TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report November 27th --December 10th

We had another great trip to SXM. The weather was great for 12 of the 13 days and Orient beach was mostly sunny and warm. Unlike last year, there was no seaweed but there was definitely less beach near the Perch. We ate several times at the Buccaneer Beach Bar and their burgers and ribs were as good as always. We ate several times at Pineapple Pete’s and the food was great. The head pineapple (Pierre) stopped by several times and what a great guy. We ate twice at Taco Macho which was inexpensive and good. We ate at the Yacht Club one night and had their beef kabobs in a peppercorn sauce, outstanding. We went over to Grand Case several nights and ate at Spiga’s and Piazza Pascal and both were worth the trip over from Simpson Bay. Every day we ate breakfast at Zee Best and it was good to see Coleen and Trish again. We went to Hollywood Casino every night and we actually ended up a winner (first time that ever happened).
On the down side, traffic was worse than we ever remembered. The other thing we found different was that almost all of the restaurants on the Dutch side seem to be adding a 15% service charge to their bills. Another bad thing was that there were several nights and days in which we lost power.
We have already booked for the same time next year.

hmmmm.... when the restaurants start to add the 15 percent to the bill.....that is what I will leave them.....not a penny more.

I noticed the 15% service charge at several places. Didn't bother me a bit and in most cases left another $ or 2. If I had a problem with the service I would let the restaurant know and negotiate a new bill.

One other thing we heard was that the Simpson Bay Resort is opening it's own casino (slots only)down near the water sports center. The machines are already there. Apparently they have been trying to buy out Hollywood, who wouldn't sell, so they are opening their own casino down below on the first floor.

Thanks for your report.

Thanks for the report! I don't understand these casinos just opening with slots. Not sure how they could open another casino, as they don't have a license, I didn't think??

What was the status with the new Mexican restaurant? Is it open yet?