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Re: All-inclusive or DIY?
[Re: CowboyInCO]
#294026
01/15/2023 09:51 PM
01/15/2023 09:51 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 296 Edam, Saskatchewan - Canada
PrairieGirl
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 296
Edam, Saskatchewan - Canada
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I doubt that you will find anyone on this board that will recommend staying at an AI on SXM. It is best enjoyed by renting a car and exploring the many varied beaches and dining options!
One of the things that makes SXM so unique is that each of the beaches is different, both in physical appearance and in it’s vibe. Same with the wide variety of restaurants. There is truly something for everyone.
Enjoy!
LeAnn url=https://www.tickerfactory.com] ![[Linked Image]](https://www.tickerfactory.com/ezt/d/4;10732;128/st/20211211/e/Rumset/dt/-1/k/f6ed/event.png) [/url]
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Re: All-inclusive or DIY?
[Re: CowboyInCO]
#294027
01/15/2023 10:03 PM
01/15/2023 10:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,345 Vancouver, WA
Todd
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,345
Vancouver, WA
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So many great dining options across the island, so many beaches all over the island, so easy to drive around and try some of these. SXM is not an AI type of island although there are options and if that floats your boat you can do it but I wouldn't on SXM. I personally think the best thing on SXM is getting to know the different restaurant and shop owners, it is the people that makes the island great. Food and beaches are a huge plus.
Have a great trip, T
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: All-inclusive or DIY?
[Re: CowboyInCO]
#294032
01/15/2023 11:48 PM
01/15/2023 11:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,284 Boynton Beach, FL
EdB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,284
Boynton Beach, FL
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agree with most of the posters. All inclusive on SXM makes no sense. Way to many restaurants and things to do NOT to miss. I don't necessarily agree with renting a villa though. It is ''safer'' in one of the resorts...and you don't have to put the shutters down at night, lock up your windows, or feel that you may be a ''target''. For your first ''official'' vacation to the island, i would suggest one of the timeshare places, or somehting like Mary's Boon, or the Horny Toad, or Grand Case Beach Club, or a resort in Orient Village. Plenty of places to chose from...and will probably be more cost effective than a villa also. My two cents. ![smile smile](/images/graemlins/default/smile.gif)
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Re: All-inclusive or DIY?
[Re: Whale Tail]
#294146
01/17/2023 09:36 AM
01/17/2023 09:36 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,065 Westchester /NYC
Colour1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,065
Westchester /NYC
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I have to show you our detailed itinerary with columns for "Beach" "Breakfast" "Lunch" "Dinner" and "HH"!! for the whole time on the island!! Most times we hit all the "to do list on the itinerary"!! It's the only way to keep track of the places and activities we we want to hit!! And then there are days where we say.........IT!!! beach at BSV for the day!! See what's in the fridge! LOL!!!
Sand Gravity, got to love it!
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Re: All-inclusive or DIY?
[Re: BillDauterive]
#294171
01/17/2023 01:03 PM
01/17/2023 01:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 878 Mississauga, ON, Canada
Southshore
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 878
Mississauga, ON, Canada
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I guess we were the exceptions. All but one trip over nearly 30 years were All Inclusive for us. The one time we went DIY my husband freaked at having to find breakfast every morning. We stayed at AI on both the French and Dutch sides. In the later years we always stayed at Maho. Rented a car from Kenny's at the airport. Parked it in the nice covered lot at Maho. Had breakfast at the buffet each day and then took off to the beaches, for shopping, to explore. Usually had lunch out somewhere - the lolo's in Grand Case, the beach spots on Orient, places in P'burg and elsewhere. Back to the hotel at day's end. Sometimes went out for dinner but if we were zonked from the daytime activity, it was nice to just grab dinner at the hotel and relax, go to the Casino, sit in the bar.
For me, I don't want to go on vacation and have to think about what's in the fridge for breakfast, where to shop for this and that. I can do that at home. On vacation, every meal tastes better when someone else prepares it. At least, for me.
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Re: All-inclusive or DIY?
[Re: CowboyInCO]
#294232
01/18/2023 01:28 PM
01/18/2023 01:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671
Brookfield, CT.
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So I guess I’m walking the yellow line on this one.
Our first trip to SXM in 1973 was an AI trip to Mullet Bay Resort and Casino and it was wonderful. And quite truthfully, we had no desire to go searching for food and might even have been disappointed if we did. But things were very different then and the best restaurants really were only found in Grand Case with a few others widely scattered across the island.
But that was then and this is now. I fully get that Southshore’s spouse didn’t want to go hunting for meals since we’ve experienced this on other first time island trips. It’s a first timer’s nightmare sometimes to have to search out meals in a strange place so AI can and does sometimes make sense.
Our rule of thumb, based on the additional cost of the AI option when available, we would probably go for it and use it for the breakfast buffets which I love, the beachside lunches if offered and drinks, of course. We might even try a dinner or two at the resort but that wouldn’t stop me from checking out some island options not included in our AI.
But would I personally recommend AI as a first choice on SXM? Definitely not! But at the same time, I would also not recommend SECRETS as my first choice of places to stay as it’s too far off the beaten track for my tastes and road access is not one I’d personally want to deal with at night. But that’s me…..😊😊
Last edited by pat; 01/18/2023 01:31 PM.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: All-inclusive or DIY?
[Re: pat]
#294233
01/18/2023 01:55 PM
01/18/2023 01:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,552
Central Florida!
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Pat--we all know you are a BIG drinker, so having those drinks included is a big deal! I definitely agree that Secrets is a difficult place for a first timer to SXM, if they want to get out and explore the island. IF one were going to do a/i on SXM, it would be much better to do Maho, so that one can see what there is available on the island, without that trip up and over the mountain. Looks like the original poster has decided to do it on the own. Please feel free to post any other questions.
Carol Hill
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Re: All-inclusive or DIY?
[Re: CowboyInCO]
#304536
07/26/2023 10:42 AM
07/26/2023 10:42 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,671
Brookfield, CT.
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But remember, Dominican Republic is light years different than SXM and there’s really no comparison to the food in SXM, even at an AI establishment like Maho Sonesta.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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