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IF Club Orient was NOT there and it was a French Beach with Clothing Optional section but no resort... Would you go to SXM?
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Heck yes. Clothing optional isn't my thing so it makes no difference to me.
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IF Club Orient was NOT there and it was a French Beach with Clothing Optional section but no resort... Would you go to SXM? Is this a trick question? I’ll concede, there are people who go to SXM for the pleasure of the clothing optional experience only and many of those people enjoy Club Orient as their preferred place to stay, but there are thousands who really could care less about either one. St. Maarten/St. Martin is so much more than just a clothing optional experience and I know you know that, too. The beaches are beautiful and incredible: the dining options range from burgers to French Bistros to Lolos to exclusive dining options to pizza places and so many other possibilities;the people are generally friendly and kind and until The b itch Irma raised her ugly head, the logistics of getting there along with affordability of doing so were both doable for huge numbers of Americans, this one included. The free port shopping used to be awesome even if not so much these days but bargains can still be found if you look hard. And then there are the other things such as activities and out-Island experiences that° can be enjoyed from SXM so easily. I think you’re pulling our leg with this question? 
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
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Respectfully Pat this is not a trick question and I am not pulling your leg!
My husband honestly stated that if Club Orient were not there we would not go back!
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That’s too bad because so many of us enjoy so much more about the island than just that feature and would go there in a heartbeat with or without clothing optional and/or Club Orient. But to each his own and if he really feels that way, at least now you know!
As an after thought, do you feel the same way?
Last edited by pat; 07/19/2018 08:08 PM.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
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I always knew! I saw Club Orient rebuild after Hurricane Luis in 1995 and I believe Club Orient will return to it's former self in the near future.
My question is to those who go to SXM only for the clothing optional beach and know they can go anywhere if a bathing suit is require!
Is the clothing optional, naturist thing the only draw?
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There is always resorts in Jamaica and other islands that fill the co bill.
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I thought you owned a house on the island, more specifically Guana Bay. This sounds foolish!
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I thought so too. Confused.
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What an interesting question. For me and my wife the answer is definitely yes, but it's important to remember that on SXM Club Orient really sets the tone for just not this island but all of the Caribbean. There is no other place quite like it, but if it didn't come back (rebuild) I would still visit St. Martin for the many reasons that 'Pat' and others listed above. The people, the dining, the shopping, the attractions, and so much more make SXM a very special place. Some people may not like what I am about to say, but in certain ways Club Orient has also hindered St. Martin. Before everyone gets their 'ire' up, please let me explain.
Many of the folks who visit and stay at Club Orient year-after-year have developed a type of 'right of ownership' here. Not everyone, but some people. Some are less than welcoming when people from cruise ships and other visitors in general walk down through the clothing optional section in front of Club 'O'. Warning signs about cameras, cell phone pictures, and the security personnel who watch over this area sometimes creates an atmosphere that is overly restrictive for those who are nothing more than curious. I have seen this first hand, and I often wish that those who choose to go without clothing would inter-mingle with those who keep their suits on. And, by all means stop treating the word 'textile' as some kind of negative thing.
Recently, my wife and I had the opportunity to visit the island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean Sea, and made it a point to spend a full day at Es Trenc beach near Campos on the island's south side. We had never been here before, but had heard about what a beautiful beach this was similar to those on Ibiza. After our driver dropped us off, we walked through different inter-connected beaches that lined this coast. First, there was a very calm beach that was occupied heavily by young families with small children. Then, a more standard beach similar to the primary section of Orient Beach. Next, was a gay section with primarily male couples, and then a large nude section which was comprised of people from all ages. There were single men, single women, families, couples, and so on. As we continued our walk, the nude section slowly faded and a more standard beach returned (although one in every four women went topless). There were no security guards watching everyone, nor warning signs regarding photography, or any type of rules that warned if you "crossed this line" the police will swoop in and fine you. It was refreshing watching the people who chose to wear swimsuits mix in comfortably with those who chose to go nude. Everyone was enjoying the day with or without apparel.
Here, my wife and I set up our beach umbrella and enjoyed a wonderful day under the sun. I couldn't help but compare this to Orient Beach and Club Orient. And, I must honestly say that as much as we have enjoyed all of Orient Beach in the past I wished at that moment it was more like this Spanish beach where everyone could do whatever best 'suited' them without all the rules and regulations. So, if Club Orient didn't return we would indeed return, but only if the new beach truly mirrored the clothing optional beaches of the French Riviera and the Balearic Islands. Either way, we will still be coming back to SXM for so may other reasons.
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Good response and attitude. Total agreement on what you said about the attitudes of some co patrons.
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One of the things we found interesting (and pleasant) during our visit last month was the mixture of clothed and nude people on the Club O section of Orient Beach, and their attitudes toward each other. Because it was really the only place one could rent good chairs and umbrellas, plus get a decent meal &/or drinks, the majority of visitors stayed on that end. Everyone mingled together and no one cared who wore what. Everyone was just happy to be there. It made any (real or imaginary) divide disappear. We were traveling with another couple who had been to the island several times before with us, but who had always been a bit reserved about beaching it down on the Club O section. (We usually prefer that end of the beach for various reasons), In any event, we all ended up down there together, more or less out of necessity. Our friends realized that sharing the beach with naturalists was no big deal, no one cared about those who wore suits, and we all had some wonderful days.
We will always return to SXM, even if there is no Club O. It’s wonderful, but so are many other things on the island. We do, however, hope they rebuild and come back strong.
Robin & Ed
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller
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Don't visit Club O so it is not why I continue to return to Sint Maarten (23 years now). Pat pretty much summed up our feelings toward the island. Not sure why Club O would be your only reason for going but to each his own.
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If Club O is the only reason for you to go to St Martin, than you know absolutely nothing about the island.
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The last few years I have been visiting SXM and Orient Beach in those months when Club Orient is closed. So, I would be more likely to go if Club O wasn't there. I just prefer the beach when there are fewer people there and I have more of the beach to myself.
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1) It was a routine Eastern Caribbean cruise stop which first brought us to SXM and a routine island ship shore excursion that took us to Orient Beach. Before that day St Martin was just any other saint.
2) it was a yellow umbrella that caused us to buy our first plane tickets to St Martin
3) now we venture around and have stayed close off property but usually spend the day under yellow umbrella
4) this winter we’ll spend 10 days dutch side, will be interesting if distance weakens yellow umbrella magnetism
Before, St Maarten, our we’d love to live/die here place was St John, USVI. Weve only been back once since SXM became known to us. If they had yellow umbrellas, we would go there but I think SXM wins the entire Caribbean with or without Yellow Umbrellas although its much better with Club Orient.
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Actually, Club Orient the resort is not there, but we are still going back.
Our procedure for years has been spending one week at Club Fantastico, one at Club O.
We will still spend our 1st week at CF, our 2nd in Oyster Pond (Naturist's Getaway). Now, the question has previously been asked "if you didn't have the c/o option, would you still return?". Of course we would, but not as often nor for as long.
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
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What an interesting question. For me and my wife the answer is definitely yes, but it's important to remember that on SXM Club Orient really sets the tone for just not this island but all of the Caribbean. There is no other place quite like it, but if it didn't come back (rebuild) I would still visit St. Martin for the many reasons that 'Pat' and others listed above. The people, the dining, the shopping, the attractions, and so much more make SXM a very special place. Some people may not like what I am about to say, but in certain ways Club Orient has also hindered St. Martin. Before everyone gets their 'ire' up, please let me explain.
Many of the folks who visit and stay at Club Orient year-after-year have developed a type of 'right of ownership' here. Not everyone, but some people. Some are less than welcoming when people from cruise ships and other visitors in general walk down through the clothing optional section in front of Club 'O'. Warning signs about cameras, cell phone pictures, and the security personnel who watch over this area sometimes creates an atmosphere that is overly restrictive for those who are nothing more than curious. I have seen this first hand, and I often wish that those who choose to go without clothing would inter-mingle with those who keep their suits on. And, by all means stop treating the word 'textile' as some kind of negative thing.
Recently, my wife and I had the opportunity to visit the island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean Sea, and made it a point to spend a full day at Es Trenc beach near Campos on the island's south side. We had never been here before, but had heard about what a beautiful beach this was similar to those on Ibiza. After our driver dropped us off, we walked through different inter-connected beaches that lined this coast. First, there was a very calm beach that was occupied heavily by young families with small children. Then, a more standard beach similar to the primary section of Orient Beach. Next, was a gay section with primarily male couples, and then a large nude section which was comprised of people from all ages. There were single men, single women, families, couples, and so on. As we continued our walk, the nude section slowly faded and a more standard beach returned (although one in every four women went topless). There were no security guards watching everyone, nor warning signs regarding photography, or any type of rules that warned if you "crossed this line" the police will swoop in and fine you. It was refreshing watching the people who chose to wear swimsuits mix in comfortably with those who chose to go nude. Everyone was enjoying the day with or without apparel.
Here, my wife and I set up our beach umbrella and enjoyed a wonderful day under the sun. I couldn't help but compare this to Orient Beach and Club Orient. And, I must honestly say that as much as we have enjoyed all of Orient Beach in the past I wished at that moment it was more like this Spanish beach where everyone could do whatever best 'suited' them without all the rules and regulations. So, if Club Orient didn't return we would indeed return, but only if the new beach truly mirrored the clothing optional beaches of the French Riviera and the Balearic Islands. Either way, we will still be coming back to SXM for so may other reasons. Great response! Thanks! I wanted to correct what I posted: If Club Orient closed and the property sold to developers that built villas and beach bars similar to the other end of the beach then we would not return. The way it stands now is Club Orient controls the beach in front of the resort even though the resort is closed so it is fine with me to go and carry in and carry out my beach chair, umbrella and cooler.
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For us we discovered SXM and Orient Beach by way of a cruise, then we would stay a week every Feb/Mar for about 7 years at Alamanda Resort located along Orient Beach, so along with the great food and some of the wonderful sights coming up and down the beach during the day it was a great vacation every year, but with that said, we are getting older and have found Aruba much more safer, cleaner, just about guaranteed great hot weather, so easy to get around, food is for us more than adequate and quite good and gambling is within walking distance up and down Palm Beach.
Probably the next and only times we will ever see SXM again will be way of RCCL Cruise stops.
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We have been going to sxm for many years. We went to orient once, felt totally not comfortable being clothed and being around nudes. No we do not undress, so for us???? never went back, and have no desire to go back. there are so many other beaches that lovely, Answer?? yup do not need club orient at all. but for sure, those that want to get nude will not live without it.
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Orient was a CO beach before the wooden cottages were imported and became Club Orient. Pedros was a shack with a BBQ, most parked at La Galion and walked over. 20 people on the entire beach was a crowd. I haven't been on there for many years, still do CO on less crowded beaches both on SXM and other places, so, no I really don't care all that much.
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We have been back since the Hurricane in an effort to support the island. Some of our dearest friends have been customers of Club Orient. We met these people at Club O. We have well over 30 trips to Club Orient. We have been to several c/o resorts but feel that the people who work at Club O are now not only friends but part of our family in the Caribbean. There really is nothing close to Club O in our minds. Everyone may decide where to spend their time on this beautiful island. We will not envision this island without Club O. We will however continue trips until the Club is rebuilt and open. Please support St. Martin and visit to help all rebuild. We always put the countdown clock on sitting in the departure area.
carib cheers all,
doctorj
It's Five O'Clock Somewhere........
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Fact is, for a lot of people, it isn't "IF" Club O weren't there - it isn't! And that loyal following for Club O and for the clothing optional opportunities elsewhere on occasion - many have moved on. In our post-Irma travel, we've run across MANY SXM refugees in Maui, Caymans, Jamaica, and sailing in the VI's. For many, the clothing optional aspect was the driving decision to go to SXM in the first place, and then to return year after year. Among them, we've found two clear groups.
First are those that said they're not there this year just because of Irma issues - no place to stay, airfares, lousy connections, etc., but that they had planned to go back in 1-3 years and see how it has recovered. Usually following that was a statement that they've enjoyed traveling elsewhere and not sure about SXM anymore. Then after that, it was often "If we can't "enjoy Orient", then what's to differentiate it from other islands?"
The other group was more definite. A common theme - Club O is what attracted them to the island cause of the people they met there. No Club O = no reason to return. Several said the same words - it was a "chapter in our lives. It's over. Time for another chapter." Couples Sans Souci - full occupancy because of the nude beach, several others on Jamaica - same. At Maui - several people went out of their way to meet us and talk about SXM on our second day there when I wore an "SXM Strong" t-shirt. Lots more refugees - loving their new chapters.
We loved our times in SXM, and we'll be back another time and see "how it fits" then. Meanwhile, we're enjoying the heck out of visiting other places and wondering if we tied ourselves down too much to SXM. If we did, it was the clothing optional atmosphere and so-minded people that drew us there.
If you do the math "by beach", of course, >95% of SXM visitors have always gone to SXM for textile vacations. On the other hand, there are many who became enamored with the island after visiting Club O on a cruise and "gettin nekkid"! Those people are largely moving on.
![[Linked Image]](https://www.tickerfactory.com/ezt/d/4;10765;405/st/20230408/e/David+and+Melissa+SXM/dt/0/k/36f3/event.png)
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To bad CO was the only reason to visit St Martin. What a loss on their part to not want to go back to a such diverse and multicultural island.
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BTW, SXMMartini, great post! Interesting question!
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Club O is not there at the moment, but we have still been back to the Island 3 times since Irma, still used the CO beach at Club O, but the island also has so much more to offer
as well.
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IF Club Orient was NOT there and it was a French Beach with Clothing Optional section but no resort... Would you go to SXM? No.
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There is always resorts in Jamaica and other islands that fill the co bill. I just want to say, having been to Jamaica, you cannot compare the C/O resorts there to Orient Bay and the Club O stretch. They are very different.
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We tried CO for the first time in OB in 2017, cancelled our return this May, will be back next May. But i the meantime, we discovered a CO beach 1/2 mile north of a condo we own on Hutchinson Island, FL. And we never ever knew about it for 12 years!!! No Pedro's, no bars, but lovely and peaceful.
<a href="https://www.TickerFactory.com/"> <img border="0" src="https://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;10765;125/st/20180504/e/3+weeks+in+Aruba%21/k/38b6/event.png"></a>
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We tried CO for the first time in OB in 2017, cancelled our return this May, will be back next May. But i the meantime, we discovered a CO beach 1/2 mile north of a condo we own on Hutchinson Island, FL. And we never ever knew about it for 12 years!!! No Pedro's, no bars, but lovely and peaceful.
Blind Creek Beach, nice place
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If the phone doesn't ring .... it's me
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Absolutely. We haven't been to a clothing optional beach in at least five years. The island has so much more to offer!
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I agree. We always visit Orient Beach,,,for the beach and variety of restaurants, etc. Clothing optional means nothing to us. I assume it will look much different when we visit next week, we fly out Saturday. But, having said that, I just cant imagine going to another island since discovering SXM in 2005. The cuisine, the beaches, all of it. And the friendly people we consistantlly run into. Cannot wait to return, this will be our first post Irma experience, and although things are slowly recovering, I am sure we will make the best of it. We always stay on the Dutch side. I still for whatever reason, do not feel 100 percent comfortable on the French Side,,,and I just can't tell you why. possibly because it isn't as familiar? Not sure, but we do travel over there a couple of times during our visit. I have yet to experience Harmony Nights,,I think because we usually travel earlier in January due to flights being cheaper out of Canada. This year we lucked out. 497.00 direct flight, later in the month, so getting my suitcase packed. Cannot wait.
Randy and Meg Young
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This thread is 5 months old and although not outdated IMHO a new thread could have been started.Thanks for the BUMP!
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This thread is 5 months old and although not outdated IMHO a new thread could have been started.Thanks for the BUMP! Not all that familiar with message board jargon but your welcome, I think. Cheers
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Updated this thread from August 2018... I have recently visited Club Orient in January 2019 and I have to say it was very comfortable on the beach. Cedrick is doing an awesome job keeping the Club Orient guests happy. The perch lite is a great addition. We have never had a better server (Sha) and lunch was great! If you don't turn around honestly you would not realise the resort is closed!
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The CO beach is more important than the/a CO resort. That said I would like to see the resort get there ducks lined up and rebuilt.
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The CO beach is more important than the/a CO resort. That said I would like to see the resort get there ducks lined up and rebuilt. Certainly agree that it would be great if Club O returned. We loved the convenience of staying at the Club however it left much to be desired in terms of guest service and amenities. The beds were awful. There were bright spots as well, some great employees, but there was a lot of room for improvement. Cheers.
If the phone doesn't ring .... it's me
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