TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Been a while!!

Coming in to SXM on a cruise boat!! Would love to rent a car when we arrive just to drive around the island. Any ideas?? Also any suggestions for a nice place for lunch in phillipsburg?? Need to do some shopping!!!

There will most likely be many rentals available at the terminal area.

If you are asking for a Philipsberg lunch recommendation my first choice for a really nice lunch would be Antoine's on Front Street. We haven't been there since it changed hands last May but I have it on very good authority the transition was seamless and it's still an excellent choice in town. And if that doesn't do it for you, Pasanggrahan and Holland House are also very good choices in the heart of the shopping district to name but a few. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for a quick reply!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> trying to squeeze a lot in to a short time.

Antoine's is lovely. For something a bit more casual and lighter, Oalichi on the boardwalk is also a great choice. Their Caribbean Salad is excellent.

If you're renting a car why not stop other than P'Burg for lunch. Suggestions:

Grand Case Beach Club's Sunset Cafe has full meals & sandwiches overlooking island of Anguilla, Creole Rock and the beach.

Calmos Cafe in GC you can eat at tables in the sand on the beach.

Or one of many seaside restaurants. Get a table overlooking water if you don't want to eat open air.

If you want to beach it try Dreams in Nettle Bay. Free chairs with plush cushions if you eat and/or drink. Or eat at a table in the semi open air restaurant. Gourmet food, pizza, sushi.

For an exciting ride go to Ansel Marcel up and down a winding road to beachfront. You can dine on the beach or in the restaurant.

Yacht Club near bridge Simpson Bay watch the boats enter or leave or just moored. Good food great bloody Mary.

Or one of the many places out of P'Burg then return for a cocktail in P'Burg or dessert before leaving for the ship. I agree Antoine's is the best choice in town.

We gave this advise to friends who came in on a cruise and they opted for a stop at Sunset Cafe Grand Case but ended up staying there on the beach. I think they should have seen the rest of the island.

I agree, if you're renting a car, I wouldn't limit myself to eating lunch in P'burg.

When we were on a cruise we rented from Coastal Car Rental, who are right at the port. We reserved in advance. The rate in advance was better than the rate when renting the day of

Hey guys . . .HI!!! Ted and I are always speaking about you and wondering how you're doing! We miss keeping up with you! When is your cruise?

I do agree, unless you have a limited amount of time to spend, go someplace you used to go! The roads on the island haven't changed that much since you were there last, with the exception of where you used to stay. You won't recognize that place!!

angela@horizoncarrentals.com does one day rentals. She started her business doing those for "boat people".

Hi Cheryl and Ted! We are doing fine. Jack is retired now so we spend 7 months in Florida and the other 5 months on Cape Cod. We are having a lot of fun going on trips. Just got back from a cruise to Costa Rica and the Panama Canal. It was fun!! This cruise came up because my sister will be on it. We figure why not!! We leave Cape Canaveral on march 5th and return on the12th. We will be in SXM on March 9th. We are planning on renting a car so we can drive around the island. Will stop for lunch somewhere but I need some time in phillipsburg to do some shopping. Can't wait for o see the island, it has been a while.

Cannot go wrong with Chesterfield's right near the port. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Please check your personal messages!!