My husband and I are planning a trip to SXM at the end of February. We are staying at L'Esplanade. A few questions:
I know it is a walk to the beach, but are there chairs, etc on the beach?
We love great restaurants, and have read that great restaurants are within walking distance. Is there shopping in that area too? Not jewelry shops, but French shopping?
Rental Car - If we will be within walking distance of great restaurants, will we need a car for our entire stay (5 nights)? Or is it more economical to pick up a rental car for the days we want to drive around the island to other beaches?
Any additional advice/recommendations GREATLY APPRECIATED

The closest part of the beach has Grand Case Beach club on it. The beach is public, but I expect you would have to pay to use the chairs. There are some shops in Grand Case, but mostly souvenir and specialty shops; not what you generally think of as a shopping area. You will certainly want to rent a car for some of your stay. You may even prefer other beaches routinely. Personnaly, I would get one for the whole stay for the freedom it gives; car rentals are not expensive.

the hotel you are staying at is absolutely lovely. I am sure they have chairs for rent.
you are right..you are near many wonderful restaurants... Grand Case is lined with them..one more fabulous than the other.
be sure to see Harmony Nights on Tuesdays when the boulevard is closed off and becoems a pedestrian mall with all the restaurants and stores open along with live music all over the place. The stores in grand Case are small cute boutiques. the major "french shopping" is in Marigot.
also eat at the lo lo's at the pier in Grand case for cheap wonderful local food, like BBQ ribs,chicken,fish, lobster.
that being said...
DO rent a car..... you have plenty of time to explore the rest of the island and our many beaches..go shoppnig in Margiot and also visit the local open air Caribbean market with many arts and crafts.
visit other beaches.. Bay Rouge is beautiful..Friar's Bay, Orient, Oyster Pond..there are so many
also there are many great restaurants on the Dutch side..and visit the newly opened boardwalk in Philipsburg
there is so much to do,I think you will want a rental car..at least for a couple of days anyway
enjoy!

Check with the hotel. At one time L'Esplanade had an agreement with one of the beachfront restaurants that included free use of their chairs for hotel guests.

I agree with everyone else, you should have a car.

Thanks to all for your great advice. We returned from a wonderful stay. L'Esplanade was absolutely lovely. So happy that we rented a car for the entire stay to enjoy the beaches, restaurants, shopping, etc. We loved the Grand Case restaurants, especially La Pressoir, Rainbow for dinner, L'Amandier for lunch (hotel has reciprocal agreement for beach chairs), and Calmos for drinks. The Tues night street fest was lotsa fun. Overall a great time. Thanks again for all the advice.

Tamjam, where did you rent your car and what was the rate? We are going to SXM a week from today and staying at Grand Case Beach Club. Thanks!

We rented from National. The rate was $220 for a 6 day rental. I called the 800 number to make the reservation.

Thank you!!