TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin La Bella Creole, and breakfast

I know this dates way back,and La Bella Creole is no longer open. For those that have stayed there like we have 20 something years ago we really enjoyed the breakfast they offered in the morning. All the fruits and breads. Wife and I are heading down August 13th Thru the 21st and was looking for a place to stay that offered a similar style breakfast on the french side.

There is a nice cafe at Alamanda Hotel serving continental and American breakfast with garden and pool viws.

Grand Case Beach Club serves breakfast and has a beautiful view!

Today there are many places that serve lovely breakfasts in beautiful settings but I'm not aware of any places that offer to the public at large the beautiful breakfast buffets such as used to be available at LaBelle Creole and at Mullet Bay Resort.

And I agree with the OP - the settings were beautiful; the offerings went on and on from fruits to pastries to breakfast meats and right up to the egg/omelet station with virtually any other breakfast fare you might think of. They weren't inexpensive for the time and rare was the person who could actually eat their money's worth but they were really wonderful. If anyone knows of such an offering that is open to the public at large, I would love to learn of it, too. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Sonesta Maho may still offer a nice breakfast buffet overlooking the ocean for a reasonable price - worth checking it out.

Not sure, but isn't Maho AI these days and not open to the general public? Or am I possibly thinking about their oceanfront operation?

You can buy a voucher for a meal unless this has changed.

Thanks.Bobcat - I didn't realize that.

We used to so enjoy the MBR&C Shipwreck buffet just footsteps off the beach. It was always fun to watch the sugarbirds begging for their sweet treat.

Has anyone done breakfast at Dreams? That could be approximately the same beachfront setting but with breakfast to order?

We had a nice buffet at l'Astrolabe. They also offer several items that can be purchased ala carte.

Pat -probably same deal at Divi - buy a voucher and dine by the beach, inside or outside.

La Croissanterie at the Marigot Marina has very good breakfast both French and American overlooking the marina.

Grand Case Beach Club, great but not a buffett. Holland House in P'burg serves breakfast with a greta view.

Someone mentioned buying a voucher for Divi. We haven't much liked the food there and even when we stay there we eat elsewhere.

La Croissanterie is a excellent choice.
Divi updated their menu and staff and recent reviews indicate better offerings and service.

Thanks everyone for the info. I will look into all suggestions. We are leaning toward Grandcase beach club but just wanted to see what everyone has experienced. It was so nice to wake up and have a spread like La bella Creole offered, then light snack for lunch, then get ready for a great dinner after back from the beach.

I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for, as we never had the pleasure of seeing La Belle Creole. If you are looking for a brunch buffet in particular, the Westin has a brunch buffet, but possibly only on Sunday.

Well unless the update took place since March 2016 I'm sure there's no change. But maybe after a few complaints they are washing the dishes better and no longer have dried egg on them. Happened to the table next to us and again to our son when he visited.

That is unfortunate. It certainly can and does happen just about anywhere. If it is a buffet, we simply take a clean plate. If it sit down we ask for a clean plate.

Carol, the Westin has a daily breakfast buffet; all you can eat as well as ala carte. As you said they offer a special brunch buffet on Sundays that is spectacular in selections but not cheap.

Holland House during the high season would serve breakfast only to those staying there. We were turned away after years of enjoying our after Mass Sunday breakfast there.

OK, thanks. I'm not much of a buffet person myself any more, but I know a lot of people enjoy them.

Agree, the last thing I want to do on vacation is do an "all you can eat" for any meal.

It always amazes me how we can all look at (or consider?) the same thing and actually see it so differently.

As one who can never quite make up her mind as to what to order, I love buffets, though they should be deemed "whatever you want to eat buffets" in my case. A dish of fruit, a piece each of bacon and sausage and eggs are my usual preference but if something else looks better.....I like to be able to choose.

This past week we were on Block Island and did a breakfast buffet where one of the offerings was a huge salmon - would never have thought of trying it but I have to say, it was delicious and then I thought back to my Newfie heritage and recalled my Grandma and my Mom always serving a fish as a holiday breakfast choice.

Pat--I couldn't agree with you more. I think it is so nice to be able to just have 1 slice of bacon and maybe one pancake and an egg. Also on some of the breakfast buffets I have been to there are things I probably wouldn't think to try--like you with the salmon. On some buffets we have been to lately, there have been things like cheese slices and deli style meat products that I think Europeans like. So we say, you know what? Don't knock it until you try it. Having said that, usually buffets are priced as if everyone is going to eat as much as they can. So that can be a little off putting.

Sammy--that's the thing--most buffets are priced like I am going to eat two full meals, which there is no way I can or should eat that much. But I can see where others will enjoy just picking exactly what they want to eat.

The one we were at last week, I think it was the 1661 House on Block Island, was $24.00 pp - all you could eat - including unlimited Mimosas. Yummmmmmm...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Btw, I had one mimosa at the Harborside and it was $8.00, so I felt the buffet was a great deal for breakfast. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Ok, well, that is a different situation, when mimosas are included!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I'm all in, when you're talking mimosas!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

I take it, like me, you must be a big fan of orange juice? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Yes, for sure!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> Especially when it is Florida's Natural, which is made 10 miles from my house!!!

I, too, miss La Belle Creole, and the closest to that breakfast brunch experience currently on SXM is at the La Samanna Resort near the Dutch border up from Porto Cupecoy along the Caribbean west coast. $35 last Spring when I was there ~ you might check ahead as I recall they are closed for brunch on either Tuesday or Wednesday. Don't let the guard house scare you off.
b

I remember back in the La Belle Creole days we stayed at Parker Meridien (Anse Marcel) and the breakfast buffet was great! I used to get Flan every morning for breakfast. They said it was for babies! LOL
Cheers
irina

Thanks for that update. I'd hate to have planned that only to find out when I got there that I couldn't eat. Like the time I finally decided to try Kangaroo Court. Loved it. Next year found it closed.