PATTY

WE HAVE FOLLOWING TIME SHARE CHOICES FOR OUR MAY HONEYMOON. ROYAL ISLANDER SEEMS TO BE HAVE GOOD REPUTATION

SAPHIRE
FLAMINGO
ROYAL ISLANDER
MULLET BAY-I DONT KNOW IF THIS IS STILL AROUND?
DIV LITTLE BAY?

IS ONE BETTER THAN THE OTHER? WE PLAN TO RENT A CAR BUT WOULD LIKE TO BE IN A SCENIC AREA. ITS OUR HONEYMOON AND WE WILL BE POSSIBLE DOING SIDE TRIPS TO OTEHR ISLANDS IF POSSIBLE. WHAT IS WEATHER LIKE IN MAY?

THANKS FOR HELP

PATTY

Diane

Which beaches are the timeshares on? I'd stay away from Mullet Bay. It was messed up in a hurricane, then had problems with insurance, and was kind of scary just driving through. Be sure to rent a car. You will want to explore all over the island. We prefered the French side, but stayed on the Dutch side.

emily

We stayed at Royal Islander in June and loved it. It's on Mayo Beach which is a lovely Beach. The pool area is very nice and the restaurants there are good. The airport being so close never bothered us. RI is right across the street from a great place called Cheri's. Band most nights and fun crowd. Only drove past & read about Sapphire, closer to Cupecoy. I agree with previous post to stay away from Mullet...you may want to read postings on traveltalk.com.....

becky

we stayed at Divi Little Bay resort about 4 years ago---i don't know what it is like now, but we really enjoyed our stary. We had an upgraded room, but I did not see the timeshare units. The advantage of this resort is that it is a 5 minute walk from Phippsburg where the shopping is great & we went there almost every nite for dinner. If possible, I would do resarch & try to find a timeshare on Orient Bay Beach---1 of the top 10 beaches in the world i think--it was awesome & apparently great snorkelling. The advantage of St. Martin/Marrtens is that the island is so safe---the downside is the price. Hotel Mount Vernon has gone All Inclusive (probably the only one on the island) & is called Blue Bay Village St. Martin. It's right on Orient Bay beach.

Jean

Absolutely go with Saphire Club - we own next door at The Ocean Club. Sometimes the beach isn't always there, but when it is - it's the best one on the island. Most photographed beach (Cupecoy) in the carribean for magazines, etc. - The rooms at the Saphire are gorgeous - and I believe all of them have a hot tub on the balcony facing the ocean with a terrific view of Saba. To do any side trips to other islands, try to see a few timeshares at other resorts - if you have the time - the prizes almost always include a boat trip for two to various islands. We've seen Saba, Anguilla, St. Barts this way. If going to Saba, take good hiking shoes and make sure you get on the boat "The Edge" with Captain Bob - he and his crew are wonderful and the trip over and back is just as memorable as Saba. Do yourself a favor and take a seasickness pill - they sell them by the pill at the marinas - I don't normally get seasick, but something about the ocean between Saba and St. Martin get me every time.

Divi Bay is run down and the beach stinks - murky water, dirty sand and no surf at all.

Mullet Bay hasn't been built back up yet, but that's okay as their beach was always great but crowded - now the beach is desserted and even better than before! If they make timeshare available at Mullet, it's probably in The Towers - which isn't the greatest - on a lagoon instead of the ocean.

Flamingo was under new management last year, but I heard it wasn't that great.

Saphire stands out above the rest - trust me! Very, very expensive to buy there.

Be sure to see the rest of the island - other beaches to visit are Baie Rouge (one of my favorites), Orient Beach and Baie Long. Orient Bay/Beach is great for people watching and having somebody bring you your lunch and drinks right out to your lounge chair. Bikini Beach and Kontiki Beach are good choices on Orient Bay.

Good restaurants - Zee Best in Marigot for fresh pastries - they are "zee best". Everyt'ing's Cool in Phillipsburg - for burger, and any kind of colada you could dream up. Right on the beach, under a big shade tree - looking out over the harbour with the cruise ships in the background. Occassionally the crews from the ships come in and frequent this bar/restaurant and get a game of beach volleyball going. They usually have a great local band in the afternoon.

Cherie's is great for dancing afterhours and they have some good specials for dinner. Good pasta too.

Sambuca has the best brick over fired pizza I've had - and I'm from Chicago! Good happy hours too from 5-7pm.

The Argentinian Grill has great food too and wonderful atmosphere.

If you need more info, please feel free to contact me via email!

Have a great time - I can hardly wait until next April - I'm sooo jealous!

patti

Great post, Jean! You've convinced me to put Sapphire on my future exchange list........

Diane

The only thing that bothered me about Cupecoy beach was that while really unique and interesting, the surf was terrifying. There were similar surf problems with Baie Rouge, though with more people there, you weren't as scared! Orient Beach is calm, Grand Case is small but gentle, Dawn Beach is also lovely. Guess it's time to plan another trip!

Judy

Patty,
My husband and I just returned from St. Martin. I won't comment on the timeshares because we liked the flavor of the French side the best and the timeshare on that side was small but intimate and not plush like Americans tend to go for.
What I did want to share with you is that you must rent a car and go to Orient Bay Beach and Bay Rouge. They are simply beautiful.
The food is exquisite at L'Alabama
and the Italian Restaurant just down the street called Sebastiano's. In the Harbor, La Tropicana is very good and the proprietor personable and friendly.
Visit the Chanticleer too in that area.
Be sure to go out for croissants each morning so they are fresh!
Enjoy, enjoy!

Mark

Patty, happy holidays. My family (wife & 2 kids) and I have been traveling to St. Maarten for the past 5 years. We have a time share at the Sapphire Beach Club. Prior to buying we visited every timeshare on the island.The Sapphire is definitely the best.The rooms are beautiful, lots of marble, clean, large bathrooms, all have waterviews. Ask for a room on the 4th floor of higher. Great pool. Cupecoy Beach is beautiful, although often rough, but don't let that worry you. Just rent a car & tour the entire island. Definitely hit Orient Beach, Baie Rouge...Sapphire Beach Club has sites on the internet. Just type in Sapphire Beach Club St. Maarten & you can bring up pictures of the rooms, etc. Happy wedding.