ellenbw

We are staying for 1 night in St. Maarten prior to a cruise. I will need 3 rooms and am looking at these 2 hotels. We do not want to rent a car. We would like to have a nice dinner and go to a wine store, hopefully within walking distance of the hotel. We will take a taxi from airport and to cruise port.

Anyone have a preference on these 2 properties?

Last year we stayed in Marigot for 2 nights at the Hotel Beach Plaza and while I didn't like the hotel, the location was perfect for great food, wine stores, open air market. That hotel is being renovated so it is a possibility to stay there again and just take a longer taxi ride.
Any thoughts?

diann24

The cruise ship I assume is the where they come in at in Phillipsburg??? Is that where you are departing.? If so do you mean Divi resorts? That is close to Phillipsburg so is Sonesta Bay. If you are leaving from Phillispburg I would certainly choose someplace close to the town. There are plenty of places to eat in Phillipsburg but Divi is not within walking distance to anywhere in my opinion but a short taxi ride to town. no car needed and a wonderful beach. There also restaurants right there on site. I do not know Holland house sorry.

Maryag

We stay at Divi every year. It is a long walk to town from here. Hotel is beautiful along with beach and snorkeling. Holland House is in the center of town on Front Street. It is a beautiful waterfront property. It is short taxi ride to the port from there. There is also a water taxi on Front Street that takes you to the port also. Just ask at the front desk, I am sure they can direct you. All the shopping you want is on Front Street from jewelry, wine, liquor & souvenirs. There are also lots of restaurants from casual to fancy. Casual would be Kangaroo Court, just off Front Street or Greenhouse Cafe at the end of Front Street. For more formal, Antione's French Restaurant is located on Front Street. The have an amazing grand mariner or chocolate soufflé which must be ordered with your dinner. It is baked fresh and served hot. Holland House also has their own restaurant. We only ate dinner there once and had the rack of lamb. It was delicious. We also had breakfast there one morning, very good. They have beautiful outside seating on comfortable couches.

diann24

I also like Chesterfields. I ate at Greenhouse cafe, and Kangeroo Court. They bring you a can of raid to spray with to avoid mosquito bites.They were swarming around us and we moved our seats 3 times. I was not a fan of that place but all the others are great. In fact the Holland house has a nice restaurant inside.

ellenbw

Thanks for the responses. Yes I was looking at the Divi resort and our cruise leaves out of Phillipsburg. Thanks for the restaurant suggestions too - not liking the mosquito issue!!

diann24

Divi has a wonderful beach, and a cute place to walk to on the beach for breakfast called Gingerbread café. sits on the beach and it has the best coffee ever! ( I am a coffee checker outer.) Holland House you will for sure just walk to where ever you want. With Divi a short taxi ride would work. No avoid the Kangaroo Court. No other place was like this. The people were sweet or else I would have left. I was there for breakfast. Perhaps they are more active in the a.m. I don't know.(skeeters)

BellaClaire

If you are only staying 1 night, I would highly suggest staying at the Holland House. Phillipsburg will have most everything you need. In addition to the restaurants already mentioned, there is also a great breakfast place 2 minute walk away, and there is another restaurant that is fantastic - Le Escargot - also a short walk. In addition, it has a big boardwalk, all the shopping one could want, a big beach. There is another hotel even closer to the water taxi to the port called Passagrahan Hotel - It's quaint - used to be the governor's mansion. The one thing you won't find at Divi or Phillipsburg is a great wine selection. For wine, I would suggest having a taxi take you to the closest Grand Marche grocery store (on the circle heading to simpson bay)....the taxi will wait for you and it shouldn't cost too much. Or, you could taxi it over to the french side and perhaps find all kinds of wines.....

Have fun!

ellenbw

Ok we are rethinking our location again. It's between staying in Marigot at Hotel Beach Plaza, which will be newly renovated or Holland House in Phillipsburg. It seems the distance from the airport is about the same. Of course Phillipsburg is near the cruise port. Marigot is a little cheaper, but not all that much and Marigot hotel includes breakfast.

BellaClaire

I was just there in Febru ary. I drove by Hotel Beach Plaza& it looked no where near being ready for guests. Didn't even look like renovation started. I hated how close to the road it was. Gave me the creeps. Holland House restaurant restaurant gets great reviews-fine dining in Phillipsburg- there, La Escargot, Antoine's, plus- you are not paying in Euros.

ellenbw

Hi BellaClaire - the hotel beach plaza just posted on their website that they have postponed the renovations and I won't stay there in its current state, so it's Holland House for us!

BellaClaire

I think you will find that you made a great decision!

Sunfish2017

Easy one!!! Holland House, it right by where you are sailing from and by the boardwalk with restaurants and bars and the town of Phillipsburgh. Divi is past Sonesta Great Bay and there is nothing around there. Holland House all the way and you will not be disappointed.