TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report 12/27-1/14

December 27-January 14

Our first trip since Jan 2020. Showed up for our red eye out of SEA on Dec 26. Flight was scheduled to leave at 10:40pm. Flight delayed due to “waiting for crew”. We finally started boarding around midnight and after de-icing we were in the air around 1:00am. Due to this delay and then sitting on the tarmac in FLL for over an hour waiting for a gate, we missed our connection to SXM. After an unexpected overnight in FLL we were off to SXM on 12/28. This flight was delayed as well and we ended up landing at 4:30 instead of 2:30. Nonetheless, we were just happy to be there.

We stayed at Villa Paloma again, this was our fourth time staying here. We like the location, it’s in the first row up the hill above Orient so for us it’s walkable to the beach and the village. It’s private, so c/o sunbathing around the pool is an option. It’s surprisingly quiet, occasionally we would hear some music from Yellow Sub in the evenings, but nothing too late.

Some dining highlights –

Le Bistronome (Grand Case)– This was a new restaurant for us. It’s across the street from the public parking lot, next to the old Calmos Café. We didn’t have a reservation, but they were able to accommodate us on their little outside deck. They have a very creative menu. Hubby had a stewed beef pie with foie gras and I had a Fisherman’s Pot. Excellent food and very gracious service.

Oceans 82 (Grand Case)– One of our favorites and did not disappoint. Definitely make a reservation if you want a water side table. Amazing meal from start to finish. If you are a martini drinker, they make an excellent one.

La Villa (Grand Case)- When I walk into La Villa, I feel so welcome. There not on the water, they are not flashy…but they are so happy to see you. We’ve always had a great meal here. Probably the best lamb we ever had on the island. JC is a treasure and so entertaining (just in case! Lol). Make sure to visit him during the day at Orange Fever on Orient.

L’Atelier (Orient Village)- If you are a meat eater this place is for you. They have an extensive menu of different cuts of beef from different parts of the world. Just order the tenderloin with foie gras, trust me. Alex and his staff busted their butts to make sure you have a great experience. Excellent cocktails as well.

Wai Plage (Orient Beach)- We went here for NYE. They had a fixed price menu, that was wonderful. They did a great job creating a party atmosphere with party favors and fire twirlers. Capping off the night with champagne and fireworks on the beach. It was a great night thanks to Chrystelle and her awesome staff!

La Villa Hibiscus (Pic Paradise)- This isn’t just a dinner, it’s an event. Absolutely amazing flavors and beautiful presentations. Every detail is well thought out and every course flowed beautifully to the next. If you’re already spending the money for the dinner, get the wine pairing; it was spot on. Even though it was dark, the view is incredible. If we go back we will probably do lunch to take advantage of the wonderful view.

We had pretty nice weather, with only one day it was too windy to be on the beach. We went to Happy Bay once and it was just a beautiful as ever. Plus we witnessed a marriage proposal!

We brought the BinaxNOW Ag Card Home Tests for our testing the day before we flew home. They worked well and it was nice to do them from the comfort of our Villa. Travel home went as planned. We like to leave in the afternoon, overnight and fly back to Seattle in the morning. It takes the stress out of getting through customs and trying to make a connection in the same day.

what airline was connecting through FLL?

Thank you for that lovely detailed trip report!!!! My heart brakes for you guys coming from the west coast!!! Is there no way to get to JFK direct and out the next day?? JB and Delta fly out first thing in the morning. We are on the beach by 12pm at Beachside villa's!! Love the vibe of Orient!! Haven't done that in a while with Bruno (formerly of LaPlaya beach/restaurant) at Paradise O! Glad you are home safe!

Enjoyed the dining highlights as I can read some reviews and just question when they say it's the best on the island
Each person has their own likes and dislikes and I feel ours are similar, dinning is a priority

Spot on about LaVilla and JC, we go because of how we are treated and the food is good and reasonably priced

Le Bistronome is on our go to new restaurant for next August as it is getting some great reviews from educated diners

La Villa Hibiscus also is on our to go list, yes expensive but if it is good, certainly don't mind the cost

Unfortunately L' Atlier was closed for vacation during our last visit

I would recommend Le Pressoir for you as it is a step above the normal recommended restaurants that we all love

We flew Alaska SEA - FLL & Jet Blue FLL - SXM

We always fly SEA To either MIA or CLT then to SXM on AA. Same on the way back.

Could you please share a web address for Villa Paloma? or other contact info.

Thanks for the trip report. Sounds lovely! Any pictures??

Thanks for sharing - the food sounds wonderful.

Here you go:
Villa Paloma

Obviously, that villa is in what used to be called Green Cay Villas. But it appears to have no view? Is it close to what used to be the office?

Awesome. Thanks for the great report.

Glad to here you had a good time. I just copied your restaurant list for our March trip. I sounded good. Thank you for reporting.

Really enjoyed the report…except for the disappointment about your flight delays! Several new restaurants we haven't tried, so will add them to our list for a future trip. Appreciated how well you described the dining experiences.

Thanks for the report, I am familiar with most of the restaurants you mentioned, and have the same opinons, especially as to Ocean 82 and JC at La Villa. Did you have dessert at Oceans 82. Last year they had a pastry chef that was off the charts - made a lemon dessert that looked identical to a real lemon, and we are looking forward to going back there in February. BTW, the place you stayed at looks very nice.

OH! yes! we had that lemon last year and it was the highlight of the trip. Can't wait for our return. Hope the chef is still there.

I’m not sure where the office was. It is 4 or 5 villas away from the walkway down to the roundabout. When we were there in Jan 2019 there was a view because the foliage hadn’t grown back yet. This time everything is filled back in and pretty much blocked the view. For us that isn’t an issue, we appreciate the privacy.

I don't know if there is still a gate on the bottom row? If so, the office was right by where the gate is/was. Sounds like you were pretty close to where it was. View is extremely important to me, that's why I asked. We have stayed at several of those units in the former Green Cay and the ones we stayed in all had a lovely view. But we never stayed on the bottom row., closest to the ocean.

La Villa Hibiscus website is in French. If I read it correctly dinner is 100 euros per person for 5 courses; 150 euro pp for 6 courses; 200 euro pp for 7 courses drinks NOT included. You get the menu as souvenir at the end of the meal. That's got to be some great food for those prices!

You can click on the flag for the site to be translated.

I had lunch there in November. With two glasses of wine, the amount that hit my credit card was around $160 USD. Yes, it's great food and a wonderful experience.

Yes I had that amazing lemon dessert in December 2021! I can't believe I forgot to add that to my trip report!