TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Car rental options

So I contacted Kenny's Car Rental for car rental in February, 2 months out, and they are fully booked! Any other suggestions?

If you normally purchase liability insurance, give Hertz a try as liability is included in their quote. Your treatment won't be as warm and fuzzy as with other rental agencies, but it will be cheaper.

I second Hertz and I have always had a "warm and fuzzy" experience with them for over 20 years.

I have rented from Empress for several years with no issues. Price is good, cars reliable. Shuttle from airport.

I have good results from Empress as well and have used them for last 5 years.

Too bad for you that Lesley is fully booked. He’s a good guy and gives excellent service to his clients.

There are many good companies and everyone who has visited more than once usually has their personal preferences. Just remember to get ‘all in’ quotes on similar cars for the same time frame and compare them all. And then think about who answered and how long it took them to respond.

You’re looking at high season so good luck on the pricing.

Thanks my Dear Pat . Happy Holidays.

We were referred to SAX rental company through a friend on social media in 2018. We've used them 6 times! Every time, GREAT service and beautiful clean newer cars at a GREAT rate!!! To me the service is everything!! Lovely couple that own and operate on the island! You will love Cindy and Anil Puran!! https://www.saxcarrental.com/

Hi, David and Louise, and hoping you are both well and happy and ready for the man in the bright red suit and the funky red hat.
I have to laugh because we all want the same thing. Sort of…….but totally different.
As you know, we have used Lesley Bruce (aka Kenny’s Car Rentals) for more years and trips than I can recall.
Our number one request with every reservation is that he provide us one of his more ‘lovingly used’ but thoroughly road ready older vehicles. We want a car that is road safe and a few dents and dings are no big deal on SXM given the condition of the roads and the perils other drivers present. We would absolutely hate to be the one to incur the first bit of damage to one of his newer cars. Anyone else is welcome to that distinction!
Like every one else, I’ve heard the horror stories of people being charged by unscrupulous agencies for damages they didn’t incur. I know he would never do this, but I still prefer an older vehicle with a few dents and dings. One less thing to worry about.
And beside all the above, he is honest, dependable and his service is top shelf! as I’m sure the other recommended agencies are as well.

We used Empress in November, great experience.

Color1 we took your advice and booked through SAX they have been professional and prompt in our on line correspondence thanks!

Used SAX first time last year and we booked with them again this year. I found there service and email responses to be very good, especially Brittney. Cars clean and in excellent condition and for our three month rental period last year we had no issues at all.

Good to know, thanks

We have been renting from Hertz since 1995 and have only praise for Reina and her staff there. Just last week I secured a reservation for our forthcoming 3-week stay in February. We have always found the staff to be friendly and helpful. And if your car gets dirty they'll run it through their auto wash on request. One year our car got flooded out after a severe rain storm. They brought a replacement out on a flatbed--to the French side--within an hour or two of our call and hauled the inoperative vehicle away.

Been using Hertz for over 20 years. Class act.

Our REAL tree is up, the house and everything is decorated beautifully ready for ole St Nick himself!! I'm at the shop way to many hours these last few months, and dreaming of the beach at BSV!!! As for the rental. No I'm not a fan of renting a vehicle with dings dents. I'm paying good money. I want clean and new. I'm in the service industry, I expect top service as I give! Hey, we all have our guy! Mike "Wingman" that's his guy too, and that's cool!! On another note, hopefully we'll see you at some point over the summer!! Tell John we said hello! Merry Christmas and a health HNY!!

We used to use Marcus at Justice Car Rental in Grand Casa; does anyone know if he is still around and in business?

Thank You, Ron M

AHHHH that's great!! I'm happy for you!! This couple ( Cindy and Anil Puran) works so hard to make everything just right!! In the last four years, we have become close friends, even went out to dinner !! I'm in the service industry, for me service is everything!! Price is good, service the best!! We were with another company, I kept telling the owner, "you're going to lose my business", your service isn't up to par! Through a friend she referred me to SAX. I've been very happy every time! Welcome to the family!

David,

Just to clarify my earlier post a bit - imho, two businesses that require incredible effort on the island to maintain good reputations are restaurants and car rentals and I’m sure there are many companies that do a great job at both. And so lucky for us we each found one that works for us.

We met Lesley Bruce when we were all ‘kids’ and he was working at Holiday Car Rentals at Mullet Bay Resort. Lost him for a while but rediscovered him and have used him every trip for many years now.

He always takes good care of us and usually manages to give us exactly what we ask for - a lovingly used but immaculate car that is totally road safe, and his service? It can’t be beat. Although, a few years ago he had to give us a new bright and shiny car and I was a nervous wreck every time we were out in it. John actually threatened to make me wear a blindfold and sit in the back seat! 😊😊 (not really but it was close…..)

Anyhoo, wishing you and Louise a very Merry Christmas and even more-so, a happy and healthy New Year soon come. Not sure if our Spring dates overlap at all but will look forward to seeing you and all the BSVN crew wherever and whenever, even if for just a quick hello.

Yes Pat and those days were over three hundred cars lol. Time flies.

We booked Sax for a day visit (arriving on Celebrity Beyond) in January. They said they will deliver car to the pier. We've been to SXM several times and did not want to book a cruise excursion. We want to go to Orient Beach and Grand Case, then back to the ship. Hopefully, all works well?!

We'll see how it pans out, but I just did Europcar, got a Suzuki Jimmy for under $350 for the week; seemed reasonable.

Have used AAA for over 20 years and sent many people to book with Alain always a fair price a great service. Alain is a local so you help the island give a shot you won’t regret it.

Is Sax car rental local as well? Have never used them , but it appears they rent a Ford Explorer,,we need the extra room.

Might want to check out this fleet from Hertz. Local as well.
https://hertz.sxmrentacar.com/our-fleet/

We also use Alain and have for over ten years. His cars aren't the prettiest, but they get us where we're going, and his price is certainly reasonable.

Anil and Cindy Puran will make sure your car is at the port when you arrive! You can always call to confirm. Wouldn't hurt. (305) 851-5353

They are local, great couple that owns the company of over 100 cars/SUV vehicles. Lovely people to do business with. New newer vehicles too!! I like that too!!

Yes, SAX is definitely local. I have been renting from local agencies in St Maarten for the past 30 years and, I must say that SAX is one of the best. You will be able to pick your car up at the airport or pick up at their office whichever you prefer. The owner is very interested in making your rental experience the best. The price is very competitive and they offer discounts to different group members.

we picked up a car from SAX yesterday…good price and the experience was fine….we were met at the airport and then taken to their office for the car (although i’m pretty sure i read a comment on here recently that claimed they would deliver your car!! at the airport!! if it was “your choice”!!”, but we were never offered that choice…maybe we didn’t know the secret handshake or were lacking the proper look 🙌 )

we normally rent from places closer to the airport, so considering this place is on the far side of the airport our only concern is we run into traffic issues on drop off/return

Let us know how the return goes. Have fun.👍

Thanks for recommending SAX, we used them in Feb, the brakes started to squeak after a week so we took it back, they fixed it within an hour and washed the car & cleaned the inside as well. Very good service. We re-booked them for a month in 2023.

Is collision the same as liability or is that extra. Re Hertz rental.
Thanks
Viking

Is collision the same as liability or is that extra. Re Hertz rental.
Thanks
Viking

No. Collision is different than liability. Hertz included liability in their quote but up to you to have them provide Collision or your credit card coverage if your CC provides it. Check with your issuing CC company to see if they cover Collision as many have dropped it.

Helpful thanks, beginning to think we'll only rent the car for 5/9 days and get to Anse Marcel and Grand Case and then go with taxi's. Trip report from a family member who has been going every year for 15 years said the roads are really bad this year. Something to ponder. Have to decide soon as our trip starts on the 27th of Feb.

Also are there any Car rentals on welfare road or by SBR/Flamingo/Atrium area for pic up and drop off?