roman

Hi out there. My wife and I have decided to go to St Martin. We like a romantic setting, smaller resorts, beautiful scenery and a bit of luxury (which means no TVs if possible). I've read that Orient Bay is nice and am looking for suggestions as to where to stay. <BR> <BR>The only nitelife we need is a good dining room and seaside bar with excellent views.

Kurt

Hi there, I was in St.Martin last April and stayed on the French side at a resort called Blue Bay Mount Vernon, It's on a beautiful sandy beach, you can walk along for quite some time, there are alot of nice little restaurants along the beach, that are fairly inexpensive, or a nice steak house up the road. <BR>The rooms are nice and big, and very clean, the staff are friendly although a little slow on the service end of things, but that is pretty indicative of anywhere down there. <BR>It is pretty windy with it being a small island but I found that after the first day the wind didn't bother me at all. <BR>Anyway for nicer beaches anywhere you pick should be on the french side. <BR> <BR>Have fun.. <BR>

Roman

Thanks for your reply Kurt....

becky

Regarding the previous message, you should be aware that as of fall '99 the Blue Bay Mount Vernon has gone all inclusive, which normally is great price wise, but I have read at least 2 negative reviews about the food service--not enough & slow service. They are obviously having growing pains. It is a fabulours location though---Orient Bay Beach is always among the top 10 beaches in the travel books & the snorklying at Pinel Island, right across from the resort is great apparently, but too windy the day we were there (quite common). The downside is that you are isolated from nightlife & casinos, so if this doesn't bother you... We stayed at Divi Little Bay which is on a cove (Little Bay), a pleasant 5 min. walk to Phillipsburg. It is not a posh resort, altho the timeshares looked really nice. Stay away from Maho Beach Hotel (very noisy/overdeveloped) & be aware that alot of the hotels in the various brochures are on Lagoon, not on the ocean. The new Hotel Beach Plaza, 2 min. walk to Marigot may be worth checking into. Marigot is worth visiting---they may still have the market on Wed.The food is fabulous on St.Martin but expensive for us Canadians due to the exchange rate, especially the row of gourmet restaurants in Grand-Case. We loved St. Martin, altho it is quite overdeveloped. If you can afford it, I would research other resorts, eg. La Samana (very expensive) or Le Meridien. The beaches around La Samana are supposed to be the best (Baie Longue, etc). It's worth renting a car for the day & touring the entire island. Enjoy!

Roman

Thanks Becky....

gary taylor

We visited with honeymooning friends in their villa at Green Cay Village, overlooking Orient, ( http://www.greencayvillage.com/explore.html )and were quite impressed. <BR> <BR>It is not directly on the beach, but is within walking distance of the beach and 5 minutes drive of probably 50 of St. Maarten's finest restaurants. <BR> <BR>They can arrange to have visiting chefs prepare a meal in your villa while you relax in your private pool. <BR> <BR>If you have to have that last little bit of luxury you mention, then unplug the tv and wheel it into a closet while you're there.

peg

Hi -- You might check out the Esmerelda. Rooms have TV's (leave it off... ;-), but I thought it was very romantic and private, and less than 1 minute walk to Orient Beach. good on-site restaurant, and another lovely one in a renovated house about 7 minutes walk from hotel (can't remember the name, ask at the desk; we ate on a beautiful porch, surrounded by lush greenery & island sounds... wonderful!). The Esmerelda complex started as a housing development, so has separate "villas" each with own private swimming pool & 4 rooms. All rooms have private terrace, tile floors, ceiling fan, large walk-in tile shower (good for two...), small kitchenette. You're pretty isolated here, but can get a cab to marigot or dutch side easily. Orient is beautiful--good luck.

Carlos

I found the following websites during my research, hope is useful: <BR>www.captainolivers.com <BR>www.greencayvillage.com <BR>www.pheights.com <BR>www.sxmhotels.com <BR>www.cluborient.com <BR>and www.caribbeantravelmag.com <BR> <BR>Good luck !