There is a good selection of hotels on Guadeloupe, ranging from first-class beach resorts to country inns. Visitors can also stay in traditional small hotels known as Relais Créoles. Most accommodation is to be found on the south coast of Grande-Terre. Accommodation on the outlying islands can be interesting, but may be very basic. At present there are over 4000 rooms throughout the group. The tax on hotel rates is usually inclusive. A standard charge of US$1.50 per day is levied by many hotels. Additional service charges can range between 15 and 30 per cent depending on the time of year. The Relais de la Guadeloupe provides a central booking service. The grading system is quite complicated: 3- and 4-star hotels offer sporting and cultural activities in addition to board and lodging; there are also two particular categories of hotel, Hibiscus (H) and Alamandas (A) (Hibiscus hotels are 2- or 3-star establishments usually run as a family affair whilst Alamandas hotels are sophisticated 1- or 2-star establishments); and many hotels in the Caribbean offer accommodation according to a plans system, such as FAP (Full American Plan), which is a room with all meals, down to EP (European Plan), which is for a room only. Villas and cottages may be rented. It is also possible for visitors to stay in traditional accommodation, known as gîtes ruraux, which are small furnished apartments or villas located away from major resorts owned by Guadeloupe hosts. There is only one campsite in Guadeloupe at present. Office du Tourime in Guadeloupe
5 square de la Banque, 97166 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe Tel: (590) 820 930. Website: www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.comSt-Barthélemy Office du Tourisme
Quai du Général de Gaulle, Gustavia, St-Barthélemy, Guadeloupe Tel: (590) 278 727. Website: www.st-barths.com St-Martin Tourist Office
Route Sandy Ground, Marigot, 97150 St-Martin, Guadeloupe Tel: (590) 875 721. Website: www.st-martin.org
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