St.Martin
Apr 23rd, 2011, 07:08 AM
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Hi
I live above Orient Bay, and I know both of theses properties well.
I presume that you have read my response to your previous post which, for some reason , did not appear under this heading.
If you stay at La Plantation you will have a 200 yard walk to the beach, and the 'on site' restaursant is not as good - or as scenic - as the Sunset Bar / Restaurant at the Grand Case Beach Club.
La Plantation is ALMOST ON the beach at Orient Bay, whereas the Grand Case Beach Club is RIGHT ON the beach at Grand Case.
Purely personally, I prefer the Beach Club, but I have just heard this morning that the Chef from L'Astrolabe is about to take over the cuisine at La Plantation which should result in an improvement.
The beach at Orient Bay is completely different from the two at the Grand Case Beach Club.
Orient Bay is in the Atlantic, Grand Case is on the Caribbean, where the water is usually much more calm - though they are perhaps only 4 miles apart as the crow flies !
The Beach Club has a narrow private beach, plus a wider one which though everyone - even most of the locals - seem to think is private, is in fact public, but little used by 'the outside world' !
Orient Bay is far more 'populated' and has multiple beach bar / restaurants to suit every taste and price range, plus all sorts of water sports facilities. SXM is, however, NOT renowned for snorkeling.
It really does depend on what you really want out of your holiday.
I hope that maybe this helps.
Over to you !
I live above Orient Bay, and I know both of theses properties well.
I presume that you have read my response to your previous post which, for some reason , did not appear under this heading.
If you stay at La Plantation you will have a 200 yard walk to the beach, and the 'on site' restaursant is not as good - or as scenic - as the Sunset Bar / Restaurant at the Grand Case Beach Club.
La Plantation is ALMOST ON the beach at Orient Bay, whereas the Grand Case Beach Club is RIGHT ON the beach at Grand Case.
Purely personally, I prefer the Beach Club, but I have just heard this morning that the Chef from L'Astrolabe is about to take over the cuisine at La Plantation which should result in an improvement.
The beach at Orient Bay is completely different from the two at the Grand Case Beach Club.
Orient Bay is in the Atlantic, Grand Case is on the Caribbean, where the water is usually much more calm - though they are perhaps only 4 miles apart as the crow flies !
The Beach Club has a narrow private beach, plus a wider one which though everyone - even most of the locals - seem to think is private, is in fact public, but little used by 'the outside world' !
Orient Bay is far more 'populated' and has multiple beach bar / restaurants to suit every taste and price range, plus all sorts of water sports facilities. SXM is, however, NOT renowned for snorkeling.
It really does depend on what you really want out of your holiday.
I hope that maybe this helps.
Over to you !
Apr 23rd, 2011, 07:51 AM
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David,my wife would also like to be able to walk to shops and native artisans does that make a difference in options,and by the way you write the most concise most helpful replies I have read on this or any other site..thank you for taking your time to help us with this
Apr 23rd, 2011, 01:02 PM
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There are a lot of boutique type shops in between the world class restaurants in the Grand Case Boulevard. Some of which sell 'artisan' items, all are within easy few hundred yards walking distance of The Grand Case Beach Club.
If you want the up-market names, you have to go to Marigot, the French capital or, for jewelry, cameras, electronics etc. to Front Street in Philipsburg, the Dutch side capital.
Around the pretty square and surrounding area of the 'Village of Orient Bay' there are a few shops, but mainly they sell stuff that you might need on the beach, and there are a couple of 'convenience stores'.
As I have said before, whatever you do - though nothing is far away - if you want to make the most of the 'SXM experience', a rental car is a must.
If you want the up-market names, you have to go to Marigot, the French capital or, for jewelry, cameras, electronics etc. to Front Street in Philipsburg, the Dutch side capital.
Around the pretty square and surrounding area of the 'Village of Orient Bay' there are a few shops, but mainly they sell stuff that you might need on the beach, and there are a couple of 'convenience stores'.
As I have said before, whatever you do - though nothing is far away - if you want to make the most of the 'SXM experience', a rental car is a must.
Apr 24th, 2011, 03:33 AM
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There are several car rental companies close by, but you need to make sure that you can drop the car at the airport.
Taxis to or from the airport to your hotel will cost $30 each way, and unless you insist on having one to yourselves (which if they are busy may cost a bit more) you might end up sharing with people staying elsewhere en-route, and your drop off will be probably be last.
Frankly I would rent a car at the airport for the duration of your stay. In the end it will not cost more than using taxis, and it is far more convenient.
Do NOT rent from Dollar/Thrifty - they have a reputation for being rip off artists !
Whatever you do, take the insurance when offered.
Taxis to or from the airport to your hotel will cost $30 each way, and unless you insist on having one to yourselves (which if they are busy may cost a bit more) you might end up sharing with people staying elsewhere en-route, and your drop off will be probably be last.
Frankly I would rent a car at the airport for the duration of your stay. In the end it will not cost more than using taxis, and it is far more convenient.
Do NOT rent from Dollar/Thrifty - they have a reputation for being rip off artists !
Whatever you do, take the insurance when offered.
Apr 24th, 2011, 08:34 AM
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Thanks again for all your help,I will probably need to pick your brain again in the next month if that is all right with you? I noticed in some older posts that you hang out at Bikini Beach is that still your choice spot.
Apr 24th, 2011, 09:47 AM
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Please feel free to do so !
Bikini Beach is what I call 'my local pub'.
Elisa, who is the owner, is a very nice person and, apart from that, the bartenders are good (and generous) too. 'Happy Hour' is from 6pm to 7pm !
I had Sunday 'breakfast' there this morning, consisting of a vitamin controlled diet - vitamin 'V' and vitamin 'C' - in other words fresh squeezed orange juice (Vitamin C) mixed with a large measure of vodka (vitamin V) !
After two of those I felt ready to face the outside world.
Bikini Beach is what I call 'my local pub'.
Elisa, who is the owner, is a very nice person and, apart from that, the bartenders are good (and generous) too. 'Happy Hour' is from 6pm to 7pm !
I had Sunday 'breakfast' there this morning, consisting of a vitamin controlled diet - vitamin 'V' and vitamin 'C' - in other words fresh squeezed orange juice (Vitamin C) mixed with a large measure of vodka (vitamin V) !
After two of those I felt ready to face the outside world.
