DesignGirl0319

My husband and I are in our mid50s, empty nesters, have been married only 2 years and this is our first real destination vacation together. We have already decided to go to St. Martin for a week in early December and need to be pointed in the right direction based on our interests and personalities. Based on what I've read in these forums, I just know there are like-minded folks out there with brains jam-packed full of info that they might be willing to share.

We are from Colorado and aren't really interested in the spa type of resort. Ideally we'd love a little hut on the beach (ok, well maybe a room with a view of the beach) within a nice resort with easy access to nightlife, restaurants, hiking, kayaking, etc. We'd ideally like a mix of a lively friendly resort but able to have some down time to relax. We're not gamblers at all. We plan to rent a car for access to more than what's within walking distance.

I have read both good and bad things about both sides of the island and quite frankly am overwhelmed by information overload. Do I stay on the French or Dutch side? So much to think about!

So based on what I've mentioned above I was hoping that there are others in my demographic with great experiences on St. Martin who can point me in the right direction for lodging. Once we're there we can deal with choosing restaurants.

Thanks!

RoamsAround

OK, time for a reality check - you won't find "a little hut on the beach" on St. Martin or any other island. Beachfront property is very expensive (think in terms of US$10,000+ per beachfront foot). At those prices no one builds a "little hut" - just resorts, million dollar+ villas and multi-story condos/timeshares. There are lots of those on St. Martin.


Look at some of the boutique style hotels in the Grand Case area - a nice beach and lots of restaurants within walking distance. Or, if you want something more quiet consider renting one of the smaller private villas on Plum Bay or Bay Rouge - some large villas will offer discounts if it is only being used by a couple.

DesignGirl0319

No reality check necessary RoamsAround as I didn't really expect my dream of a little hut on the beach to be a reality, but hey, you never know if you don't ask, right?

At any rate, I appreciate your advice and suggestions and have been reading up about the Grand Case area. That part of the island seems to be just what were looking for, although there are only a few places to stay.

And if it can't be that ever elusive hut, we'll most likely stay at somewhere like the Grand Case Beach Club. Have you ever stayed in the Grand Case area?

diann24

We just returned from St. Martin in July. We stayed at Divi resorts which we liked very much. It is on the Dutch side close to Phillipsburg. We did tour the island. I was on the French side as well. I was not so impressed with Grand Case as I had anticipated. I was told my most locals that Divi Resorts was pretty much one of the best.

If I were you I would go to www.traveltalkonline.comT they have a St.martin forum with tons of seasoned St.Martin folks. If I want to know anything about SXM that is where I would go--they are the best on that forum for detailed info.

diann24

http://www.locogringo.com/tankah/corazon.htm?ID=796

By the way if you want to venture into Tulum, Mayan Riviera there are beach huts on the beach that are advertised. Check it out it will not be St. martin but it is possible in Mexico if that is your dream and idea of a romantic getaway. That is what dreams are for---make them come true it is possible!!

Callaloo

Have you been to the Caribbean before? Are you wedded to St. Maarten/St. Martin?

Grand Case is the only place on St. Martin that I will stay (have done a private villa there, and stayed at Le Petit Hotel a couple of times). But, if it's your first trip to the islands, or your first trip to St. Martin, you may find Grand Case a little off-putting (as I did on my very first trip to any island, on my honeymoon in the late 80s). It's not polished; it's not glitzy; it's not glamorous. But on the other hand, it's quirky, it's cosmopolitan, it's evocative of Europe, it's laid-back.

The beach is not the nicest on the island, but it's pretty enough and mellow and the people you are likely to encounter walking along live and work there. Good for walking and taking a dip. (And you can, after a short drive and hike, easily access Happy Bay, which is one of my favorites on the island).

One of my favorite beach bars anywhere (after 40+ -- gulp -- trips to the Caribbean) is right there: Calmos Cafe. It's lively and serves great drinks and buzzes with many languages and gives you a great view of the sunset.

The best collection of restaurants in the Caribbean is right at your doorstep. They may not look like much, but the food will knock your socks off. Often Caribbean-inflected French food, combining the ingredients and techniques of both cultures. If you don't want to go high-end, step into one of the lolos and dive into grilled fish or ribs.

I speak minimal French, but a sincere Bonjour or Bonsoir or Merci gets warmth in response and friendly interactions.

I like Le Petit Hotel because it's at the quiet south end of the beach. It's tiny -- 9 rooms only -- and when you sit on your balcony, watching the planes land between the seaside hills, or checking out Anguilla across the channel, you feel like you're in the Med. The managers are French, and the rooms are Euro-chic; it's like a little oasis.

But Grand Case only works if you are seeking an escape from high-rises and hustle and bustle, and if you are prepared for a little roughness around the edges. I'm all about that, but not everyone is, so it's about managing expectations. If you don't think this is for you, tell us more about what you're looking for, including your budget, and we'll point you in the right direction.

DesignGirl0319

Thanks for the great tips Diann, and I will for sure check out Casa el Corazon in Tulum for our next vacation! It looks exactly like what we had in mind!

Ad wow Callaloo! Thanks for all of that fantastic info! Yes we used mileage for our airfare so we are for sure going to St. Martin, and based on everything I've read, I'm pretty sure that staying in the Grand Case area will be the best place for us. My husband and I are not spa people and quite enjoy laid-back, quirky and cosmopolitan, without any glitz or high-rises and not much pampering. But I'll admit that as long as I'm not cooking or cleaning, and we have some fun restaurants, great food and people, well, that's my kind of pampering. So based on your glowing report of the food in Grand Case I'm pretty excited.

I have looked around the area and have only found a few hotels, is this the case or am I missing something? I looked at the GC Beach Club and Le Petit Hotel and they both look good. We will probably be joined by a few kids (in their 20s) at some point during our two week stay, so I'm really not sure what accommodations will work for us. I'm not really into the whole condo thing as I'd much rather be in a resort with their amenities and other guests. Our budget is around $200-$250/night, but if the kids do join us we may need to adjust our expectations based on sheer necessity for another bedroom.

Any ideas for us?

travelenthusiast

I agree with Diann24. There are places to go to if you want a hut on the beach. We found several small hotels in Tulum that are basically various huts on the beach. Mahekal and Las Palapas in Playa Del Carmen also both have huts on the beach.

BellaClaire

I don't think you will like grande case-sorry. I think it's great to eat at, but not to stay at. Just saying. I would look into Simpson bay beach. There are condos & Marys Boon hotel, The Horny Toad Guesthouse & blue Azure... The beach is beautiful, wide & long.

exiledprincessK

I agree,
We have visited almost all the islands many times and find Simpson bay beach quiet and private. If you want quiet beach, no huge resorts yet close to everything, that's the place. There are many small condos and a couple guesthouses to rent. you are still a half hour to Grand Case, 5 minutes to Maho and fun night life and so may great restaurants. Be careful though, there is another area that has timeshares but that is not on Simpson Beach.
There are some cute little quiet places on st John's too. You want quiet and nothing but beach, go to Anegada but there will be no nightlife...only a couple private restaurants

orchy

If you like good food and good wine, please stay on the French side. We never went to the Dutch side; we were there about 5 years ago on a cruise and were very disappointed. Our daughter stayed there for a week & was disappointed as well. My husband and I along with our daughter went to St. Martin in June and stayed at Villa Jade 3 (beautiful) for a week. It's on the water facing Pinel Island in the Cul de Sac area about 10-15 min from Grand Case (nightlife). It has 2 bedrooms w/king beds and 2 bathrooms along with a really large living area and small kitchen. There is a small pool and a beautiful outdoor area with table, lots of chairs and grill. There are also kayaks which my husband & daughter used. Orient beach is 10 min. away. Lots of great restaurants and a wonderful wine place nearby. We ate the best food and drank the best wine. Even the local pizza place had really good salad. We ate breakfast and lunch & went out for dinner. Julie the owner will recommend restaurants and places to go. We also went shopping in Marigot and Grand Case.

There are also 2 other villas next door that you could rent if your gang could not fit in Villa Jade 3. There is a large sofa but not sure how comfortable it is for sleeping. Look at the website--lots of pictures.

orchy

FYI: Forgot to mention that our daughter is in her 30's and we are in our 60's.