Near Trois-Rivières, on the Basse-Terre part of Guadeloupe, welcome to Jardin Malanga. A historic home of the Arnoux family dating back to 1927, it became a hotel in 1993. Still family-owned, it is now run by a couple, Héléna and Riccardo.
Upon arrival, your feeling of being in the heart of nature is amplified by this unique view of the Saintes Archipelago, giving us the impression of being in front of a living painting. The historic colonial house, composed of 2 bedrooms and a master suite, all clad in mango wood, is a journey through time. Its large living room is accessible to all guests, meet there around a board game or immerse yourself in one of the books in its library. Three cottages, composed of 2 independent bedrooms with their own bathrooms and a connecting room for children, are also spread across the estate. The scent of wood in your room mixed with that of nature embraces you, the brightness of the drops of tropical rain on the roof lulls you, the song of the frogs punctuates your sleep. When you wake up in the morning, the large bay window allows you to admire the sunrise which hugs the mountains of the Soufrière volcano.
Take a few minutes to admire nature from the hammock on your private terrace before enjoying breakfast. Fruit juice, pastries, local jams (including one made with sweet potato), cold cuts, cheese, yogurt, and fresh fruit; start the day off gently.
Then stroll through its lush 6-hectare garden, formerly a banana plantation, and admire the coffee, cocoa, cinnamon, pine, banana, orange, lemon, and grapefruit trees. Its infinity pool stretches as far as the eye can see, hugging the ocean on the horizon. Enjoy a drink on demand and stroll, facing this breathtaking landscape.
Also discover the richness of Basse-Terre, you are here near the famous Carbet Falls, ranging from a 45-minute walk (round trip) for the second fall to a 3-hour hike (round trip) for the first fall. For the more athletic, the Soufrière volcano is an unforgettable stop, with at its summit, an impressive crater recalling the force of nature. Not to mention the Saintes Archipelago, accessible in 15 minutes by boat from the port of Trois-Rivières.
In the evening, Héléna and Riccardo invite you to their table d'hôte, Le Panga, where exotic cuisine blends with the flavors of French cuisine, whose main goal is to showcase local produce. The unique menu changes daily depending on the availability and Riccardo's inspiration. On this day, the starter is a red acoupa ceviche, sweet potato mousseline, and red onion pickles. The main course is a swordfish steak accompanied by a mille-feuille of local vegetables, braised baby lettuce, yellow banana cream, and passion fruit aioli. Dinner ends with a decomposed tiramisu. Flawless, the dishes are refined, original, and perfectly balanced.
Le Jardin Malanga is part of the independent hotel group Hotels and Islands, this place is a call to disconnect, ideal for living to the rhythm of the lush nature of Basse-Terre, the mountainous and tropical part of Guadeloupe.
Photos and report:
Maxime Dobremel
