TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin questions for 1st timers to dutch st maarten

Good morning everyone. I will do a report soon on our trip. We were sick for 3 of the 4 weeks there (not covid-we tested). Bad cold, sneezing many trips to pharmacy for cold meds.
But we have been asked by newbies where would I recommend they stay. We stay french side & I don't think its the best option for her this trip. She is around 45 years old going with her 20 year old daughter & her daughters friend. They want to get out & walk around to most things. I suggested Simpson bay Resort or Sonesta Maho maybe. they want walking to restaurants & activity. Is there a specific area of these places (I don't want their first visit to include the "Roxy area loud booming noise on weekends"). also for some reason beyond me they want to do some hiking. she asked about Pic Paradis & I didn't think that was terribly safe area for 3 females to venture? Is there anybody who does coordinated hiking adventures?
They are only there for one week end of march into april. Suggestions I can pass on? Thanks

Try hiking at Loterie Farm. I have not done it, but maybe contact them (Loterie Farm) to see if they could go with a group. See: LINK.

Have them get in touch wit Tri Sport in Simpson Bay. They have hiking and biking maps and may be able to hook them up with a group. I know there are several.

The Maho area is nice for nightlife. If you stay in the area you can walk to the casino, many bars and restaurants, and some shopping. In the morning they can walk by the golf course and up by the medical school for exercise. (Ok it’s not that scenic but you can get some miles in). There is a pharmacy and the Maho grocery store. They can easily walk to Mullet beach.

I second Tim's recommendation.

I honestly don't know how often that Roxxy is a problem with noise. I hear different things. As far as walking to places, Royal Palm is the best for walking to many places, but it is right next door to Roxxy. Atrium is on the other side, and also very convenient for walking. Don't know if there are noise problems there also or not.

I would definitely recommend that if they want to hike at Loterie Farm, that they follow Elaine's suggestion about hooking up with a group.

What I have heard from others is that a lot of the noise comes from all the places where Captains is and some of the ones across from them and not so much Roxy. I never heard much while staying at Flamingo.

The Simpson Bay area and Maho are both good suggestions.I have stayed at the Atrium and have never been bothered by the music in that area. If they say at a hotel, the activities director could set them up with a hiking activity that would be safe. Another place where they could walk to bars and restaurants would be the Grand Case area if they would prefer the French side. It is generally very quiet there at night.

We stay at Simpson Bay Resort, not the Villas, but the older part. We have never heard music from anywhere at night.

Be careful where you stay in the Maho area, we were near the Morgan Building (old Caravanserai). The music from Sandbar, Sunset Beach Bar and Mykanos is very loud. Mykanos will blast their music to 3am on weekends.