We are considering a trip to St Martin early November or December. So far 2 hotels are a possibility:<BR>Nettle Bay<BR>Maho Beach Resort (with AI option)<BR>Can anyone who has stayed at either of these give us some info (any info) but specifically we are interested in:<BR>quality of beach<BR>any snorkeling?<BR>quality of food (especially at Maho Beach since we are looking at the AI option - we are not into gourmet dining but like our food to be at least edible)<BR>rooms<BR>accessabiity to other eating options and grocery stores(Nettle Bay)<BR>Also How easy/difficult is driving in St Martin and what are car rental rates like?<BR>Thanks for any info<BR>Jeanne

I'll start with your last question. Driving is crazy but necessary because there are so many beautiful beaches and dining outside your hotel. AI food is AI and a mistake in St. Martin. You don't have to spend a fortune at one of the upscale restaurants in Grand Case, you can eat very reasonably at many restaurants on the Dutch side. Banana's, Cheries, SSSB, Bamboo Bernie's, Bliss, Turtle Pier, Boathouse which are all in Simpson Bay and very close to the Maho. There is a really nice market call Match in Margiot which is about 15 minutes from the Maho. Also most of the beaches have what they call "lolos" and you can get a very good meal for under $10 on both the French and Dutch sides. Maho is nice but it's a tiny beach and right in the pathway of the airport. Mullet and Cupecoy beaches are only minutes away but really rent a car and try all the wonderful beaches. Check out http://www.traveltalkonline.com/wwwthreads/wwwthreads.pl<BR>for all the info you'll ever need on St. Martin.<BR><BR>We are leaving on our 2nd trip to St. Martin in a week and are paying $226 for a Kia Retona. You can get cheaper if you reserve a small car but we like an SUV.

We have been vacationing on SXM for 20 years and prefer the French side. We have stayed at Nettle Bay Beach Club (booked there for this Xmas); other hotels in the same area are Marine Simson, Le Flamboyant. Another favourite of ours is Hotel Beach Plaza, a 5 min walk from the heart of Marigot. It's also right near a supermarket and terrific bakery..called US Import. Other great hotels can be found at Orient Beach..try L'Hoste (www.hostehotel.com). Most of these hotels have kitchenettes, sometimes on the balcony..Hotel Beach Plaza has just room frig but a huge ice machine on each floor. We woud never go all-inclusive on SXM..too many great places to eat at all price ranges. Bar de la Mer (Marigot harbour), Brasserie de la Gare (Marina), the lolos at Grand Case, especially "Talk of the Town". Most of the places recommended by previous response are on the Dutch side; too "Americanized"; we prefer the more European ambiance of the French side. Personally we buy fresh fruit, croissants for breakfasts, pack a cooler for the beach and go out for dinner. As to car rentals, the last few times we've rented from Budget with pickup at the airport, cost was $350 Cnd. for the week. As for money we have taken French Francs and now the Euro and found that this is cheaper for us than $US. Great beaches...Orient, Baie Rouge. On Orient, one side is like the Riviera with chairs, umbrellas, restaurants; the other side is clothing optional - no radios, cameras.

Forgot to say that driving is easy on SXM, it's fun but more expensive to rent a jeep; there are very steep roads over on the Dutch side as you come to Dawn Beach and a fair number of potholes on some of the less travelled roads. But basically there is one main road around the island; it's a very busy, bustling island. Supermarket Match on the French side has N.Amer and European foods, on the Dutch side ther is the Food Fair chain. In Nettle Bay there are a couple of strip plazas, each with a fod store, the larger of the two is Royal run by Pierre, carries fruits, veggies, fresh breads, tinned stuff, liquor, etc. There are also several restaurants right in Nettle Bay. If you've never been before I would pick Hotel Beach Plaza, or at least Nettle Bay before Maho.

if and Linda:<BR>Ok you have convinced me to drop Maho from consideration.<BR>This leaves Nettle Bay and Hotel Beach Plaza or possibly L'Hoste<BR>I know what the beach is like near L'Hoste ( i was one of those "horrible" day tripping cruise ship types but it was the day trip that convinced me that I would love to come back for a week) but LHoste would probably be our most expensive option.<BR>Can you tell me what the beach is like at Nettle Bay and Beach Plaza - Re: swimability ( I have (very Minor) mobility problems and large waves can knock me down) and snorkeling. <BR>BTW - thanks for info - you have convinced me that a car is essential to really get full enjoyment from the trip. I also love the idea of just getting croissants and fruit for Bfast, a light lunch and then treating ourselves to a decent dinner.

Jeanne, <BR><BR>If you are looking for calmer waters and a nice hotel; also check The Grand Case Beach Club. It is a very nice place and the water in Grand Case is very calm.<BR><BR>There is also a cat (Scooby-Doo) that leaves from there, I believe, that takes you out for snorkeling.

Nettle Bay is right on the water but it is not a beach for swimming. However, the resort has 4 pools, one with a bar/restaurant. Sometimes when I've been there I've had a pool all to myself, kind of nice. Beach Plaza does not have the large acreage of grounds as at some hotels but it's very nice. The pool is at the back beside the dining room and there is a restaurant/bar at one end. There is also a pier that juts out into the Caribbean with deck chairs; it's just for hotel guests. There is a beach that has been created and there are no rough waves there. But I'd still say have a car and drive to other beaches; Orient is about 20 min drive. Why I'd pick Beach Plaza over Nettle Bay is the rooms are a good size, we walk to the Marina for dinner (5min), I can walk into Marigot to shop and there's a supermarket and a bakery 2 min walk away. Having said all that we're staying at NB this Xmas because our agent got us a good deal.

Sorry, having another senior's moment...Snorkelling would be best at Orient. If you find L'Hoste pricy try some of the other hotels at Orient...St.Tropez, etc. Don't know wher you are located but L'Hoste does packages through Signature Vacations (Cnd co.)..don't know if they do any through the US but try their web site or email and ask. There are some rougher waves in spots at Orient but also calm waters and the clothing optional side has calm water. Grand Case is a pretty hotel and beach and very calm.

I was there- loved the Dutch side -lucky to have stayed there - I didn't get along too well on the French side. Because I don't speak French nor did I have any of their money - was unable to purchase swimsuit, jewelery or even a glass of wine due to the language barrier. They didn't even seem interested. Remained on the Dutch side after that day.... We stayed at La Vista near Simpson Bay - Loved it!! Quaint pleasant, not directly on the beach - but close enough to walk - Atrium seemed very "commercialized" but definately had the entertainment (exki-doo, water ski, scuba etc) all lined up - ready to go - every day!! All avail to public for $$<BR><BR>I personally am not interested in Al - would rather have the choices, variety and new experiences! Have a safe trip -I just know you'll enjoy it there!

Cathie,<BR><BR>Did you try speaking English as well???

Cathie - what do you mean you couldn't buy anything on the French side or speak - not trying to be critical, but have been going for ever, we stay on the dutch side, and have never had a problem on the French side using US dollars and speaking English??? The Euro is almost equal to the $$ so no problem, even when the money was the franc never exchanged it?? Just curious where did you encounter these problems??

We've been to St. Martin a couple of times and stayed on the French side for both visits. The only time we've had a problem with the language was trying to figure out how how the phone cards worked. We never had a problem using US $ or a credit card on either side of the island.<BR><BR>There were a couple of threads recently about good snorkling spots at www.traveltalkonline.com.<BR><BR><BR>

If you rent a car/jeep it doesn't matter what side you stay on. We visited the French side often, Orient Beach, Friar's, Baie Rouge. We didn't have any problems making purchases at Match (grocery store) or shops in Marigot with American money. We found the people equally as friendly, in fact we purchased a few items at the Pharmacies and the women couldn't have been more helpful. So much we went back and spent some more money the next day. <BR><BR>On this our second trip we are staying again on the Dutch side but will be looking at some of the smaller inns on the French side in anticipation of another visit God willing next year.

jeanne,<BR>the only place that you should even consider staying at is le meridien habitation on the french side. It is absolutely stunning and the staff are so friendly. the food is ok, so do not go AI, grand case is a 5 minute care ride away with great resturants. the dutch side, especially the maho, well you might as well go to miami beach, very commercialized, i.e starbucks, ben and jerrys etc.. and their beach is practically the runway for the airport. Do yourself a favor , le meridien!!

COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE DANIEL.!!!lE MERIDIEN IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS PRIVATE AND SAFE!! THE BEACH IS GORGEOUS THE WATER IS SHALLOW TO BATHE IN AND THE STAFF ARE SO FRIENDLY. I WENT THERE WITH MY BOYFRIEND LAST YEAR AND WE AHD THE GREATEST TIME. GOING BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR, WITHOUT HIM AND WILL GO EVERY YEAR, IT IS PARADISE P.S DANIEL YOU BUSY THIS NEW YEARS?????

sara,<BR> although it is a tempting invite i don;t think that my girlfriend would approve, thanx anyways and have a good time!!!!!!

Have to agree with the folks who noted Le Meridien on the French side. There's no problem with folks who don't parlez Francais.

Definitely stay at Le Meridien. It is in a secluded cover and the views are just breathtaking. My husband proposed to me there 6 years ago, so St. Martin will always be special in my heart. Stay on the Le Domaine side......the rooms are to die for.....very European. The food at La Veranda was the best we had on the entire island (I assume it is still there). If for some reason you don't chose Le Meridien, definitely stay on the French side. It's very commerical on the Dutch side, but I do think the shopping is better on the Dutch side. At least it was 6 years ago.

I'm considering staying at Le Meridien,could you tell me what the dress around the pool and beach there are like(nude or topless?). How is the water at the hotel? Are the rooms a good size there?<BR> Thanks for the help,<BR> Rick

To Rick:<BR><BR>We stayed in a suite in Le Domaine,the extra money was worth it. Very European. We saw no nudity at the resort, just topless. The beach was beautiful. We were there in July and practically had the whole beach to ourselves! Hope this helps!