TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Hotel close to airport and airport ??'s

First timer to SXM. A couple of buddies and I will be chartering with Moorings early April. I will be departing on an early flight, Monday 4/10. Any recommendations for a hotel near airport and also how early should I arrive for an 8am flight out?
No checked luggage.

Any place in Maho would be good as would Mary's Boon for your lodging.

I would first check with the airline for airport arrival time. Also depends on the size of the airline and plane. One of the major carriers will tell you 3-4 hours but 2 would probably work.

Based on that flight time, I'm betting it's probably AA to Miami. 2 hours should definitely be enough time for that, especially since you're not checking bags. You should be able to check in at the kiosk and not go to the AA line at all. Other than AA, I'm not aware of any planes going out that early, other than small planes. If it's a small plane, I don't think you can check in at the kiosk, but you could go to the counter and check in without any problem within
two hours, for a small plane.

Regarding your hotel, when do you anticipate arriving at the hotel? That might make a difference, as to whether you would want to rent a car and do some touring around and then turn in the car the next morning, so just get a cab and go to the hotel.

Regarding your last night, assuming without knowing that you are not going to rent a car, I would agree with JD, either 1) Mary's Boon--lovely old Caribbean style hotel, on a beautiful beach--you can either have dinner at the hotel, hit and miss food there at the hotel, or a better bet, walk next door to Karakter and get a nice dinner. You won't need a car for that.
2) Someplace in Maho, probably Royal Islander or the Sonesta, if you can get them on a hotel site, as they are both timeshares. Lots of restaurants there to walk to, casino if you want, very close to the airport. Possibly Alegria. Alegria has had some issues lately, but for one night, it would be a nice location, to walk over to Maho and check it out, also very close to the airport.

Let us know if there are any other questions.

Thanks Carol, yes the AA to MIA, I usually get BP on my phone so no need for the kiosk. How is security there i.e wait time?
We get off the boat at noon and then will go to hotel, no car so something that is close to beach and good eats. Mary's Boon sounds great too

At THAT time of the morning, there should be no issue regarding wait time. Later on in the afternoon, when there are several big planes leaving, it can be grand central station, but AA is the only big plane early. We were on that plane once and I think we were through everything, including checking a bag, in like 30 minutes. HOWEVER, I still would try to get there close to 2 hours before though, because I am anal.

If it were me, I'd just go with MB and eat at Karakter that night. Depending on the night, they have live entertainment some nights at Karakter.

The Sonesta is a conventional hotel that is available on a per night rate. Many more food options and a grocery/liquor store within steps of the front door. $4 taxi from the airport.

I knew there was a hotel there and fazed out on the name. Depends on what the original poster is going for. Mary's Boon has a great beach and a old Caribbean feel. As you say, Sonesta is closer to a lot more different places to eat, but the beach there very much comes and goes. And the atmosphere in Maho to me, personally is more Vegas in SXM than Caribbean.. Different strokes!

I've never been able to use an electronic boarding pass at SXM.

Tell Mary's Boon that you need a ride to the airport. Melvin is in before 6 to deliver the morning papers and will gladly drive you over.

This is a very good point. I don't think SXM has the readers...

They've never had the capability before, they didn't the last time that I passed through a few months ago, and absent US CBP preclearance, I doubt that they ever will.

What time does the airport open (AA desk) for a Sunday AM April departure. AA departure is at 08:00

Last time we did that flight we arrived maybe at 6:05, and the AA desk was open. We were through everything, sitting by the gate, before 6:30..

Thanks

Thanks everyone for the info! We took some rooms at Mary's Boon.

Good choice. Lovely beach there, and the food at Karakter is good.

The only thing I would say is, because of your early flight, I would make arrangements with someone the day before for your ride to the airport. [edit] Suggest you check out Bob_Dot's suggestion on that.

We have been there just before 6:00 for that same flight and they were just opening the check in desk.

Dave,
The Moorings is across the island from the airport. They are in Oyster Bay I believe.
Just so you know, you will not be near airport when you get off boat.
Cheers
irina

Will do , thanks, probably not alot of Uber's around at 6am!

Yes, Oyster Bay which just seemed too far from SXM to get up and going to catch the 8am flight.

No such thing in SXM!!!