TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Atrium vs Villas at Simpson Bay?

Any thoughts on booking a suite at the Atrium over the Villas at Simpson Bay Resort?

Any insight into the pool chairs (do you have to fight for them??) and the sunshine (shade in the am/pm?) at either of them?

When you say a 'suite' at Atrium, what do you mean by that? If you're talking about one of the 3 bedroom suites there, they are SWEET! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Pun intended! Atrium has been recently renovated and I personally wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. However, a good percentage of the units that are on the back side of the resort, by Market Garden, there is no view on your balcony and the noise and HEAT from the air conditioners or whatever from Market Garden makes the balconies on those units not very good, a lot of the time. As far as pool chairs at the Atrium and fighting for them, I've only stayed there once, but it was at Regatta, which one would think would be the busiest time of year, and I had ZERO problems with getting pool chairs. I will have to look for my pictures, but I think there were several umbrellas around the pool at the Atrium.

And when you say Villas at Simpson Bay, what kind of a unit? As far as Simpson Bay Resort, I have never stayed there. However, I hear people here complain all the time that the pool itself is cold because there is no sun on it until the afternoon. As far as the units there, the 'studio' units, or whatever they call them, have only a dorm sized refrigerator and some kind of a hot plate deal. The other units are much bigger and better.

I know Simpson Bay Resort is improving, but I would pick Atrium. Even if you were to compare to the Atrium prior to the updates they did. I like the location of Atrium better, easier to walk to places to eat and drink along the main road. The staff is excellent and at night it is more secure and in my experience it has always been easier to check in and out at Atrium.

Never sat much at either pool, stick to the beaches.

Both places you could end up with a room with little to no view, so that the chance you take.

Enjoy your trip,
Todd

We had a fabulous time at SBR in a 1 BR, full kitchen, for 2 weeks. Lots of places to eat on site, easy walk to other restaurants. Very clean, staff amazing, villas pool is lovely, always seemed to have sun, Natasha great at the pool bar. Security was always around, 24/7, never any safety concerns. Lots of activities and Aqua Mania on site. We plan to go next year to SBR for 3 weeks. Friends stayed at Atrium afterwards and liked that, too. If you're not happy with view at check-in anywhere, politely ask for a change. Multiple buildings at SBR, a number of pools for different buildings, various sizes in each. Studios almost always have mini-fridge. Oyster Bay has some studios with full kitchens. And it's closer to OB! Enjoy!

Simpson bay resort by a mile!!! Its all been redone. The Villas and some of the condos on the hill facing west north west have the best view in all of st martin.

Yes, Atrium has been redone, but it's noisy there with all the traffic going up and down the hill. Also, the A/C compressors are on the decks, so if you want to sit outside you either turn off the a/c or deal with the noise and heat.

Both are excellent choices. The new building closest to the Atrium is the one known as the Villas of Simpson Bay. The remainder of the resort are not known as the villas and are the condos which have recently been redone, but are the original construction. The Atrium is a great resort and is built to withstand hurricanes. It has been recently renovated and is close to the beach. Also Buccaneer Beach Bar offers chair service on the Atrium beach which is nice. All units at the Villas have a water view if that is important to you. I have stayed at both resorts and enjoyed both. You can't go wrong with eithe choice. Enjoy your trip!

I'm at the Villas now. Any questions?

Thanks everyone! I just booked a 1BR at the Villas for Thanksgiving week, before we head over to GCBC.

At the Villas - What time of day is the pool shaded? Any trouble getting pool chairs?

There were always plenty of pool chairs when we were there and we positioned them for minimal shade. Try to get in the Villas building and ask for a room with a terrace. (Not the balcony overlooking pool...very different). Say hi to Natasha, bartender extraordinaire at Villas pool bar. Have a great time. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

I'm at a Villas now. Found available chairs mid afternoon at the pool with umbrella. Just a note. The pool is very deep so if you have little ones bring swim flotation devices. I am 5'4 and I was on my tippy toes in the pool and it was over my shoulders. The pool had shade in the morning but full sun after that until sunset.