Advise Trip to St. Martin May '08 with 1yr old
 

We need some advice on entertainment, side trips, restaurants for a trip we will be making to St. Martin next May. We will be there from Thursday to Monday on Memorial Weekend. We will be traveling with our 1yr old(his first time visiting the island). We will stay at the Sonesta in Maho Beach(we will have a rental car). We have in mind to go to several beaches outside of the Maho Bay area. Can you please provide recommendations on nice restaurants, possible side trips(perhaps-Anguila, St.Barth??), beach trips for a young family of three?

I haven't done St. Maarten with a child that young, but I would definitely fit in the butterfly farm, Le Gallion beach (baby beach), and maybe the zoo. The water at Maho is a on the rough side, so I would prefer either Le Galion or Grand Case with a 1-year old. Of coure, there are pools and other water features at the resort that would be suited to a small child, as well.

What type of restaurants are you looking for? Upscale, child friendly, what type of cuisine? There are tons of restaurants on the island, so give us a little more info and we can make some suggestions.

As for side trips, Anguilla is easily doable from the French side of the island by ferry and Shoal Bay beach would be fabulous for a child as young as yours. You could take the ferry over, take a cab to Shoal Bay for the day and then ferry back. With the limited time you have I personally wouldn't veture to do any other islands outside of Anguilla.

Thanks a lot for the information. I heard the same about the beach at Maho, but since we are staying at the resort we figured the pool would be OK. Anyway, we are planning to drive around the island to check out other beaches. We are not planning to spend every day at the hotel. Regarding the possible trip to Anguila I am wondering if we could bring our rental or if you think is advisable to have a guide or taxi waiting for us there? Is the ride rough? Do you know where can I find info about the ferries that go to Anguila?

The type of restaurant we are interested is family friendly and upscale. We went to Terra during our last trip and we loved it(we didn't have the baby at that point). We also know about an indian restaurant in the dutch side but we don't know if it's good. Also, we need recommendations about good french restaurants in Grand Case..we know there are plenty of options. We are interested in restaurants where one of the days we could see the sunset, and also a good ambiance..live music or show...

The ferry is only for people, not vehicles. You could rent a car on Anguilla, but if you are just going to hang out at one beach then it makes more sense to just hire a taxi. Bear in mind that driving is on the left on Anguilla.

Anguilla Ferry:

Daily ferry, every 30 minutes from 8am to 17:30pm (departure at the Marigot Water Front)

St Martin/Anguilla : $ 20.00 or € 20.00 round trip per person, children under 12 years pay half price.

Departure Tax: Marigot ST Martin $ 2.00 or € 2.00 / Anguilla $ 3.00 or E.C 8.00

Since you are at Maho, don't miss watching the jets land between 1 and 3 p.m. at Sunset Beach Bar nearby. A lot of people bring their young children.

For a great array of upscale restaurants I would recommend an evening in Grand Case (aka Restaurant Row) as you stated. Some of my favorites or ones I've heard good things about are L'Escapade, Le Pressior, Le Testevin, Rainbow, L'Alabama, etc. I really doubt you can go wrong with just about any place in Grand Case and all the restaurants post their menu's outside so you can check out what they have before committing.

There are also a lot of good casual restaurants in the Simpson Bay area just past the draw bridge on your left. Lee's Roadside Grill, Pineapple Pete's, etc.

The Phillipsburg boardwalk has been revamped in recent years and is nice to walk around for shopping and lunching.

As for Indian food, don't miss Lal's (casual but awesome) which is just past the airport on your left coming from Maho. I don't think he opens until 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Hopefully Barbara sees this thread and comments as well since she is very knowledgable about the island.

Definitely the Butterfly Farm, but not the zoo. I loved Le Pressoir - outstanding food and great service, Beautiful restaurant. When I went, there seemed to be a few tables that go to Le Pressoir as their traditional last nite.

why not the zoo? the zoo is a very popular place for kids.
It is undergoing renovations and is looking good these days.
it is handicap accessible so you can use a stroller if you want.
There is a little playground with swings there also.

to the OP, definitely go to Anguilla. Statia has given you good information. The ride is short, and usually not rough at all. The ride to St. Barth's can often be rough.

If you want a nice beach bar near you, try Buccaneer Beach bar behind the Atrium. nice atmosphere and the beach there is calm for a young child.
Try to get to Philipsburg. it's fun shopping there and the boardwalk is a great place to tke a young child. calm beach there also and lots of local families go there with their children, especially on the weekend.. if you are taking a stroller with you, the boardwalk is another good place to use it.
another calm beach is Friar's Bay.
While here, buy a little beach bucket and shovel and your child will have hours of fun playing in the sand.

With a car you will be able to explore the entire island. As far as places to eat, I am not sure what you are looking for.
As statia says, give us a little more info and we can recommend some places.

If the zoo is doing renovations, than that's great. It was in rather sad shape with not many animals. I hadn't heard they were undergoing renovations, so if so, then maybe it's better now. I stand corrected.

the zoo is always a work in progress.
The past several months there has not been a curator there so things have looked a little run down.
it is still a popular place for children to visit though.
There is a new management company now with a new curator and they already have started sprucing the place up.

Thanks so much for all the great information!! I'm so looking forward to our trip. You definitively have given me enough to work with for the days that I will be there. Remember that with a young child there is so much planning you can do...when they want to sleep that's it..I think the restaurant suggestions are great and I can't wait to go to the Indian restaurant and try some of the French restaurants you have suggested. I am not sure we will go to the zoo because we go to the Zoo all the time here in Miami.
Thanks a lot and I will definitively post a trip report so it can be of help in the future for young parents traveling to St. Maarten with young toddlers visiting....Anyway, if you happen to think of anything else feel free to post again! We are counting the days..4 weeks to go!

You should definitely make time to take a ferry to Anguilla, Shoal Bay East. This is quite possibly the MOST beautiful stretch of beach I have been too. It has the clearest bluest waters and white sand-and was quite calm when I was there last. The ferry is about 40 minutes-don't forget to bring your passport-it's definitely worth it. If you can't make it out there, another nice little "deserted" beach w/very calm and shallow waters for your child is Pinel Island.