We are accompanying another couple to St. Maarten in April of 2003. We are staying at Royal Palm Resort owned by Sunterra in Simpson Bay. We need advice from anyone whose been there on things to do with 2 children, restraunts to eat at, daily activities including boat trips. Any advice given would be greatly appreciated. Also, we are flying from Charlotte, NC and would love to hear about how we can get the best rates on flights. Thanks to all.

Just a couple of suggestions. April is high season and I don't think tickets are ever cheap, but if you can fly during the week it'll be less than on the weekend. <BR><BR>Make sure you rent a car.<BR><BR>Go to the Butterfly Farm on the French side, early in the week, early in the morning (most of the butterflies hatch then). Unless they've changed their policy, the ticket is good for a week. If you do get there when there's a cruise group, come back later. You don't mention how old your children are but they'll probably love it.<BR><BR>For a good day trip on a boat, try one of the snorkeling catamarans to Prickly Pear. We did Scoobidoo (left from Grand Case Beach Club) but there are others. Ask at the desk of your hotel.<BR><BR>There has been a lot of information posted on this board (some conflicting). I would also suggest you check out the TravelTalkOnline board for more information.<BR><BR>

take plenty of deodorant. the locals dont wear any so you wont be able to find it in any store.

That is just ridiculous. You can find just about everything you find anywhere else.

Hope you say that with tongue in cheek, if not it would be so nice for a few of us"locals" to meet you<BR>Why is it that when someone says something totally inane, they hide behind an anon.?<BR>Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain - and most fools do.

What difference would it make if Anon used their real name. You would not know them by their real name and most likely either would anyone else! I've read some very interesting and informative "Anon" posts. Why would anyone have to use thier real name to post a message does it make what their saying any more or less valid?

We stayed at the Divi in March and are staying at the Caravanserai this October. I would recommend the Turtle Pier restaurant for you and your children. They have turtles, reptiles, etc. in cages as you enter which the children should like. The food is good and reasonable. Right on Airport Road. Another fun place would be Cherie's, Lee's Roadside and Bananas. <BR><BR>You don't say how old your children are so I'll assume they are young. For $5 round(may be a little more) trip you can take a 3 minute boat ride to Pinel Island. Shallow and calm water. Great for kids and adults. There are numerous day trips over to Anguilla and St. Barths. Go to the Traveltalkonline message boards. It's very active and all your questions will be answered by some veteran SXMers.<BR>http://www.traveltalkonline.com/wwwthreads/wwwthreads.pl<BR>

Drive up to Pic Paradis, the highest point on the island. From the top you can see both sides of the island. Go to the remains of the fort (Fort Louis)overlooking Marigot. For a restaurant idea try the "lolos" in Grand Case. They're very casual BBQ spots and very economical, we stuff ourselves quite cheaply and the food is good. Don't be worried because you see food out on a table, we've never gotten sick. "Talk of the Town" is the best one.

Stayed at the Maho Beach and were pestered by timesharing salespeople and the hotel is right on the airport tarmack. Stay on the FRENCH side, the dutch side is definitely the garbage side. Marigot is nice and upscale.

the Royal palm resort is in a great location..close to restaurants and shops<BR>a good placee to take the children is to the St. maarten Zoo located on the outskirts of Philipsburg. the zoo has recently made a lot of improvments and is really a worthwhile trip

The Dutch side is the "garbage side"????? We live on Pt. Blanche during the winter and traverse both sides. I think that is a stupid remark.