TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin back from Maho, La Terasse

After having gotten so much advice here, this is my chance to pay it forward.

Haven.t done a trip report in years, since my epic Concorde flight that later landed me on the Discovery Channel. Bear with me.

Sunday: Left Long Island @ 0510, arrived @ smartpark @ 0541, then arrived at JetblueT5 @ 0600, cleared the TSA checkpoint, with preTSA, by 0610.

flew on JB 787 lv @0800, actual departure @ 0825, arrived Maho @1216 local

When we got our timeshare @ La Terasse, we were young, married and no kids. The goal was to find a place with a mix of culture and potential to make memories, within 15 minutes of landing. It was a no brainer. Literally arrived at our unit at La Terasse to find a man painting the ceiling in front of our entrance. This was a prelude to the amount of 24 hr work that I saw being done at our TS as well as at Sonesta.

Our fridge was properly stocked by Jeannie with sxmshopand drop. Soon we were at Maho and the Driftwood, putting back Driftwood punches like it was the end of days. The waves were awesome and our 12 and 9 year olds loved it and could not get enough. Then we went to the Terasse pool for a bit, then dinner at Toppers. The coconut shrimp were off the charts. The brisket was ...good. Moist and well cooked but I was expecting a BBQ version of sorts. We met with Topper who invited us to see the Thursday night show. After dinner, we headed back to LT and....well, with kids...we called it a night and watched some TV.

Monday We planned for breakfast in the unit each morning along with Eta's ice cream at least once a day (Or QD, as we say in medicine, doctors orders They drove to Buccaneer Beach bar on Kim Sha but the kids felt the waves were too mellow and it was quiet there. So we found Little Bay instead and they enjoyed that. Note that the original road that leads to Little Bay, near a school, is closed off with rocks. But a venture further past the road to the hotel (can't recall the name) had a side road that led to Little Bay. Little Bay was pebbly in places but the kids found a smooth spot and enjoyed the waves.

From there, it was 5 mins into Philipsburg. As there were no cruiseships in town, it was DEAD...It was about noon when we were there. Not even a shot at taking a jetski ride but nice enough for a stroll with zero crowds and restaurants looking for ANY business. Then took a ride to the Rainforest Adventure park, which is just past Marks Place. The kids were too light for the biplane, so we told them we'd visit them in a few years. Lunch a Mark's Place was mozzarella sticks, the bacon chicken gouda burger and ....I had the chicken Satay. All good!

So guess where we went next? We apparently we birthed fish, so we were at Maho and Driftwood until past sunset. Then back to LT pool, and dinner at 3 Amigos. Good mexican food.

Took a walk along the upstairs of Sonesta where Sopranos Piano was and the entire upstairs is being gutted . Potential. But downstairs, there was 3 Amigos, a Pizza place, a video game lounge, cigar place and ice cream place.

Tuesday We started with at pool at LT; then scoped out Karakter, lunch at Pineapple Petes. PP we had the breaded chicken special and wifey had the Caesar salad. From the rear, Rhino boats were launching tours and we saw a few head out. Then headed to Grand Case as it was Tuesday and wanted to see the festivities.

But first took a drive to see Orient Bay and the wind shores there. Lots of kite surfing out there. Then drove to our beloved Galion and butterfly farm and....well, had you not known about the butterfly farm, you would not had known it existed. Only a concrete floor clues the observer that something was once there. A family of goats herded through the remains.

Gallon was as I remembered but ...undeveloped. Open but no facilities. The kids climbed some trees and we reminisced . This beach has the potential to reinvent itself.

Grand Case was a dichotomy. Pretty as usual but the devastation was in your face. We sat at a place playing cards and hydrating as the merchants all set up. You could see a lot of places boarded up on the first floor, but the second floor remains were open for all to see the devastation. Just awesome....

The kids enjoyed crepes with nutella and we just bought food and drink along the street, happy to spend the $$. I saw a hotel at the end of the street...Cherises IIRC. I would consider a stay there in the future.

Dinner was at Cynthia's talk of the Town Lolo and we were seated across from a loud vocal performer. That was the only gripe. the food was, Oh, my goodness, insanely good! We ordered, for 4 of us, the ribs, chicken breast, rice and beans and corn. $25 with tip and we were full. Now, understand my folks are from the Caribbean and my mother can outcook many people in may types of food (the women can cook haitian, french, lebanese, italian,...). But I think Cynthias beat here Rice and beans. DO NOT TELL MY MOM. And let me say this.....I love to eat. But one thing that keeps me at a healthy weight is the following "Its never as good as the first bite" That said, I take a forkful of rice and just chew and let the taste caress my tongue and palette. It was orgasmic.

By our last bite, the full moon and rain started so we paid the check and drove back to LT. A perfect Tuesday.

Wednesday Has anyone been seeing the recent "best of Geico" commercials? Weds was HUMP day. LOL We started out with a drive to Karakter but got there around 1030 and there was a sign saying they would have no service between noon and 5 because of the death of a ministers son. So we reasoned with the kids to head elsewhere for the day..

So we spent 6 hrs at Buccaneer Beach Bar/Kim Sha. Yes, it was too gentle for the kids but they met kids from cruise ships and they reveled in the fun. with 2 4 1 drinks all day (surely watered down) it was good fun all day.

Then we headed back to LT. Kids wanted to go to Maho again. !!!!!! I told them if I see a spot, we can do sunset. Spent another 2 hours there! (Im a tough Dad on vacay.....cant you tell? LOL)

from there, we headed back to Captains Rib lolo in Simpson Bay. Holy Angels in heaven. The ribs were seasoned to die for. Understand that I know ribs. I smoke them 3 hours and them use the steam convection oven 1:20 mins to make them tender fall off the bone. My Super Bowl Parties are packed b/c of my ribs.... Captains ribs are BBQed and made different but they are great. Captain D needs to sell that dry rub.

Thursday Croissants at La Sucreire, then road trip to Parrotville. The main road through was blocked so we had to find our way around but made it. Spent an hour there and would highly advise it. Run by a father daughter , with a museum on the side (MUST DO) They take pride in what they do.

Then a quick drive the dock to jump on a quick ferry ride to Pinel. Spent about 3.5 hrs there. The kids enjoyed the large iguanas, hermit crabs (which they all named ) and met some local children there. We sat next to a lovely young lady who was a local and worked the event planning industry there. She was thankful to have us back visiting . That means a lot.

Back from Pinel can only mean once thing.......drove back to LT and back on Maho Beach until was past dark. Then we showered and headed out to Isola for dinner.

Now, from a Long Island/Brooklyn is 40 mins away POV, Isola was meh. I mean, we can get amazing italina food for a fraction of the price. But they made a pretty good brick oven pizza and I had a pineapple chicken salad. The wife got...Chicken Parm and daughter got gnocchi. The dishes were all quite good.

Friday our last full day. We were gonna just go to Karakter but instead took the advice of a friend and went to el Zafiro. Set up 4 chairs there and spent a good 4 hours there. Honestly for a family of 4, with drinks (at least 4 each) and mozzarella sticks, I think we spent $80. The waves there was wild and the kids were happy in the water. Took a walk up toward karakter and got halfway before turning. It was a beautiful stretch of beach.

We skipped out for lunch and got the schwarma at Little Jerusalem and ate in the car on the way back to LT. Vey good and not overpowered by tahini as can sometimes happen. Got back to Maho so......well, why not. Another sunset at Maho Beach with the kids in the water. Had a pizza and some wings at Driftwood and they do a nice job there.


Saturday last day we spent poolside. For a flight on JB 788 @ 1500, we arrived at PJIA at 1206. Had to check in manually with JetBlue and we were past security at 1237. With boarding at 1425, I was annoyed to blow that time in the airport. . But as this is a busy time for departures on a Saturday, you can't take chances.


So thats it. . I thought we'd take a snorkel trip /speedboat trip, but my fish, ahem, children, were completely content to wallow in the waves all day. (By daughter looks like an Oreo cookie.....Thank G-D they can tan! )

I still can't get over how they loved Maho so much. I initially loved Maho as a self proclaimed avgeek, but they just could not get enough of the waves there.

Didn't have to plan a thing. Every day just took its course.

Lastly, regarding a thread about timeshares last week, I have to say so far Mr Sparado is doing a good job. We only make it here every 2-4 years. Its the only island we've been to in the Caribbean (aside from a trip to Haiti in the 70s) but we know its the best for us. And we hear from so many about how of all the islands they went to, SXM was the best.

Hope to post pics later.

Thanks so much for the report! Sounds like a lovely trip.

Wow! What a great report. Now I'm hungry! Glad you and your family had fun!

Wow! Great report! Love that you let the wind//theme blow based on your kids. I do the same. Always fun! Sounds like it was very cool. No Mullet?

I have a question about the road to Little Bay being blocked by rocks.

You wrote "original" road. Not sure what that is because we've been going toward Phillipsburg, by Marks, since 1980. That was the original way there. Then they built a road off to the right (before the old way) after the curve when you pass the last water view (condos being built there.) This comes down past a school to intersection where the medical center is located on left. Is this the road you mean that had rocks? I think they're building a hospital there so if this is the road it must be closed for construction.

nice trip report...I have been several times tso SXM and never even saw Little Jerusalem,,,WOW,,,so good.

Enjoyed the trip report. Thanks.

Thanks for great report. One question? How was parking at Grand Case on a Tuesday? I know they are having the parties on Tuesdays and some on here have said parking was a problem or maybe not safe for car in some lots.

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I did take the kids to see Mullet but they didn’t approve of the waves! Lol so that was when we decided on el Zafiro.



Um....now I am not sure! I’ve attached a map pic and the red “x” shows the road blocked with rocks (with the traffic circle and med center just north of it.) we took the green path, just near Belair hotel. Isn’t no that little bay? Map shows it different. I though we were at lil bay???

arrived at grand case at 515 and parked in that main lot. Had to wait a few minutes to let a car pull out.

Here are a few pics and the map of what I think is LB

Here are a few pics. Also forgot to add...on Thursday PM the Casino in Maho did their show. Dancers and a young group of school aged boys and girls, spectacular. . Mr.Spadaro was in attendance and I thanked him for his efforts.

I’ll see if I can add a video

Sounds like a wonderful trip and a very enjoyable read. Thank you for sharing it.

And for the record, we’ve done most of the Caribbean over the years and while we’ve enjoyed many of the other islands we’ve stayed on, none has it all like St. Maarten. This coming November will mark our 46th or 47th year of annual SXM trip’s with no regrets to date. And I love that you’re sharing it with your kiddos. We did with ours, and now they do with theirs, and if we live long enough, maybe someday we'll Get to introduce another generation to this place we love so dearly.

Same here,no regrets!

Forgot to add..... my family pointed out to me a microbrew at the Grand Case event.... Pelikaan Brewing. Since I am into trying IPAs and Belgians, I had put any beer on The island. But Pelikaan was pouring...Irma Pale Ale. Named Irma since it was fermenting during the hurricane. Give it a go!

Thanks for an entertaining trip report. You packed an awful lot into your time on the island - good for you!!

I prefer the Mullet Bay over Irma!! You can get it for sure at Lagoonies on draft!!! Great report

Captain...was the parking garage open and usable for La Terrasse guests? I had heard it was being used for building supplies.

Thx.

Nice report. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. It sounds like the kids had lots of fun!

Two truths to that. It’s open to la Terasse guests. $30 for our days there. But yes, there are supplies down there too. But they are in the 2nd half of the parking area. (If you recall you drive down, then go straight until they left before you heard back outside again? That area has some supplies but also some parking too)


Another interesting observation. You know how when you drive down there, they have about 6 car spots for Hertz rentals? Well, in those spots were all cars badly damaged and covered in dust....quite frankly reminded me of the damaged autos from 9-11. Presumably from Irma damage.

Thanks Captain. So the $30 was for a week of parking. Did you have to pay for wi-fi?

We will be there in May!

I didn’t pay for WiFi. Used my phone and tapped into WiFi at restaurants I used. But on the last day, I did overhear 2 gents complain about how they were paying for their WiFi and weren’t getting great service...

So. I wouldn’t pay for it.

Thanks Captain...but I need to be online in the condo...laptop, etc <sigh> reckon I will need to pay for it.

you could go online at the Driftwood. Its worth the Driftwood punches

Just dont want to see you spending a lot of $$ for poor service.

I definitely see where she's coming from. I NEED service at my condo or villa also. And don't want to have to haul the computer around, once I do what needs to be done on the computer.

Didn't you purchase a mini Samsung on island awhile back? If you have a Chippie account, for $35 for a month, you can get island "wifi everywhere" (my term) added to your phone. I have found that to be very handy with decent reception.

Yes, I have that island phone. In November I just never managed to get "connected" because I thought I could enter the code and have it done without going in to the Chippie store. That was wrong! lol....I must make the attempt to get to the Cole bay location. I wonder if I can then create a hot spot for my laptop? Not sure if our little mini's can do that.

And captain...if I send emails or do any work from Driftwood after the 4 rum's....goodness knows what my fingers will have said!

LOL....that was a crazy game of poker

Glad you have begtter options. Just would advise against the service provided by Sonesta Wifi.


Back in NY, enjoying the snow and skiing tomrrow. But have to get to SXM again next year!