TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip overveiw

My wife and i just returned from another great SXM trip and i'll try and shoot a quick overview.

Rented a car from Louis at Automaxx. seamless as always.

Stayed at Club O for the first time. Whats not to love. The property, beach chairs every day, croissants, and bread at the boutique every morning with the crowd, and friendly staff!

Had breakfast at Yellow Sub once and it was very good. Ended up eating croissants and cereal at the chalet the rest of the time.

Had lunch at Chez Leandra, Orange Fever, Pedro's, Mr. Busby's, and The Perch. We liked all of them, but the shrimp kabobs, and Mahi Mahi meal at Perch was by far the best, and phenomenal!.... Mr. Busby's a close second.

There wasn't much for fancy dining. Papagayo, Lee's, Skip Jacks, Yellow Sub Pizza, Rib Shack lolo, Al Dente and cooked in a couple times. I took a shot at Ribs twice and was very disappointed. Our favorite by far is Al Dente. We went there twice for the chicken parm. and Lasagna bolognese. This seems to be a hidden gem! Skip Jacks was second best, with a great atmosphere but noisy.

For entertainment we drove the lowlands, Marigot, Oyster Pond area, The Bird Park, and sailed Tiko Tiko around the island cruise. Loved it all. It's really neat to see the island from the water as there are some beautiful places!

The morning beach walks, meeting a lot of the same people each day and lazing in the beach chairs was the most relaxing and i will come again just for that!

Sorry this was so long, and hope to go back next year!!!!

Nice concise report. Sounds like a most enjoyable vacation. Thanks for sharing with us.

That's funny, your report sounds so much like what I was going to write.We rented a car from Lois at Automax but stayed in Orient Village we spent every day at Club O beach (it's the best) calm waters and great people. We ate at many of the places you mentioned. I will write a report as soon as we recover from a long day of travel. We left yesterday at 11:00 AM and got home in ME at 1:30 AM today.

Thanks. I enjoy your reports as well. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

That is funny. I guess we were there at the same time as you. Our last flight broke and after the drive, we arrived home at 2:00 am today. Can't wait to read your report!

Thanks for the report! Where is Al Dente?

I believe it is next to La Peninsula, in between the round about going to Pinel and the Cadisco gas station.

I'm not sure what the exact name of the area is, but Al Dente is near Orient, just past the Leader price, but before the round about to Grand Case/ Mount Vernon area. It's on the ocean side of the road, and says Ristorante and pizza over the door if i recall correctly. It has been our favorite place for the second straight year now, and very reasonably priced! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

OK, thanks, to you and Harry.

We ate at Al Dente last August and loved it! It's in the same area as a home decor store.

We will be staying at Club O for 10 days (our first time) this August. Are the beach chairs and umbrellas inclusive with the price of the bungalows? (I know they are $125/week) if not a resort guest.

Yes, they are included, plus you get a tag to put on your chair so you have a reserved chair for your entire stay. So choose your chair(s) wisely, and don't pick a saggy one!

That's what I thought & was hoping for! Good advice for choosing wisely!! We will be staying 10 nights with them but will have to move for our last 4 nights when Club O closes for the season. I think we will miss having the chairs. We will probably make those days our Happy Bay & Cupecoy days.

Another chair consideration is being close to the perch for happy hour! LOL <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> Oh, and the bathrooms

In previous years, the chair concession remained open during the resort's annual closure.

We have been & rented chairs when the resort was closed (two trips, as a matter of fact). Close to happy hour & bathrooms has always been our chair preference! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />