Toms

Will be spending a week at a resort near Pelican Bay. Any great restaurants we should try or sights to see would be appreciated. We like catamarans, hiking, biking, beaches. Should we rent a car or just do taxis.

kep

Hi we went to St Maarten in Nov/03 and have just booked return trip for May/04 at the Maho. Since we had the all inclusive plan we only ate at the restaurant we had coupons(vouchers) for. The Paris Bistro, Grand Cafe in the Maho strip both were good but not the Grand Case fare I am sure.

Diffently rent a car one week cost us about 130.00 at Alamo, make sure you bring any paperwork from internet reservations with you.

Pinel Isle was lovely, go to cul de sac and take a small boat over. Dawn Beach and Friars beach are also nice with small beach bars for refreshments ect. We had been to St Martin twice before on cruise stops so were familiar with the island (had rented car). We were disappointed with Cupocuy beach this time around not much sand and kind of dirty . Orient beach had also lost a lot of the beach especially around Pedros. Phillipsburg is especially busy on cruise ship days.

We took a day excursion from Pelican to St Barth's on the Edge ferry it was a nice experience. Very rough trip across to St Barth's though so beware!

When we go in May we plan on going to Grand Case for a nice dinner on the water so if you have a great dining experience there please post back.
Have a great trip, Karen

Barbara1

there are so many restaurants to choose from on st maarten
right near your hotel is Lee's Roadside Grill, a great place for fresh fish,BBQ ribs,etc.
If you are going to be on st maarten at the end of April, you will be there for Carnival which is fun
Tuesday nights in Grand Case is Harmony Nights. be sure to see that. It's a street fair with all the boutiques and street vendors , music,and of course the fabulous restaurants.

defintiely rent a car

there are many catamaran trips avaialble also.. the trip tos t barth's is nice and you can also travel to Anguilla which is veyr nice also
if you have time, do the 12 meter yacht race.they operate out of Bobby's Marina in Philipsburg. they take you out for a race in the harbor and it is one of the best excursions offered. it's a lot of fun!
enjoy!

Toms

Yes we will be there April 17-24th. Just might do the yacht race. What is Grand Case? A hotel or Restuarant. And where is it located.

Barbara1

Grand Case is actually a village on the Northern end of the island. the area is actually one street bordering the sea and it is lined with the most fabulous french retsaurants.
on Harmony Nights ( Tuesdays) they clsoe off the strete tot raffic and it is a street fair with music and shopping and lots to eat.
try to "lo LO's: there.they are open air local eateries with the best ribs, chicken,lobster and fish..and very cheap.
most of the French retsurants are high end but are well worth the price.

baker

Another wonderful restaurant to try is O Plongeoir (diver) which is located on the harbourfront in Marigot (French capital) right near the West Indies Mall. It's been there just over a year and the food is consistently excellent. I recommend the Bavette Plongeoir (flank steak stuffed with cheese), Asian Plate (spring rolls or "nems" en francais). Lots of people oreder the camembert which is flaming as it arrives. Now my mouth is watering!! When we were there in Dec we were remembered as previous guests ,.."Ah, les Canadiens"; we're back in 2 weeks and I know it will be our first night out.

baker

Forgot to say, yes, rent a car; we rent through Budget, it's 2 minutes from the airport. We just come through immigration, hop on their van and they have the vehicle ready for us. Driving is easy as there is basically one main road around the island. You can drive around and stop at various beaches. You can go to Pic Paradise and the French fort in Marigot. We have taken the boat over to St.Barths and we have also gone by airplane from Grand Case to Gustavia. Now there's a ride to talk about; the plane flies up, straightens out and 10 mins later you're over the harbour at Gustavia. Then it angles up over a hill (with a cross on top)and tilts down sharply onto the runway. The goats scatter and you can see people on St Jean's beach at the end of the runway. The price from Grand Case included flight and a car. St.Barth's is a real jewel of an island, so pristine. Shopping is very high-end but it's fun to look and the beaches are gorgeous.

Barbara1

by the way
this company offers hiking and biking
Tri-Sport
Tel. (599) 545-4384

Toms

Thanks for the replies. We are staying at Sunterra Flamingo Beach. Near Pelican Key. The Harmony Nights Sounds Fun. Can we see most of the island on bikes or is that not practical? That is why I am wondering if we need a car, maybe for a few days.

Barbara1

Toms
no, you cannot travel on bikes around the island.t he island is mountainous and it is really too dangerous..We have a lot of traffic and I wouldn't advise it
the bikes that you can rent at Tri Sports can be used on some biking paths but it is not the way you want to see the island. definitely rent a car while you are here. that is the best way by far..then you can travel to any beach you want, go out at night to dinner,etc.

baker

Barbara is right; the island is too busy and too large to bike around. We rent a car from Budget for the week and it's not expensive at all. Be sure to drive up into the hills above Dawn Beach; the view is spectacular.

To Barbara: do you know where I can buy good-quality but reasonably priced fabric in SXM; I want fabric from Provence and/or toile. I've been to Daniel B Diffusion and a new spot across from Royal Foods in Nettle Bay. Is there anywhere else? Want to make placemats, napkins,etc.