TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Thursday, Nov. 8

We made it and we’re finally here at BSV......gosh, I love this place, as does everyone who ever stays here. It’s not glitzy and glamorous but it’s beachside cottage comfy and the owners and staff have thought of everything to make their guests happy here. And I’m amazed by the speed at which they’ve brought the property back to its former glory.

We’ve had some serious ‘lazy’ going on. We arrived here early and hung out at the pool until we could actually check into our room and I don’t know how we got so lucky but we’re in Unit #14 right next to the pool. The surf is sounding angry tonight and there’s only about a fifteen foot path between the building and the waters edge.

We had breakfast with Jeannie Gee this morning before we checked out of EZB Resort and she later stocked our unit for us. She is such a special lady. After unpacking we ran to the store for a couple of things we forgot - Carrefour (Sp?) at Porto Cupecoy is still a great little store and we were able to get the few things we needed.

Left there and thought we’d grab a quick dinner at the first place we found open, and lucky us - Bar Code filled the bill. John had a full dinner - a beef ragout that was very good and I had a grilled mahi-mahi burger that was excellent and then we headed home for the night. Easy to see, we are definitely not gourmet diners. Just good food at reasonable prices and in a pleasant atmosphere. Bar Code did the trick.

No traffic but we really didn’t go very far or in the right direction to hit it if there was any. We couldn’t help but notice that Maho is truly like a ghost town. I truly hope they get the Maho Sonesta and Royal Islander up and running soon to bring some life back to the area.

And driving through that area, yes - the casino has reopened and yes - they are still working upstairs over it. We also noticed that the golf course aka Mullet Cow Pasture - was newly mowed since we passed by it on Tuesday and looked almost like it did in days of yore but that was seen as we drove through at whatever the speed was. It’s amazing what some serious rain and a good mow can do. But boy, does it need some serious raking in the roughs.

That’s about all I can think of that might be of any interest to anyone. I think it’s almost time to lay my head on my pillow and listen to the music of the waves.

Amen!! And good night!

Thanks for the report. We enjoyed Bar code the couple times we ate there.

Enjoying your daily updates! We tried Bar Code for the first time a few weeks ago based on your previous recommendations and thoroughly enjoyed our meal, the service and atmosphere. We had a burger that did not disappoint and had to be eaten with a knife and fork and the mahi mahi with the Adriatic sauce. Both were very good and we couldn't believe it's taken us so long to try the place. We also ate a quick meal at the nearby Spaghetti House and enjoyed that as well. Two new places we tried based on recommendations from TTOL!

Enjoy the fall leaves and sunrise here in the Northeast and savoring all these trip reports!

Thanks for sharing.

Added barcode to the list (reminds me of an old bar in NYC)

Thanks for your daily updates, enjoy your stay in the great Island.

We're having our meet'n'greet at Bar Code (currently 16? people) on 12/3, and I'm happy to read all of these positive reviews. We've never been there and are looking forward to it. If anybody else is interested, there is a sign-up on SXM People Talk.

It is a great place with good food, it’s not very large and they don’t have a lot of staff but I’m sure with a heads up they will be able to accommodate you

We will be long gone by then but i’m Sure you will have a very nice event. The owners and service staff are very friendly and try to accommodate their guests.

As an aside, my DH has this old Air Mango bb cap that he loves. It’s probably at least ten years or more old and somewhat ratty in appearance at this point but he brings and wears it with each island trip. Every trip I try to replace it with a new one and he won’t hear of it.

It’s been left in some of the most out of the way eateries and always retrieved and one time it even blew off his head on one of our daysails around the island. The mate saw it go and dove into the water to retrieve it for him - without being asked I might add. Gratuity happily given on that one and it was a lot bigger than the value of the hat, for sure.

“So where is she going with this you might ask?”

Last night he left the hat on the chair at Bar Code, and when he realized today it was gone, he was actually upset. I again suggested we get a new one since I was sure someone had probably found it and disposed of it or possibly, someone with a Buffet connection might have snagged it for laughs. So he just got back from BC, one very happy camper with a smile on his face and his faded coral Air Mango cap a la tete. ( I hope I just said on his head.......😊😊)

Great story!!! I hope he also retrieved you some lunch while there!

Glad you are all settled in to your new place. Villa #14 is great! I was hoping for that one. Maybe we will be neighbours!😎

wow, you mentioned its not glitzy or glamorous but the pics look stunning!

Did I read right that its $450 a night though?

Beachside is $175/night plus 5% tax until December 15, when it goes up to $340 a night plus 5% tax for a ONE bedroom villa. A TWO bedroom, come December 15, is $450 a night plus 5%. Unlike a lot of other places that charge 15% service charge on TOP of their prices, Beachside adds only a 5% tax. That extra 15% that a lot of places charge can really add up! I find their price for off season to be extremely reasonable. They are a TTOL sponsor, so you can click on the sponsors tab and scroll down to get to their website.

We keep just missing each other. One of these days. We're going in Dec. this time simply because we found an airfare we couldn't resist. Enjoying your updates - and love the hat story.

Air Mango - I haven’t seen one of those hats in years. About 10 years ago I ran into Randy West wearing an Air Mango t-shirt. Larry Grey (Air Mango and Moonlight Fireworks, among other ventures) had passed away about five years before that, so it was a bit of a surprise to see. Does the Last Mango in Paradise store still exist? They were the designers of the hats and the tees.

We were lucky enough to stay here the first time we stayed at BSV, too, and yes, it is a very nice location. Acquaintances of ours are currently in villa #13 but I think they leave next Thursday or thereabout. When do you arrive?

Biturbo,

We seem to have arrived after s bunch of friends and acquaintances just left and before a bunch more will arrive. But I hear you about jumping on a fare you couldn’t resist!

Mirrodie,

By ‘glitzy and glam’ I meant it’s not marble and chrome but more wicker and island-like. Believe me, no slight was intended, and while the rates have probably increased for next season, it’s been a while since that happened. I hadn’t realized it was that high in high season but I can easily see why those who can afford the in season rates wouldn’t hesitate. The property is gated, the units are so comfortable and the staff, from the maids to security and maintenance are all a delight to deal with, as are Tracy and Drew. And even if the water at Simpson Bay is rough, it’s a pleasure to spend time at the pool or on your deck watching the waves.

Bahston,

Not sure but I think the store is gone. Truthfully, we were in town on Tuesday but I was there to see my jeweler and never made it that far down Front Street.

#13 sounds good Pat. I arrive on Thursday.😊

Are you guys pushing us out?? 🤣😂😄😅

You're still there Terry?! Wow....how long was your trip this year?

So fun meeting all of the Wrong Way Lenny reunion peeps at BSV.

I think we might have met on our first or second day here.
We are here for 15 days.

Loved your pictures!!

Pat, this youtube video from the Sailing Sophisticated Lady team has some history of the Last Mango in Paradise stores (closed), and in the last few minutes some references to the late Larry (Groovy) Grey, oener of Air Mango, and some images of the Air Mango logo.

https://youtu.be/qVzGgYa4LNU

You can stay and I will just move in with you!😆

I have not been to Bar Code either, and actually I do not know where it is located. Could you tell me please? Great story re hat! lol....my hubby had one of those but when it flew off on a cruise,,,no one jumped in to retrieve it!!!! lol

Thank you, Bahston - great video. I really enjoyed it and so did My Honey!

Meg,

If you know where the Starz Casino was, continue up the hill past it and almost across from Rainbow turn left. I’m not sure but I think that’s still Jordan Rd. It’s anout 3 or 4 buildings more or less down that road on the left. It’s nothing very fancy but it’s nice and the staff - could be owners for all I know - are very nice and the food is good. If you go too far you’ll find the Spaghetti House, Jules Bakery and Fat Tony’s.....also all good.

If you're coming from Starz to Rainbow, you turn right to get to Bar Code, turning left will take you into Rainbow

There is faded sign on the corner....we’ve eaten there 3 times in the last two weeks.......it’s easy for us as we are at the rainbow and some nights we are just to tired to drive. Great place for an easy inexpensive meal.

Thanks Pat...I am kinda familiar with Rainbow area, as we stayed at Saphhire a few years back. Will be taking a drive out there to investigate for sure! I so appreciate all the info I get on TTOL,,it's awesome!!

Thank you, Uksimon,

I suppose I could make excuses for that error - like suggesting I’m used to going there from Porto Cupecoy but I’m thinking you wouldn’t buy it. I am not only directionally challenged but still working on lefts and rights. My husband would say, “oh, you mean your other left? “

He also doesn’t always appreciate my map reading assistance - we were traveling once and I was navigating pre-GPS. He asked how far we were from such-n-such a place and without thinking - obviously - I told him we were almost there - just a thumb nail away.

I am VERY directionally challenged myself, so I get where you're coming from.

Looks like you're getting some rain at the moment. Stay dry!!

You sure We're not married, you sure sound just like my wife!! Our daughter lived in Rainbow prior to Irma and is now in Jordan Village, so we are very familiar with the area

No Slight perceived I only learned about this form after we got our timeshare. I appreciate all the insight in the learning and I love the pictures.

I was just asking about the nightly fee since it seems so much more expensive compared toward our timeshare cost on a per night basis. But I also realize it’s Apples to oranges.

I appreciate all the insight and the learning and I love the pictures.