Any recommendations on this resort? I'm also interested in a villa. However I only want to do 5 nights not 7. Any over all thoughts provided on this hotel and island choice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!

Hotel is very nice, though it is in somewhat isolated location. Would be some drive to the night life and restaurants. Nice beach.

I stayed at the Dawn Beach many years ago, long before it was a Westin. at the time it was a very nice property although would agree w/other post, it is a bit isolated. and i remember the water was pretty rough on that side of island.

my previous trip to St. Marrten we stayed on the caribbean side & water was calm. but not sure what that property was called. the Dawn beach rooms were nice & ours was close to the beach.

Just got back from St. Maarten on Sunday. We rented a jeep and went to every beach on the island. The Westin is very isolated but on a decent beach. I would not stay there as I like to be around restaurants, shopping, casinos, etc. We stayed at the Sonesta Maho. It was nice, but I would not go back as I would prefer Simpson Bay because there are a lot of cheap/nice villas. The Divi in Phillisburg looked very nice and is on a great beach. But Orient Beach is the only place to be if you like to people watch. But I would not stay on the French side as the people tend to be a little more rude and the prices are in Euros so you'll spend more. One suggestion - take the ferry to Anguilla for the day. Go to Shoal Bay East. I've been to about 20 beaches in the Caribbean and this was by far the best. Less crowded but still a few hotels/villas and several beach bars. Have fun!

We stayed in the Dawn Beach area twice and while it isn't close to a lot it isn't that far either. We rented a car and went to the casino or the French side every night for dinner. Yes, it is rougher water but you are still able to snorkle.I would start at one end of the beach and drift down the beach with the current and walk out.

the Westin is 20 minutes from Philipsburg, with restaurants and shopping and the Boardwalk.
it is 20 minutes to Orient Beach, one of the nicest beaches on the island.
it is maybe 30 minutes to Grand Case, a little town filled with superb restaurants.
it is a good distance from the Maho and Simpson bay areas which are the heart of the tourist area with a lot of restaurants,casinos, bars, etc.
There are several nice restaurants not too far from the hotel.
Captain Oliver's complex has 2 nice restaurants and a fun bar,Dinghy Dock
Quai Quest is a great restaurant in that complex.
Daniel's By the sea at Oyster Bay Resort for fabulous Italian food.
Big Fish
Le Frigate

just to name a few.

You might try Princess Heights. We stayed there 3 years ago in a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo that was wonderful. It had a full kitchen and balconies off the living room and both bedrooms. We really liked the flexibility of having all the extra space, not just a bedroom.
Princess Heights sits in the hills above the Westin. They rent by the day so you might likely find 5 nights available. If we were to go back to St. Maarten again that's where we would stay.

http://www.princessheights.com/

http://www.princessheights.com/