TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Beachside Villas

We are considering a rental here for next year and have seen many positive comments on TTOL. We have a few questions. Can a specific unit be requested? Any unit that is preferred? (I realize that can be subjective) We have both had skin cancer. Are there beach umbrellas available? Flat screen TV? Any insights would be appreciated.

We stayed at BSV late June/early July of this year and really loved it! Don't know about requesting specific units, but the unit we had (#12 I think) was great. Just keep in mind that only the bedrooms are air conditioned. There was a flat screen TV in the living room. As for umbrellas, there were beach loungers provided, but no umbrellas. We thought about going to the store and buying one, but we found that we didn't need one since the covered deck is so close to the water that we spent much of our time there when we weren't walking the beach or swimming. The breeze and shade was nice there and it was better than sitting under an umbrella. Plus you're so close that you could flip a coin to the water!
Ed

It is my understanding that Drew and Tracy no longer will guarantee specific units. Inside they are EXACTLY alike, in terms of layout, etc., except for the couple that are three bedroom units--except that some of them are mirror images of each other--things exactly reversed from the unit next door.

With regard to particular units, #1 is the most private. It is also the furthest walk from the parking, but still not far at all. #14 is the closest to the pool. I prefer to be at the pool end. At the times that we generally go, there are not many kids there ever, but if there are kids, it can be noisy there in #14. Anywhere from 12 to 14 I think are the best as far as parking, because you literally can park your car at the end of your sidewalk and it is just a few feet to your front door. That’s great for lazy people like me, especially as we do a LOT of cooking there and it’s so convenient for hauling in groceries.

As far as umbrellas, as the other person said, no, they do not provide them. I generally rent one from Craig at Pack Light, who delivers and picks up right at the unit. I get an umbrella (pretty big one and pretty sturdy) and a small flat top cooler for I think it’s $20 a week. Really, as the other person said, you really don’t need an umbrella, because you can sit on the covered deck, which is basically never out in the sun. You don’t have to get sand all over you and it is a closer walk to the fridge for your drink! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

There is a TV in the main room, yes. I have been asking them for years to put TVs in the master bedroom also. I asked Drew about it again this year and he was noncommittal.

BSV is NOT brand new everywhere. There is no marble. There is no granite. There is no stainless steel. There is no dishwasher. There is no ice and water through the door of the fridge. In fact, the fridge doesn’t even have an icemaker. They have tons of ice cube trays and after the first day we always have plenty of ice.

What it is, is beautifully Caribbean, comfortable with lots of space, with almost your own private patch of sand, on one of the best beaches on the island. It’s not for people who like a lot of action around, or need lots of ‘services’. It provides me with just exactly what I need—relaxation, comfort, and the most fantastic view on the island!

Pburke I just sent you a PM look for the flashing envelope near your name.

You don't need an umbrella there is a large deck to sit on out of the sun there is not another place on the island that you can walk out of you room right on to the beach.
It Just Don't Get Any Better!!!!!
95 days and counting for us.

Hey Carol,
For some reason,your recent posts come through extra large as compared to other posts. It's such that I have to scroll the screen left to right to read all of your text or see the entire pictures. It doesn't seem to happen with posts from others. Is it something to do with your posts or is it my computer? I'm not the most tech savvy person on the planet, so I'm open to suggestions from those who are.
Thanks, Ed

Same for me. I am guessing it is the size of the photo and the fact I am using an antique computer.

Probably not all posts, probably has to do with pictures being too wide for your screen. I have a constant fight with Eric when he re-sizes the pictures--I always want them larger and he says that they are too wide for a lot of people's screens! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> I will try to pay more attention to what he says in the future! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

You should have been paying more attention to Eric all along!

Spoken just like a guy!! But I agree, too, in that I almost always have difficulty reading your posts that accompany the photos which are generally huge and dwarf the print of the posts. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Look fine to me.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

And for what it's worth, IMHO, BSVs ARE FINE as long as you aren't the traveler that needs to be catered to. We stayed there and loved it but we are fairly independent and can usually roll with the punches. We recommended them to friends, the daughter and her husband loved the place and everything about it and the father and his S.O. were very disappointed because it lacked some of the glitz he's accostomed to and the staff to tend to his needs. I think how anyone feels about this property will depend on their individual perspectives but for sure, we loved it. Didn't miss a TV in the bedroom or airco in the rest of the unit and at bedtime, even with the doors and shutter/drapes closed, we could still hear the sounds of the waves. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and would recommend it highly. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, yeah, yeah... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Agreed, that's the essence of being happy there. If you need to be catered to, it's not for you..

We have always enjoyed our stays there, but when we stay there in November, it is very hot and humid without A/C in the main living area. If there are no ocean breezes, it can be very uncomfortable. I admit we are spoiled with total air conditioning at all the other villas and condos we have stayed at in the past. We love being right on the beach and would love to keep our screens open at night, but unfortunately that is not advised as there have been break ins in that area at night.There is a security guard that walks the beach at night so that helps a bit.The pool is lovely and usually very quiet and it is fun to watch the planes land and take-off as the location borders on the airport.The units are mainly all the same and only differ in the wall decor and paintings so the unit number is insignificant.

I agree would love to have a/c in the entire unit, but if there were, the price would be above what we could pay... As far as security, sadly, there is NOWHERE that I would feel safe on SXM these days, on the ground floor leaving a slider open at night.

I believe all your questions have been answered. We are big fans of BSV and love Villa 1. As Carol mentions its the most private. TV only in living room as of last year and it was not a flat screen but large enough for sure. I don't think TVs have been replaced.

Free Wifi can be spotty but it's not much different any place else where we've used WiFi. I can usually move to another part of the villa and get reception.

We go in October when it's hot and humid. During the day we are either in the ocean or on the deck and can refresh using the outdoor shower head to cool off if needed. In the evening we keep the sliders open as well as the front door for cross ventilation.

When we retire to bed its into the cool bedroom.

We love staying there.

Thank you everyone for your feedback. It is much appreciated!

Louise--they are flat screen TVs now. We were in #1 in May/June this year, and there is a flat screen there now. Our wifi was pretty rock solid in May/June..

We have been here since 7/28 and leave tomorrow. We requested a unit as close to the pool as possible. We ended up with #14 right next to the pool. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
In fact this is the unit that Drew uses when he comes down. He graciously allowed us to have it this week, and he is down this week.
We highly recommend BSV.
Looks like we have found our new SXM home.
PM me if you have any question.
Regards,

David

FWIW - I have no problem reading your posts. I love the image size!

Glad you guys are enjoying it! Enjoy!

It depends on how wide your monitor is..

A little late to the party here, but my two cents, FWIW. We have stayed at BSV in the past and have to agree with Elizabeth (islandgem) that we were quite uncomfortable without A/C in the living room/kitchen areas. It was very hot and humid when we were there (I believe it was September) and I had to go cool off in the bedroom several times during the day. Yes, we do like our a/c. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> The other thing to be aware of is if you go with another couple, the back bedroom is much smaller and darker. DH and I had the main bedroom, but I would not have wanted to stay in the back bedroom. Also the planes going by overhead did not bother dh and myself, but they did bother the other couple we were with.

On a positive note, it was very nice staying right ON the beach. You're literally a stone's throw from the water.

We are staying there next week for the first time! It's probably our 13th time to SXM. We are very excited about this new discovery! BSV looks perfect for us.

Looking forward to hearing what you think about it..