TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Upcoming trip questions

Hi, arriving later next wk - staying at Royal Islander, our 8th trip to the island. We've already been away this winter but decided to squeeze in 11 days! - that and flights from Tor were inexpensive - $500 Cdn non stop pp - about $370 US

I had a long list of questions, but most have been answered thanks to TTOL, just a few remain - feel free to chime in on any of the Q's

Pelikaan beer - where to find it - I read a trip report that said on tap at Lagoonies, but anywhere else - tap or bottled?
Lagoonies, driving from Maho, better to go clockwise over the causeway or counter clockwise, over the bridge and left at the roundabout?
Dingy Dock - did I read some nights have specials?
Royal Islander - guessing washing machines etc are available as before? - I know, but if having a RI day, then a quick load means we bring less clothes and luggage
Tortuga - any food reports - breakfast?
Baie Rouge - a fav of ours - any chairs to rent?
Orient Beach - from reports, chairs at Pedro's fill up fast? - will arrival 10 - 10:30 let us get chairs?
Side note, if Leandra / Zelman has chairs, might have to sit there to support them!
Is the gate on the beach road open or closed?
Carrefour - a little confused - are there 2 stores there - I only know of the Porto Cupecoy store

That's it - booked with Jeannie / Shop n Drop, AAA and Wilfred Brooks

10 sleeps
J&B

The one I will answer is regarding Carrefour. In addition to the Porto Cupecoy store, there is one in Jordan Village - the AUC community. Personally, I think it's a better Carrefour than the one in Porto Cupecoy.

Hello John & Bev ... I might be able to answer a few -- but not all -- of your questions. First, I have no idea what Pelikaan Beer is, but it sounds interesting! I'm kind of a Corona Guy.

If I was driving to Lagoonies from where you'll be at there's no way I'm going over the causeway. You might get stuck on that for an hour or so. I would take Airport Road which then becomes Welfare Road, hang a left at the traffic circle and head back north on either Waterfront or Wellington Road to get there. I saw enough of that causeway last week. Besides, this is a more interesting drive IMO.

I don't believe there are any chairs available on Baie Rouge. The local folks I know told me that government officials shut the guy down who was renting these out on the beach so you'll need to bring your own beach towels and umbrella. I would suggest opting for Mullet Bay Beach instead, but this is your call. Mullet was really, really nice the day we visited.

Pedro's at Orient Beach is history. Just a shack remains that serves no purpose. You'll have two choices if you want to park it in this area. Kontiki is just to the north of the old Pedro's and is really nice. And, the staff is just awesome. $30 will get you two nicely padded beach chairs in dark red plus an umbrella. Or, you can cross over the rocks and rent two beach chairs with less padding from Cedric for $20 plus an umbrella on the former Club Orient beach area. Here, you'll have the option of going without your suits whereas at Kontiki the ladies can only go top free. Both places have a beach bar nearby for drinks and lunch, and both do a fine job with this. They'll be plenty of chairs available if you arrive by 10:30 a.m.

As for the gate on the beach road I think it was open, but I'm actually not sure. You may need to check on that.

Carrefour has a big store on Bush Road on the west side of Philipsburg. It's across the road from the KFC/Pizza Hut and right next to Mark's Place restaurant.

Have fun and hopefully the traffic heading toward Pearson Airport will be manageable!

With regard to Pelikaan beer:
On the French side you can find it at Monoprix at Bellevue. It is also available at the Carrefour supermarket on the way to Philisburg. You can also find it at Liquor and Amsterdam Cheese Shop (near Chesterfields)

Apparently, you can also find it at the following restaurants: Sao in Orient Bay, both restaurants on Pinel, Plongeoir & wine bar in Marigot, and on tap and bottle at Lagoonies (I understand the owner of Lagoonies is the owner of Pelikaan). We looked for it at Blue Bitch Bar in Philipsburg but they didn't have it. But on our way ome we found it at the Blue Bitch Bar in the airport.

Regarding Dinghy Dock:
They seem to have specials everyday. Sometimes days, sometimes evenings. On Sunday, craft beer is half price.

The gate:
It was open when we were there in January... in fact, there was no actual gate at that time.

Chairs at Pedros area:
As mentioned, Cedric has the Club O chairs. Colin is also renting chairs next to Cedric on the south side of the rocks. On the north side there were also chairs for rent between the rocks and Kontiki. The going price when we were there was $20 for 2 chairs and an umbrella.

Tortuga has breakfast, but they don’t take credit cards.

Concerning the rental of chairs at Baie Rouge: After the makeshift restaurant was torn down by the police (post-Irma), Gus eventually returned to rent chairs. But then the police returned and shut Gus down again.

On Sunday March 17, there was no sign of anyone renting chairs at Baie Rouge.

Zelman is renting chairs and umbrellas. He is also selling beer, water etc. I think the price is $10 for 2 chairs. I heard that they may on occasion set up a grill to serve food. It has been quite windy which may be why they have not done it yet. Enjoy your vacation.

To answer another question there is no gate on the orient beach road. You can drive right through from the village.

Thanks everyone for your comments and help
J&B

About the beer....saw it at Monoprix. Easy to get to for us just cross the causeway turn left follow road to Marigot. On left before city center and before first round about BUT entrance is just before that round about. If missed just go round and enter on right. Great selection of foods, mostly organic and looks delicious.

Pelikaan at monoprixn but double check their website.

Yes to laundry at RI. 6 quarters per load.