Re: Questions from a first timer
so chdm... this thread has veered a bit off-topic. As for a recommendation on reasonably priced hotels, may I suggest an alternative that is somewhere between a hotel room and a villa? It's called L'etoile du marin, and it is advertised here on this site. It's a very comfortable apartment with one bedroom, an eat-in kitchen, a large bath and separate WC, and a great deck with a beautiful view over the harbor.
It is incredibly well-equipped with everything you could need for a vacation, including all the kitchen stuff, beach chairs, umbrella, coolers, cd player, even a cell phone for use on the island. The owners are wonderful and very friendly, and will give you all the insight you need to enjoy your first trip to the island. So, as with a hotel, you will have some support and a ready supply of answers to your questions.
The best thing is the price, it's 100 euros in low season, and only 165 euros (about $250) per night during high season. That's cheaper than many of the hotels that you mentioned, and offers a lot more space and privacy. It does not have a pool but we have not found that a hardship, since we spend our days on Flamands beach (4 minutes away). There is also a small beach frequented mostly by locals right down the hill from L'etoile, a 2 minute walk.
You can find info online at
Etoile du Marin . Marie-Flore and Arnaud are the owners, and they are great. We're really looking forward to seeing them this Saturday; we're staying at L'etoile for 2 weeks, as we did last year.
Good luck with your search!
Lynn