The Islands of Les Saintes is part of what I would call the affordable Caribbean with a wonderful small hotel called Hotel Auberge Les Petit Saints.

It is a small group of islands off the south coast of Guadeloupe and is easily reached by ferryboat from Trois-Rivieres, or Pointe-a-Pitre, or alternatively you can fly in if you are feeling flush!!

This  main islands in this archipelago consist of  Terre-de-Haut, and Terre-de-Bas, which are amongst the most beautiful Caribbean islands. They are very much French, despite being the scene of a dramatic naval battle in the 18^th century won by the English. In fact it would be fair to say that the islands are not so much French but Breton, probably because many French sailors came from Brittany two hundred years ago.

The restaurants serve up huge portions of the islands’ speciality, a delicious fish ‘boudin’, and ruddy faced fishermen in straw hats known as ‘salalkos’ which are no longer found in France can be found on the quays, giving you all kinds of wit and repartee which will do more than keep you entertained and on your toes!!

Les Saintes are very popular with day trippers from Guadeloupe, but they disappear before nightfall, leaving the small town on the main island of Terre-de-Haut beautifully quiet and peaceful like any small Caribbean island.

You will see rum being passed around the small front yards by the locals generally lounging around. There will be the haunting smell of frying garlic, and accordion music in the background.

The question arises of where you might stay in this wonderful part of the affordable Caribbean.

Look no further than the delightfully named ‘Auberge Les Petites Saints aux Anacardiers’ which is situated on a hill above the harbour, and used to be the mayor’s home. It is a wooden gingerbread style house covered in bougainvillaea. It is delightfully small and friendly, with ten rooms, and an apartment sleeping six to eight people, all delightfully furnished in an old fashioned style. Brass bedsteads, and feather bolsters are commonplace, in fact the whole Hotel is stuffed full of  camp objets d’art, which  have been collected by the two male owners. The food is old fashioned authentic French cuisine, and is wonderful.

A beautifully elegant swimming pool greets you outside, and  there are great beaches nearby.

The Hotel Auberge Les Petit Saints is definitely worth it, and is old fashioned affordable Caribbean.