TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Dawn Beach Club

First timers to SXM in mid-November.
We are booking a room at the newly rebuilt Westin and wondered if there are any restaurants or shops in the area or if we will need a drive everywhere?
Any insights that you are willing to share are very much appreciated.
Cheers!

you will need a car without a doubt.

Thank you EdB. So there is really nothing in the proximity of Westin - this is good to know!

Sorry, the Westin is going to be open by November this year??? The hotel??? I don't think so. Maybe the timeshares at the Westin, Coral Beach Club, I think it's called??

Hi Carol - I surely hope so. Westin Dawn Beach Club Resort is the unit address.
We are renting in building A from an owner that was there in March and spoke with the DBC service agent. Both said that units have been renting since late Spring. They said they are still working on building C & D. We realize that they are still recovering in the area, so we werent sure what is operational and what isnt.

I'm not that familiar with the area, but the timeshare section is open. The hotel is not, and apparently they are not even working on the hotel.

You'll need a car or be prepared to spend a lot on taxi service.

If I were you, I would find a hotel elsewhere. Dawn Beach is not the best and the area is quite secluded. You will really need a car.

When we were at the nearby Oyster Bay Beach resort last winter, the Dawn Beach Club had reopened. I know the pool and pool bar were open and I believe the they were working to open the snack bar. Nothing at the hotel was open so there nearest restaurant or convenience store would be a mile or so away. You should defiantly plan on having a car.

Thank you all! Happy to rent a car - gives me reason to explore
Any preferred car rental agency’s?

.. not to mention the definite possibility of lots of seaweed there... I would look elsewhere.

I have always used Hertz SXM for my rentals. One of the only rental agencies that includes the free liability insurance in their quote along with a free GPS to use.

Price SXM if you don’t mind for one week?

I got a corolla for 175 a week this last May. All taxes and insurance included.

That’s darn good. I managed $435.00 for three weeks but without liability. Gold star acct or just a great price for being a regular?

Line price but I am a regular.

Best advice is to consider car rental sponsors of this board, and get a quote that includes all fees, taxes, liability insurance rates, etc.

We were on the island a week ago staying at OBBR. We drove over the hill to the Westin and was told by the security person that the resort has only opened to the timeshare owners. He also told us that he had no idea when the resort would be ready for the public to rent a room. You might want to call the resort directly before booking thru a vacation site. If you are renting from a timeshare owner then you might be ok. it is 15 minute drive to Phillipsburg and a 30 min. drive to orient Beach because of road construction.

Thank you Bonsie. We are renting through an owner and I spoke with DBC onsite so it appears to be legit but I’ll definitely look closer before finalizing.
Since you were just there, can you speak to the seaweed situation at Dawn Beach? I hadn’t really thought about it, but honestly we were pretty disappointed the last time we travelled and the seaweed overan the beaches - the odor on the beaches was pretty bad.

Thanks Carol. I hadn’t thought about it but it’s definitely an issue.

Great idea! I certainly will. Thank you!

NewView--Not sure when you're going, but the seaweed situation at Dawn Beach has been pretty bad fairly continuously for the past year. I personally wouldn't risk it, for my vacation.

Wow ok I seriously appreciate knowing that. The timeshare owner only showed pics from March without it and of course it never came to mind so I’ll be calling her and canceling and looking elsewhere for sure. I’m glad I found this forum.
Thank you!!

Have no idea who you are renting from but be aware, she may tell you there is none in the area so she can rent it out.

We always use Unity Car Rental. Michael (owner) is super nice.

Have used leisure car rental last 2 or 3 times on island. Just rented today for 2 weeks for 270.00 + 20. for liability. Your credit card should cover collision insurance. Mine does.

LBI2SXM I believe you are correct. We are rethinking our plans.

AZ_Guy & MORWAVES - Thank you for the references. I'll check them both out once we decide where we are staying.

We drove by Dawn Beach today. No WAY I would stay there right now. LOTS of seaweed around, lots of derelict boats there.. Took some pictures, which will try to post at some point.

I would stay there.., it is a lovely part of the island. A car is a must and there are restaurants including OBBR.

Sorry, Martini, I understand you are invested in that area, but no freaking way I would stay there right now. Seaweed, stink from seaweed, way far away from most anything on the island.

I truly appreciate hearing everyone's input on this location. When we do visit the island, we will be sure to take a daytrip to see Dawn Beach. Hopefully by then the sargassum has moved out and we spend a beautiful day on Dawn Beach. I've seen pictures from several villas in the area from early this Spring and it looks amazing, but it sounds like the current beach situation is very sad.
Once again, thank you all for making our trip to SXM wonderful.

The seaweed in front of the Westin was very clean. As you work you way towards OBBR, the seaweed was present and not as clean as the Westin beach.

bonsie--are you talking about now? We couldn't see the beach in front of the Westin, but that whole area is COVERED with seaweed in the water yesterday. I took some pictures that I will post eventually.

Thank you bonsie. That's really good to know.

I was talking about 10 days ago don't know what its like today.