Casino de St Francois

Located on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe on the south-east end of Grande-Terre (literally ‘large land’) is Saint-Francois, and with it the Casino de St-Francois. Grande-Terre is a great destination to take your holidays especially if you’re keen on a wide range of water based activities. You can find and participate in such things as sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving and deep sea fishing. There’s also several attractions to keep you occupied when you aren’t hitting the beaches. Keep an eye out for various local festivals like the Festival Pointe Des Chateaux, the Laugh Festival and Festival Dubedou.

gaming

The casino offers 80 classic and video slot machines and video poker terminals as well as 4 table games which consist of craps, blackjack, baccarat and chemin de fer, as well as having roulette. The casino runs from the hours of 10 am to 2 am weekdays, while on weekends the casino remains open until 3 am. You can also find a piano bar where you enjoy your favourite cocktails to a musical accompaniment. Head indoors and try your hand at cards and slots after long days at the beaches and wandering about town. A nice slots jackpot or good run in cards could pay for drinks and dinner, or maybe even finance some of those more expensive activities (like sailing) you wanted to participate in.

Hotel/Accommodations

There are no hotels on site, however you can find the Le Golf Marine Hotel St Francois just 1 km from the casino. The hotel offers its guests 61 rooms and duplexes which come equipped with air conditioning and terraces on which to relax. You can also enjoy a round of 18 hole golf and guests can enjoy a continental breakfast served pool-side surrounded by the gardens. There are no restaurants at the hotel, so be sure to ask staff for suggestions on some of the best restaurants in the area, especially those popular with locals and tourists, or alternately, walk about finding your own new favourite eateries dishing up regional cuisine.

Dining

While there are no restaurants in the hotel, there are several nearby options. The hotel does however, offer continental breakfasts. When you’re looking for seafood (and who wouldn’t, with the surplus on an island boasting 600 different types of fish and 1200 molluscs) try L’O (Les Pieds dans l’Eau). For fusion cuisine, with French, Mediterranean and Caribbean inspiration, there’s Le Mabouya dans la Bouteille. This venue requires reservations and runs after-hours. Ask about their extensive wine list.

Attractions/NightLife

The casino runs various events and special promotions and even dance lessons. Ask staff about what’s in store. If you’re big on water based activities, you’re on the right island. You can take part in number of water sports like snorkelling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, sailing, kayaking or even the more mundane sunning and swimming. Glass bottom tours are available. Plan you own outings or take part in a guided tour, where professionals can highlight some of the better coral regions. The island hosts various festivals throughout the year, so check online or ask hotel staff which ones might be running during your visit. These include the Laugh Festival, the Festival Dubedou, and the recent Fishing Guadeloupe Festival, first started early in 2013.

Rewards/Deals

The casino does not have a player rewards system in place. They do however run various events and promotions so be sure to ask a casino representative about what’s on the agenda during your visit.