TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Pre Trip report - October 12, 2016

Just a few days away before we arrive on the island. I recently made a post on how much I appreciated this forum and our upcoming SXM vacation. With that several member encouraged me to post a trip report. I told them "its going to be boring" and they responded with "we don't
Care". Okay, okay. Challenge presented. Challenge met.

To start here is a pre-trip report. Some basic deets:

- Arriving: the week of October 16 for a two week stay

- Airline: Delta. We are very pleased that Delta now has several options in getting to the island. My wife and I travel very frequently for work and have racked up countless miles, so it is great to t0 use those miles for us and a relative to come the island, on one airline. (Last time we flew first class to PR then took LIAT for the last leg. Bad choice. 'Nuf said). Also, because we travel often, we both have Global Entry and the accompanying TSA-Pre. Both are great, I would recommend if you travel often take the time for GE, or if anything TSA Pre.

- Accommodation: Simpson Bay Resort. Our last visit was two years ago and we were offered the opportunity to stay in one of the few renovated units. We were very impressed with the new digs and impressed with the flurry of *positive* construction around the resort. Looking forward to seeing the results. We have held a timeshare with SBR (FKA Pelican) since 2000. At first it was pretty sketchy and we bought in at a very low cost via Royal resorts so our expectations were not high. However we did purchase on the expectation that RR would deliver on the promise to improve the property. So we are pleased that all issues have been resolved and they have been moving forward for the past 3-4 years. Great improvement, and we expect to see more. Finally, although I would never recommend a timeshare to anyone, we really enjoy their conversion to a "points" system that allows us much more flexibility.

- Car Rental: Kenny's. Lesley is great. 'Nuf said. Actually to elaborate... When we flew in last visit, and LIAT delivered us to the island 36 hours late. At 11:00pm at night. Lesley was able to find me, eventually, on the island and pick me up personally to work out the rental. Very happy with his service and advice.

Pre trip prep:
- New camera. I have always been nervous about bringing our primary camera on the beach. SO this trip I scoured the interweb and found a great used/reconditioned waterproof digital camera (nikon Coolpix). Have had it for 3 weeks and just love the darn thing. Totally waterproof & idiot proof. Has multiple PHD modes (push here dummy) and great advanced features.
- Shared notes. My wife and I use Microsoft One Note for everything. Work and personal. Its great when you have it on your PC, tablet or Smartphone. We can easily jot down last minute thoughts and ideas and add it to our pre-trip todo. (IE Pack coffee).
- Arrival grocery list. We have learned over the years to create a list in advance to what you need immediately upon arrival, (Beer, Bread, Butter what have you). If you know what you need well in advance of heading to the grocery you won't spend money or be distracted by things that drive up your bill ("ooh honey look!!! Windmill cookies !!!) . Looking forward to checking out the new Carrefour on the island. If its anything like a full service CF , we will be very happy.
- Football. Must watch my Packers. Does anyone know if Simpson Bay Resort gets the NFL network on the satellite service?


- That's it for now. Must get back to work….

Great! Looking forward to the full trip report!

Regarding NFL network, really doubt it. You probably will have to find a casino or someplace like that.

Hey, gotta have my Windmill cookies !!!

if you have a smart phone, you could log into your cable (if you have cable) providers website and watch the game on your phone, sans the game on tv on de island....

wabid, Just a thought regarding your shopping list. We also used to create a list in advance, check in and drive to buy our groceries. Now we use Jeannie at Shop and Drop. She has an online site for you to shop in advance and the items are delivered to your resort and are there when you arrive. We found this saves us a few hours and we can relax when we arrive. Her service is outstanding and we now use her on all our trips.

Harry--I'm sure I'm the odd person in the group--I love grocery shopping on SXM! That first trip to Grand Marche makes me feel like I have arrived on the island..

Totally agree!!!!

I enjoy grocery shopping on the island too, although not on arrival day. I get just a few things from Jeannie to get us through the first morning's breakfast, then shop for the rest of our needs.

I have considered shopping services... However, SBR has a nice little convenience/grocery store onsite called the PeliDeli (Name hold over from the Pelican days). They actually have a surprising amount of the necessities for such a small space, and a small liquor store as well. That will hold us over for day 1, and then off to the market.

We truly enjoy cooking so a trip to the market is fun, and if we can get local produce from the Rastafarm even more fun. (thanks for the tip!)

Actually we were prepacking spices and pre making/mixing dry ingredients for Jerk marinade last night. We will get, veg and peppers once on the island. Looking forward to Marigot as well. Fish selection last time was questionable last time hope for more this trip.

wabid, Have a great trip and we wish you bright sunshine and a fun and relaxing time. Send in a trip report when you return, we will all be anxious to read about your fun times. Safe travels!

Yes, we stay at La Vista Beach, so have shopped at Peli Deli in the past. We're usually in such a hurry to get down the hill to meet all of our friends at BBB that we don't want to take a minute even for that, lol.

I'm with you Carol! I love feeling as if I'm "home" doing normal things like shopping. I have my Grand Marche card (though not sure what it even does! Lol). Hitting several different stores and enjoying the variety.

Luckily Maho Market is well stocked and the most convenient for a 10 minute first day stop on our way "home". We are still checked in, bathing suit on, and my feet are in the pool with a rum punch within 45 minutes of landing!

We need to get one of those cards! Does anyone know what you get with them??

Beach Kitten and Carol,

http://www.legrandmarche.net/MembershipProgram.aspx

I should check my points next week then!! We've totally got to be up to the 10% level with the wine, champagne, and shopping we've done over the years since obtaining our card. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Thanks!