TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Question regarding Club Fantastico, Jardin d'O, etc

My wife and I are considering buying a larger villa on the island and turning it into a similar type of establishment, but I'd like to ask the opinion of those who have been:

1. During the times you were there was it completely booked? If not, what would you guess is the average occupancy rate during high and low season? WAG is fine for the moment.

2. Other than the C/O aspect what makes you "love" it and keep going back? Chef prepared meals? Open bar? Event coordinator? Group and private c/o excursions organized by the establishment? Other?

3. What do you hate about these places?

TIA

1) We have been at Club F when we were the only guests, and also when it was full, both at similar times of year.

2) The hospitality of the hosts is very important. The only prepared meal, usually, is breakfast. And since I hate eggs (but not things made with them) it cuts down on the possibilities for the chef to make. The open bar is certainly nice - and it's all good stuff - but we're not the type to just keep drinking simply because it's free. And, of course, not having to get dressed to do anything is great.

3) I wouldn't say hate, but it is relatively expensive.

4) I know, I know, not listed but another c/o option would be nice.

1) Only been to Club F, but I think there was only one other couple there the (one) time we went.

2) View is very important to me, and a pool and convenient parking and road access The driveway and parking at Club F is a PITA.
Event coordinator for a c/o place?? LOL.. Don't think that would be important to most anyone
C/O excursions would be I guess you mean boat trips? Those can get pretty pricy, if you would be limiting it only to those in the villa.. Wouldn't be important to me.

I want
Good internet!
TV in the bedroom
Small fridge in the bedroom
High end bedding and towels
Continental breakfast is fine, not cooked
Would be nice to maybe have one night per week where there is a cooked meal for dinner and most people who are staying there participate
Don't care about open bar so long as I have my own fridge in the room.

Thanks for the responses. These are most helpful.

Pool with beverage options and maybe a lunch plan. Could be just grille. This would be great on non beach days when you just want to chill.

I think that a shuttle would be good as well. As Carol states the parking at CF is terrible and I don’t want to rent a car and have it sit for days. A shuttle that would drop you off and pick you up from beach and restaurants would be a plus. If you were in the village you can restrict it to the village and Orient Beach.

Would love a pool and simple kitchens at a nice price. We don't need or want all the other stuff. We prefer our own breakfast from the bakery and making or buying our lunches at the beach. Love a pool in the early evening when we get back from Orient. No pool is the only reason we have never stayed at Club O. If Club Orient comes back with a pool, we will probably be staying there in the future (crossing my fingers!)

Are you talking your own private kitchen? I assumed that the original poster would contemplate that guests could use the villa's main kitchen, like guests can at Club F. I would want the option to use the main kitchen, as well as a shared grill, but would prefer my own fridge in the room. Putting in kitchens within each room of a villa would get expensive.

With regard to Club O reopening (hopefully!) unless the new plan involves the high rise building that was talked about a while ago, I doubt a pool would happen. I have no idea where that kind of money would come from though.

Love the idea and the enthusiasm, gsdoat, but in reality the smaller c/o places just aren't that much fun. Unless two people are looking for seclusion somewhere, the enjoyment with c/o places is having other guests to mingle with. That's what Club Orient had. If my wife and I were the only guests I'd feel like we were visiting friends out-of-town without the need to wear clothes! The point I'm trying to make is that any future place needs to have a minimum of ten rooms or more. A good location within walking distance of Orient Beach would be helpful, too. A pool would be nice, along with a small kitchenette and satellite TV. A place like that would definitely catch my interest. Hope this helps.

I've always wished for Palm Court with nude pool use. Perfect little establishment and a good rate. Years ago we were able to use the Cap Caraibes hotel that way. It had a tiny kitchen in the rooms and a pool that we could use. I think they ended the nude pool use after the first or second year.

Carol, I think you are right, what I am talking about would be different than a big house turned into a resort. Oh well, i can dream. I think you are also right that the pool at Club O is just wishful thinking! I believed the rumors when they said they were going to turn mont vernon into au natural after Blue Bay closed. I've learned to calm my expectations.

Ditto SXM Bound regarding a Palm Court style hotel (good rates) with a c/o pool. Great idea. That would be a winner. Continental breakfast served every morning, and a 10 minute 'flat' walk to Orient Beach.

Wow, Mt Vernon going AN. How many moons ago was that rumor?

Our concern with these small places has always been who will be our room mates? Or none at all.

Personally having own sun area with two loungers with plunge pool would alleviate concerns. Then a larger pool deck area for the collective if the peeps are great you go there. Want to be alone go back to your private zone.

Sammy--As I recall, you are describing L'Hoste, about six months after Luis.. Those were different times.

I suppose, Carol. But, who's to say someone can't bring back old times? Of course, my hope and wish is for the return of Club Orient in some shape or form. Someday this will happen!

Hopefully Club O will return, yes, but Orient Beach will never be what it was 20 years ago. There has been way too much development and condos built there, for it to ever return to the way it was. That is the way of the world.

Thank you all so much for the feedback. If we decide to move on the place, you guys will be the first to know when we're opening.