The Daughter, The Teenager and I were in a bit of a jam as our previous hosts at the gîte in Deshaies had only been able to accommodate us for three nights and we needed four as our flight back to Paris left in the evening of the fifth day. I spent half a night doing research on the net looking at scores of places from Saint Rose in the north of Basse Terre to Vieux Habitants in the south but all I could find were other gîtes which required at least a four night stay or expensive (for us) hotels which really didn't merit the outlay for a one night stay.
Finally I found Le Jardin Tropical and much to my relief they accepted our reservation for one night with no up front money required. This was a month before we arrived.
I wrote to them in English and they replied in French but as my "hotel French" is excellent there was no language problem.
We found the turn off up the hill near La Poste in Boulliante and climbed and climbed and climbed finally turning in to their driveway. It turns out that there was a new owner from the first of the year and he had changed their policy to accept short stays.
The accommodations were, however, set up in typical "gîte" style. There were two sets of three residences each on two levels consisting of two adjoining gîte-type residences which comprised a large room air conditioned room with a big double bed, a separate room with bunk beds, separate toilet and a separate, large bathroom with the all important element - a powerful shower. On the outdoor patio there was a refrigerator and stove together with chair and tables. Pigeon Island, the location of the Cousteau Reserve was framed in the distance between the palm trees in the garden right outside the patio. We were on the top level with a really magnificent view.
There was a large swimming pool with child lock. As it is now a hotel breakfast is served but we preferred to buy fresh fruit at the market and baguette at the bakery and make breakfast ourselves. The gardens are lovely and well kept. The personnel were friendly and attentive but I'm not sure if they speak English.
I don't know if the restaurant serves dinner but there is a pizza joint at the bottom of the hill and a restaurant - Le Ranch - a further two minute drive north.
We paid €72 for the night - our cheapest accommodation during our two week stay in Guadeloupe - true value for money.