TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin January Trip - Questions

Good afternoon. I haven't been on here in a while. What a fantastic forum for SXM info!

Four of us are escaping the cold mid-January and are heading to SXM for 2 weeks. We are staying at the Belair. We haven't been since early 2020 due to COVID so we are beyond excited. I have a few questions…

• Any recommendations for a splurge dinner out? We always enjoy the usuals in Grand Case ( Spiga, Cottage, etc. ) Just looking for something new and different. We have a rental so location is not an issue.

• We typically do island/beach bar/cheap eats sort of thing for lunches and some dinners out. Any recommendations on that. Again, location not an issue although I know that there are some new ones in Simpson Bay.

• Anse Marcel - After dozens of SXM trips, we have never been to this beach. I have read reviews...many seem mixed. Is the food and beach worth the splurge? It looks quite pricey but quite beautiful.


Thanks everybody in advance. This forum is a gem. I just saw it’s celebrating 20 years! Congrats!

Regarding dinner out, something that is pretty new to SXM, and we haven't been there, but it looks exciting, is Bamboo House. Link to their website here They have sushi, etc., but also a full regular menu, for carnivores. The view looks amazing. We haven't been there yet, but it is on the list to try for next June.

For 'beach bar' type places, a fairly new place is the Sandbox. It is in the complex with the Morgan Resort (formerly Caravanseri). Casual food, on the water, live music a few nights a week. For an upscale new beach bar on the Dutch side, there is Kalatua. We haven't been there, and frankly it doesn't appeal to me, because their beach chairs are literally ON the sand and it would be difficult for me to get up and down on them. It is fairly expensive, but I guess gets good reviews.

As far as Anse Marcel Beach Club, I would not do it more than one time per trip, for sure, but we have definitely enjoyed it. If you do decide to do it, you need to make reservations, including a reservation for one of the cabanas on the beach. A totally decadent experience, but lovely.

Awesome info! Thanks Carol!

Nice...Bamboo House is just what doc ordered as we are all total carnivores and obsessed with Sushi. You nailed it!

I do remember that they were doing some construction at the Caravanserai on our last trip, so this is good news that they up and running. Will check it out.

So I guess we will try Anse Marcel for a birthday treat for one in our group. It looks heavenly ( and quiet )

Much appreciated and Merry Christmas!

You're welcome! Enjoy!

Definitely go to Bamboo House early in your trip; you'll probably want to go more than once. I suggest making a reservation.

Hey, you would probably find it anyway but the beach restaurant between the Morgan Resort and Sunset Beach Bar is called Sandbar.
Official name is Sandbar by the Ocean. I have eaten there a few times and prices are reasonable and you are right on the water. They have a big 8-ft screen for sports and most nights they have live music.

Here is a link to their web page so you can check out their menu.

SANDBAR https://sandbarsxm.com/

Cheers
Drphilsxm

One more comment about The Sandbar, if you are looking at their menu and you see fresh Lobster... market price, it is currently $20 per pound.
They Grill it with garlic butter and seasoning and it is very good. Several of the other restaurants in Simpson Bay will be more like $24 or $25 lb.
Quite reasonable.

Drphilsxm

Phil--sorry for the misnomer. Can't blame it on alcohol, so have to blame it on old age!!!

Re: "• Any recommendations for a splurge dinner out? We always enjoy the usuals in Grand Case ( Spiga, Cottage, etc. ) Just looking for something new and different. We have a rental so location is not an issue."
Les Oliviers in Grand Case is new and somewhat different - and good (based on our two visits in November at least).
Le Bistronome in Grand Case is new since early 2020 I think and is an excellent slightly more casual option, again we were twice in November and enjoyed both visits.
Dave.

Agree that the Bamboo House has probably one of the best views of any restaurant that isn't on a beach.
Service was first class and the food very good, although there is not much difference in the sushi that we get at our upscale sushi restaurants back home.
The restaurant has a great vibe!!

A unique recommendation would be Les Galets in Orient on the opposite side to the main entrance.
Maybe 10 tables situated around the pool (much like Astrolab) but with a set menu and elevated food.
The cheese trolley is one of the best I have ever enjoyed and the pricing is reasonable for the quality of the food.
Weekly menu is posted on their website or facebook page.
Also first class service

Thanks everybody! These are great recommendations and exactly what I was looking for.

Happy & Safe Holidays to all!

Hey there Downeaster, we are from New Hampshire and are also headed to Belair January 21-February 4. Owned there since 2000. Some years we go, other years we trade thru RCI for a different warm weather vacation.

We always seem to do a cat trip to Anguilla to enjoy Shoal Bay, so that's on our list. Same with Anse Marcel. Only been there a couple times thru the years. Usually manage to hit one of the Grand Case restaurants. Ocean82 was on our last trip. Nothing definite yet!
Wondering if anyone on this forum has tried the Pyratz Gourmet Sailing? Sounds very interesting.

For more Belair Beach info, you might want to check out the Friends of Belair Beach Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/208514379159341

Hope to see you there!

I definitely recommend both of these places too!
edited to add- reservations recommended as Le Bistronome only has about 8 tables, and from what I've seen on facebook, Les Oliviers has been extremely busy.

I've been interested in that one as well, but it's now $325 PP for a shared sail, and even more for a private sail. And I thought Capt. Neil was pricing himself out of the market!

Wellllll, I went to Anse Marcel Beach Club three times on my last trip. And not to be picky, but the cabanas are not on the beach; they are adjacent to the restaurant and are used for dining. But yes, one must make reservations for both the restaurant/cabana and beach loungers.

Linda--we are only on island for around 10 days. You are on island for what, four to six weeks? Different situation. And sorry I referred to the cabanas as "on the beach". I think you're a little touchy on this subject.

How did you get Linda being “touchy” maybe just correcting you?

Never mind.

We were at Bamboo last month!! It is BEAUTIFUL!!! It's a culinary experience!! Best to call a head for reservation. Go early, enjoy cocktails on one of the decks!! The view is amazing!!! The decor is beautiful! Here's the funny thing as my wife is ordering everything from column A and everything from column B I'm thinking, I better call the bank to get an extension on my credit limit!! But that wasn't the case! I paid for a round at the bar cash (Four drinks four of us) not bad, not NYC prices either. Dinner check came and I was really surprised how reasonable the bill was. SC was on it, didn't care! Added cash for the tip! EVERYTHING was AMAZING! Parking: Easy, park at Carrefour ! the minivan driver will greet you and take you UP UP UP the hill!!! And when you are ready to go, another one will be waiting for you! I tipped the driver. He was so pleasant and good driver! You're going to LOVE this restaurant!! BTW we went there the day before, the staff let us walk around and take pictures. The view is amazing! At night, the runway is all lit up!! For more photos go to "lohudlou" on instagram!!

Sounds like a great place! Did you mean the runway is lit up or the causeway? I've seen the causeway lit up & it's pretty cool.

The runway lit up is awesome from Bamboo

The runway.

This is a pic I took from Bamboo House showing the runway lit up.

Nice pic Lee.

Drphilsxm

Thanks Phil. Merry Christmas......and I hope I'll see you in May.

Looks like the causeway is also lit up. Really nice view.

Both!! It was the first time we had seen the runway lit up from the view! It's amazing!

That's a great shot!! I just can't find the one I took. Similar to yours!