TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Caribbean Life on HGTV

HGTV recently aired an episode involving a father and son looking for a place in Sint Maarten. Not sure when it was filmed – info indicated 2020 – but there were cruise ships in one shot. The buyers were also shown taking an open-air bus tour and some sort of glass bottom boat tour that had them viewing a sunken helicopter. No one wearing masks.

They first looked at a studio apartment in the Simpson Bay Yacht Club. It came with a boat slip included for $265K. Next, they looked at Royal Islander – La Terracita. It was one bedroom, one bath for $186K. Oddly, the bedroom window looked out onto the public hallway. Also, oddly, they thought the apartment, furnished as it was, looked too “Caribbean”. Gee, I thought that was the whole idea.

Then they looked at a new build called Obi Hill, somewhere near Belair Beach. For $255K, they would get one bedroom, one bath and a window in the kitchen that looked out into the building stairwell.

Finally, they looked at Blue Marine, a fairly big penthouse unit, one bedroom, two bathrooms and some weird extra space, for $270K. This one was close to the airport but with a view of the golf course. Not sure where that would be. But from that unit they had an excellent view of someone else’s toilet! Amazing design feature.

They eventually purchased at La Terracita for $186K.

Some great views of the island included in the episode. Love these shows. Still living SXM vicariously

So whats your question or concerns? Saw it last year. Rerun. Probably filmed before pandemic dictated masks.

Those sound cheap. We have only looked at Orient and one bedrooms seem to be at least $350k

With running water too. 😆

Date could be correct since there were passenger-less cruise ships in port and wandering around in 2020 and 2021

This was taped back in 2018,

Back in November 2018 My Wife and I couldn't decide which family members we wanted to hang out with for Thanksgiving. The conversation boarded on lesser of evils, then she said, "wouldn't it be nice to just go to SXM for the long weekend." 30 mins later we had airfare and accommodations booked. JetBlue, BTV to JFK to SXM, and 1 Bedroom Condo at Royal Islander Le Terrasse. While hanging out with My friend Jesus, the bartender at the pool side bar at La Terrasse, we met Dr. Phil, the father on the show. He is called Dr. Phil because some people say he looks like the Talk Show host. I guess i kinda see it.

so some odd info

1. He was contacted months after he bought the property to be on the show. I inquired at the time, how he was treated financially for doing the show (a rude question I know, bare with me...), I was interested in if he was treated as an actor, thereby gaining membership into the Screen Actor Guild (for the insurance, and such), but he informed me they were actually hired as crew members, and paid an hourly rate, with a few expenses paid for, like the Flying Dutchman.

2. the Royal Islander La Terrasse, didn't want their name used, because they don't want the place known as somewhere you can buy condo's, they want it to be referred to as a timeshare property. You'll remember it was referred to as La Terrasita on the show, although they showed the image of La Terrasse 2-3 times.

3. the other 3 properties they looked at on the show were not the same properties they looked at during the initial hunt. They were chosen by the realtor for the show.


The grill on the "PENTHOUSE" had rust on it, i literally laughed out load, when i saw that, just thinking, they would let that be shown in a penthouse. and the the views from the unfinished property in Belaire, that had the full window that looked into the bathroom was just weird and creepy.



MrTim

I've seen the show but don't remember much about it. I have stayed at Blue Marine (pre-Irma) in a lovely 2-bed, 3-bath condo. It was beautiful with gorgeous views. It's down the street from the Maho pharmacy and gentlemen's club. I drove by the other day, and they have added additional towers both before and after the three that comprised Blue Marine.

I remember that show as well!

Thanks for the info on how these shows are created. Didn't realize that they were done after the fact i.e. after the "stars" had already made a purchase. I guess that requires some acting skills. Anyway, since I can't get back the SXM right now, it is nice to have a look at the island.

FYI, this episode was filmed in August 2019 prior to the pandemic It was first aired in the US last year in July 2020. It was aired on HGTV Canada in June 2021. First aired in Europe in late July 2021. And yes I am the father in the show.. We live near Hamilton Ontario Canada. It was purchased as a vacation home although it is also rented by vacationers. My son travels with his friends to enjoy the island . The production company contacts the purchasers through the real estate companies. I was contacted in July 2019 after the purchase and asked if I would be interested to do the show with my son Patrick. It was filmed over 4 days and was an enjoyable experience. Blue Marie condo is located directly adjacent to the west side of the runway near the golf course and a ten minute walk into Maho Village. Hope that answers a few questions. I was not aware of this site until a friend came across it. Thanks for watching our episode. Dr Phil SXM

Welcome to the forum Dr. Phil!!

MrTim

If anyone is interested in my Maho condo and what it looks like after after the HGTV episode, It is listed on Airbnb

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/3866275...ession_id=p3_1568815023_rk21c5DzojBdtyRQ

Cheers

To open it I need to agree to their cookies. Not.

I could look at the pictures without having to agree to the cookie policy.

Nice place........GLW Rentals