shopping
 

I tried to edit my last posting but couldn't. Where is best place to buy shoes and clothes in St Maarten/St. Martin

shoes and clothes? that's sort of hard. I am not sure what you are looking for.
The best shopping is of course for European fashion on the french side.
They are expensive but much less so than on Fifth Avenue or in Europe itself.
You have to check the value of the Euro though because depending on whether it is up or down will make shopping more or less expensive.
Other than that, there are a lot of stores on both sides of the island selling tropical beach fashions.
There is not much in between.

To Miroji: Shopping in SXM is great and there are certainly all price ranges and styles. On the French side head to The West Indies Mall which is a big 2-storey complex right by the harbour. There is Lacoste, Gant, Coach, NewMan, and my favourite Bella Donna. It's on the 2nd floor and sells clothing and accessories from Save The Queen and OHDD; expensive but really different. There are also jewellery shops, galleries, sunglasses, and a large cosmetics/perfume shop.

In the Marina area my favourite swimwear shop is Hip Up; I always buy 1 or 2 of their suits..you can buy pieces separately along with beach dresses, shorts and tops. There is also Banana Moon in the Marina. There are different shoe shops on the streets leading to the Marina; I don't really have a favourite. Some of the boutiques in town and the Marina carry some shoes.

On the Dutch side there are lots of beauty, jewellery, electronic shops as well as Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne. I've bought linen placemats, napkins at Linen House. Also picked up Prada sunglasses and sandals for about half of the cost here.

Barbara says prices are less than in Europe but that's not always true...bought a bathing suit at Hip Up in Cannes and it was less than in SXM. But it all comes down to how much you want something and what you're willing to pay.

We used to take Francs then Euros but now use $US dollars because for us (Canadian) if the shop offers dollar =euro we really save.

Know your prices..if there's a certain perfume or pair of sunglasses..check the price where you live so you'll know if it's a bargain or not.

When are you going..where are you staying? Hope you enjoy SXM as much as we do.

Just wondering, is there still a shop called La Romana in Philipsburg?

no, La Romana has been closed for years.
now that was a fabulous store for clothes!

Sure was & they were smart enough to open a store by the old Mullet Bay Casino so that while the husbands were blowing $$ gambling, the wives shopped their brains out. Great store with a great spring sale.

Didn't they also have a store in Marigot just up from La Vie en Rose..but it is also gone. Every trip you wonder what restos, shops will still be there and which have gone and what new places there will be.

Not exactly shopping but does anyone know of a good esthetician in SXM for manicure/pedicure. Last year I went to 2 places which were OK but not great. The young ladies were both quite lovely and eager to please but the finished product wasn't as good as I'm used to.

go to Georgette's in La Palapa Center in Simpson Bay for mani/pedi..
she is great.

Barbra, I've tried a few nail salons over there and have yet to find one I really like. Where exactly is La Palapa? I'm very familiar with Simpson Bay, but can't seem to place it.

Baker, I think there was a La Romana in Marigot.

Is there a Louis Vuitton store there? Cruise ship passengers ask me that a lot. Ours in St. Thomas closed a few years back.

I;m sorry. It's not Georgette's.
It's Georgina's!

and La Palapa is in Simpson Bay on the way to the airport on the right hand side of the road.
There is a complex of stores and restaurants there. There is a card shop and a Mailbox Etc. and a Mexican restaurant too.. I forget the name..
It once was all thatch roofs until they had a fire..
but the front is still rustic looking. sound familiar yet?
Georgina is one of the best nail salons on the island.. Everyone goes to her.
try her, Statia and then let me know what you think.
of course, I don't go to her myself LOL
she's on the other side of the hill from where I live but all my friends go to her.

Thanks for the info on Georgina's; so it's on the right hand side if you're coming from Philipsburg? Is it near Caribbean Cinema? We're out at Orient Bay so I'll have to convince hubby it's worth the trip; it's hard work being a high-maintenance chick...LOL

A seniors' moment...roughly, do you remember the charge for a mani/pedi..just curious?

I went to the salon in the West Indies Mall and a little salon at Orient Beach and both wanted $50-$60 for mani/pedi.

It was definitely a senior moment LOL

Georgina charges about $45.00 for a regular mani/pedi, not including acrylic.

Barbara, now I know where you are talking about now. Right there near Seven Alive? The strip center El Rancho is in? That's close to where we typically stay (Royal Palm), so I will have to be sure and look her up. I drive by there all the time, but have never seen Georgina's.

The price isn't bad either, for St. Maarten. I used to pay quite a bit more than that at Intercoiffure and Jacques Dessange, and have thus been looking for a more specialized nail salon. Thanks!

that's it Statia. Georgina's is upstairs I believe..
everyone swears she is the best!