TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report 3-5

Sunday morning we woke up read a bit, had breakfast on our balcony and decided to head over to Simpson Bay for the day.

We landed at Karakter's, plopped down in chairs with umbrella and stayed until the sun hit the tops of the trees. This was definitely a different experience. As most of you already know it is a lovely beach. The water was calm and clear and the sand clean and white. Both the restaurant and the beach were busy.

It was a mix of young and hip and young families. A DJ started sometime around lunch and the music was LOUD! We did enjoy it for most of the afternoon. It was not what we usually think of when we go to the beach but the music was upbeat and everyone was enjoying themselves. Viva la Difference!

For lunch we both had the Tuna Salad. It was very satisfying. The tuna was seasoned and seared well. We went for a walk later in the afternoon to get a feel for the beach itself.

Thankfully, it was quiet as soon as we passed Karakter. We had wondered if the beat carried down the beach and how that would effect the other hotels. As we walked, I was trying to find Beach Side Villas. I had several guesses but still am not sure which it is. I will see if I can find it on a map.

Once we got back from our quiet walk the music was no longer speaking to us so we left. We drove down near the Pelican in search for a place to watch the sunset.

Buccaneer Beach Bar looked like a good spot so we pulled in. Friends of one of our clients own the spot and we told him we would stop by. Nice spot but we won't be returning. The bar wasn't crowded at all but the bartender did his very best to avoid us for some reason. He managed to turn his back to us each time he walked by. I am sure he worked a long shift but his scowl and the worst Dark and Stormy we've ever had puts this on our DNR list.

The sunset was beautiful though. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Monday was a lazy day. In the morning we had a few business items to deal with. We went to the grocery store to get staple for the week, had lunch in the studio and went to La Playa around 3. We stayed until the 6 or so had dinner in the studio and hit the hay early.

Tuesday we had breakfast on the balcony and went to the Butterfly Farm. What a nice experience. We got there when a cruise tour had arrived. We did the guided tour with a group with several children in it. It was very sweet to see the kids interact and the delight in their faces. We stayed for an hour or so and slowly made around. I was able to spot a couple of tree frogs which they try to keep out as they are predators to the butterflies.

On the way out there were gendarmes near the entrance. Apparently, someone left stuff in their car... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

We came back to the studio, had a bite to eat and headed over the hill to Anse Marcel for some beach time. It was quiet and calm as expected. Its a gorgeous spot.

For dinner, we went over to Le Piment...We started with the Piment Plate-meats, cheeses, etc. It was delish. For our dinners we both went opposite our traditional choices. My wife got a veggie pizza and I had a filet with cammenbert...The pizza came out BURNT. The bottom of the crust was charred beyond being edible. My "Filet"...not tenderloin. The French description say "Filet De Boeuf", the English description says tenderloin of beef. It was most assuredly not tenderloin. It is a ball tip sirloin. The grain of the meat is the opposite direction and it is not NEARLY as tender. It is also a fraction of the price. Being in the restaurant industry for most of my adult life, this type of bait and switch bothers the hell out of me. Needless to say, we won't be returning.

Great report, thanks. We had though about trying Le Piment but with so many choices we'll opt for something else.

thanks for the report. I would not have liked that LOUD music at Karakter even to begin with. I personally will not be going there on Sunday ever. Regarding finding Beachside Villas, I suspect you had to have turned the wrong way from Karakter. If you are sitting on the beach at Karakter, looking at the water, to your LEFT is Mary's Boon. To your RIGHT, there is nothing for approximately a quarter mile. The first thing you come to after that empty space is Beachside Villas. To get there in a CAR, you can't get there from the Karakter end. You have to enter at the other end, down by Sunset Bar and Grill.

Thanks for another interesting report. Sorry about your bad experience at Le Piment. If you enjoyed the butterfly farm, I hope you can make time for the parrot sanctuary. It's an amazing experience.

Parotte Ville

Carol, thanks for the direction. That makes sense. So the speakers at Karakters are pointed right at BSV. They must make an impact down there. We will try to check out the Villas. We have decided to stay on the Dutch side next time around.

Jazzgal, It doesn't look like the next few days will be great beach days so Parrot Ville is on our short list. We stopped by Dreams today but the storm clouds were rushing in on more than a breeze. It too is still on the short list. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

In June, I definitely could hear a dull THUD, that awful bass in music from far away, but it wasn't intrusive.

Enjoyed reading your report. Thanks.

Le Piment is our go-to for at least a couple of dinners per trip. Never had a bad meal or a bad experience. Don't let one opinion dissuade you.