I am planning a february vacation to the Esmerada resort in St. Martins. Can anyone tell me anything about the Island or the hotel? I have read alot of things at this site which are making me think that I should change my plans. I have many friends who tell me that it is a wonderful place with great food so I am confused.

Jack: <BR> <BR>Under normal conditions I would probably agree with you after reading this board. but the posts that were presented about safety and crime were mostly a form of trashing. Posts on Aruba and Jamaica amounted to the same. <BR> <BR>Here are some links that may ease your concerns. The first is a link to a recent news article in the Herald, the St Maarteen paper about the decrease in crime. <BR> <BR>http://www.thedailyherald.com/news/d...97/poli97.html <BR> <BR>These next two links are to other St Martin boards where you can read the existing posts from visitors and get further information. <BR> <BR>http://www2.gobeach.com/sxm/list.php?f=1 <BR> <BR>and <BR> <BR>http://209.9.83.201/wwwthreads//wwwthreads.pl <BR> <BR>We have been to St Martin for 11 trips and are going back at the end of October. We have never stayed at the Esmeralda, but we have never anything but positive reviews. It's in a great location at Orient Beach and you are right about the food. As they often say about the island "So many resturaunts, so little time". <BR> <BR>Email if you have any questions. <BR> <BR>

Jack; A good way to go is to contact the state dept. for the brochure entitled, "Travelers to the Caribbean" from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Govt. Printing Office; Washington, DC 20402; or visit the website: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. <BR>These resources will give you a fair appraisal of the obvious and unexpected dangers tourists may run into all other Caribbean Islands. It's a simple fact, some islands are more dangerous than others. Hope this helps. Robert <BR> <BR> <BR>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Compared to most islands, other than Jamaica of course, St Martin is dirtier and more dangerous (crime, roads, traffic, drunks driving). After traveling to most every island in the eastern and western Caribbean, I won't return to St Martin, but that's my opinion.

St.Maarten has its problems but they are greatly exaggerated on some of these BB. Esmerlada and Orient Beach are beautiful. and St. maarten has absolutely fabulous gourmet restaurants. what a place to pig out! <BR>check out this BB: <BR>http://www.traveltalkonline.com/wwwt...Board=stmartin <BR>a lot of regulars to Orient Beach post there and many have stayed at Esmeralda. you can post and ask for trip reports.