We are going on another Windstar cruise Dec. 4. Where would you suggest we stay on Dec. 3? Thanks.

It depends on a number of things !

1) I gather that you are leaving from Marigot.

2) How long will you want to be on St Martin, just the night before departure ?

3) Am I correct in assuming that you want to be on the French side of the island, either because you prefer it, or because the ship will depart from Marigot ?

4) Do you want to just have a nice place to ovenight and have a good meal before leaving the island the following day ?

5) In view of the fact that you have booked a Windstar cruise, I assume that you are looking for a reasonably 'up-market' place to stay.

If the answers to all the above are in the affirmative, I would suggest that you try either the recently opened Radisson Resort in Anse Marcel BUT eat in one of the many excellent restaurants in Grand Case (10 minutes away by taxi).

Or

If you want to gamble as well, La Samanna, which is just on the French side of the border, from where you are a only few minutes away from the best casinos (on the Dutch side).

I suggest that you check out the respective websites for more information !

I hope this helps.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. We're not interested in a casino. I will look at the Radisson website. We would probably prefer a smaller hotel, though. You are so knowledgeable about St. Martin, I'll probably have more questions as I do more research on the area.

Look into Grand Case Beach Club too. Small, in walking distance to the restaurants in Grand Case, and recommended by David SXM too! We're staying there for a night in May before we check into our villa for the week

I am quite surprised that Grand Case Beach Club will rent for just one night - they may not be prepared to do so in December bang in the middle of the 'high season', but as kellybeaches has succeeded to book for only one night in May, you might be lucky.

Two other viable alternatives - if you want a smaller and more intimate place to stay - are the 'boutique' Le Petit Hotel (only 13 rooms I think) or L'Esplanade which is a bit larger.

Both are owned by the same family, are located on the edges of Grand Case, and have excellent reputations. The former is right on the beach at the Marigot end of the town, while L'Esplanade - which is, I think, more up-market - is at the other end of Grand Case, with super views, and a pool, but not on the water's edge.

I suggest that you take a look at their respective websites.

I will be most interested to hear what you eventually decide to do.

Good luck

If I were just going to stay for one night in St. Maarten, I'd actually stay on the Dutch side in the Horny Toad (on the beach) or even the Royal Turtle (not on the beach). You'll have easy access to restaurants from either (although not the island's best), and they are close enough that you won't spend a fortune on a taxi to Marigot the next day.

I certainly agree that Grand Case is great for the restaurants, but there are some simpler places to stay there if you are just going for one night. I like both of David SXM's recommendations, so it would be hard to say which is better for you. I doubt I'd bother with the Radisson for one night; you'd have to rent a car then, and it's not worth it.

I am going to look at all your helpful suggestions. I have also read about Bleu Emeraude. Any comments on this one?
Thanks.

Bleu Emeraude is a new development. It was only completed a few months ago, so I have heard nothing about it yet. The location is about 100 yards from Le Petit Hotel, and it looks to me more like rental apartments than a hotel.

Doug Stallings is right about the Radisson, particularly if you want a smaller place with an intimate atmosphere.

In regard to the neccessity to rent a car, surely if you are only going to be on the island for one night, it would not be sensible to do so, and to have to go to the trouble of returning it the next day before embarking.

Wherever you stay, French or Dutch side, you will need to use taxis, and the difference cost - whichever location you choose - will be insignificant in comparison to the overall cost of your holiday ! If I were you, I would pick the place you like the look / sound of best, and to hell with the small difference in taxi fares !

a couple other thoughts...
"Love" hotel is a new little boutique hotel in grand case. The owner's are great, no need for a car, it's on the beach, and the food is good.

my favorite option is princess heights. the timeshare condos were completed recently and the rooms are fantastic...nicer than anything I've seen on st maarten. it's as far as you can get from Marigot (30 minutes) but it's on the windward side with a great view of st barth and a car is included in the price of the room.

'Love Hotel' must be very new. I am usually in Grand Case 2 or 3 times a week, and I have never noticed it ! Could mailjsd2002 please tell me exactly where in Grand Case it is, as it is always useful to know. Next time I am in GC I will check it out anyway.

Princess Heights is located on the Dutch side of Oyster Pond and, though I have heard excellent reports about it, it is - as stated above - just about as far away from Marigot as you can get on this small island ! There are FAR less eating options locally, and nothing that even vaguely compares with the quality or choice of restaurants in Grand Case.

Nice though it may be, I really don't think that it is the right option for a one night stay.

I think that I have now remembered where the 'Love Hotel' is.

If I am not mistaken, it is near the Marigot end of Grand Case Boulevard, close to La Marine restaurant.

From the outside it looks more like a guest house than a real hotel - that's why I couldn't remember it - but sometimes appearances are deceptive.