TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Flight cancelled

Our flight home was cancelled and now we're on a new flight a few hours later. Is there anywhere recommended to have lunch where we can still see the car? We have to abide by a checkout time and will therefore have all our luggage. must admit I paid zero attention to the airport when we arrived because I was too excited - but surely there's a bar or restaurant within ? We will have a long and late stretch of travel so want to make sure we have a substantial lunch. Any recommendations, much appreciated. ( is there parking on the immediate vicinity of the driftwood bar, and is their food at all good?)

You can go to Karakter. They have showers and they will hold your luggage at the bar. Do NOT go anywhere and leave your luggage in the car. Please don't do that. Driftwood has OK food, but there is NO way to know whether you would be lucky enough to get a parking spot out front, but regardless do NOT try to leave the luggage in the car.

If you decide to go to the airport, there is a food court downstairs and there are a couple of restaurants upstairs (inside security) where you can get a full meal. Or you can go to the Souliga Lounge. It is $20 per person and includes light snacks, like mini quiches, chicken wings, etc. and wine (but not hard liquor, for which you have to pay). They have comfortable seating, TV's, etc.

If we have a late departure we go to the Buccaneer on Bill Foley road, just past the Atrium. We can sit with our car in sight a short distance away in their parking lot. I know it violates the "rules" but have never had any problems.

You have been lucky. It takes the criminals about 30 seconds of your inattention to ruin a great vacation.

Thank you. I knew in my head I shouldn't be thinking of a plan involving luggage in the car, but when plans change suddenly you're kind of " uh oh, what to do?" We'll have early lunch by our house and settle into the airport early to enjoy some Bon voyage drinks and snacks. I suppose there's a value in the simplicity and peace of mind in doing that, even if squeezing in another new restaurant or bar is appealing.

Good, it's just not worth the risk to keep the luggage in the car. As I said, if you're going to be there for a while, consider the Souliga Lounge. $20 a person is about two drinks at the airport...

Is checking your luggage at the airport earlier in the day an option? Depending on the airline, we have done that and then had lots of time to go for a nice lunch (often Ernest & Fidel's - good food, nice ambiance, breeze and you can stay dressed for your flight)before dropping off the rental car.

Unless I'm too late, I'd suggest either Buccaneers or the Sint Maarten Yacht Club.

I did consider this but I then found out we would have to turn in our car as originally agreed at 1ish. Alas.

Perhaps check the luggage in, return the rental car and take a taxi?

luggage has been stolen from car parked at yacht club

Hi taraavo--hoping you will post an update as to what happened yesterday.

Just checking in - we arrived home (as in unlocking the front door) around 1:00 a.m. All went well yesterday and we did NOT elect to endeavor upon any adventures which required us to leave the luggage in the car. We had a splendid day with our extra few hours; that's all I'll say for now as I'm working our trip report up and if I spoil it here I'll have given a day's worth of info away. However, on this original subject: in the future, after having had this first visit on the island and being a bit more familiar with the lay of the land, I will have a couple of back up plans for such instances as this. This, time, it truly was worth the peace of mind to us to handle it as we did and arrive a bit early to the airport. Stay tuned...

Welcome back to Tennessee. Looking forward to the trip report.

We always hang out at Mary's Boon if we have to check in early at airport and wait. Leave bags in office is not a problem. Good lunch either in the restaurant or on the beach and you can use their pool too. Depending if they are busy if you don't have a car they will run you back to the airport! Nice folks. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

OK, definitely looking forward to seeing the report!