St. Martin Short Visit Recommendations
Jan 14th, 2010, 09:57 AM
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St. Martin Short Visit Recommendations
We are headed out of St. Martin on March 6th on the Windspirit cruise. We want to spend a couple of days on St. Martin after the cruise, and would appreciate your recommendations on "must do's" for a 2-3 day visit - where to go, what to do, etc. Our travel agent has recommended the Radisson or Oyster Bay - your thoughts? Thanks.
Jan 22nd, 2010, 08:24 AM
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We have booked our stay in St. Martin at the Radisson for 3 nights. Surely someone on this forum will give us some good ideas on how to spend our 3 days post cruise. We'd also love to hear some restaurant recommendations. Thanks.
Jan 22nd, 2010, 09:16 AM
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Did you try the search function? Plenty of info on St. Martin on this site.
I've stayed at the Radisson and the pool is wonderful. The beach there is OK and there are activities offered (kayaks to rent etc).
If you don't have a car be aware the hotel is isolated and so you'll either have to eat at the hotel or take taxis.
Pinon island might be a good day trip for you. It's fairly close to the hotel.
I've stayed at the Radisson and the pool is wonderful. The beach there is OK and there are activities offered (kayaks to rent etc).
If you don't have a car be aware the hotel is isolated and so you'll either have to eat at the hotel or take taxis.
Pinon island might be a good day trip for you. It's fairly close to the hotel.
Jan 22nd, 2010, 12:13 PM
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It's Pinel islnd. and it would be nice to spend a day there. the boats leave from french cul de sac just over the hill from your hotel.
I woudl also recommend a few hours at Sunset Bar and grill by the airport. it's a fun bar and watching the planes come in over the beach is great.
and you are also close to orient Beach. it's a C/O beach and lined with restaurants and water sports.
Please do rent a car. it will allow you to experience the most of the island in a short time.
I can give you restaurant recommendations, but what do you want? cheap? expensive? local? french? Italian?
I woudl also recommend a few hours at Sunset Bar and grill by the airport. it's a fun bar and watching the planes come in over the beach is great.
and you are also close to orient Beach. it's a C/O beach and lined with restaurants and water sports.
Please do rent a car. it will allow you to experience the most of the island in a short time.
I can give you restaurant recommendations, but what do you want? cheap? expensive? local? french? Italian?
Jan 22nd, 2010, 01:19 PM
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Does any one the thread know which rooms are best/newer at the Radisson. I know they spent $60M reburbishing but was wondering if certain rooms are brand new and others just older but refurbished. Also wondering which rooms have best views. Any insight would be appreciated.
Jan 22nd, 2010, 04:46 PM
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Thanks Barbara. Read several reviews where poster complained that electicity occassionally went out and wasn't sure if that was limted to refurbished rooms as opposed to possibly brand new rooms that were added. Trying to obtain advice as to whether it is worth paying extra for marina suites rather than superior or deluxe rooms at the Radisson.
Jan 23rd, 2010, 02:22 AM
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The electricity problems were most likely due to the 'general' outages which occur from time to time on the island - FAR worse and more frequent on the Dutch side than on the French side!
We did have a short complete break in service here on the French side last week, but it only lasted for a very short time. Most outages are very localized, and normally don't last long.
It really surprises me that the Radisson does not have back-up generators.
The hotel, as Barbara says, has been completely re-furbished, so all the rooms are brand new. It is very beautiful, but it has it's drawbacks.
The marina suites are definitely the best. My son, daughter-in-law and family stayed in one of them in November last year and were happy enough, though they made the same comments as I have heard from friends and others who have stayed in the hotel regarding the apparent lack of staff training, cost / quality of food, and the spa etc.
I saw the room of some friends of mine who stayed in the wing to the left of the entrance last October, and it had no view worth mentioning, so you need to be very careful. Basically you get what you pay for, but you should definitely specify, and obtain firm faxed or e-mailed undertakings, regarding the location and orientation of the room.
A car is ESSENTIAL.
Though Barbara reccomends a trip to the Sunset Beach Bar to watch the planes land, I personally do not think that it is worth a special effort to drive through the horrid concrete jungle and cluttered mess in the Cupecoy area on the Dutch side of the island (on an absolutely dreadful road)just to do that. You can always check in early for the departure of your flight home, and drive round to the bar and spend some time 'planewatching' before you finally check in your car - if that is what turns you on !
You really ought to visit Orient Beach - arguably the best on the island. It is as well to do so early in the day before it gets too busy. You can also get good food in some of the better beach bars, and in the reataurants around the adjacent attractive 'village square'.
Grand Case - the cullinary capital of the Caribbean - is also close to where you will be staying, and a meal in pretty much any of the restaurants there can be a very pleasant experience. The Gran Case Boulevard is worth a visit anyway, even if you don't fancy eating.
Have fun !
We did have a short complete break in service here on the French side last week, but it only lasted for a very short time. Most outages are very localized, and normally don't last long.
It really surprises me that the Radisson does not have back-up generators.
The hotel, as Barbara says, has been completely re-furbished, so all the rooms are brand new. It is very beautiful, but it has it's drawbacks.
The marina suites are definitely the best. My son, daughter-in-law and family stayed in one of them in November last year and were happy enough, though they made the same comments as I have heard from friends and others who have stayed in the hotel regarding the apparent lack of staff training, cost / quality of food, and the spa etc.
I saw the room of some friends of mine who stayed in the wing to the left of the entrance last October, and it had no view worth mentioning, so you need to be very careful. Basically you get what you pay for, but you should definitely specify, and obtain firm faxed or e-mailed undertakings, regarding the location and orientation of the room.
A car is ESSENTIAL.
Though Barbara reccomends a trip to the Sunset Beach Bar to watch the planes land, I personally do not think that it is worth a special effort to drive through the horrid concrete jungle and cluttered mess in the Cupecoy area on the Dutch side of the island (on an absolutely dreadful road)just to do that. You can always check in early for the departure of your flight home, and drive round to the bar and spend some time 'planewatching' before you finally check in your car - if that is what turns you on !
You really ought to visit Orient Beach - arguably the best on the island. It is as well to do so early in the day before it gets too busy. You can also get good food in some of the better beach bars, and in the reataurants around the adjacent attractive 'village square'.
Grand Case - the cullinary capital of the Caribbean - is also close to where you will be staying, and a meal in pretty much any of the restaurants there can be a very pleasant experience. The Gran Case Boulevard is worth a visit anyway, even if you don't fancy eating.
Have fun !
Jan 23rd, 2010, 03:09 AM
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David, I think you are being unfair about the dutch side. Just because you don't like it is no reason to criticize it every chance you get. I believe when people visit our island they should see as much of it as they can and then they can make up their own mind about what they like or don't like.
as far as the Radisson, it get mostly positive reviews.
I know several people who stayed there and enjoyed it.
as far as the Radisson, it get mostly positive reviews.
I know several people who stayed there and enjoyed it.
Jan 23rd, 2010, 01:19 PM
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Thank you both for your feedback. Much appreciated. One last question. We plan on renting a car. I've read some posts that suggest it is better to rent from a local agency because there is less chance they will try to charge for dents etc. that were pre-existing. Do you have any insight on whether it matters that we rent local (say ACE or Kenny's) versus say Hertz or National? If it does not matter, any recommendations on which rental agency to go with?
Jan 23rd, 2010, 06:19 PM
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Hi Barbara. I admit I am not a fan of the Dutch side of the island for a number of reasons - but surely you, or anyone else from the Dutch side, cannot deny that Cupecoy is a disaster area !
I also feel that my comments - mainly made elsewhere - about the Dutch side being overdeveloped in general, and about the highrises in particular, plus it being more commercial than the French side of the island, are strictly factual.
I take your point about people seeing as much as possible of the island and letting them make up their own minds, but surely if they are seeking advance information, because they are here for only a short visit, it is perfectly reasonable to warn them of what to expect in certain areas - as well as extolling the many virtues of 'The Friendly Island'.
I think that it is also fair to suggest that there are better ways to spend half a day of a brief stay, based in Anse Marcel, than fighting the traffic etc. to the airport area to 'planewatch', when that can be done on the day of departure without losing valuable time which can be used for doing other things.
As far as the Radisson is concerned, I can only go by what I have seen personally, what my immediate family (whose comments I fully trust as I know what they expect in a top class hotel) have told me, and what I have heard from a number of friends who have stayed there.
I agree that the hotel and grounds are extremely attractive, as is the little marina, from where we frequently go deep sea fishing, and the pool is of course superb, but I have heard some critical comments which I would not expect to hear from highly experienced travellers about a hotel aspiring to be either THE best, or one of the best, on the island.
I also feel that my comments - mainly made elsewhere - about the Dutch side being overdeveloped in general, and about the highrises in particular, plus it being more commercial than the French side of the island, are strictly factual.
I take your point about people seeing as much as possible of the island and letting them make up their own minds, but surely if they are seeking advance information, because they are here for only a short visit, it is perfectly reasonable to warn them of what to expect in certain areas - as well as extolling the many virtues of 'The Friendly Island'.
I think that it is also fair to suggest that there are better ways to spend half a day of a brief stay, based in Anse Marcel, than fighting the traffic etc. to the airport area to 'planewatch', when that can be done on the day of departure without losing valuable time which can be used for doing other things.
As far as the Radisson is concerned, I can only go by what I have seen personally, what my immediate family (whose comments I fully trust as I know what they expect in a top class hotel) have told me, and what I have heard from a number of friends who have stayed there.
I agree that the hotel and grounds are extremely attractive, as is the little marina, from where we frequently go deep sea fishing, and the pool is of course superb, but I have heard some critical comments which I would not expect to hear from highly experienced travellers about a hotel aspiring to be either THE best, or one of the best, on the island.
Jan 24th, 2010, 04:43 AM
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David
the question was not about Cupe Coy. the OP wants to know where to go. you have to admit that sunset bar and grill is one of the top place visitors want to see.
to bring up cupe coy unnecessarily and tell the poster don't go to sunset because you have to pass through cupe coy? come on now? warn them of high rise buildings? warn them of crime , yes, but not high rise buuildings.
you are bad mouthing the dutch side when it was totally unnecessary. I don't like the build up there either but I don't go out of my way to bring up the negatives when I am not asked. and you do it a lot and it does bother me.
yoiu are shamelessly promoting the french side and shamelessly downgrading the dutch side all the time and that simply is not fair.
I could say many bad things about the french side too, but I don't.
I feel our place here is to provide unbiased information and facts. I keep my personal prejudices to myself.
is this a perfect island ? no? but each side has something to offer tourists.and people should feel free to taste both sides and all aspects of the island..the good, the bad, the ugly, and then make up their own minds.
I tell them what is available period. not what I like or dislike. that's not my place here to do that. I live here.. so do you. we are not tourists.
the question was not about Cupe Coy. the OP wants to know where to go. you have to admit that sunset bar and grill is one of the top place visitors want to see.
to bring up cupe coy unnecessarily and tell the poster don't go to sunset because you have to pass through cupe coy? come on now? warn them of high rise buildings? warn them of crime , yes, but not high rise buuildings.
you are bad mouthing the dutch side when it was totally unnecessary. I don't like the build up there either but I don't go out of my way to bring up the negatives when I am not asked. and you do it a lot and it does bother me.
yoiu are shamelessly promoting the french side and shamelessly downgrading the dutch side all the time and that simply is not fair.
I could say many bad things about the french side too, but I don't.
I feel our place here is to provide unbiased information and facts. I keep my personal prejudices to myself.
is this a perfect island ? no? but each side has something to offer tourists.and people should feel free to taste both sides and all aspects of the island..the good, the bad, the ugly, and then make up their own minds.
I tell them what is available period. not what I like or dislike. that's not my place here to do that. I live here.. so do you. we are not tourists.
Jan 25th, 2010, 12:44 PM
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Hi Barbara.
I did NOT say "Don't go to The Sunset Beach Bar" which is, I agree, one of the best known, and more interesting, island attractions.
What I DID say was that, in my view, it was not worth driving to the airport area from Anse Marcel specially to go there, when this can be done having checked in for the homebound flight at the airport, before finally checking in the rental car.
That way half a day of a short visit to the island will not be wasted doing something which can be easily fitted in on the day of departure. Personally, I always check in early when I fly out of Juliana, and then do, myself, just what I suggested.
Surely you have to admit that to drive TWICE through the traffic, on a dreadful road through the 'scenic' Cupecoy / Mullet Bay area, with the possibility of a bridge opening thrown in, is hardly the best idea !
In my view, if contributors to the forum are seeking as much detail as possible about St Martin / Sint Maarten before they arrive, it is only reasonable to supply information to help them - warts and all !! After that they can make their own decisions as to what to do, or not to do, in the short time that most have available.
As you say, I far prefer the French side of the island (where I live), but I FULLY ACCEPT that Marigot cannot hold a candle to the shopping on Front Street in Philipsburg, and the Dutch side has a great nightlife - which the French side certainly has not - nor do we have casinos.
I certainly don't think that it is out of line to make visitors aware, in advance of their arrival, of what they are likely to find, and not just pretend to be working for either of the island Tourist Bureaux and only mention the 'good bits' - of which of course there are many more than bad.
I did NOT say "Don't go to The Sunset Beach Bar" which is, I agree, one of the best known, and more interesting, island attractions.
What I DID say was that, in my view, it was not worth driving to the airport area from Anse Marcel specially to go there, when this can be done having checked in for the homebound flight at the airport, before finally checking in the rental car.
That way half a day of a short visit to the island will not be wasted doing something which can be easily fitted in on the day of departure. Personally, I always check in early when I fly out of Juliana, and then do, myself, just what I suggested.
Surely you have to admit that to drive TWICE through the traffic, on a dreadful road through the 'scenic' Cupecoy / Mullet Bay area, with the possibility of a bridge opening thrown in, is hardly the best idea !
In my view, if contributors to the forum are seeking as much detail as possible about St Martin / Sint Maarten before they arrive, it is only reasonable to supply information to help them - warts and all !! After that they can make their own decisions as to what to do, or not to do, in the short time that most have available.
As you say, I far prefer the French side of the island (where I live), but I FULLY ACCEPT that Marigot cannot hold a candle to the shopping on Front Street in Philipsburg, and the Dutch side has a great nightlife - which the French side certainly has not - nor do we have casinos.
I certainly don't think that it is out of line to make visitors aware, in advance of their arrival, of what they are likely to find, and not just pretend to be working for either of the island Tourist Bureaux and only mention the 'good bits' - of which of course there are many more than bad.
Jan 25th, 2010, 02:17 PM
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I realize you are not getting much info on what to do while on st. martin. Personally based upon a 7 night and a 4night visit over the past 12 years I must admit there is not much to do but relax if it is not too hot. One trip in June it was 95+ and not a cloud in the sky which was not good. the resaurants are good but expensive on the French side. The Fleur de Lee (I am spelling it WRONG) was very good upon both visuits but it all depends upon who is now the chef. there are 506 nice art galleries, an ostrich farm (take a pass) and a ferry over to Anguills where the nicer hotels are. That is it, in our opinion. sorry.
Jan 25th, 2010, 05:37 PM
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StanKase, I think that you are confused, or that your very short visits to St Martin must have been a long time ago !
The Ostrich farm is on Aruba, there is no restaurant (that I know of) on either side of the island by the name of 'Fleur de Lys' - though there are over 350 others to choose from, in ALL price ranges (even those on the French side) and 95 degrees, even in June or high summer, is highly unusual.
Anyway, the persons initially enquiring are going to be on the island in March when we should have our usual 82 to 85 degree daily temperature (75 degrees overnight), which is made very acceptable by the near constant Trade Winds which take the 'bite' out of the sun's rays.
There are plenty of options for amusement on the island (it depends on what you want to do) without going to Anguilla where, I agree, there are two or three good hotels and some nice beaches, but not much else.
I really don't think our visitors will be bored, fried alive, or starved to death because of the restaurant costs, and they certainly won't be able to ride ostrichs !
The Ostrich farm is on Aruba, there is no restaurant (that I know of) on either side of the island by the name of 'Fleur de Lys' - though there are over 350 others to choose from, in ALL price ranges (even those on the French side) and 95 degrees, even in June or high summer, is highly unusual.
Anyway, the persons initially enquiring are going to be on the island in March when we should have our usual 82 to 85 degree daily temperature (75 degrees overnight), which is made very acceptable by the near constant Trade Winds which take the 'bite' out of the sun's rays.
There are plenty of options for amusement on the island (it depends on what you want to do) without going to Anguilla where, I agree, there are two or three good hotels and some nice beaches, but not much else.
I really don't think our visitors will be bored, fried alive, or starved to death because of the restaurant costs, and they certainly won't be able to ride ostrichs !
Jan 26th, 2010, 11:27 AM
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Restaurants - L'Auberge Gourmande and Spiga in Grand Case. Tropicana in Marigot. Also, the lolos (beachside bbq places) serve delicious and cheap food in Grand Case. Lots of fun for a relaxed lunch with a beer.
Orient Beach is beautiful, with many chair/umbrella rentals and great restaurants lining the beach.
The beaches in Grand Case (Petite Plage, Baie de Grand Case) are peaceful with beautiful views of Anguilla. Snorkeling trips to Creole Rock can be arranged as well.
We enjoyed walking around the marina in Marigot. Very charming. Tropicana is there as well and is excellent.
Have a great time!
Orient Beach is beautiful, with many chair/umbrella rentals and great restaurants lining the beach.
The beaches in Grand Case (Petite Plage, Baie de Grand Case) are peaceful with beautiful views of Anguilla. Snorkeling trips to Creole Rock can be arranged as well.
We enjoyed walking around the marina in Marigot. Very charming. Tropicana is there as well and is excellent.
Have a great time!
Jan 26th, 2010, 11:50 AM
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L'Escapade and Bistrot Caraibe in Grand Case are also good, as is the Fish Pot, if you like fish.
Tropicana on Marina Royale in Marigot is also one of my favorite restaurants anywhere on the island.
Advance booking at all the above is suggested if you want the best tables.
Every Tuesday evening there is a 'Festival' in Grand Case, and the Boulevard is closed to traffic. The first one of this season was last week, and I think it will still be happening in March. It's a fun evening.
Tropicana on Marina Royale in Marigot is also one of my favorite restaurants anywhere on the island.
Advance booking at all the above is suggested if you want the best tables.
Every Tuesday evening there is a 'Festival' in Grand Case, and the Boulevard is closed to traffic. The first one of this season was last week, and I think it will still be happening in March. It's a fun evening.
Feb 14th, 2010, 12:57 PM
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Hi Everyone, thanks for all the responses. We have booked 3 days after our cruise at the Radisson (formerly Le Meridien/L'Habitation de Lonvilliers). I think we will rent a car for our visit since that was suggested as the best option. We'd like to visit some of the beaches (which ones other than Orient?) and see/do anything else you'd recommend. We love to snorkel so would like to hear about where to go on our own or on a trip. Of course, we want to go to some great restaurants with seafood being our first choice, followed by French. Please give us your advice. Thanks!
Mar 1st, 2010, 12:26 PM
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Decided not to rent a car after all, so trying to arrange a good island tour for our first day off the ship, a snorkeling trip to someplace like Pinel and/or Tintamarre, and our last day we'll just hang and enjoy the Radisson. Any recommendations for a tour besides Joyce Prince who is booked that day? Captain Alan was recommended for snorkeling, as was Peggy & Paul (the textile version). Anyone else?
For restaurants we definitely want to go to Grand Case one night - what is your favorite? We like French, love seafood and will splurge at least 1 or 2 nights.
For restaurants we definitely want to go to Grand Case one night - what is your favorite? We like French, love seafood and will splurge at least 1 or 2 nights.
