St. Martin, places to stay

Any recommendations on where to stay in St. Martin? Not interested in
all-inclusive. Beach front view would be nice, but not mandatory. Pretty
much open on any suggestions, will narrow our choices down once we
compile a short list.

>Any recommendations on where to stay in St. Martin?

I stayed at a place called the Delfina Hotel on the St. Maarten side.
Although it is advertised in Europe as a gay hotel, I had no problem staying
there and I'd recommend it to anyone even with a conservative outlook and
family. Probably not suited for young kids only because they like their
quiet. Very clean, inexpensive, owners were friendly. If you want an
inexpensive home-base for exploring the island, I'd recommend it.

I've stayed at La Plantation in Orient Beach a couple of times and enjoyed
it. It was reasonably priced relative to the other beach hotels. Orient
Beach is a nice, large, beach which is excellent for swimming. There's
lot's of other stuff going on down there too. I like it because it has just
the right amount of amenities without being overcrowded or too busy. We
would go down there every day for a few hours, rent chairs with umbrellas,
swim, sun, eat, etc. La Plantation has small cottages located a few hundred
yards up a hill from the beach. They provide a breakfast for guests every
morning. The cottages and service were very pleasent. I'd stay there again
if I went back to St. Martin. I definitely think that the French side is
the place to stay and eat. It has been more sensibly developed than the
Dutch side. Shopping, restaurants, sight seeing are better on the French
side. The Dutch side has casinos which can be fun later at night. Also
Philipsburg is fun to visit.

"Jeffrey J. Nappi" <jnappi@lucent.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b376dfda563574a989682@netnews.proxy.luce nt.com...
> Any recommendations on where to stay in St. Martin? Not interested in
> all-inclusive. Beach front view would be nice, but not mandatory. Pretty
> much open on any suggestions, will narrow our choices down once we
> compile a short list.

"Crash" <Krakatoa_1@m> wrote in message
news:Q7szc.42773$0y.5470@attbi_s03...
> I've stayed at La Plantation in Orient Beach a couple of times and enjoyed
> it. It was reasonably priced relative to the other beach hotels. Orient
> Beach is a nice, large, beach which is excellent for swimming. There's
> lot's of other stuff going on down there too. I like it because it has
just
> the right amount of amenities without being overcrowded or too busy. We
> would go down there every day for a few hours, rent chairs with umbrellas,
> swim, sun, eat, etc.

La Plantation claims that their guest card will get you free rental of
umbrella/chairs at 5 of the beach establishments. I haven't tried. I
suspect that ordering a drink or two is expected, though the Plantation
people claimed it isn't required.

> La Plantation has small cottages located a few hundred
> yards up a hill from the beach. They provide a breakfast for guests every
> morning. The cottages and service were very pleasent.

All units have a kithenette.

> I'd stay there again if I went back to St. Martin.

I've stayed at La Plantation about half a dozen times. I haven't stayed at
the Palm Court, which is a little closer to the beach than La Plantation and
only a little more expensive (doesn't include breakfast). I don't think its
rooms have the nice view like most of La Plantation's.

> I definitely think that the French side is
> the place to stay and eat. It has been more sensibly developed than the
> Dutch side. Shopping, restaurants, sight seeing are better on the French
> side.

Agreed.

> The Dutch side has casinos which can be fun later at night.

Not of interest to me.

> Also Philipsburg is fun to visit.

Cruise-ship tourist-trap heaven.

Bob C.

>I definitely think that the French side is the place to
>stay and eat. It has been more sensibly developed
>than the Dutch side.


Don't feel you have to choose one side or the other. The island is small
enough that you don't have to feel tied to one spot.

When I go, I always stay at a villa or hotel on the edge of the Dutch side.
I save so much money that way, I can materially extend my trip. Definitely
rent your car and buy groceries, liquor and cellphone cards on the Dutch
side - far, far cheaper. In fact virtually everything is cheaper on the
Dutch side. Also, if you have an old analog cellphone that stiil works,
bring it - that's what they use. I have a like-new Nokia analog that I can't
even get service for at home anymore, and I now use it only when I go to St.
Maarten.

On the French side, Grande Case has the best restaurants and is a cool olf
town. Orient Beach is the big party beach, particularly during Spring Break.
I like that sort of thing, but not everyone does. Orient is not a
particularly picturesque beach however, and the shops are rather new and
very touristy. Marigot has a fun Saturday market, and is overlooked by a
ruined fort that is worth seeing, particularly by kisses and moonlight.
Ahh.....

The most beautiful sunsets are on the Dutch side. You can see an absolutely
stunning view of Saba from the patio at the hotel on the north side of Maho
Beach at sunset. The Sunset Bar at the south end of Maho is tacky, but
everyone should go there once to have a beer and watch the Air France 747
come in low over the beach to the airfield. It's a rite that must not be
neglected.

"Jessica Simpson" <jesssimp@adventure.cam> wrote in message
news:bfwzc.43533$0y.19449@attbi_s03...

> Orient Beach is the big party beach, particularly during Spring Break.

Depends on where you go on the beach. If you turn left (not right) when you
reach the beach there's an undeveloped quarter-mile from the Esmeralda to
the Mt Vernon.

I have just booked the Mt Vernon for 1 week starting July 3rd. My
first visit to SXM after doing Mayan Riviera, Puerto Plata and
Jamaica. Really looking forward to it.

"Dave" <candu2D56@m> wrote in message
news:2c1fae2b.0406151109.58e930ff@c om...
> I have just booked the Mt Vernon for 1 week starting July 3rd. My
> first visit to SXM after doing Mayan Riviera, Puerto Plata and
> Jamaica. Really looking forward to it.

I hope you enjoy your visit.

However, be prepared to climb the hill up to the Mt Vernon rooms from the
beach.

>
> However, be prepared to climb the hill up to the Mt Vernon rooms from the
> beach.

I'm just a hill climbing fool!

if its your first time to SXM, it surely wont be the last! :-) one of the
greatest place in the carib!


"Dave" <candu2D56@m> wrote in message
news:2c1fae2b.0406160326.2cf7eb91@c om...
> >
> > However, be prepared to climb the hill up to the Mt Vernon rooms from
the
> > beach.
>
> I'm just a hill climbing fool!