TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Perch

As Club O is not operating, I'm wondering if Perch is on the grids with electricity, fresh water and waste water treatment. If not, how does Perch improvise?
Specifically how are staff managing to wash hands and blenders etc. and to manage ice?

To my knowledge, the Perch was never ON the grid, when Club O was open. Club O generated all it's own power. So, no, the Perch is not on the grid. I don't know the answers to your sanitation questions. (Sort of the same as at Rosie's. Kind of don't want to know.. )

We were at the PerchLite in November. They use a generator for power to the blenders etc. There are 2 large storage units nearby where they store their supplies. Ice is delivered so they can make drinks etc. There are also 2 porta potties for bathroom facilities. They managed to keep both of them pretty clean and supplied hand sanitizers. I like to think that the alcohol and fresh air sanitizes everything else. I think they're doing remarkably well given their circumstances. Everyone (employees and patrons) seemed happy to be there. I know we were!

Not sure if hand sanitizer and fresh air qualifies for my health standard. Nor would a health departments for a food or drink establishment.

Regarding the drinks and food service, let's be real - are they able to practice "proper sanitation techniques" - heck no! Do hands get washed and blenders washed after every drink - hahahaha! No! The blenders get rinsed out "enough" but that's it! Are any customers silly enough to worry about it in that situation?? No!

They do the best they can in the circumstances and I've never seen a customer be anything but thankful for the place and the efforts of those who work there. If that presents a problem to someone's personal health standards, they need to consider bringing their own cooler and drinks. No big deal - it's an island just one year after being wiped out. Be flexible or stay away.

Regarding the "johns" - again, they do their best which is good enough for most, but porta-johns aren't for all. It's all temporary and people have to make a personal decision to adjust until the island can rebuild or else stay away. It's only a 5-minute walk to the beach bars to the north, faster if you're in a hurry! LOL!

I worry a million times more about sending my kid to school every day knowing what they can and do catch there, versus what I would worry about the Perch.

If sanitation is not an issue for you thats your prerogative. I for one don't want to spend my vacation time in the John because of some bacteria I picked up at a beach bar that has no regard for public health safety but a desire to make a buck.

Scubaman--I know you have no interest in going to the Perch, but do you go to Rosie's?? They certainly don't have running water now and not sure they ever did. And frankly, I don't know that the sanitation at Captain D's is any better, and I know you go there.

I have used the Perch a number of times since Irma. It seemed fine to me. It has the same type of facilities as Pinel Island or many other places I have been.

I agree Carol...

Club Orient to me was like camping. I called it Camp O for short. I like camping and it is not like perch lite is using glassware. Plastic cups and a bottle opener for the beer.
The toilets are a different issue because it has no septic and the waste is leaching near a protected reserve. I would prefer they have port-a-johns delivered and charge patrons that use them.

No I don't eat at Rosies. We usually pack Something in our cooler when we go to mullet. Captain D's did have running water when I was there last.

Captain D's has running water?? OK, if you say so..

We ate multiple times at the Perch Lite both during our June visit and our visit two weeks ago. It was great. Ribs were delicious, place was clean, service fast and friendly, and we even used the porta-potties (gasp!), which were actually cleaner than a lot of other public bathrooms I've been to. And just because a place has running water, doesn't mean that employees always wash their hands, or that food is fresh, or that blenders are washed between drinks.

When we were there in October, there was a team of officials inspecting their operation which included the bar, waitstaff and food service as well as the storage areas. The officials seemed happy, as did the Perch staff. Whatever they are doing seems to be meeting government standards.

They bring everything in, including water and the are washing tables and bar surfaces with soap and water between customers.

There was a hose bib coming out of the ground and was connected to their place