Hello, My fiancée and I are planning on going to St Maarten for our honeymoon in Nov04. We are looking for feedback on relaxing resorts with enough options for nightlife if we're in the mood to go out? Thanks.

My favorite area in St. Martin is Grand Case. Suggest you look into Grand Case Beach Club, Le Petit Hotel or Hotel L'Esplanade Caribes. It is laid back and there are many great places to eat.

Grand Case is very nice and charmoing. The village is lined with fine restaurnats but other than that there is not a whole lot of night life close by.
I might suggest Marys Boon Hotel to you
http://www.marysboon.com/
It is very quiet and charming. the airport is near by so you do hear the occasional roar of the jets landing but that never seems to bother anyone.
It is very laid back but is only 5 minutes from a lot of night life.

We stayed at Hotel L'Esplanade in April. We loved being able to walk to dinner every night from our hotel to wonderful restaurants in Grand Case.

Isn't Marys Boon Hotel right next to the runway... like you could throw stones at the airplanes? Just my recollection.

Grand Case does not have a lot a nightlife, Marigot, or somewhere on the Dutch side would be a better choice for that.

Quiet and relaxing do not often go with nearby nightlife. Which is your priority? Staying at Grand Case, you could always travel to Marigot or the Dutch side for some casinos or shows.

As much as I like Grand Case, I suspect your better off researching resorts on the Dutch side.

Ken

yes, Ken, it is.
but it is secluded from the runway. you never even realize the runway is there unless the jets are landing.
Mary's Boon has a lovely garden, adorable rooms, and a beautiful quiet almost deserted beach.
I just happen to love it there, and I don't think havign the airport so close detracts from it at all..

And that puts it close to the Sunset Beach Bar, which is a BIG PLUS. What a great way to kill time!

Now that you mention it, I think the reason I recall it is that I looked for it as we landed and couldn't see it.

Not sure when we'll get back to St Maartin, but it sure was a nice trip.

Ken

So many islands, so little time and money.

Barbara, is it true that the planes don't really bother you at Mary's Boon? I've often wondered because when I stay with a friend on Simpson Bay Beach (a stone's throw away from Mary's Boon), the noise is just awful every time the jets take off.

statia
most people say it doesn't bother them.
I guess some people would be bothered by it too.
they are noisy.
I have had lunch many times at Mary's Boon and that's usually when the jets are coming in most often.
It gets noisy but has never interfered with our enjoyment of our meal nor has never stopped our conversation
I guess it's differeent strokes for different folks

Thanks for the info, Barbara. It might just be that Mary's Boon is more on the "side" of the runway and where I stay (on Vlaun) is more towards the end where we get the noise blast as the jets become airborne. It is so bad that we literally have to put our fingers in our ears or risk going deaf...and noise doesn't typically bother me much.

At least there aren't jets taking off every few minutes from SXM. So, it's not as bothersome as it would be at a typical US major airport location.

For romance, I think the French side is preferable. Marigot is not far from Grand Case if you are in need of night life. I think for ambience that Grand Case is one of the nicer parts of the island. Not to mention great food. Wherever you stay, make sure you get out and around to see the whole island. It's a great place.

I too would stay at the Grand Case Beach Club, or if you want to be closer to Marigot at the Hotel Beach Plaza from which you could walk to the Marina (5min) or the harbourfront area (10 min). Or better yet rent a car and you can drive around the island. Another favourite hotel is L'Hoste (www.hostehotel.com)which is right on Orient Beach. If you scroll down under rates and reservations I believe they have a hneymoon special. If you're anywhere near a Cnd border check out Signature Vacations brochures as they are the only ones to carry L'Hoste. There are lots of beach bar/restaurants there as well as the new area Villages d'Orient which has some restaurants and shops.

We are also planning a trip back to St Maarten next year. We would like to rent a 3 or 4 bedroom house within walking distance to the beach. Can anyone suggest a rental company that handles this sort of property? Thank you

Would you consider honemooning in Anguilla and taking a side trip to St. Martin. We just returned from Anguilla and can't imagine a better place for a honeymoon.

Denaha, in addition to the good suggestions already given, I's also recommend the Maho Beach Resort (near Mary's Boon and smack dab in the middle of the nightly action) or the Inn at Cupecoy (4 beautiful rooms and good food below, see their website).

Hello Barbara1, Fancy meeting you here !

M.