I just returned from La Samanna. I am used to spending well to travel well, this was not at all what was expected. Old outdated rooms, pool rust stained, $21 for a tuna sandwich at lunch, $27 breakfast buffet. We insisted on a room change the moment we were shown our room, a one bedroom ocean suite on the . It looked dilapidated was about a mile from the pool and restaurant. When I sat down to call the desk, the chair was full of sand. Yuck. They showed us a room which was closer but on the 2nd level... it was absolutely horrid! Finally they offered us their Bai Longue Suite a 6 flight of stair climb in the main building; which was acceptable but honestly no big deal. Then I saw the rates for that room! The room rented for $2995.00 in the off season. Outrageous! I don't think it was worth the $1250.00 a night we were paying. The only redeeming thing is the wonderful woman who cares for guests at the pool. she was delightful, brought out iced water, fruit kebabs and sorbet cones. The hotel held a Lobster Beach Party Lunch ... no one came! It was $85.00 for 1/2 a grilled lobster ... no drinks included. Gee I wonder why no one attended! Steer clear!

Dear Kimm,<BR>It's too bad that you had such a poor experience. I wonder why La Samanna is still making Conde Nast and Travel and Leisure's top ten Caribbean lists?<BR>We were going to book at La Samanna two years ago but heard some not too great things about St. Martin. We booked at Cap Juluca and were not disappointed.<BR>I hope you have better luck next time.

So, Chris, just because a not-so-great hotel makes the Conde Nast list, that makes it okay? NOT!! I agree with Kimm--La Samanna is extremely overpriced and overrated (great location, though)!!

Allen<BR>read Chris' post again!

which La Samanna are you talking about? Seems that the one in Margarita is not that exspensive:<BR>Type<BR> Room<BR> Aditional Person<BR> <BR>Room SK (1 Cama King)<BR> $170 $20<BR> <BR>Room SQ (1 Cama Queen)<BR> $170 $20<BR> <BR>Room ST (2 Camas Queen)<BR> $170 $20<BR> <BR>Suite PH Paradiso<BR> $550 $20<BR> <BR><BR>which one?

I think she means La Samanna on St. Martin...

Franks,<BR>Thanks for clearly reading my post and sticking up for me.<BR>Allen, I changed plans from La Samanna to Cap Juluca because of the negative articles and info on La Samanna and St. Martin. I can't understand why travel magazines would keep these places on their top lists when they are so consistently disappointing. Payoffs?<BR><BR>

Chris,<BR>Most travel magazines post lists of resorts that do well in a reader's poll not what necessarily is good, better, best. The loyal visitors vote for the tired and true traditional spots, have only a few experiences or stuffing the ballot box could happen I suppose. Readers polls are suspect at best and should be looked at carefully and used as a guideline only. Remember that not every one thinks the same and what one may be a dream for one may be a nightmare and a dump for another. Haven't seen too many lately that have LaSamanna anywhere near the top and it has seen better days I understand.

Kimm, I am leaving for La Samanna next Friday and after reading about your experience, I am very discouraged. We have already paid for out accommodations and they are non-refundable. We are still planning on going. Do you have any advice? How can I make this a pleasant week?

Sorry, Chris (and Frank)--I did read your post too quickly and misunderstood the content!!

Madeline--please report on your experience when you get back. I have booked La Samanna this November as a surprise for my wife's birthday, and I want it to be a great weekend for her. I was looking for a luxurious hotel with great food, and a great semi-secluded beach we could walk to from our room and perhaps get an all-over tan. La Samanna seemed to fit the bill (reviews I had read on this and other forums did have some negative reports, but most of the most recent ones were extremely positive), but now I am having my doubts. If not La Samanna, what is the next best choice on St. Martin? I have read good things about L'Esplanade, but it is not on the beach, nor does it have a restaurant (we'll be going out for most meals, but I also want breakfast to be memorable).

Larry, La Samanna is the best choice <BR>on St. Martin. The hotel is very nice, but it does not live up to the wow I had read a few years ago. It is on a wonderful beach, the dining terrace has a beautiful view, we enjoyed our breakfasts there very much. We had a beach villa and did like it! We were disappointed with the bedroom and bathroom, but it was very nice. As we frequent Cap Juluca in Anguilla, this hotel was the forerunner for that hotel and Malliouhana. We could definitely see how it influenced their design. Go with an open mind! The main problem is that hotel prices in the caribbean are ridiculous, so expectations are always too high!

Since you mentioned L'Esplanade as an option, you are correct that it isn't directly on the beach and it doesn't have a restaurant. But the restaurant does take orders for breakfast pastries, it comes with a coffee maker and refrigerator and all the appliances, pots, pans you would need for breakfast. And I can't think of anything nicer than sitting on the balcony of my room eating breakfast with Grand Case in the forefront and Anguilla in the backgroud. You can easily walk to the restaurants in Grand Case and the beach (although for better beaches, you will want to drive).

Larry, if I were you, I would take your wife to either Le Toiny or the Isle de France on St. Barts!

t

I have been going to La Samanna for many years. Yes it is very expensive. We plan on that and save. We have always had a quiet, romantic, and relaxing vacation. Always get a beachfront villa so we can walk right out. There are kitchens and we bring and buy food and drinks for lunch. Breakfast is included in the price and is wonderful and HUGE. This November we are bringing our three children. We have a three bedroom villa, and I e-mailed the manager and requested a better price since we are return guests. He was VERY generous with his offer and we are booked for Thanksgiving. Larry, you have a lucky wife. Enjoy your choice of La Samanna. It is the best on ST. Martin! P.S. They have renovated rooms and older rooms which are less expensive. Request a renovated room. They are beautiful with lovely, large bathrooms!

Penny and Austin--Thank you for the reassurances. Based on the reviews I had read prior to making the reservation, I had assumed that we wouldn't leave after our stay thinking "wow, what a great value", but that we would have a wonderful time and be happy that we had splurged a little. Your insights make me think we will in fact be glad we went. If there are any restaurants you recommend for romantic dinners (in addition to the restaurant at the hotel), I would love to hear about them. Also, since we will only be on the island 4 days, which 2 or 3 beaches would you recommend? Crowds don't interest us, but I would like someplace where we can easily get chairs and a bite to eat.

For a romantic WONDERFUL evening/meal go to Le Tastivin (sp) in Grand Case.<BR>Wonderful! For a unique VERY casual meal try "Cheese House" located on the right side of the road on the way to Grand Case. Get the "Racklet". Have a blast!

The chef at La Samanna was just featured on Great Chefs of the World.

We like empty or near empty beaches! We stayed at our beach at La Samanna. One day we ventured out to Orient Beach, very very busy, a zoo in my opinion. We stayed 5 nights ate in Grand Case, La Marine or something like that! A street full of restauants, most only open for dinner. The hotel concierge recommended a spot, very unigue, art deco, on the water, down a side road before the bridge into Marigot! We found the dining to be wonderful! Marigot is very busy, but interesting. We bought wine and cheese<BR>for our sunsets at the hotel! Enjoy!