TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1

This week's report will be broken down into several parts due to the number of photos.

Saturday, June 16

Saturday is a turnover day at Divi. In the past, I’ve enjoyed spending the day at the Infinity Pool as there are so few people there. But the Infinity Pool isn’t yet ready for prime time so the beach was second choice. As you can see, it’s wasn’t a bad choice.



I met some friends for dinner at Chesterfield’s. This will not be a popular statement, but I simply do not get the attraction of this place. Two of us had chicken entrees, and both were difficult to cut because the meat was so tough and overcooked. To their credit, they did ask if we wanted something else. As we were getting ready to leave, the manager came over to ask if one of us had a white rental as the lights were on. Eeeks! It was my car. Fortunately, it started right up. Crisis averted!

Sunday, June 17

A wonderful day of sailing on the new Random Wind! Really nice people, great crew, very nice boat, perfect weather. This cutie, Prince, belongs to crewmember Annie; he was just the sweetest dog ever!



We sailed to Baie Longue and dropped anchor in front of La Samanna. Estimates for their reopening run from two to five years, depending upon whom you talk to, as owners are concentrating on fixing Cap Juluca on Anguilla first.



A year ago I attended a marvelous dinner/wine pairing at La Samanna, and the cocktail party was on this terrace.



We had lunch on the boat while at Baie Longue and then headed to Mullet, where several used the trapeze to jump into the water. This is Jeff Jhangiani.



There was live music at Mullet, possibly a Father’s Day party.



Everyone was having such a good time that we extended our stay at Mullet by an hour. I highly recommend this trip – just a great day on the water. I stayed in for the evening, nursing a sunburn.

Monday, June 18

Today’s highlight was a three-course, fixed-price lunch at Sol e Luna, where I had not eaten before. What a lovely place!









There were four of us (one was camera-shy), and I had not met two of the women before. Simply a lovely experience. I had beef tartare, sea bass fillet, and a sort of chocolate mousse. Service was attentive, and food was excellent.

After lunch, I returned to Anse Marcel, hoping to see the beach this time. I ignored the “private property” sign in front of the Riu and walked through their deserted complex. Another heartbreak seeing the expanse of nothingness; there were two couples on the beach, and that was it.



Lobby of the Riu.


I attended the Divi managers’ party and ate on site for dinner. A new chef was introduced at the party, but I found the food unexceptional.

Tuesday, June 19

I spent a lazy day on the beach at Divi and then joined Cindi Frye of SXMCooks for dinner at Emilio’s. Its location on the Emilio Watson estate is controversial, but it’s a nice setting and interesting structure, located at the foot of the zip lines.





I am a big fan of brussels sprouts and really enjoyed them as an appetizer.



The duck entrée was wonderful, and I continue to think the duck as done by Dino is the most tender on the island.

That Duck looked great. Duck is one of my favorites when I go out and it's on the menu.

Thanks for another exceptional report and pictures.

Thanks for the next installment! We've never eaten at Sol e Luna. So many restaurants, so little time! It wasn't that Sunday, but the day we were at Mullet, Random Wind stayed there quite a while also...

Another nice report, thanks.

The RIU lobby picture is a stunner.

Its that kind of picture which send us to Dutch side for upcoming trip while we prefer the French side.

Sol E Luna, is great and very refined. And real close to our haunt Mont Vernon. Glad they were able to open.

Last year we actually had lunch at Sol e Luna and they had some loungers/plunge pool.

Thanks for the report. I thought I read someplace that Riu was changing owners and of course, insurance payments on the French side are really slow.

That could be. I dunno.

Judy wondering, Linda, when you get home do you need a vacation to recover from your vacation? I know I would if I even tried to keep half your pace.,

TY for your labors - they really are great.

The duck looks delicious, and perfectly done. I've had Chef Dino's duck entrees at Temptation and agree with your assessment. Thanks.

Love your report and pictures Linda. Sol e Luna was always a favorite spot of ours and often celebrated anniversaries there . So many memories!

Belmond La Samanna has announced a re-opening date of December 10, 2018.

Great reports asusual-thank-you.

Nice tip report, thanks!
Just curious, why is the location of Emilio's on the Emilio Watson estate controversial?

Nice trip report, thanks!
Just curious, why is the location of Emilio's on the Emilio Watson estate controversial?

My understanding, and I could easily have it wrong, is that property was left to ALL the people of the island and wasn’t intended for commercial for profit ventures, and to make matters worse, when they named the ride down the mountain they didn’t include the Emilio Wilson name. At least the restaurant used his first name........

Yes, I saw that this afternoon also. This report was written a couple of days ago.