TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin One week gone

I can’t believe one week has passed and I didn’t report.

Arrived 3/9 Saturday at 4pm jet blue along with KLM, AIR FRANCE. Lines were a nightmare but thanks to VIP SXM we cleared immigration and met LEslie for our rental car by 4: 40. We had only carry on luggage. What took the most time was boarding the bus from the plane.

We are somewhat disappointed this visit with BSV because we were given unit #2 which is far from the pool and hubby is walking with a cane. Plus we cannot enter the water here because of a wall in front. Also to step onto lanai there,s 2narrow ridges of tile from inside to outside which requires a large leap.

I guess we will be stuck inside because Don can not navigate that narrow strip. He will try to walk to the pool.

Is VIP SXM this company? https://vipservices.sx/

Welcome back and sorry to hear about the room location , and yes Don has to be careful, but done't stress. Still enjoy the rest vacation.

Suprising BSV couldn't give you better accommodations with your disability.

RonDon--Did you ask to be close to the pool when you booked? I don't understand what you mean about a step onto the lanai?

How has your trip been otherwise? I know you love food. Hope you have had some wonderful meals.

Carol I did ask when booked then when I paid deposit and again vi email was told fully booked only room available. Told Vickie upon arrival he d have to carry Don haha to pool. He’ll make it but at a slow walk.

Will post my food notes in another post,

Rosemary--OK, so it sounds like it wasn't a surprise. I might have tried a different date?

Rosemary,
I feel your pain but I also know how difficult it is for them to schedule rooms for people’s needs.
A few years ago there was a couple there with the same problem and they drove to the pool from unit one. To many this might sound like over-kill but if the problem is yours, you’ll understand the need.
We’ve been so very lucky in that we’ve only stayed at the pool end but we also book more than a year in advance and tend to be moderately flexible in our days.
Beyond those few problems I hope you enjoy BSV as much as we do. I don’t think it’s a place for everyone, particularly if a cloistered resort atmosphere is your thing, but for an independent traveler we think it’s THE BEST. Enjoy your remaining time.

Pat I think our problem is the dates since our second week is when rates go down. Maybe will book earlier dates next time.

Yes $75 well worth it. I didn’t book it for the return. Don’t really care how long it takes us.

But you did book wheel chair porterage, right? They are really wonderful at Sint Maarten or such has always been our experience. If you didn’t book it and still would like to, it’s not too late. A more than worth while add on, imo.🙂🙂

O we booked vip SXM was met at the approach to immigration by man with our name on a card who took our carryons and took us to a separate line. $75 pp they offered other services such as meet on tarmac with wheel chair escort but Don fought my booking a chair so convinced him to bring a cane.

When I booked they also asked if I required a car and driver service which I think was $300.

$75 for which service, Premium VIP or regular VIP? Per person?

I must be missing something. Doesn't wheelchair assistance include basically the same services, just for the cost of a generous tip?

Linda--yes.

Exactly. And they are very pleasant. Worth every penny of a generous tip. The only thing they don’t do as far as I can tell is meet you with a sign with your name on it. Everything else is a given.
☘️☘️

Pat--actually, they usually do have a sign with my name on it.

Hmmmm
I feel like a deprived child. Used WC service in SXM many times and never got a sign. 🍀🍀

Pat--gee, OK, forget I mentioned it!! I am not sure I have gotten it EVERY time, but definitely have gotten it several times.

I've never had a sign with my name when reserving wheelchair assistance through American.

Dunno. Guess I have just been lucky!

Okay...directions please. I ordered wheel chair on flight from BOS to SXM and RETURN also. Do I NOT NEED this $75. 00 pp VIP service this Saturday? I've read Saturdays crazy busy, but does WC Assistance get priority Customs? We are checking 2 bags due to my husband the Taxman needing his computer and my New Knee requiring multiple rehabilitation items!

Appreciate your expert experience recommendations!

There were no wheelchairs in the line we were brought to. However I did see some chairs in another nearby line.

You have to pre-reserve wheelchairs with the airline