St. Martin - ???
Jul 3rd, 2013, 03:59 AM
#2
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What exactly do you want to know?
Try doing a few internet searches with such topics as "Saint Martin", "Things to do on Saint Martin" , "What to see on Saint Martin" and you'll find tons of information. Also, type "Saint Martin" in the search box at the top of this page to bring up scores of threads - lots has been already been written.
Try doing a few internet searches with such topics as "Saint Martin", "Things to do on Saint Martin" , "What to see on Saint Martin" and you'll find tons of information. Also, type "Saint Martin" in the search box at the top of this page to bring up scores of threads - lots has been already been written.
Jul 3rd, 2013, 04:12 AM
#3
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I would suggest going to this web site TTOL. (travel talk on line.com) They have so much more info on St. Martin people who are retired live there and offer lots of great info. You won't find many positive comments here about st. martin. We are leaving next Tuesday for one week. It is our fist time there--I have been rather apprehensive but I am hoping for the best.
Jul 3rd, 2013, 01:23 PM
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There is "something" about St. Martin. I have been to numerous islands in the caribbean and did not find the topography of the island all that interesting however I love this island. There is something that keeps drawing me back.
The Dutch side is very built up and offers more night life. You will find casinos and night clubs and a bustling down town area. The French side has a different feel-more tropical IMO. We are fond of the Grande Case area as there are numerous great restaurants to dine, a small quiet pristine beach and the village that is magical in the evening. Orient beach is a short distance away by car or taxi and offers beach bars and restaurants.
The Dutch side is very built up and offers more night life. You will find casinos and night clubs and a bustling down town area. The French side has a different feel-more tropical IMO. We are fond of the Grande Case area as there are numerous great restaurants to dine, a small quiet pristine beach and the village that is magical in the evening. Orient beach is a short distance away by car or taxi and offers beach bars and restaurants.
Jul 3rd, 2013, 05:20 PM
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Davenport1 we are staying at the Divi resort--how far is Grande Case from there. I assume you rent a car? Who do you use for car rental? I like the description of Grande Case area. It sounds like a place I would love to see. Do you have any restaurant suggestions? Mediocre price range.
Jul 3rd, 2013, 06:07 PM
#7
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diann24:
The island itself is approximately 33 square miles however roads are rough and windy in most spots and timed travel is hard to gauge. You would be traveling from the south to the northern side of the island. Personally I never rent a car and prefer taxi or local buses whilst on the islands. Like to leave the driving to the experts, especially at night.
There are so many great restaurants to choose from in Grande Case. I would suggest
L'' Auberge Gourmande (french) or Piazza Pascal for italian cuisine. Your best bet is to research all restaurants in advance online and view menus.
Enjoy your trip.
The island itself is approximately 33 square miles however roads are rough and windy in most spots and timed travel is hard to gauge. You would be traveling from the south to the northern side of the island. Personally I never rent a car and prefer taxi or local buses whilst on the islands. Like to leave the driving to the experts, especially at night.
There are so many great restaurants to choose from in Grande Case. I would suggest
L'' Auberge Gourmande (french) or Piazza Pascal for italian cuisine. Your best bet is to research all restaurants in advance online and view menus.
Enjoy your trip.
Jul 8th, 2013, 08:15 AM
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St Maarten is a great place to explore. Here are my suggestions for beaches (not in any order):
1. Simpson Bay Beach - go to Karacters for lunch. The beach is behind the airport. You access it via the road that passes by Bada Bings.
2. Mullet Beach - great beach to stay on for the day - can get a good cheeseburger....great to go to for sunset too. - access behind the golf course..dutch side.
3. Pinel Island - Definitely go here. On french side. Have to take a ferry from Cul de Sac. The ferry runs every 30 minutes and is very inexpensive (I want to say $7.00 round trip). Take about 10 minutes to get there. The water is calm. There are a couple of restaurants and then you can also hike Pinel (takes about 45 minutes or so)
4. Orient Beach - great wide long beach of which a part of it at the end is clothing optional. Lined with beach bars. Also on the french side.
5. Friars Bay - usually calm water - on the french side past Marigot. Has 2 restaurants...can also hike over to Happy Bay (about a 15 minute easy walk)
6. Dawn Beach -middle of the island on border of dutch and french side. great beach bar - Mr. Busby's. could go for breakfast or lunch/dinner. I've gone for breakfast and Happy Hour!
7. Phillipsburg - boardwalk - great for shopping - but if some of the party doesn't like to shop, the beach is steps away!
Restaurants:
On the dutch side - one of my favorites is Lee's Roadhouse grill in Simpson Bay.
LaGondola has fantastic fine dining italian food - also on the dutch side - Cupecoy area.
The Buccaneer and Green House are both near Pelican Key on dutch side. Buccaneer is outside and burgers/pizza....GreenHouse is all around good food.
In Phillipsburg - Ocean Prime (Holland House), Antoines, and Le Escargot are all fantastic
On the french side, there are a lot of fantastic restaurants. I went to Mario's in February and it was great. The problem with dining on the french side is the currency conversion. The bill will most likely be in Euros. So our party of 4 at Mario's, the bill was like $250.00 once the conversion was done.
For lunch, go to Paradise View (perhaps on the way to Orient).....it's on the top of a hill and the views are great.
Excursions:
I've taken the ferry to Anguilla - it's not expensive...once there I hired a taxi to take me to Elodias and Gwen's - on Shoal Bay East.....Anguilla beaches are 2nd to none - in the Caribbean anyways...similar to Turks and Caicos.
You could also do a Catamaran to Prickley Pear - a national park owned by Anguilla - catch the catamaran from Pelican Key.
I've also taken the ferry to Saba - the jewel of the Caribbean....no beaches...you could hike Mt. Scenery (2-3 hours up and down) Google Saba, my words wouldn't adequately describe.
You can also take a ferry to St. Barts...the ride over can be bumpy if you get sea sick....St. Barts is another easy, great place to explore - rent a jeep and drive to Saline, Governors, Shell and St. Jean's Beach.
1. Simpson Bay Beach - go to Karacters for lunch. The beach is behind the airport. You access it via the road that passes by Bada Bings.
2. Mullet Beach - great beach to stay on for the day - can get a good cheeseburger....great to go to for sunset too. - access behind the golf course..dutch side.
3. Pinel Island - Definitely go here. On french side. Have to take a ferry from Cul de Sac. The ferry runs every 30 minutes and is very inexpensive (I want to say $7.00 round trip). Take about 10 minutes to get there. The water is calm. There are a couple of restaurants and then you can also hike Pinel (takes about 45 minutes or so)
4. Orient Beach - great wide long beach of which a part of it at the end is clothing optional. Lined with beach bars. Also on the french side.
5. Friars Bay - usually calm water - on the french side past Marigot. Has 2 restaurants...can also hike over to Happy Bay (about a 15 minute easy walk)
6. Dawn Beach -middle of the island on border of dutch and french side. great beach bar - Mr. Busby's. could go for breakfast or lunch/dinner. I've gone for breakfast and Happy Hour!
7. Phillipsburg - boardwalk - great for shopping - but if some of the party doesn't like to shop, the beach is steps away!
Restaurants:
On the dutch side - one of my favorites is Lee's Roadhouse grill in Simpson Bay.
LaGondola has fantastic fine dining italian food - also on the dutch side - Cupecoy area.
The Buccaneer and Green House are both near Pelican Key on dutch side. Buccaneer is outside and burgers/pizza....GreenHouse is all around good food.
In Phillipsburg - Ocean Prime (Holland House), Antoines, and Le Escargot are all fantastic
On the french side, there are a lot of fantastic restaurants. I went to Mario's in February and it was great. The problem with dining on the french side is the currency conversion. The bill will most likely be in Euros. So our party of 4 at Mario's, the bill was like $250.00 once the conversion was done.
For lunch, go to Paradise View (perhaps on the way to Orient).....it's on the top of a hill and the views are great.
Excursions:
I've taken the ferry to Anguilla - it's not expensive...once there I hired a taxi to take me to Elodias and Gwen's - on Shoal Bay East.....Anguilla beaches are 2nd to none - in the Caribbean anyways...similar to Turks and Caicos.
You could also do a Catamaran to Prickley Pear - a national park owned by Anguilla - catch the catamaran from Pelican Key.
I've also taken the ferry to Saba - the jewel of the Caribbean....no beaches...you could hike Mt. Scenery (2-3 hours up and down) Google Saba, my words wouldn't adequately describe.
You can also take a ferry to St. Barts...the ride over can be bumpy if you get sea sick....St. Barts is another easy, great place to explore - rent a jeep and drive to Saline, Governors, Shell and St. Jean's Beach.
Jul 17th, 2013, 12:15 PM
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I have returned and we had a great time. We stayed at Divi Resorts which I found to be ideal. Is on the opposite end where the cruise ships come in and a short ride to Phillispburg which I think it a charming town. Loved the boardwalk and walking around there. We ate at Chesterfields which I thought was just lovely and a wondeful food. Also Greenhouse, Kangeroo Cafe for breakfast, which was ok. They seem to have mosquito issue. They give you a can of raid as they seat you. They swarm all around your legs. Food was great. I prefer the boardwalk. Ate at several places on the boardwalk.
Simpson Bay--ate at Toppers. Was not a fan. I would not return there, ate at Lee's Roadhouse grill. It was ok nice for lunch, there dinner menu was a littl sparse. We ate at Fusion. It was the best meal ever ambiance, service food all superb. I would return there in a minute-I highly recommend for a great romantic place. This is not your Karokee type place at all. More upscale, elegant. I loved Marks in Phillipsburg. I had there ribs they are to die for--they were the best!!!! Loved Divi Resort great beach. We went to Marigot for breakfast one a.m. I so love there pasteries and coffee made by a machine, served in a small cup. Certain places have it and some do not. Bel air hotel has a cute place right on the beach called Gingerbread Cafe. It is right smack on the beach and a great place to have breakfast. We could walk down from Divi on the beach.
All and all a great week. Sorry I did not make it to Anguilla. I so wanted to--I saw Orient etc. not a fan of busy beaches chairs all line up in a row. Not my preference. I like the more secluded beaches.
Simpson Bay--ate at Toppers. Was not a fan. I would not return there, ate at Lee's Roadhouse grill. It was ok nice for lunch, there dinner menu was a littl sparse. We ate at Fusion. It was the best meal ever ambiance, service food all superb. I would return there in a minute-I highly recommend for a great romantic place. This is not your Karokee type place at all. More upscale, elegant. I loved Marks in Phillipsburg. I had there ribs they are to die for--they were the best!!!! Loved Divi Resort great beach. We went to Marigot for breakfast one a.m. I so love there pasteries and coffee made by a machine, served in a small cup. Certain places have it and some do not. Bel air hotel has a cute place right on the beach called Gingerbread Cafe. It is right smack on the beach and a great place to have breakfast. We could walk down from Divi on the beach.
All and all a great week. Sorry I did not make it to Anguilla. I so wanted to--I saw Orient etc. not a fan of busy beaches chairs all line up in a row. Not my preference. I like the more secluded beaches.
Jul 23rd, 2013, 06:36 AM
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I agree about Chesterfields and The Greenhouse. I've only had cocktails at Toppers - they have a good happy hour....Another fun thing to do is to go to the yacht club right by the bridge in Simpson Bay. They make a proper bloody mary and it's a lot of fun to watch the yachts go through. I stayed at the Bel Air Beach 16 years ago or so. I thought it was okay. At the Divi, isn't that a place where a lot of cruise ship people will go to while they are in port?
Jul 23rd, 2013, 01:13 PM
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I really don't know as cruise people are usually a give a way by there towels. I can say I did not see any odd looking towels. I did at Orient Beach see a bus with a RC ship name and people with striped towels. Some of the tours I am sure go to Orient beach. There is also a beach where the boardwalk is located where people could go to the beach and where the cruise ships dock. I do think during slow season Divi lets the locals in---just my opinion.
