TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Sonesta Maho Visitor Policy

For years we went to Sonesta Maho until buying a timeshare next door at The Royal Islander La Plage. La Plage used to hand us a white bracelet to wear at the Sonesta if we wanted to go over and buy a drink or swim at the pool bar. All that changed when we were there last Oct. A security guard approached us immediately after sitting at Palm's Grill and told us that procedure had changed and it was all inclusive only. The only way we could visit with Ramone, Cheryl or Felicia was buy a one day all-inclusive bracelet which was priced outrageously. Later speaking with a member of the staff we were told that it was the policy of the new general manager, and because general managers come and go we might expect a change again in the future. Can anyone tell me whether the policy is still the same?

Yes. It's the same. 90 for a day pass, includes. Breakfast, lunch all the drinks you can drink and use of all pools. Not bad for the entire day. If you are included to eat and drink.

A thought on Sonesta Maho Beach - I'm sure they have a reason for turning that entire property into an all-inclusive but it sure has turned the Maho street side into almost a no-mans land at night.

The few nights we were out and about in that area in the evening, be it for dining in that specific area, heading in to make a deposit at the casino there or driving home after an evening 'wherever' we were stunned by the very limited amount of foot traffic. What used to be bustling sidewalks are now very under-peopled and the shops there have to be feeling the pinch. We noted a few empty spots and a few more closing sales.

Many of the shop and restaurant keepers have expressed to us the AI at Sonesta Maho pretty much keeps the guests inside their own property and ergo, all the others at street side feel the drain. Too bad for those already there, and I hope before anyone else signs a lease in that area they take good look and do their due diligence at what once was a thriving and busy evening area and today is way too quiet to be a good thing for them.

Judging by what we saw last week and back in January, I don't know where everyone went, but they're sure not out on the street at night like they used to be.

I don't believe that with one resort being AI is the reason for declining foot traffic. Many other factors probably contribute to it.

Maybe you're right - maybe you're not but trust me, many of the shop-keepers there feel there is a direct correlation and I am inclined to agree with them. After an evening of dinner and drinks all free (or at least, prepaid which gives the feeling of 'free') - who wants to walk out for an ice-cream cone? And does Maho still have their own little in-house casino there? If yes, again - one more reason not to walk out.

Pretty much everywhere we went the tourists seemed to be fewer than past years but this area in particular was a little scary. We walked into some great restaurants to be one of very few and in some cases, the only diners and trust me, reservations were needed nowhere we went this trip. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

We were at our timeshare over at Royal Islander LaPage last October, 8th to 15th, and, as in previous years, I had no problem each morning getting a pass at the desk at LaPlage to go over to the Sonesta Maho to use their gym. I hope that hasn't changed.

That has not changed at all.

Thanks for the info! Glad to hear it!

We were at LaPlage week of 4/22 and I was talking to one of the store owners that told me that Sonesta's new AI policy is one reason why there is less foot traffic. He also told me that their room rate has dropped which tends to bring cliental that are looking for a less expensive vacation. Because of that they aren't looking to spend any money on food, drinks or souvenirs. But the shops aren't doing much to bring them in either. My wife usually buys a few bottles of perfume at Dufree (?) and they wouldn't give the usual discount if paying cash.

have been using the gym at sonesta for years---t/s owner at la plage-----but over the years there has been virtually no maintenance at the gym.it seems as though it isnt on their priority radar screen.needs a makeover---or --better yet---a seperate one for royal islander owners/guests.

Thanks for the info everyone. $90 per day times 2 = $246 Canadian for the 2 of us. I don't care for the food, so to me it is costly.