TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Anse Marcel Question

Are there toilets available currently at the beach there? And can you bring your own food but rent chairs and umbrellas, or must you eat at the restaurant if you rent chairs?

its a private beach. No food or drinks. very nice bathrooms but you must eat there. one of the best beaches on the island but bring plenty of cash.

ALL beaches on the island are public. There is no such thing as a private beach here.

Elaine,
That's correct. But the restaurant still posts "plage privée" signs in an attempt to make visitors unwelcome.

Just a personal opinion, but IMO it would be tacky to go there and use their facilities - ie bathrooms in particular - and not eat and or drink from their restaurant. I suppose you could but.............

And I do agree with Elaine that all beaches on the island are public. But you can see this particular location has - not once, but twice - thanks to that b itch Irma - made an incredibly significant investment in their beach location and they do strive to treat you extremely well there. There are some things worth paying for and from my personal perspective, this is one of them. But not everyday...........

That alone would keep me from going there.

Pat - EVERYONE has put a lot of $$ and work into rebuilding (except perhaps the governments). They have NO right to post such a sign. IMHO

At Anse Marcel, we sometimes have lunch at the restaurant, and sometimes we visit the beach without eating at the restaurant. On days when we're just enjoying the beach, we don't use the restaurant's restrooms. We are respectful.

The "private beach" sign shouldn't be there.

Several years ago, before Irma, we were lying on our towels at the public beach near the Westin Resort (Dawn Beach). We weren't anywhere near the resort's chairs, and we weren't using the chairs. A Westin employee approached us and told us that this was a private beach, and we would have to leave. (In spite of the fact that we had paid for the fancy brunch at the resort in the past...) I politely responded, "This is a public beach." I was told, "No, this is a private beach. Do you want me to call my manager?" We left, of course.

We never came back to Dawn Beach.

Call the manager, I'll call the police!

I haven't yet been to Anse Marcel post Irma but will correct that in June. However, pre-Irma, there was a small sign as you entered that bringing your own food and beverage was not allowed. I don't recall a "private beach" sign at that time. Part of the reason I go there is for their food and beverage, which are excellent from all reports.

I agree Elaine. They should not be posting those signs deceiving visitors who are not aware that ALL BEACHES ARE PUBLIC on the island.

But isn’t that typical of the island? So many things they shouldn’t, but still they do?! Sad........

Can of spray paint would take care of that. LOL

I doubt you would be allowed anywhere near their facilities carrying a.cooler and I don't blame them.

My general thought is that if the chairs and umbrellas are free, then it is tacky not to eat there ie Karakter. However, if I am paying for chairs and umbrellas, eating at the restaurant should be optional. I will though, respect the rules at Anse Marcel and enjoy the experience......

I don't remember a private beach sign either, but never really looked for one. We also enjoy Anse Marcel very much and go for the food and beverage. We can't do that every day, of course, but it is one of our favorite beach restaurants.

You have no choice.........I guarantee you won't regret the experience........ nothing else like it on the island.