La Maison de Clementine

Set on a rise above Fort-de-France, in the residential quarter of Didier, La Maison de Clémentine looks past its own garden toward the town below. The five suites, each around 45 square metres, keep separate entrances and a quiet distance from one another; three open onto private terraces, and Suite Tobago has its own plunge pool tucked under cover. A sixth room forgoes a terrace but faces the garden directly, its palms and fruit trees the main view. Concrete-rendered walk-in showers and garden or pool outlooks run through the rooms, decorated individually rather than to a set scheme. Breakfast draws on the grounds: jam, yoghurt and fruit made or grown on site, taken most mornings on a shared terrace with other guests. Host Clémentine Grouvel runs the house with her husband, and gives out routes and recommendations for the rest of the island over the meal. It is a short drive from central Fort-de-France, near the Schoelcher library, Fort Saint-Louis and the covered spice market, and a boat shuttle connects the town to the beaches around Pointe du Bout. The Balata gardens sit under 10 minutes away by car. Rooms are turned down daily. Check-in runs from 5pm, with luggage drop possible earlier by arrangement, and check-out is by 11am.