TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin What to Expect over Christmas & New Year's

We usually are on island for November but are considering travelling over Christmas and New Year's this year. Can those of you that have been on island give us some sort of sense as to what to expect during this time if we decide to go. Thanks!

We've only been to SXM during that time twice and it was lovely spending Christmas or NYE on island. Some points to consider, however:

1) Have you got someplace to stay for sure??? Many places jack prices through the roof for places to stay during that time. We stayed at Club Orient for the Millenium, and unlike everywhere else, they charged their normal price. We also stayed one year at Beachside Villas, but they gave us a reduced rate from the normal Christmas week rate.

2) Have you looked at air, to see if you can find a reasonable price??? Airfare can be stupidly expensive, if done at this late date. For the millenium, that was a whole different situation, as we paid roughly twice the normal rate, over a year in advance. The last time we went, we were able to get frequent flyer tickets almost a year in advance, but unfortunately had to return home on NYE.

3) Beware of travelling over the holidays, especially if you have to connect. EVERY plane is usually full or overbooked. If you miss your connection, you could be screwed for DAYS, getting where you are supposed to go. Especially this year, with all the hiccups in the airline industry from trying to get flight schedules and flight crews back to pre-pandemic levels, many things have gotten screwed up.

4) Be aware that the week between Christmas and New Years is usually THE busiest for restaurants. If you want to go to one of the better restaurants during that week, you may well have to make reservations before you leave home. Possibly you can get in by making a reservation after you arrive on island, but don't count on it. Last time we called Dino after we got on island and he was able to squeeze us in at Temptation, at 6 PM

5) If you want to go out for New Years Eve, prepare to pay STUPID prices.

lots of oysters and champagne

I should have mentioned that we would by arriving December 15th and leaving January 11th, so we would miss the high prices of flying during the holidays. Accommodations are not a problem either. I was interested in the feel and vibe of being there over the holidays. This would be a first being away from home for the holidays but it is something we have discussed. Pretty sure that Xmas eve and Xmas day would be super quiet. Am we wrong?

Busy but More so after New Years. We’ve stayed at Mary’s Boon over the holidays a few times and it was great. On Christmas Eve 7pm they have about 25 from a local church and sing local and Christmas songs. Open to the public. Plus Christmas dinner. December weather is great but can be windy on the French side beaches.

Never experienced it but I've heard of the Christmas Winds that crop up.

Surick--OK, sounds like you will miss the BAD parts about travelling during that time of year. We brought our own (small) Christmas decorations from home to use in the condo, lights for the balcony, etc., and it was lovely. We also made some santa hat brownies and shared them with the staff at Beachside. That was fun.

Some pictures from that trip.

Most places for NYE have 2 seating, one for like an early-bird dinner and one for the actual midnight party. The early ones are always cheaper (and more reasonable if you don't actually want to stay up and party). French side grocery stores will bring in more fancy festive type foods compared to the other times of the year too.

Great time of year and the rich and famous will be there and St Barts.

The airport will be packed with private jets including a private 767 and 777.

All of the yachts will be around and the yacht club is a great place for breakfast to watch.

If you got the dough and can deal with Covid hastle, take a day trip BY PLANE to St Barts. We went from Grand Case on St Bart commuter.

We went New Years day and just popped in for our 100 💶 lunch at Nikki Beach with fashion models. We just missed Mariah Carey playing there the night before. They were very welcoming even though we had been hopping from beach to beach.

Grand Case should be hopping and you will need reservations for dinner or go early.

In years past fireworks on Orient.

Great time of year to go.

Fireworks off Maho from Cupecoy Beach Club - New Years Eve - December 31, 2020.

If covid testing is over, that sounds awesome going to SBH for the day on New Years Day!!!! such an easy flight from Grand cASe!!!

We’ve stayed in Orient in mid-December three times, and we are booked to return this year. We always come home a few days before Christmas, but it’s been fun seeing all of the decorations up and experiencing the holidays at the beach. There was more going on before Covid, but last year was still enjoyable. Here’s a photo of the tree in Orient Village from Dec. 21, 2020.

we've been going down around Xmas and returning after New Year's for some years now, although we skipped a couple of years due to Irma (went to Barbados instead)....the holidays don't affect much as far as places being open, although most (all?) grocery stores are closed Xmas day (so best to buy any groceries you may need by Xmas eve) , but plenty of restaurants/bars open so you won't starve or dehydrate....Christmas is a big beach day, we usually go to Mullet....Boxing day forward everything pretty much back to normal

usually on SBH for several days before & after New Year's, but last year due to COVID we stayed on SXM...hung out in Maho for the festivities....watched the fireworks, listened to a band at Driftwood, and had a great time.... didn't catch Covid

Christmas winds are definitely a thing...temps are still plenty warm, and the water is cool and refreshing but not uncomfortable, but there is usually a pretty noticeable wind, especially on Orient

IslandBoi--You are certainly braver than I am, going to Mullet on Christmas Day!!!! That must be a madhouse!!

sorry we will miss you on the beach