Just got back from St. Maarteen,

We stayed at the Grand Case Beach Resort, this is for those who want to get away and have some privacy. I was sick for the 1st couple of days and the maid kept checking in on me. While it's an older resort, you can walk into town for dinner, lunch and ALL the resturants had great menus, also Grand Case Resort had their own Euro rate so it was lower then the banks going rate for the dollar. They has chairs,umbrellas, kayaks, snorkling equip, boat taxi to Marigot. Most of this was free.

We purchased breakfast items, beer and wine in town. Met mostly American's and we all talked about the crime. Seems crime talk could be just that-"talk" folks have been coming here for years, common sense. Most of the resturant was great food and the views, can't go wrong. Most places matched euro's for dollars but the higher end resturants and shops did not. Also you have to tip in cash.

KoKo' BBQ was cheap and good food, they also has live music.

Shopped in Marigot, went snorkling at Pinel Island ( food seemed pricey but the portions where worth it, cheap beer) lots of fish.
Went to Orient beach by Coco's, beautiful beach very friendly, had a couple of beers not
so cheap.
Had spa treatment in Marigot, humm no complaints, oh look for the Marinia it's hidden but again great resturants. The woman at Vissimo's wine shop was wonderful, buy your wine here, not your run of the mill place.

Shopping in Phillipsburgh, I got jewery while they gave my hubby beer to get over my
purchases. No one was there, only 4 people on the beach.

Got a great deal on car rental with Value car rental.. from other conversation I got the best rate.

Oh more beers at the cafe by airport to watch plans landing..
If you have a direct flight from St. Maarteen you can purchase alcohol and take it on the plane with you.

It was a wonderful time, lots of sun, sand and suds..... very relaxing

focus is on Italy now..

Di