Habitation Colas

Four Creole-coloured cottages sit separately around a tropical garden, with no direct overlooking between them. That gives you the useful kind of privacy: space to sit outside, a private entrance, and no need to share every quiet moment with the occupants next door.

This is a holiday home rather than a full-service hotel. You come here for independence, a garden, an outdoor swimming pool and the ability to organise the day at your own pace. The Caribbean coast, rainforest walks and Malendure's diving departure point are all within easy reach, while the cottages give you somewhere practical to return to when the fins are rinsed and the appetite has arrived.

You are in Pointe-Noire, on Guadeloupe's Basse-Terre, surrounded by tropical forest and close to the Caribbean Sea. Malendure Beach is about 2 miles away by road, with the property placing it within five minutes by car. Caraibe Beach is around 1.7 miles away and takes about four minutes by car.

The setting also works well for land days. Cascade le Saut de l'Acomat is about 2 miles away, and Habitation Côte sous-le-Vent is roughly 3.3 miles by road. For food, several restaurants around Malendure sit at about 2.1 to 2.2 miles by road, including Délice de la Réserve, Chez Mélo and Le Marché des Îles. This is a location for exploring, so having a car will make the geography considerably less fiddly.

Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet Airport is about 22 miles away by road, with a driving time of around 42 minutes. The famous Route de la Traversée also puts the rest of Basse-Terre and the link towards Grande-Terre within the wider touring plan.

The choice is really about how much living space you want around the diving days. A one-bedroom bungalow suits a couple who would rather keep things simple, while the sea-view bungalow adds the visual reason to choose it. For four guests, the two-bedroom option gives everyone a proper base; the three-bedroom bungalow is the one to consider when a larger family or group wants two bathrooms and room to spread out.

Inside, the cottages are set up for self-catering rather than merely reheating a forgotten sandwich. You have a fully equipped kitchen with a hob, microwave, fridge, coffee machine, kettle, toaster and kitchenware, plus a dining table and a separate seating area. After a morning in the water, that means cold drinks, food on your own timetable and no scramble to find a table before everyone becomes irritable.

Air conditioning helps take the edge off hot, salty days, while the mosquito net is a sensible Guadeloupe detail rather than decorative theatre. Each accommodation has a private bathroom with a shower or bath, towels and a hairdryer. A terrace, patio or outdoor dining area extends the living space into the garden, and a drying rack is provided for clothing.

Two restaurants are part of the set-up, both working at lunchtime and in the evening. Le SUNSET B keeps its menu straightforward, with four dishes to choose from and fresh local produce prepared on site. It is the sort of arrangement that does not require a committee meeting when you are hungry.

La Touna takes the seafood route, with a bistronomic menu facing the sea and views towards the Îlets Pigeon. Its live lobster tank lets you choose your lobster, while the cooking stays centred on products from the sea. You can make the evening as simple or as seafood-focused as the day's appetite demands.

Breakfast is available, although the accommodation also gives you the equipment to make your own coffee and food. With a fridge, dining area, barbecue facilities and outdoor furniture, you can alternate between eating out and keeping dinner close to your bungalow.

The outdoor swimming pool is the obvious place to reset the body without planning another expedition. Sun loungers and beach chairs are available, and the tropical garden gives you somewhere to sit with a book, a drink or the firm intention of doing absolutely nothing.

For a more active afternoon, hiking and snorkelling are available off site. The surrounding area gives you plenty of reasons to leave the garden: Cascade le Saut de l'Acomat is nearby, and the forest setting places walks within the natural landscape of Basse-Terre. You can keep the day outdoors without turning every non-diving hour into a scheduled activity.

The detached layout and outdoor dining areas also suit couples who want their own rhythm, as well as families or groups sharing one of the larger bungalows. There are no organised evening entertainments to structure the night; the property leaves that part to the garden, the terrace and your own level of enthusiasm.

Free private parking is available on site, with no reservation needed, which is useful in this part of Guadeloupe where a car makes beaches, restaurants, waterfalls and the Route de la Traversée much easier to combine. Free WiFi is available throughout the stay, with a tested speed of 139 Mbps, suitable for video calls and streaming across several devices.

Check-in runs from 16:00 to 21:00, and you need to let the property know your expected arrival time. Check-out is by 10:00. Luggage storage is available, and laundry is offered as a service. An airport shuttle is also available as a paid service and can be arranged with the property.

Children of any age are welcome. A cot can be requested for a child aged from 0 to 1 year, subject to the selected accommodation and availability; extra beds are not available. The minimum age for check-in is 18, quiet hours run from 21:00 to 08:00, and parties are not allowed. The accommodation is not accessible to guests with reduced mobility.

The environmental approach is built around the practical business of running a property in a tropical setting. Habitation Colas works to reduce water and energy consumption and sorts its waste.

Solar water heaters provide hot water, while a rainwater collection system makes use of rainfall rather than treating every drop as if it arrived by magic. It is a modest, concrete approach that fits the forest surroundings and the wider reason for coming to this part of Guadeloupe.