TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Simpson Bay or Sonesta Maho?

Trying to decide which resort to book. We like a nice view with balcony, great beach that isn't so crowded it is difficult to find a location, nice pool area with good drinks and a good casino for night. In looking at the pictures on websites, Sonesta looks much nicer but pictures can be deceiving. Would love to get honest opinions from those who have been to both. Thanks so much!

I would opt for Simpson Bay Resort

Just curious if there was a specific reason.

Based on the BEACH, no contest, Simpson Bay Resort. Sonesta Beach comes and goes. Have you been to SXM before? The areas are very different. The casino at SBR is not as nice as Casino Royale, but they usually don't have the high table limits that Casino Royale does either. I personally don't care to stay in Maho, as it's a high rise area, which isn't my cup of tea. It depends also on when you're planning on going. There is a LOT of construction in Maho right now and many of the stores aren't yet open there. Lots more restaurants open within walking distance or very close, to SBR, right now.

Thanks for response. We have never been there and plan to go mid to late June.

By June more things should be open in Maho, but I personally still would prefer Simpson Bay Resort.

Are the rooms at SBR updated at all? From the pictures the rooms look very outdated.

Sorry, another question. Would you recommend Villas or resort for 2 middle age couples- no children ?

Simpson Bay Resort finished the renovation of ALL the remaining units two years ago so I don't think you can go wrong with either the Villas or the main resort.

Sonesta Maho will be a construction zone for months to come. Lots of noise!

Not sure what you mean by outdated. As Boucharda said, all rooms were totally renovated about two years ago. They are not that real modern angular look, if that's what you mean. I personally HATE that look, but I'm sure that's just me. Regarding regular units or the villas, all rooms at the villas have ocean view, but NOT all units in the other buildings. The STUDIOS at the villas are to be totally avoided, as they contain only a really tiny mini (think dorm room) fridge and the balcony is TINY. The one bedrooms are nice in the villas, but be aware that there is NO beach in front of the villas. There is a separate pool for there, but you have to walk over to where the regular beach is. So long as you get an ocean view room in either section, you should be fine.

Thank You! That is very helpful. I think we will go for the regular rooms then because I think we would like the beach access convenience!

Are you locked into a time share swap? If not I'd recommend Beachside Villas. Website beachsidevillas.com) Walk out from your one or 2 bedroom unit right onto a large but quiet beach in front of units. Walk beach to Karakters for music and food. Rent a car discover the entire island and pick a place for your next trip to st Maarten.

While I agree that Beachside Villas is GREAT and does satisfy a lot of their recommendations, there is not a casino there. And maybe the original poster does really want a RESORT, which Beachside Villas is not really that...

I’m sure by now the original poster has figured out we all like different things for different reasons.

If it were me, I’d definitely opt for Beachside Villas, too, but as Carol said, it’s not a Resort. It’s more like your own private home on the beach, and I do mean ON THE BEACH. You can’t get much closer and you sure don’t have to fight for a spot. Between Karakter and Mary’s Boon in one direction and El Zafiro Beach eight next door, to me it’s about the best of all worlds. And the pool is lovely, too.

But if that’s not what the OP is looking for then I’d take the the Sonesta any day over the alternative of Simpson Bay Villas but I don't personally care for that area at all. There are definitely more dining choices but for me, it’s too congested and busy and I always feel I’m taking my life in my hands walking along the main roads there because of all the traffic. My only prerequisite would be all the above assuming the construction is basically done.

Bottom line, each of the locations under consideration are lovely and all for different reasons, but then there’s Grand Case Beach Club which is about as good as it gets and covers all the bases, too. And you can’t fibd any better locations for dining and sunsets, IMHO.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CHOICES.....

And to correct my own post above, the Grand Case Beach club doesn’t quite cover all the OPs wants since there aren’t any casinos anywhere on the French side of the island.

Seriously doubt if the Sonesta Maho will be open by June - Just back from 3 weeks at the Royal Islander and the Sonesta was little more than a shell. Having said that, they made impressive progress during my stay. You might check out the rentals at the Royal Islander LaPlage.

Yes, Pat, you got that right, there is almost no place on island that is closer to the beach than Beachside Villas! The below picture is one of our many lunches on the beach, right at our unit at Beachside Villas, this summer..

Pictures of Sonesta are old. The entire resort is under total reconstruction...and when it finally is ready in the next month or so....it will be all BRAND SPANKING NEW. I stay at Royal islander, right next door to Sonesta. Maho beach usually is great...but....sometimes the beach comes and goes. Being right at the Maho area CANNOT be beat. Plenty of choices of restaurants, the best and largest casino on the island, BEAUTIFUL pool area, great grounds....and shopping all within a two minute walk from the hotel. Sunset Beach Bar, and the nightlife over at that area is a five to ten minute walk away too. AND......the area around Maho is FLAT....you wont have to walk up and down hills, like you do at Simpson Bay.

Oh my gosh. Thank you all so very much! We are looking more for a resort type atmosphere and like having use of a pool where there are people bringing drinks to you or swimming up to a bar, as well as easy access to a nice beach without having to fight for a spot. Casinos are important to us as well as that is typically what we do in the evenings. Not really much for the tables but absolutely love a variety of slots. A bit worried about Sonesta with what I am reading about the construction. They advertise a late February opening but from those if you who have been there recently, it sounds like this may not happen?

Would Beachside Villas be close at all to any casinos? It looks gorgeous!

The Dunes Casino==slots only==is about a 5 minute DRIVE from Beachside Villas. BSV has a pool, but no swim up bar and definitely no one serving drinks at the pool, except perhaps your significant other! I don't need a swim up bar or a bartender, as being on the best beach in SXM is what is most important to me!

Thank You! Appreciate all the information about the area!

‘Close’ is open for interpretation. If you mean ‘close’ as in easy walkable distance, not really. You could walk to the Dunes Casino from BSV during daylight hours if you’re into walking but it’s really NOT a great idea at night. Narrow and darkly lit road, etc., and not a lot of foot traffic or other pedestrians around. And I believe the Dunes only offers slots these days and no tables.

Virtually everything is close on an island as small as SXM but if you’re looking for casino nightlife and a resort-like atmosphere where a car wouldn't be absolutely necessary, IMHO, the Maho area which encompasses Royal Islander Club LePlage and La. Terrasse as well as Sonesta and her little sister ‘upscale resort’ whose name escapes me - perhaps The Point? or not...... is about the best location on the island, or at least, in my opinion. And we all like different things.

Each of the named properties has a nice pool areas and all are an easy and short walk to dining, shops, bars and the Casino Royale, too with no huge hills to climb and sidewalks in much of the area. If the beach there isn’t to your liking it’s an easy walk to Mullet (but I’d still prefer to drive........) which is one of the prettiest beaches on the island and has two snack stands and chair rental concessions. Rest assured, you can always find space on Mullet without being tight on top of your nearest neighbor. Parking can be problematic in the Maho area but guests can make guaranteed parking arrangements for a minimal fee through their hotels. And if you choose not to rent a car, taxis and buses service the area regularly.

But again, really, anywhere on the island is a good choice but perhaps just a bit more removed from the casinos if that’s your biggest concern.

The Villas or the Marina building.

Divi Little Bay, while a little out of the way has a swim up pool bar, units on the beach, music, several place to eat, daily scheduled activities, such as bingo, pool aerobics, crab races, an exercise room, several pools (3 I think) one is an infinity pool. You would, however need a car to get to a casino. Closest is down front street Rouge et Noir. A couple of others in Phillipsburg and a couple n Simpson Bay and Maho areas.

To help you decide, here are a few pictures form our unit at Simpson Bay Resort, upper B building.

There's no way they will be open in February - I'd say even June is a stretch at this point. I stayed at the Royal Islander right next door. When I left on Jan 24 they were still closing it in - no interior work done - plumbing, electrical, walls etc. Base upon what you say you're looking for I'd check into renting at the Royal Islander. It sounds like ti hits most of your check list - on the beach with a beautiful pool across the street from a Casino. Every unit has a balcony overlooking the pool/ocean. The homeowners association at the Islander maintains a bulletin board for owners who are looking to rent their units http://royal-islander.org/ or call the resort directly.

I love those end rooms....great lanai views. We're 3 rooms to the right of you on the 5th (574)