DavidSXM

Quite WHY this prints TWICE, I really don't know !

Mathieu

... and sometimes three times.

Bixa525

David, we are looking at one villa from gobeach.com it is called villa Selah. The other one is from Vrbo.com and it is number 122286. I prefer having our own private pool and also being at a higher elevation since I just feel more comfortable with that. if you have any good suggestions feel free to throw them my way.

DavidSXM

Well, both the properties which you are considering are on the DUTCH side of the island, but Villa Selah is in the Oyster Pond area, and is just across the Dutch / French border.

It is, in my view, in a better general location than Cay Bay where the property being offered on Vrbo.com is situated.

With the Cay Bay property, your 'immediate' ameneties are not in such a nice area, but with Villa Selah - apart from the Westin Casino (certainly NOT the best on the island if you are a gambling enthusiast)- the vast majority of your outside activities will undoubtedly take place across the border on the French side.

As, later today, I will be driving to Philipsburg, and will be passing within a few hundred meters of Villa Selah's apparent location, I will take a couple of minutes to drive past and check for you where it REALLY is.

From past (bitter) experience it is always best to know, in advance, whether the property which you are considering renting is next door to a construction site, a sewage purification plant, or other unwanted 'ameneties', which are always 'overlooked' in the Real Estate Agent's 'blurb' !

Watch this space !

Bixa525

Wow David I would really appreciate it if you could check to see where Villa Selah is and if you could make sure like you said it isn't next door to anything unsavory. We like a bit of privacy but want to be safe also. We are leaning more towards Villa Selah so any information you can give me is much appreciated. Thanks!

mnag

Have you considered Bermuda. Good dining, nice shopping, very pretty island and decent beaches. Hamilton has some very nice shopping (mostly high end) and Georgetown is wonderful to explore. Expensive though. Take a look at Pompano or Cambridge Beaches. Didnt read all the above posts but dont think its been recommended.

DavidSXM

Hi Bixa

I just returned from Philipsburg via Oyster Pond.

I eventually found Villa Selah, though it wasn't easy, as I am not at all familiar with that particular area off the main road !

The access to the property is a bit 'challenging' and - like anywhere on the island but particularly there - a decent rental car will be absolutely ESSENTIAL.

There do not appear to be any obvious unpleasant 'distractions' around the villa, and the view is quite pheonominal. The sunsets should be terrific. Definitely bring a good camera !

The only possible drawback is the access and egress but, with a decent car or SUV - or taxi - this shouldn't present any real problem.

The property is not isolated, as there are other villas clustered on the side of what could be arguably be called a small mountain with an uninterupted view over the marina below and the surrounding coast.

It is in a private area (which probably accounts for the state of the road !) with manned security barriers at all entrances. It should therefore probably be pretty safe, but anyway do use common sense when leaving the villa and make sure that all doors and blinds etc. are locked.

In order to get to any restaurants (though there are not many nearby options) or to the two local mini-markets (or anywhere else for that matter) you will certainly have to drive.

The distances quoted in the Real Estate Agent's blurb are fairly realistic, but I note that there is no mention of the time needed to cover them !

I know the roads round here like the back of my hand, and it took ME around 20 minutes to get home (just above Orient Bay) in very light traffic (and I am not noted for being a slow driver !). You certainly should bear that fact in mind when making a table reservation dinner in one of the excellent restaurants in Grand Case for example.

All in all, if you are looking for a nice quiet place to relax, with a truly SUPERB view, and you are prepared to accept the constraint of having to drive in order to do ANYTHING else, Villa Selah would seem to me to be ideal - but naturally the choice is yours, and please don't blame (or try to sue) me if you don't like it when you get here !

I hope this helps.

Bixa525

David, I can not thank you enough for checking out this villa for us and the area it is located in. Unfortunately it is already rented for the period of time we wanted to rent so we are basically left with the other house in Cay Bay or if we can find something else. It is getting harder to find a place since we waited so long to decide where we wanted to go there is limited availability in renting a villa. You are so kind though to check out the house for us. Don't worry I would never sue you or blame you for our choice of rental. I can't believe you would go out of your way for someone you don't even know. It sure says alot about the person you are and I really appreciate that there are still people in this world like you that are willing to help people out. Do you think the house in Cay Bay would still be something we could work with?

Bixa525

mnag, I appreciate the suggestion for Bermuda but I have already been there and would like to go somewhere different. It is a beautiful island though!

DavidSXM

I am afraid that I don't know the Cay Bay area that well myself, but I will ask a couple of friends who do.

It certainly is not in the same sort of surroundings as the other property, and it is deeper in on the Dutch side of SXM, so you would have to drive further to 'my' side of the island.

I will do some research and let you know what I find out.

lovethesand

Hi DavidSXM,

I've been enjoying reading your posts and value your opinion since you seem highly knowledgeable about the island. I would love to hear what you think about my upcoming plans to visit your stomping grounds.

I will be staying in Oyster Pond for 9 days soon - never setting foot on the island before. As I am excited, (this will be the first solo vacation I've ventured to take) I am also a bit leary since I may come off as a "naive female tourist" so I'm desperately trying to cross all my t's before I leave. I feel as though I am taking all the necessary precautions but I do have a few concerns.

I have secured a rental car with USave at the airport - I haven't come across any posts regarding this outfit - I'm hoping no news is good news? Stupidly, I waived rental insurance but based on some posts I've read, I will change that! I also read one of your posts that mentioned French license plates - would it be in my best interest to have them over Dutch? As I am staying on the French side, based on my temporary address, this may likely be my only option anyway.

The Blue Beach Residence in Oyster Pond is where I'll be staying. Are you familiar with this area? Apparently it is across or near the Columbus Hotel? It says there's "fencing" which I'm hoping is a casual term for security gate.
There are around 50 bungalows which comprise of both vacationers and residents. I hope this is a good thing. I thought the idea of a villa was so much more appealing than a hotel. Since you keep up with the local news, you might have some info to share regarding this complex or its area? It doesn't seem like a hotel disguised as a villa rental but what do I know. I must say, through the few emails I have exchanged with the owner of where I'll be staying, I feel that they are on the up and up, so to speak. (hope that doesn't sound..gasp.."naive")

I'm looking forward to walk the beaches, take day trips to Anguilla & perhaps St. Barths & Pinel Island and of course get to know St. Martin. I also wanted to perhaps rent a small sailboat or take a rhino(jet ski)tour and I've always wanted to swim with the dolphins which I thought I read you could do on Anguilla - these plans could be another blog all together but I just wanted to give you more of a sense of what my objectives were. I don't have gobs of money to do all these things which is why I'm voicing them in the chance that advice could be shared about a must-do or two.

I'm going to try and not be out too late (what time is too late? 9?), batten down the hatches at night (and during the day), keep car doors locked while driving, not stop for anyone, keep my belongings out of view, I even have a waterproof pouch-belt-thing to wear while swimming to hold valuables, passport, cash, keys..etc (which should be fun to swim with..) rather than leave on the beach or in the car. And I purchased a passport/money wallet thing to wear across my body while walking which will scream tourist but isn't this what I'm supposed to do? All that's left is an invisible bubble to surround me that will taser anyone who messes with me. As smart as this all seems, as I type it, it almost seems over the top! At least I'm not trying to smuggle pepper spray in my suitcase..

One thing that I didn't see anywhere on the blogs is cell phone advice. I called my carrier and was told that each call will be about $2.70/min to call out. That could add up calling home. I was thinking to rent/buy a cell phone when I get there and purchase a pay-as-you-go card? Not sure how to go about this but I do want to look into it. I'm not too worried about the phone issue (as long as mine works and gets a signal) because I'm expected to meet someone in the Columbus parking lot the day I arrive and she is taking me to the villa. I'm supposed to call her when I'm in the parking lot. I'm a little nervous about this because if I can't get a hold of her, there might be tears shed right there in the parking lot depending on how smooth the trip had panned out thus far. They must have pay phones at the hotel so I'm not going to fret about it.

Since I'll be staying at the villa, can you recommend a good market to get some essentials for the kitchen? Fruit, vegetables, bottles of water, coffee, etc.. I don't mind driving. I need to get a good map though.

I apologize for so many questions. I suppose I should have submitted this post as a new blog instead of inside another.
Needless to say, I can't wait for your reply! In advance, thank you for any advice you (or anyone else who has suffered through this) can give!

DavidSXM

Hi lovethesand

Well you need a lot of information, but I will do my best to help !

Starting from the top :

I would not bother too much about whether your rental car is on Dutch or French plates, but DO take the insurance. It's usually expensive, but it is certainly neccessary.

I really don't know anything - good or bad - about USave, which probably means that the outfit is OK. Whatever you do be certain to go right round the vehicle very carefully before you sign for it, and make certain that even the smallest damages are noted on the rental agreement. Also, check that all the locks are working, that the wing mirrors are not damaged, and the there is a spare wheel. If necessary take some photos in case of dispute when you return the car.

I think that you will find a lot of information about the local area where you will be staying - which I know pretty well - on the website of the operation. If you haven't looked at it in detail, you should. the address is http://www.st-martin-vacation.com/Co...BlueBeach.html.

It is in a nice spot, but there isn't a lot of local nightlife. If that is of interest, I suggest that you head out in the direction of Marigot to Orient Bay, or if you want to eat really well to Grand Case. Both turnings are to your right off the main road (the water side) and there is a reasonable amount safe of evening activity in both places.

For Grand Case take the turning right opposite the Hope Estate - it is marked 'To the Airport' but it is easy to miss.

Unless you get there before 6pm, do not go to Grand Case on a Tuesday evening, as the parking is impossible due to the large open air market stretching almost the entire length of the Boulevard, and small parade that takes place around 7.30pm. It is well worthwhile to get there early and enjoy browsing the craft stalls, and maybe eat there too.

For local beach walking close by, I would suggest either Dawn Beach or the beach in front of the hideously ugly Westin Hotel. Both beaches are nice, but Orient Beach really is the place to go. It is the longest on the island, and there is a large choice of beach bar/restaurants, and all kinds of watersport is available. It is a 'must see' if you visit SXM. Pinel island is also a must. Peaceful, always calm water, with three decent beach bar restaurants, and a good boutique with some 'different' things.

To swim with the dolphins I think you have to go to Anguilla, but check first, as there have been various rumbles about keeping the animals in captivity there, so make sure that the location is still operational. You can take the ferry to expensive St Barts from Captain Oliver's Marina, which is a very nice spot anyway and is a few hundred yards from your holiday residence.

In regard to going out in the evening as a solitary lady (I don't know your age) but anyway do be careful of getting too friendly with some of the local guys who seem to attract the attentions of single American visitors of the opposite sex for some reason - or maybe I am just jealous !

9pm is very early bedtime, and so long as you stay on the FRENCH side of the island in the evening, don't venture 'off the beaten track', and stay in well lit locations with respectible looking bars etc. you should be fine for another hour or so at least.

The Dutch side - particularly in the Maho casino and highrise/timeshare area - is another story, It's glitzy and fun, but not really the place for a single lady to spend her evenings - that is my view anyway !

I think that you have rather gone overboard with your safety precautions, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Just use common sense, and don't leave your brain at home ! I am glad that you aren't bringing pepper spray !

If I were you, I would have your US cell phone unbarred in advance, to permit you to call anywhere while you are here. It will NOT be cheap, and your best bet is to use a laptop and Skype or send e-mails. It will cost you a lot to use any phone to call home.

There is a good sized supermarket within an easy drive for you, with much more choice, and lot less expensive than the local mini-markets. Take the road in the direction of Philipsburg, then take the first main turning to your left - marked French Quarter / Marigot I think - follow the road to a large roundabout, take the second turning off it and the supermarket is about 100 yards up on your left. I think that it is called Food Club. The prices are marked in Florins, but also sometimes in US$ as well. If not, divide the Florin price by 2 and add 10% and you will reach the US$ figure !

One last piece of advice, I strongly suggest that you inform your credit card issuers that you may be using your cards here, otherwise you MAY find them refused by the card company, for safety reasons, on occasion. Also AMEX is NOT always readily acceptable.

I hope that some of this helps.

DavidSXM

Sorry - the directions to the supermarket should read 'take the first main turning to you RIGHT' NOT left !

Apologies.

virginia

lovessand, call & ask if you can use your phone for texting without extra fees.
on some islands i've found a prepaid international phone card works, on other islands not & i haven't been on st. m so don't know. it may depend on the phone set up at blue beach. call & ask them what works with their phone system.

ask if they have room safes. i don't see any reason to take a passport to the beach, nor would i take all my money. take what you need for the day. using your atm card to replenish cash is a good plan. be sure to phone your credit card companies to tell them where you'll be & when - they may deny use otherwise.

anguilla

"sleepy Anguilla" I must say this name have stuck to us, I will admit that if you do not know Anguilla you may think all you can do is go to the beach and sleep. Let me assure you that Anguilla is alive and kicking every night of the week and that is why we have a night life tour. Yes a NIGHT LIFE TOUR, we could not do this if this was sleepy Anguilla. By the way, it has art, culture, and shopping tours as well so you can always have something to do. Anguilla has always been marketed as a lay back type of island, but do not let the marketing fool you, check out these 3 sites if you want to see the real anguilla, each of the sites market a side of Anguilla that most do not even see. anguillaaccess.com anguilla-anguilla.com and this site is mostly for the young locals partyaccessaxa.net for all of you that think sleepy Anguilla, this may be the very last time you say "sleepy Anguilla".

Bixa525

Could you tell me more about the shopping tour in Anguilla?

DavidSXM

Bixa525

With all due respect to our new poster 'anguilla', the 100% duty free shopping on SXM in Front Street, Philipsburg (the Dutch side capital) for watches, jewelry, electronics, cameras, and the like, and in Marigot (the French side capital) in the up-market boutiques located in the areas surrounding Marina Royale, and in the West Indies Mall, is FAR better than anything that can be found in Anguilla.

I have already admitted to being biased, and that only I only like the Dutch side of SXM for shopping purposes, but Anguilla is justly noted for it's superb beaches, two or three world class hotels and a few good restaurants, but it is - in my view - NOT a Mecca for shopaholics !

sharona

Bixa, well, I am NOT biased and have visited both Anguilla and St. Martin many times. I love both of them. But believe me, there is no shopping on Anguilla. If you want to shop you should stick with St. Martin. I agree with David about Anguilla. If you are looking for a relaxing holiday with great beaches and good food then Anguilla fits the bill and oftentimes that's what we're looking for. St. Martin offers some of everything. You can get away from the crowds of Orient Beach if you are so inclined (although Orient is one of my favorite beaches anywhere), shop till you drop, eat wonderful food, gamble in the casinos, or pick from a variety of nightlife. And oftentimes THAT'S what we're looking for.

anguilla

@ Bixa525, The shopping tour takes you around the island to local stores where some of the things you can buy his hand made an in some case you can get a lesson in the art as well as buy what you have just made.

@ Davidsxm, all those things that you listed are great but they could be found when the visitors go back home. I love coming to sxm to shop because I live down in the area and do not need any thing to say that I have been to an island and came back with a piece of it. The shopping tours is to help the visitor connect with the island and send more people to Anguilla.
We do do not need no big mall, we have small old homes that was refurbish to fit the needs of a shopper and so we can still keep the island looking lay back as it is.

DavidSXM, I would like to invite you over the water to spend a day with us so you can see the real or as wee see it, who knows, you may want to stay.

DavidSXM

Hi Bixa

It just so happened that I had to be in Philipsburg earlier today, and I took the opportunity - on your behalf - to return to the French side of the island via the tortuous Cay Hill route.

I think that I actually drove past the property which you are considering renting and, if I identified it correctly (which I am pretty certain I did, having looked at the photos on the Agent's website), all I can say that though the villa itself may be very nice, the location is - as I suspected - not !

It is also just about as far from the French side of the island as it could possibly be, and the actual surroundings and access leave something to be desired.

The view IN NO WAY compares with that of the unavailable Villa Selah, and I really think that you might be rather disappointed - despite the glowing reviews of some people who have 'apparently' stayed there.

I am always VERY skeptical of 'independent' reviews of property and of hotels. Even assuming that they really ARE independent, they are difficult to assess without knowing the standards, expectations, and backgrounds of the authors.

If you have not seen - or experienced - anything much else, some places described in 'glowing terms' by other less seasoned travellers would certainly leave me (and possibly you) rather cold !

I am sorry to be negative, but you DID ask me !