Good morning Travel Talk Experts!
I hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday and all who are on the island are staying safe!
Y'all PLEASE help me ease my mind of the decision to stay at La Terrasse, instead of La Plage!
Quick backstory to the upcoming trip:
My brother passed away in March this year. Our family, consisting of 15 people, are going to St. Maarten for his celebration of life 8/1-8/8/2025- Friday to Friday (but could do a Sat to Sat). Our travel party is me, my husband, son (age 27), daughter (age 23), my sister and her husband, two daughters ages 22 and 20, and her husband's daughter and son-in-law, my step mother and other sister, and my brother's wife and twins ages 14.
My family of four has been to St. Maarten for a week in 2021 (We stayed in a 2 bedroom penthouse at La Plage) and a day trip while on a cruise in 2010. My sister-in-law and brother honeymooned there. The rest of the family has never been.
I have literally been all over the place as far as where to stay on this trip. They are looking to me to plan, since I have been there most and most recently. My short list of resorts was La Plage, Royal Palm, Villas at Simpson Bay. If at all possible, we would like to have a villa/condo/unit that sleeps 8 in beds, no sofa beds, or a combo of units that would sleep us all for a reasonable cost. I made a reservation at La Plage for 2- two bedrooms and 2 studios BUT then found a deal on La Terrasse 3 bedroom penthouses that sleep 8 for $2000 less overall (my sister and I are footing the bill for the units for everyone). I cancelled LP and reserved 2 three bedroom penthouses at LT. My husband is against staying at LT due to the reviews online, as far as outdated units, dark/dingy hallways. Not on beachfront. I am now paranoid about LT after reading the reviews, as well, especially one I read this morning saying they reserved the 3 bedroom penthouse at LT and when they checked in were given a smaller 3 bedroom on the second floor. It said that Nina, the manager told them they couldn't have the penthouse, although they booked it through the LT website. How does that even happen?
We are trying to do this as economically as possible. The true reason to go is to celebrate my brother, so it is more about him. However, I still want to stay somewhere everyone will have fun and be comfortable. We loved the Maho area when we stayed in 2021. We stayed one night in a 2 bedroom at the Villas Simpson Bay the beginning of that trip and enjoyed it there, as well. Would like somewhere walkable to nightlife (for the younger ones) and restaurants.
I'm just at a total loss as what to do. My sister is getting tired of me changing my mind haha!
Any thoughts from the Experts would be greatly appreciated!
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