My husband and I are planning a trip late Dec. for our 25th anniv. Can't decide where to go. Want nice long walking beaches, great food, and music to listen to at night. Some snorkeling. Any suggestions which side to stay on and which place. Appreciate any input.

You may want to check out a posting of mine dated 6/22/99--1st time St Maarten <BR>or St Thomas. I got several replies <BR>on both sides. Do alot of reading and <BR>research, as we were going to stay in <BR>StMaarten, but have decided to go to <BR>St Thomas. Seems there's more to do, <BR>which is what we want. Have a great <BR>time wherever you go.

It is not my style to denigrate any place, but the last place I would consider staying had I the choice would be at the "time share" Bellair or any place for that matter on the Dutch side. <BR>The hotels at Oriente Beach will provide you with exactly what you are looking for. Nice long walking beaches, glorious <BR>islands for exploring off shore, and about the best day restaurants along the beach..choose regular, topless, or nude!!You are about 15 - 20 min from the quaint capital Marigot and ten minutes from the islands gastronomique capital <BR>at Grand Caisse...restuarants abound. <BR>If you insist on the Dutch side,I can provide plenty of solid info abot accommodation and night life. Just e-mail me and I'll respond pdq. Ciao!

We traveled to St. Maarten/St. Martin during the hurricane of 1997, You would think this was what a vacation nigthmare would be like. Not so, because we were to use a time share at the Divi Beach on the dutch for a week and our air worked out to have us on the island for eleven days we made arrangements. WE came in just before the hurricane hit, the dutch side closed the airport after we the last plane landed and asked all dutch businesses to close. We got our car and headed to a great hotel the Grand Case Beach Hotel, the management and staff were fantastic. The island was in a some need for cleanup but we found both sides to be nice, we spent more time on the french side as we are not into shopping. Took a snorkel trip to anguilla and met a dutch couple who introduced us to a great bar named the sunset bar on the dutch side at the end of the airport runway. Some of the best beaches were orient beach (french side - some nudity) Dawn beach, the beach near the Samana Resort and Cupecoy Beach area and the beach in front of the Grand Case Beach Hotel. The time share at the Divi was one of the nicest we have used. Use the internet and magazines to gather info on resorts, bar, dining. Great restaurant Le Esgagot (not sure of the spelling) on teh dutch side in Phillipburgs excellent french food can be pricey.

<BR>St. Martin is the best! We love the French side. Orient Beach is a great place to find lodging and hang out. Water sports available. Grand Case has wonderful eats!! Try L'Alabama and Cha Cha Cha's. Also, Mario's bistro at Sandy Ground Bridge. Stop by the beach bar on Orient Beach near Kontiki(I think) and tell Ludo "hello". Kakao also has great pizza on the beach. <BR>Hope you choose St. Martin. It could be expensive in December, but you'll love it!