TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Abbreviated Trip

Several weeks ago we received notice from RCI that we were about to lose a significant number of points if we did not use them by Jan. 1. I quickly ramped up a search & found Wed. to Wed., September 4-11 availability @ La Plage. I thought that was unusual but it allowed us to take advantage of midweek prices for flights. Booked flights from Jet Blue departing Ft. Lauderdale. Car reservation thru Lesley Bruce @ Kenny's.

Along came Dorian. Due to it's instability and unpredictability we moved our departure to Thursday, September 5. Glad we did. We could have made it on Wed. but felt more relaxed as the storm had made it's way up the coast. Booked a park/sleep/fly @ Homewood Suites. Up @ 3 a.m. to take the 4 a.m. shuttle to the airport for the 7 a.m. departure. All so far has gone well. We were even able to get a unit on the hotel side of La Plage which is much quieter than the street side.

Day 1 - Arrival - All went well. Dinner @ 3 Amigos. Not impressed. Not our 1st visit. Maybe a step above Taco Bell but not much more. Not cheap either, even for tacos.

Day 2 - Shopping in Phillipsburg. Quiet & easy to get around. Parking still poor. Lot was full so we parked along the salt pond. Lunch along the boardwalk. Blue something or other. Great bacon cheeseburger & really cold Corona. Dinner @ Moulin Fou. Not sure why we have never eaten here. Both dinners & service were excellent. Tag team service from staff.

Day 3 - Pool. Lunch in the room. Dinner @ La Rosa too. Quite good and excellent service there as well.

Day 4 - Maybe a beach day?? Not sure yet. Too early to tell.

Sounds like a good start so far. Thanks for the info on the Homewood Suites park/sleep/fly. How much was it? I have often found that airport shuttles aren't as early as I need them to be. I think we've only eaten at Moulin Fou once, but we enjoyed it. Same with LaRosa 2, although both times we were dining with local friends, so that made it so much more enjoyable in both cases.

Agree with 3 Amigos (next to LaPlage - we were there last week). Way overpriced for everything.

We did like the restaurant near the pool at La Plage (forgot the name). Reasonable prices & good food. I liked the mixed (lamb/chicken) pita a lot.

Fat Tony's in Cupecoy is also a good option.

Love Moulin Fou! Good food and attentive formal service.

You might try Pincho Gringo outside Dinghy Dock for some casual and AFFORDABLE tacos/burritos/margaritas. (hours 11-9 daily) They also DELIVER! from Cole Bay to Cupecoy.

You must be referring to the Blue Bitch Bar in Philipsburg.

Carol the Hilton line usually has 24 hour shuttles and not just to the airport. Where we stay a mile from Long they shuttle us into downtown Boston or other restaurants around the area. The just call for shuttle pick-up. Hilton Garden Inn Sarasota airport also shuttles almost as far as St Armands Square.

Jerry,

Spending way to much time on the computer and not at the pool.
Good luck scotch shopping.

Funny how you meet fellow traveltalk members at the pool

Ro--I can't afford the Hilton!

We had a 1 bedroom suite and parking for the week. They have a light meal (ours was pulled pork & salad) and beer\wine. Breakfast too. I think it was $175. A regular room was less.

You are thinking of Tortuga. Good food reasonably priced.

On my way now !

Jerry--seems like a decent price, including the meal and parking.

We thought so. Will update about the pickup process. Both of us are restless sleepers. Having a couch or extra bed is a plus. That's why I'm posting @ 1 a.m. with an alarm setting of 6 a.m.

Jerry,

Safe trip home and it was nice to meet you and share pool time.
Home you enjoyed diner last night.
I had hot flashes and took half home for lunch today.

Michael

Jerry--safe travels. That was one thing we used to love about Miami Fast Park, the pick up at the airport at the end! We routinely waited maybe 5 minutes for them to pick us up. We have often waited a half hour or more for hotel shuttles, which is maddening at the end of a long day of travelling.

Safe home! So nice to re-meet you both last night

Thanks for the kind thoughts from all. Home safe & sound. Will finish report later.