Guadeloupe – April 2026 Review (Client Experience)

I wanted to share some feedback from my clients, Haydn and Wendy, who recently travelled to Guadeloupe in April 202, and what a fantastic trip they had.

Guadeloupe is made up of two islands, Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre, joined by road bridges. It offers a lovely mix of French and Creole culture, and the locals are incredibly warm and welcoming. While French is widely spoken, English is commonly used in hotels and tourist areas, so it’s very easy to get around.

They stayed on Basse-Terre at the Fort Royal Resort, which is set right on a beautiful beachfront. The resort itself is relaxed and unpretentious, but the setting is absolutely stunning, and the staff were consistently friendly and attentive throughout their stay.

They chose to stay in one of the resort’s unique hexagonal bungalows rather than a hotel room. The accommodation was clean, spacious, and comfortable, with air conditioning, a good shower room, Wi-Fi, and a balcony. There’s also a small fridge, which is useful for keeping drinks cool. One thing to note is that there are no tea or coffee-making facilities, and only one bottle of water is provided on arrival, so it’s worth stocking up.

They stayed on a breakfast-only basis, which worked really well. The breakfast buffet offered plenty of choices, including fresh fruit, pastries, cheeses, cold meats, and hot options such as eggs, bacon, and sausages. They did try the evening buffet a couple of times (around €30 per person), which had lots of choices but was fairly average in quality. The beach bar, however, was great for pizzas and paninis, and just a short 5-minute walk away is The Jungle Bar & Restaurant, which they highly recommend.

One thing to be aware of is that there’s no on-site shop for snacks or essentials, so you‘ll need to plan or head into the nearby town.

The beach at Fort Royal is absolutely stunning—golden sand, crystal-clear water, and wonderfully warm at around 27°C. It’s perfect for swimming and snorkelling, with fish visible in the water. There’s also a saltwater pool, and activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding are available.

A real highlight is La Perle Beach, about a 15-minute walk through the woods. This beach is famous as a filming location for Death in Paradise. It’s a beautiful spot, though the waves are much stronger here, so care is needed when swimming. A little further along the coast is Grande Anse Beach, another stunning beach with relaxed beachside restaurants serving local Creole food.

In terms of getting around, they chose not to hire a car—and were very pleased with that decision. After arriving in the evening at Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport, they were glad they had arranged a transfer, especially since it gets dark early (around 6:30 pm) and traffic can be surprisingly heavy. What looks like a short 35km journey can take up to 1.5 hours, particularly when crossing between the islands.

They found local buses easy to use, with a stop just a 5-minute walk from the resort, costing around €1.50 per journey. While hiring a car would give more flexibility, many people they met didn’t use theirs much and still chose to go on organised tours.

They booked a couple of excursions through the hotel, both of which they really enjoyed. The Death in Paradise tour is a must for fans, visiting all the key filming locations with a very knowledgeable guide. Filming was actually due to start while they were there, and even Don Warrington was staying at the resort.

They also did a vanilla and rainforest tour, which took them off the beaten track into the hills, with waterfalls, tropical scenery, and wildlife,e including iguanas—something you wouldn’t easily experience on your own.

Overall, they absolutely loved Guadeloupe. It’s not a destination for nightlife—most places close by around 10 pm—but if you’re looking for a relaxed, chilled holiday with beautiful scenery, this is perfect. Evenings are best spent with a cocktail at the beach bar, watching the sunset and listening to live music.

The island itself is lush, green, and unspoilt, with stunning beaches and an abundance of wildlife—from birds and iguanas to tree frogs in the evenings. It really does feel like a tropical paradise.