TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report

Wonderful Trip and we will be back! Stayed at the Royal Pam Resort and have no complaints. Everyone was nice and we loved our room and the location. Rented car from Kennys. Was very hesitant about driving but I highly recommend getting a car. Driving was super easy just watch out for the motorcycles! Had shopndrop deliver some basic items and found a great grocery store right down the road to pick up some other snacks.

First night (Sat) we ate at Toppers. Our waitress was Fallon and she did an excellent job. We had Rigatoni with chicken and Mahi Rueben. Both were good! Drinks at The Dock before heading to the room.

Sunday we headed to Orient Beach. This was probably my favorite beach. Of course had to check out the naked beach but ended up at Orange Fever. Late Lunch at Lolos by the resort and shared ribs. They were awesome! Dinner at SkipJacks. We shared escargot, tuna carpaccio and the grouper. Yum! Drinks at The Dock before heading back to the room.

Monday breakfast at the resort which was crepes and eggs benedict. Both were really good and service was good! Headed to Phillipsburg in hunt for a watch. The people at one of the jewelry stores which I can’t remember the name were super helpful and I found a watch I really liked but wanted to look at other stores just to be certain. We visited several stores before finally finding the ONE at Little Switzerland. I have been wanting a good watch for years and found one I loved!

Had a snack on the boardwalk and headed back to resort for HH and a swim in the pool. Shaquille was out bartender and was great! For supper we went to Pizza Galley for a pizza and meatballs both were good.

Tuesday we went to Sunset bar and Grill to watch the planes. It was a neat experience but nothing I would have to do again. We than went to El Zafiro which we would have never have found if it wouldn’t have been for Tara’s trip report. Beach was nearly empty and very relaxing with a beautiful view! Had lunch there. Chicken Caesar for me and the husband was craving a hotdog of all things. Both were good and the bartender was very accommodating.

Back to hotel to get cleaned up for our cruise with Aqua Mania over to Margot for dinner. The guys on the boat were super friendly and kept the drinks following. Dinner at La Petite Auberge which included flank steak and mahi mahi. Both were good. This was a relaxing evening and was nice to get out on the water.

Wednesday Little Jerusalem for lunch and had the bomb which was “the bomb” Highly recommend! Visited Cupeocy and Mullet beach but ended up back at the resort to enjoy our beach. Dinner at Luna Rossa which was very good!

Thursday breakfast in the room and took a ferry to Anguilla. Cab driver was Peter and he was very informative about the island. We went to Shoal Bay East and we settled in. The beach and sand are amazing here! Lunch at Hanks Lobster Sandwich and Conch Fritters both were okay. This was our most expensive day and we both were happy to do it but wouldn’t do it again. Plenty of pretty beaches in St Martin.

Drinks again by the pool and said our goodbyes to Shaquille. After a long day we got dinner to go from Pizza Galley. Mexican Pizza and Lasagna both were good. Friday unfortunately we had to fly home!

We have been to several islands and I can say that St Martin is our favorite!

Trish,

Added some paragraphs to make it easier to read. Great report and thanks for posting it.

modct

Thanks for the report! Glad you had a great time and that SXM has another convert! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> When is the next trip to SXM?? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the report. The first year I visited SXM I took that boat trip to Le Petite Auberge twice and loved it. For some reason, I thought they had closed. Nice to know they are still open.

Thanks for the trip report. A couple of questions. When you say Dock do you mean Dinghy Dock? We are staying at the RP for the first time after 20 visits and are looking forward to walking to bars/restaurants at the beginning of our stay before we move to BSV and want to make sure we know what's new to the area.

You also mention breakfast at the hotel was good? Glad to hear this even though we have our breakfast favs in the area it would be nice to spend the day at the resort and crepes would definitely bring me to eat there.

Unlike you we could watch the planes land and take off time and time again. I think most of the allure and joy isn't just watching the planes but the atmosphere at both bars where you get the best views. We always run into people we know or make new acquaintances. It's a social thing for us.

Glad you enjoyed your trip and thanks again for posting a trip report.

The Dock is connected to Pizza Galley. Right across the street from RP. You will love the resort! Yes the breakfast at the resort was good. I was hoping to go back in Feb but the RP is booked and I couldn't imagine staying anywhere else. Thanks modct!

Thank you. We love the Dinghy Dock in Oyster Pond so looking forward to checking out this one.

As far as RP being in a great location it is although the beach isn't the greatest which is why we hadn't stayed there in the past. This time we want several nights w/o worrying about driving at night.

Mary's Boon and Beachside Villa's are right on the beach, Simpson bay as an alternate for you. Stayed many times at both, prefer BSV although you don't have too many walkable places near by.

On the French side right near Orient I can recommend, Palm Court, Alamanda and Paradise Bungalows. You have all the beach bars/restaurants as well as many restaurants in Orient Village.

You might consider Grand Case beach club in Grand Case which is right on the beach, has a onsite restaurant as well as walkable to restaurants and bars in Grand Case with a very short ride to Orient beach.


Good luck with finding accommodations. Maybe something will open up at RP?

Thanks for your report. Royal Palm is a very convenient location.

What is the "Bomb'?

Great report. Loved reading it! I too want to know what is the "Bomb"?

Next visit try to make it to Grand Case on a Tuesday evening. They close the main street and have vendors, music, a parade---Mardi Gras like atmosphere.

Thank you for taking the time to post a trip report--love reading about the Island and I always learn a thing or two which makes our next visit a little different from the time before. We've never been to Little Jerusalem and may give it a try next week!

Thanks for your report. For us SXM addicts, reading your experiences helps quell the longing till our next trip. Glad you had a great time.

Thanks for a great report.
I was wondering if you took a walk around the Marina in Marigot after dinner? We use to eat at La Petite Alberge on our first night, until the owners changed and Marigot was having problems with crime. Would love to hear that things are improving there. It was such a great place for dinner with many great restaurants!

Les Mardis de Grand Case (formerly known as Harmony Nights) takes place for 8 weeks on Tues. nights in Grand Case from the last week of Jan (1st wk of Feb) to last week of March (1st week of April) for 8-10 weeks give or take depending on rain. It's not year around as not to confuse other tourists. A great time!

Yes, I knew that but forgot to add make next trip during time it was held because I couldn't remember dates. Knew someone here would have that info.

Thank you for the report. Glad you enjoyed.

Da Bomb is a sharwma, pita filled to the max with chicken, beef, lamb, middle eastern spices, Abraham's knock out sauce,
a slight kick of heat and I believe cheese, tomatoes and onions.
I would rank it up there with the best possible sandwich, as good as a philly cheesesteak.
First place we go after landing as I am craving it all year.
Can't find a swharma in the US as good, not even close.
The best part of the sandwich is Abraham, kind & generous.
I will never forget my first time there as he will give you a treat of what he is cooking while you wait. He cooks to order and this is not fast food. Sit back and enjoy the view and traffic.

We eat regularly in marina royale in marigot for dinner. The parking lot near the cemetery is well lit & busy. Lots of people eat at Marina Royale.It is a busy place. We have not seen any unsavoury characters there. In January we enjoyed a wonderful show at La Main a la Pate with Catherine Avoine singing. The gendarme have a presence there during the evening. Hubby says I shouldn't sing Marina Royale praises too much or we'll have a hard time getting a table! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Bon Appetit!!!

Thank-you for replying to my post.

I hope that it is busy in November and April when we go. We stopped going a while back when it was so quiet.
You could find a place to eat in any of the restaurants.