SDA1

My wife and I are looking into a week long trip to St. Martin. We've never been so we're hoping fodorites can give us some advice.

We're mostly interested in beach, good food, relaxing and a vibrant nightlife. We've looked into Club Orient and a few other hotels on Orient Beach. Nudity doesn't bother us but also isn't a requirement. My wife likes to sunbathe topless but I guess that's doable anywhere.

But I've also read on the board that others recommend other parts of the island. We'd also like to stay in a place that isn't teeming with kids.

So, we're looking for a place on the beach, very near good restuaraunts and bars. Any suggestions? Also, do we need to rent a car in St. Martin?

Thanks so much for any help or guidance you can provide.

SDA

SDA1

By the way, the other area that has gotten positive reviews here is Grand Case Beach so if anyone can comment on that in comparison to Orient would be great. Thanks.

Carib_dreamn

I really enjoyed both Grand Case and the Orient Village area the main difference for us in chosing was price difference...there was a wider variety of rental options for a variety of prices. We stayed historically at Grand Case beach club which was lovely...this time we stayed at L'Hoste and found it to be fantastic - we really enjoyed being on such a large beach with one minute walk to so many lovely little restuarants etc...all within the Orient Village area... If you have any more questions that I can help with please feel free to ask!!

iw

We stayed at Esmeralda, on Orient Beach 2 weeks ago, and were very happy. Alamanda is supposed to be the "sister resort" and is nice. I have also heard great things about GCBC, but did not get a chance to visit. A word of warning, and I hope that people will take this for what it's worth...Esmeralda and l'Hoste have had an increase in break-ins, which appear to be inside jobs, since the safes have been broken into (which I can't figure out...Brinks with your own code).
Another great source of info on SXM is available on traveltalkonline.com, which has a whole section devoted to SXM. Just a thought.
Again, we love Orient Beach and have been there 3 times without incident. L'Astrolabe, across from Esmeralda offered great dining poolside on our first night. Excellent service!! The restaurants in Grand Case are excellent.....Le Bistro Caraibes, Alabama, California, Il Netunno, just to mention a few. Also, the ferry to Anguilla sounds fun, but we ran out of time....maybe next year.

SDA1

Thanks for the good information. Does Orient Beach area have a good nightlife? The beach is probably most important but we do like having the option of staying out late and having fun.

iw

Renting a car is easy and affordable. We used taxis on our recent trip since it was short due to our visiting 3 islands. At Esmeralda, the bar closed at 10:30....groan. We stocked up on wine/burbon and continued the party on our patio. Keep in mind that we did go in the off season. Grand Case seems to stay open later even during the off season. I noticed signs at the many beach bars on Orient that seemed to indicate that they stay open during the off season later than the 6:00ish times that they were closing in July. There are shops near the Alamanda, behind the beach that had restaurants that should be open later than what we had at Esmeralda. Hope I didn't confuse!!!
The Dutch side was very populated and might remain open later....it was too built up, IMHO. Again, I don't care for Myrtle Beach and liken it to that area. I feel that you would get a better feel for the island on the French side, but it really depends on your personal taste.
Oh, the marina in Marigot had some quaint restaurants and shops. From Orient, it was $15 each way by taxi.

Carib_dreamn

I remember that in Grand Case the resort you had to go into town for the night life which was good - milling around after dinner eating ice cream etc...but I am not a big partier...

In Orient area we backed onto the restaurant and shop area of Orient Village so we were that one minute stroll out of our garden to a well populated area with some nightlife but again - not clubbing more social stuff...on the friday nights they had people in the center area that iw was talking about selling jewellery, music playing, locals playing "boules" so great atmosphere!! We ate from the Haggen Dazs almost every night and lingered watching the world of Orient go by!! I really enjoyed that!!

baker

I recommend either GCBC or L'Hoste although I was interested to read about the (insider??) breakins. Another beautiful place right near Orient is La Plantation; you're 5 minutes from the beach. Nightlife in Grand case and Orient seems to depend upon the season. We rented a house this year for all of March and half of April; there were street festivals every Tuesday in GC and Friday nights many craft vendors were in the square of Les Villages d'Orient but as April approached they weren't held.

We much prefer the French side over the Dutch, you really feel the French atmosphere.

SDA1

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I also was considering L'hoste until I read about the break-ins.

I'm going to do a bit more digging around based on your suggestions. Thanks!

Carib_dreamn

We went to L'Hoste in Jan 2006 and had a fantastic time but if there are "insider" break ins that is too tragic...We were considering this hotel again this year however, we want to go for two weeks and the prices listed were more expensive this year...not ok if there is a greater risk of break ins...