TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin What A Difference A Year Makes

Old stompin' ground, things sure have changed.







2016 - Under construction



2017 - Looks good, however, we never saw anyone actually in the pool on any of the occasions we went by the place. We also didn’t see people flocking in droves to use the restaurant after 6 p.m.







I feel bad for the people who own Sushi Q (the old Chinese Market), several nights we saw them leaving around 7 p.m., because there was absolutely nobody around. They did have customers during the day when the cruisers were around.



Had to be nosey and poke my camera lens through the hole in the door. A couple of days after I took these photos they boarded it up. Saw a dumpster out front so they may be clearing it out now.





[img]http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag104/Birdwatcher15/Alegria/DSC_3180_zpsecxx0qry.jpg[/img]

Rear view

[img]http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag104/Birdwatcher15/Alegria/DSC_3183_zpshjewrg9e.jpg[/img]

how true! Went by there yesterday---mistake ---too many cruises sightseeing.

We will never go to Sunset again, over priced, crap food and lazy workers. I always gave it the benefit of the doubt because it was a fun place. Not anymore. It's all about the cruise crowd, which is fine, just not my thing!

They are catering to the cruise ship people and first timers, the "one and done" visit crowd. I went once the past trip. Food was ok but over-priced, service was lousy and with 15% added on, not much one can do other than to not go there. The server dropped off utensils for 4 people. This included 1 fork and about 6 knives. I asked for more forks and mayo and she was more worried about seating more people than taking care of the people who had already ordered. I finally got up and went and asked for forks and mayo. We also had cheese sticks added to the order that we never ordered and nachos were ordered with jalapeno's on the side and that never happened. They can keep their $4 beer, $9 mixed drinks and lousy service.

Ken and Riley went for lunch. They were seated, ordered drinks, food came, then were asked to move so they could seat a larger crowd!!!!!more like told they had to move to seat a larger crowd!! The waitress was polite about it, a free drink would have been nice.. nothing!!! Had great drinks and sunset last night at Driftwood!!

Personally, I have been unimpressed with Sunset for the past several years. The bigger they get, the worse they seem to be for people who knew what it was like in the past.

Now we went there last April and was waived right into the parking lot without charge. I guess that's changed? We loved sunsets location and old food menu, but that was about it. We want to go to the boat bar on the other end of the beach, this time. Is there any parking near there or on their property? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

We were waved in for parking also and if you produce a food receipt from Sunset with a validated parking ticket there is no charge to park.

As far as parking for Driftwood, good luck. There are a few places but usually filled by workers and a few customers. Best to park in the parking garage and walk over. There were barricades up 2 weeks ago that took a couple of the limited spaces that had been available.

We didn't even have to validate. There was what looked like a couple of policemen standing there and gates were up on both ends. Maybe because it was April and it was slow? Where is the parking garage, or do you mean the Sunset lot?

There are two parking garages in Maho. One just as you come in and before the casino (near the little grocery) if coming from Mullet Bay and another at the other end of Maho. There is also some free parking behind some of the businesses.

Ok, thanks! I will look for them. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Our group 0f 6 dined for lunch back in October and while they were busy we had decent service and all enjoyed our food. There are several foodies in our group so we must have caught them on a good day. When I say busy I don't been crowded because we avoid the place when there are many cruise ships in.

We stay in Beacon Hill so have to pass by Sunset at least twice a day if not more on most days.

We did get up and leave one morning because after waiting 15 minutes we still hadn't been brought menus and saw people looking around for the waitress and some even checked their watches. Not a good sign so we split. As we departed the waitress said she was sorry but she was working alone.

What exactly is a "foodie"?

While I enjoy high-end dining, I also enjoy a breakfast and a beer at Hilma's. This term "foodie" is akin to a "wine snob or beer snob" and I do not get it. Sunset is the last place I would go if I wanted anything other than your basic tourist burger.

"What exactly is a "foodie"?"
"While I enjoy high-end dining, I also enjoy a breakfast and a beer at Hilma's. This term "foodie" is akin to a "wine snob or beer snob" and I do not get it. Sunset is the last place I would go if I wanted anything other than your basic tourist burger."
You just described your self based on your comment.

If that is your interpretation of the word then I'm sorry I put it in there. All I meant by using the word is that we aren't slouches when it comes to food. One of us owns an acclaimed restaurant in CT and is an excellent cook himself and I have friends and family who give me kudos for not only my Italian cooking but other nationalities.

Our group dines outs often so I was hoping the word "foodie" would indicate we knew what we were talking about. Our food was good. I didn't say we had high end dining. That's silly as everyone knows Sunset is a burger, pizza, casual food joint. Our experience was good and our food was more than average. Nothing was bad, nothing was over or under cooked...

Sorry the "word" bent you so out of shape. Lighten up on me.

And the definition of a foodie is person with a particular interest in food; a gourmet. Where did you get the word snob, Scuba???

You used the term initially and I had no idea the context when it comes to a tourist burger joint. I would not consider myself a "foodie", nor a "wine snob" nor a "beer snob". Knock yourself out.

A foodie is someone who enjoys food.

I guess that is why we all eat?

BTW, I do know my way around a kitchen and cooking.

My comet?

Kidlets,
Can we agree to disagree about this place without starting to sound hostile? This thread is starting to make about as much sense as Mickey D being named as best local foods. Whoever wants to be a foodie can be one and the rest of us can just like to eat. Ok?
Let's be nice to each other about SSB and it's culinary talents and reviews. It's not a destination dinner spot but if you want to be herded and coralled it's an okay place.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Wow, Fabila, it didn't take long to have your benign comment turn into a "food fest" ! I'd like to think that a foodie is someone who can tell the difference between eating and dining. My daughter once called me a "Gourmatard". I think I prefer. Foodie!
Back to the original post, the Refuge has added another place to go after sunset. I think the cruise people will help make this a destination for people while they are in port. For what it's worth, I think they did a great job.
Neil Rooney's quaint little beach bar at the end of the runway is long gone!

Not sure why this thread went so sideways, but it's done..