I agree with those that have suggested Maho or Orient. My preference would be Orient and the previously mentioned Alamanda sounds like it fits your liking. It is not a hotel but more like condo’s with no front desk to check in. It’s right in the water and just steps from everything you need. Restaurants , shopping , groceries and some nice specialty markets. Gift shopping and live music in the village at night. You can have the Watersports people on the beach in front of the rental take you directly to Pinel so you don’t have to deal with the water taxi or driving. I think it was $25 per person RT. Also was a fun little 10 minute ride on the water over there. They come back when you text them on WhatsApp. Use the same to reserve chairs at Pinel. This location would allow you to do Orient , Marigo Markets, Pinel and Grand Case for dinner all in the same day if you chose. Happy Bay is along the same roadway. Your location is likely safe and I have not driven down there for years but our friends call it scary road. I think mainly because it’s along the water with no street lighting, again it’s probably 5 years, and very little commercial enterprise around. It’s likely safe because the people of St Martin are beautiful people. But it’s a bit out of the way of nearly everything. No matter where you stay , with your energy and enthusiasm, you will have a wonderful trip. God Bless.
.
