Becky,
If you want a great location, IMHO having stayed there only once but loved it, I'd recommend Beachside Villas on Simpson Bay. We have timeshare on SXM so that's where we typically stay although we do switch it up every now and then by adding extra time at different spots. BSV is on the Dutchside on an approximately two mile long walkable beach, has its own pool and pool deck and is a condo complex with complete kitchens and full amenities even including a BBQ grill in each unit if you're so inclined. There's something to be said for renting a place right on the beach and listening to the sounds of the waves crashing and lulling you off to sleep at night over the whirring of the airconditioners.
While we personally prefer the Dutch side of the island, I would also highly recommend the Grand Case Beach Club on the French side. Its about as close as you can get to an AI resort atmosphere without going AI, and trust me, you really don't want to go that route on St. Maarten/St. Martin. It has a lovely new pool, a great little on-site restaurant serving three meals a day, two seperate beach areas and access to all the water sports activities you might enjoy. But at the same time, there's no pressure to be a part of anything. And best of all, you're within an easy walk to all the best restaurants Grand Case has to offer.
The best part of SXM is that you can rent a car and go to a different beach every day and they're ALL different and all great. Awesome beaches everywhere along with incredible dining island wide. If you want some nightlife or enjoy the casinos, this is more apt to be found on Dutch St. Maarten. We're not much into the nightlife but we do enjoy an hour at the casinos every now and then.
We personally enjoy Mullet Beach along with Rosie's ribs for lunch, and think it's about the best the island has to offer for our tastes but again, all the beaches are different and spending days exploring the different options is one of the highlights of the island. You can enjoy a self-catered day on Mullet if the ribs don't appeal or you can spend a delightful day at Dreams Beach in Nettle Baie or at the Restaurant at Anse Marcel where they will cater to your every whim if you're of a mind to appreciate that type of a day for a change of pace. And beyond that you can wander the length of all it's different venues for dining along with its different areas of dress (or undress if that's up your alley....) and opportunities for socializing.
Good choice for a change of pace vacation and island and I hope you come to enjoy it as so many of us do. So much to see and do and experience...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
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