on Monday evening. It was terrific! The food was well prepared and beautifully presented. The chef has a very special way with sauces. The Christmas Eve menu was excellent as well. The hotel offers a demi-pension option, but you might prefer to try other restaurants in the area. Two things you should know about the hotel. The bungalows are not actually on the (very narrow) beach--the water does not lap at your door! It is, however, just a few feet away from the hotel's fenced beachfront yard (there is a gate for access to the beach). The bungalows are clustered around the yard. The sea is visible from some of them, but not all of them. Also, our bungalow did not have a plug for a hairdryer. My wife plugged hers into one of the room plugs and tripped a breaker.

My wife and I honeymooned here in February 2003, and have booked reservations for 2005.

Yeah, it doesn't have the most beautiful beach, rooms and amenities, but it also doesn't have the tourists that base their happiness level on these types of things alone... which pretty much knocks out 75% of American tourists.

The waterfront bungalows (c. 1940) afford beautiful views, sounds and textures from which to base your expeditions into the Martinique interior.... and expeditions they are! The island is very French third world and makes for interesting transport, language and culinary logistics for the curious American. In 2003, we zoomed around in a little manual Peugeot we rented from a guy in Diamant. I won't give the details of where we zoomed to... but there are plenty of great spots.

My wife and I will be staying at Diamant les Bains for the 9th time this winter. The description given by the last reviewer from Chicago was perfect. If you want clean but modest air-conditioned lodging in a beautiful but unpretentious setting, you will love this place. The staff is friendly and helpful. Rent a car, bring your French phrase book, and enjoy a little bit of France in the Caribbean. (If you want more luxury and want to see lots of fellow Americans, you'd be happier in St. Barts.)