One of the most stylish hotels in its price bracket on the French side of the island is operated by the French hotel conglomerate Accor. It's good value for the money, especially since each unit contains a kitchenette. The complex occupies a flat, sandy stretch of land between a saltwater lagoon and the beach, 5 miles west of Queen Juliana Airport. Decorated throughout in ocean-inspired pastels, its five three-story buildings are each evocative of a large, many-balconied Antillean house. In its center, a pool serves as the focal point for a bar built out over the lagoon, an indoor/outdoor restaurant, and a flagstone terrace that hosts steel bands and evening cocktail parties. Each unit, in addition to the kitchenette, offers ceiling fans and simple, durable wicker furniture, plus a tiled, shower-only bathroom. The most desirable accommodations, on the third (top) floor, contain sloping ceilings sheltering sleeping lofts and two bathrooms.

Amenities: 1 restaurant, 1 bar; tennis court; dive shop, snorkeling, windsurfing; bikes; car rental; babysitting; laundry