I believe the most recent devestating hurricane was Lenny not Luis back in 95. However beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Would never return to Aruba because I can go to Miami Beach cheaper. Other than the beach there is no caribbean feel other than the plastic one. Have not stayed on the Dutch side of St. Martin but the French side is lovely. The market square, the restaurants and the beaches have a caribbean atmosphere and attitude while Aruba is just another western resort like Cancun with medicore food and lots of wind. Chez Mathilde was excellent. It's an island not DisneyLand with real people and not the attitude that you get on Aruba where they patronize you because if they don't they won't have tourists. Have to realize that a different kind of traveller goes to Aruba and it is a bargin destination.

traveller,<BR><BR>Why not post on a messageboard where folks from St. Martin read and post messages: which hurricane was worse - Luis or Lenny. Lenny was long and hit the island on the side where it never has. Luis was near category 5 and hit the island directly. Linda spoke of '95 and didn't mention most recent - that was Luis - that is what destroyed Club Orient, Mullet Bay and the list could go on. <BR><BR>Still to the fine people of St. Martin - keep up the excellent work.

Dear Traveller: you stated that Aruba is a bargain destination, could you elaborate. A sun destination, beach destination Ok but a bargain destination come on. Karen