Martinique--Where to begin?

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I am an planning to spend about 1 week to 10 days in Martinique, perhaps a few days each in neighboring Dominica and St. Lucia and will round it out with a 7-day Winjammer Cruise out of St. Lucia. My air is to and from St. Lucia. I plan to take a ferry or fly over to Martinique either after stopping in St. Lucia for a few days or directly upon arriving. I lean toward comfortable--but not luxury accommodations--the equivalent of *** or very good ** hotel-restaurants and chambre d'hotes in France, I like to hike and be outdors, evenings either totally casual or euro/San Francisco casual dress. I would prefer to be in a brautiful location but sufficiently close to nighttime activities. Suggestions for places to stay that could serve as a HQ for accessing the island? Should one rent a car? Suggest a good travel book on Martinique Traveling in January 2007