Ideas where to stay in St. Martin/St. Maarten
 

We are planning to travel to the island for 8 nights in mid summer - late June through early August. At this point our travel dates are flexible in that range. My questions:
Hurricanes?
How hot? (We are from Texas and we want to get away for HEAT, but like warm.)
Where to stay? I like beach front and watching the ocean waves from my balcony - over the water preferably. However, our kids are young adults (25 & 27) and want water sports and shopping and night fun. We plan to rent a car, but the idea would be quiet beach during the day within walking distance to night life and good eating. We want to avoid the cruise ships - but is that a non-issue during this time period?
And finally, for non cooks who need to rent a place with at least one double bed and two twins and some space, do we need to look at hotels or rentals? Money manners, but we are adventurous sorts and don't need luxury.
Thanks in advance for any answers you can give me to any one of these questions. PBB

The official Atlantic/Caribbean Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30. The most active period for major storms is during the 6 week period between Sept. 1 and October 15. Even though a hurricane may be brewing during the time you decide to travel the odds of it stricking a specific island during a specif time frame are relatively small. Other than this information there is absolutely no way anyone can predict this far in advance when and/or where a hurricane may strike or give you any assurances about the weather. Typically you only get about 5 days advance warning.

On average, during the period late June through Early August you can expect daytime temperatures to be in the mid- to high 80's F. with occasional days in the low 90's. The sun is quite strong and the humidity will be on the high side so it will feel warmer.

There are plenty of Beachfront/waterfront hotels, resorts and condos that have balconiesin a variety of price points to suit most budgets. Since you didn't give any indication of how much you want to spend (other than saying "money matter" - whatever that means???) it is difficult to make any specific suggestion. For starters you might consider renting a multi-bedroom condo to accomodate your partry. Do a google search for such topics as "St. Martin Condo rentals" and you'll find lots of useful information.

St. Martin is a regular Port of Call from many cruise ships, regardless of the time of year (although there are fewer in summer than in winter). Other than crowded stores in Phillipsburg the island is big enough to handle the cruise ship passengers without much impact.

Thank you both for your ideas. And, roamsaround, I did say "money manners" and I don't know what that means either. I was doing this very late after lots of web searching and must of been pretty brain dead. I meant "money matters." We have enough to take the four of us on a trip of this type, but not enough for "world class luxury" places. We are looking to spend between $1800 to $2500 for a place to stay for a family of four for 8 nights. We are a family, but the kids a male and female and young adults so we need three beds. Breakfast would be nice. Rest of meals would be on our own. As far as night life goes, the boy lives in Montana and the girl in New Jersey (yeah), so I was thinking St Martin/Marrten would live them lots of variety and be different for both. . . plus I found great deals of American Airlines from DFW which is our home airport. Again, thank you for your fast answers. Any other ideas will be REALLY appreciated. PBB

Check out L'Esplanade. We stayed there for part of our honeymoon and our suite was larger than our NYC apartment and included a full kitchen. Very reasonably priced. Their sister hotel, Le Petit, is right on the beach but does not have kitchens.

Sorry- those are both on the French side in Grand Case.

Is the French side a problem? PBB

check this out. The person was very easy to work with. It is close to Bliss - where your kids will want to go....and it is close to great restaurants...I'd stay here or in a condo on Simpson Bay Beach.....
http://www.vrbo.com/227835
http://www.caribbeandays.com/villa.aspx?vid=560
restaurants:
Cupecoy - LaGondola, Temptation/Rare (walking distance)
Maho - Cherie's cafe
Simpson Beach - Lee's Roadhouse, Pineapple Pete's
Phillipsburg - Antoines, TaLoula's Mango's Greenhouse
Orient Beach - Kakao's
Dawn Beach - Mr Busby's Beach Bar
Grand Case - Spiga, Le Cottage
Marigot - Marios

Places to Go
Day trip to Pinel Island ($7.00 rt ferry)
Day trip to Anguilla or Sabre or St. Barths
Shop in Phillipsburg

Nightlight - more in Maho area

Have Fun!

Thanks, all. You have been a big help. PBB