TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin vacation info

i been looking at a villa -- https://www.vrbo.com/110671#photos
can some give me there input ? first time there
thanks

Sea Palace is located on Front Street in Phillipsburg. Not much parking in that area. When cruise ships are in Front Street is closed to walking only. P'Burg sort of draws up the sidewalks, so to speak once the ships leave, becoming sort of a ghost town.

Crowded boardwalk when ship in port and so much more to see and less crowded beaches to explore so a car is recommended. The island's easy to navigate with lots of tiny towns and places to eat.

Sea Palace is a nice enough place to stay if you only want to stay on the beach and go to bed early.

go to portstmartinwebcam. com and you can see the beach and where ships dock.

Not sure I gave correct website so I'll check and post again.

that camera is at:

portstmaartenwebcam.com

it looks at arriving ships and spans back & forth along the beach.

from that web location there are other cams to watch. One is at st. Maarteen airport to watch jets land & take off.

The Sea Place Villa (Simpson Bay area) is not the same as the Sea Palace in Philipsburg.

The link is for Sea PLACE, not Sea Palace. Big difference in location. This is between the airport and Simpson Bay Resort.

I have not stayed at Sea Place but it looks great and you can't beat being on the beach. After looking at the website it is evident the owner really cares about their property. Great location too!

We will be staying there this summer. It is on the beach. However, the swimming is not good directly in front of the unit. We walked by when we were on island in February. Rocky and sea urchins. This is not a problem for us since there are plenty of other beaches or we can walk down the beach to swim.

i was also looking at these please let me know what you think

https://www.vrbo.com/358298#photos
https://www.vrbo.com/1011477#photos

Those two are both at the Villas at Great Bay, which is in P'burg. I personally would not care to stay in Philipsburg. There's lots going on during the day, but not much at all at night, so you'd mostly have to drive to somewhere else, like Oyster Pond or Simpson Bay, for dinner. If you like to see cruise ships close up and LOTS of cruise ship pax walking by your beach, the units themselves look nice.

Regarding La Siesta, I have heard some concerns regarding security there in the past, because it's in a residential area. I have never been inside the units though. Disappointing if the beach isn't the greatest there. If it were ME, I'd book at Beachside Villas! Cheaper than any of those choices, and on the very best part of Simpson Bay Beach!

i liked this on https://www.vrbo.com/110671#photos
but all i can on is pics ,, we are getting a car of some sorts so we can drive to other beaches ,

Again, that's the first one you posted.

We stayed on the first floor condo a few years back. The place is lovely, all the amenities that you could need. The only thing that bothered us is we felt uncomfortable going out at night or sitting on our patio after sunset. No real reason but I guess we have always felt safer in a hotel with security around. It is not a well lit area. Just MHO.

again thanks guys for all the info its all booked and now for the long wait

can i carry my handgun there with my ccdw ?

NO!!! It appears you do not know your CCW laws very well or the laws of St. Maarten.

That's for sure. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

I certainly hope you weren't seriously considering that. Spending time in a prison on SXM for a weapons violation would be "Heck on Earth". Using a weapon on SXM would result in the worst Nightmare of your life.

So............ only the Bad Guys can have guns???? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

The gun laws on SXM are very strict, especially for handguns. I have been in Law Enforcement for over 40 years, still am. I think everyone that can, should carry. No argument here.
Maybe some of the locals will chime in here about the strict gun laws, but a tourist would be at a great legal disadvantage should he have to use a weapon to protect himself, even if it is justified.
The prisons in SXM(or neighboring Islands) are nothing like the "Country Clubs" in the USA

It really is not a joking matter and anyone with a CCW/CCDW permit should know their rights, the laws and have paid attention in class.

I would rather explain what happened to a Judge...... than have to have my family explain it to the undertaker. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Then maybe you should just stay in the U.S.

And with that, this discussion is over.