TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trying the Dutch Side

Been going to St Martin for 24 years now and have always stayed at La Plantation. We would like to try the Dutch side for once and looking for a good place that has a nice pool, nice beach, close to eating establishments, possibly have their own eating areas (breakfast, lunch). We have considered the Sonesta at Maho but don't really know much about it.
Looking for suggestions.

Thanks

I would look in the Simpson Bay area.

Right now I would look into Simpson Bay Resort. Very nice pools with nice swim-able beach. If not visiting till after August definitely look into Flamingo or Royal Palm. Once all construction and remodeling is completed they will both be spectacular. Flamingo's pool and beaches are better than Royal Palms.

Simpson Bay Resort and Marina? I just looked. It does look nice. Thinking late October or early November depending on our coronavirus issue. Was just there in February. I will check out Flamingo and Royal Pam as well. Thanks

"Simpson Bay Resort and Marina? " Yes
Look into Flamingo or Royal Palm as I suggested. You probably won't be able to make any reservations as a confirmation date for opening hasn't been set yet and they haven't released reservations.

bspicer--You might check out Flamingo and Royal Palm for a possible visit NEXT year, but there is no guarantee when they will reopen and timeshare owners will be clamoring to book there when they do. There are a lot of great places in Simpson Bay or that general area. Most of the timeshares don't have the best beaches, if the beach is a really big attraction. You can look at La Vista and La Vista Beach, which is a smaller resort, family run, with two pools. LVB is right on the ocean, although there's not a great beach there. Mary's Boon is a lovely old time Caribbean hotel, on a fabulous beach, with a small pool. To ME, my favorite place on the Dutch side is Beachside Villas. GREAT, uncrowded beach, which is my personal number 1 criteria. It's a small resort, only 14 units, so not like a huge timeshare place, but feels more like the Caribbean to me. Beachside Villas website

Happy hunting!!

From what I am seeing from Atrium, I would NOT book Royal Palm for anytime in 2020.

We did the same thing last year, but split between French and Dutch. We stayed at the Atrium and found it fits what you are looking for except the onsite eatery. It's very convenient (walking distance) to a lot of great restaurants.

You might also visit the Royal Islander Club Le Plage owners rental site. RI is a timeshare with full unit amenities, a laundry and ALL the property amenities you’re asking for as well, and all in one very convenient location. We rented a two bedroom unit there last year and we were very happy with all aspects of the property. The only negative I had was the necessity to pay for parking but it was literally the only complaint I had and it was only $30.00 a week if memory serves me. The internet was also pay to use in the rooms but it was very good internet. We had a high unit and could watch the planes coming in over Maho Bay and we could walk out our front door and watch the activities at the airport. My DH loved it..

Divi is also an option. It has one of the prettiest pools on the island (it's one of three on the property) plus several eating establishments. Off-property dining would require a car, but it's just a few minutes to downtown PBurg or to Simpson Bay.

Divi also has a very nice swim-able beach with a good activities center run by Aqua Mania for excursions with some departing from there.

I’d go to Mary’s Boon, but don’t tell anybody.

Pat....30 week for parking.....UNDERGROUND AND GUARDED!!! I am more than willing every year to pay this fee for knowing that my car is SAFE...and will be there every day when we go to get it!!!! I am still a bit put off every year for having to pay for internet...which i feel can be included in the maintenance fee.....but...once again, as maintenance fees go....RILP still has the lowest by far weekly fees vs. every other timeshare on the island. Also....there is no better location for being close and walking distance to so many fine restaurants....choice of nightlife....the largest casino on the island....and right on the beach...and a great pool to boot. PLUS....RILP has some of the BEST and FUN people both working there...and staying there!!! (okay...there i may be a bit partial) And...lastly...where else can you watch the planes come in and land and feel like you could almost touch them.

Just got back last night from a combo visit with four days on the french side and the last three days on the dutch side. Stayed at Commodore Suites those last three nights which is a relatively new hotel directly above the Double Dutch Market. It was really nice, and perhaps the nicest, friendliest staff we have ever encountered anywhere on St. Martin/Sint Maarten. Tended to our every need, which was few because we know the area so well. No pool, however. Short walk to Kim Sha beach or Roxxy Beach, both of which offer beach chairs and beachside dining options. Buccaneer Beach Bar on Kim Sha is especially good. Prices at Commodore Suites were very good so you might want to check them out online. All the favorite restaurants are within walking distance (Topper's is literally right next door, SkipJacks one block away across the street, and of course the best breakfast on St. Maarten Zee Best is one block in the other direction. Super convenient having the market right underneath the hotel, too. Of course, if Commodore Suites doesn't fit you requirements the Atrium is right behind it and is also highly recommended (and features a parking garage underneath the hotel).

I'm going to second the motion for Beachside Villa's!! Almost 20 years going to SXM. 10 years ago, we found at BSV on this site!!!! As I say to people that have never stayed there. You will want for nothing! Now granted, there is no restaurant on site. BUT! EL Zafiro restaurant and bar is next door that serves breakfast lunch, not sure about dinner. Contact Tracey Mascarin for rates. You'll thank me for this referral!! http://www.beachsidevillas.com/

LaVista Resort. Small, family owned resort with a restaurant (The Hideaway) that serves breakfast and lunch. Relax by the pool. Look them up.