Piton Bungalows Ecolodges

We enjoyed an incredible week in March 2024 at Ecolodge Piton Bungalows and we’d highly recommend this lovely bungalow-style hotel to anyone. My daughter and I stayed in the Zen Lodge with its own hot tub. The open-air kitchen, dining and living area made for easy breakfast and snack preparation or reading/relaxing in the hammock and enjoying the views. At 300m, there was always a nice breeze to mitigate the heat and humidity of Guadeloupe. The bed was very comfortable and we used the mosquito netting (but didn’t really notice any mosquitos) and the shower was lovely as was the swimming pool. The free washing machine and dryer helped to dry towels and swimsuits quickly after a day at the beach. The location is perfect, up a curvy hill about 2.5 km from the Plage de Grande Anse, one of the most spectacular beaches in Guadeloupe, from where there is an easy hike to the adjacent Plage de la Perle, nearly deserted the day we swam there. Valérie kindly lent us snorkeling gear and she and Matthieu had helpful tips to make our stay extra memorable. We really enjoyed “Basse-Terre” and mostly stayed within about 40 km of our gîte because there is just so much to do in that part of Guadeloupe. We really enjoyed our boat excursion with Blue Lagoon including snorkeling and the mangrove tour, our kayaking and snorkeling adventure at the Réserve Cousteau (we rented kayaks from Kristal Kayak at Plage de Malendure), our visit to the thermal baths in Bouillante, the Jardin Botanique in Deshaies, the waterfall swimming hole at Cascade aux Écrevisses, and a hike on Grande-Terre at Pointe de la Grande Vigie. The food was wonderful, whether we went to an open-air beach cafe, a food truck or a finer restaurant. Of particular note for unforgettable dining were “La Kaz du douanier” in Deshaies and “L’Exotic brefort Lamentin guadeloupe” in Lamentin. It is pretty essential to have a rental car to get around, and we speak French (although we’re American), which was very helpful although some Guadeloupéens have working knowledge of English. Frankly it was refreshing not to encounter many Americans. Guadeloupe is not overrun with tourists although some beaches and parking lots were busy, but you don’t encounter the “all-inclusive” resort/Spring Break party types at all in this wonderful French “département outre-mer.”

My stay at Piton Bungalows far exceeded my expectations. Valerie & Matthieu could not have been more gracious hosts. They were always available for any of my needs. I had always wanted to live in a tree house and this was the next best thing. The bungalow was open to the elements except for the bedroom which the door could be closed and locked if needed. I kept it open to enjoy the tropical breeze and all the sounds of nature. Be prepared for the sound of crickets and tree frogs in the evening and the roosters very early in the morning. (earplugs are recommended.) I was able to cook most of my meals with all the necessary cooking accessories. The bungalow that I chose was directly above a very nice pool and a view of the ocean, 3 km away at Dehaies. I enjoyed the fact that I could have my breakfast and sometimes my lunch poolside. Beautiful tropical flower arrangements and the ingredients to make Ti Punch, the island rum punch were provided by the hosts. Each bungalow is very private and even though I was above the pool it was not an issue.