Adventurers drawn to the mountainous northwest corner of Martinique will appreciate discovering Pomme Cannelle Village. The three-star, 21-unit hotel in the town of Le Precheur is quiet, clean, and offers great value.
Comparing this French West Indies island to the Dominican Republic (another Caribbean island I visited recently) was like comparing apples and oranges. It all depends on what you’re looking for, of course, but the DR was chalk-a-block with boisterous visitors and sprawling resorts.
Martinique had a more calm, laid-back vibe with lots of nature excursions.
I was in the region to do a little hiking and exploring. Pomme Cannelle Village was a handy spot to hang my hat for a couple of days with views of the Caribbean Sea and close to Mount Pelee, an active volcano.
Coming through the gate (they give you the code when confirming your booking), I saw a winding paved road, a handful of cottages, and two-story buildings painted in bright pink, yellows, and blues.
A Variety of Rooms, Including Ones with Sea Views
I was in a Sea View Studio on the second floor of a fourplex. It was a bit of a climb with my suitcase, but luckily, I was just traveling with a carry-on bag. Opening the door, I entered an open kitchen with a full-sized refrigerator, stovetop, microwave, and cupboards stocked with dinnerware. A dining table stood in the center, and two Adirondack chairs faced the sea.
I wasn’t planning on cooking, but it looked like a good setup for longer stays.
The bedroom was behind a glass sliding door. I grabbed a remote and immediately clicked on an air conditioning unit to cool the room down. A compact bathroom with a walk-in shower was off the bedroom.
There was a flat-screen TV, bedside lamps for reading, and one window with a view of the neighboring building.
Wi-Fi was free, but the hotel was having trouble with reception. I was unable to connect in my room. Sitting outside the reception area, I finally logged on and got my emails.
Other room configurations included Superior rooms on the ground floor with no sea view, Sea View apartments with one bedroom, living room, and kitchenette on the garden level, and Superior apartments with two bedrooms, living room with trundle bed, kitchen, and covered terrace. Baby beds are available on demand.
The Cinnamon suite is a romantic space with an outdoor Jacuzzi and a sauna. The glassed-in bedroom features a queen bed and a telescope for stargazing.
Breakfast Included at Pomme Cannelle Village
Breakfast, included in the nightly rate, was served in an open building beside the pool. The buffet included fruit picked from the hotel garden, pastries, toast, cereal, eggs, bacon, sausage, freshly squeezed juice, and coffee and tea. Birds flitted in and out of the space. I noticed all the food containers were covered to protect them from wandering beaks.
After breakfast, I headed out to the nearby Couleuvre Waterfall trail. A muddy, steep climb it was packed with tourists. I was glad to return to the hotel later that day and enjoyed swimming in the infinity pool.
Many guests go out for dinner or make their own. I noticed BBQs at a lower level where guests could grill the day’s catch.
In the Evening, Dinner is Available
In addition, the hotel serves a three-course dinner for around $30. I tried it that night and was pleased with my Colombo chicken, a gently spiced stew with carrots and potatoes. The dessert was ice cream, but there was no pomme cannelle.
What is a pomme cannelle? The literal translation is cinnamon apple, but it’s not an apple. The hotel manager showed me one growing up outside the restaurant. It’s a green, bumpy fruit with creamy, sweet flesh that grows in the Caribbean and Central America. Unfortunately, it wasn’t ripe, so I couldn’t try it.
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Pomme Cannelle Village is flanked by a one-acre orchard and veggie patch. Many types of fruit grow on the property, including guava, pineapples, and oranges. Depending on what time of year you visit, you’ll find that season’s crop available at breakfast. Also, there was a fitness trail that wound around the orchard.
Things to Consider
You have to have a car to reach and explore this area of Martinique. There are small beaches nearby and the waterfall trail, but you must get there early as parking is roadside and gets very congested.
The Wi-Fi can be very spotty at Pomme Cannelle. Ask when booking about connections if you need to be online.
If you have a second-floor room, request help with your luggage.
Rates at Pomme Cannelle Village
Special packages are available. Studio with sea view starts at $240 for 2 nights. Sea View apartment garden level starts at $280 for two nights. A Superior apartment starts at $560 for 2 nights. The Cinnamon Suite starts at $480 for 2 nights. Rates fluctuate with the season. Parking is included.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. The Martinique Tourism Authority arranged for her stay as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
