TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Cul De Sac area

Over the years always stay at Terres Basses as so convenient between the two Countries, albeit being a foodie geared more to the French cuisine and spend less time on the Dutch side apart from the Maho area. So, miss the Islands as first Covid and then health issues, so now difficult, but came across this being near Grand Case but have no idea of this area, apart from once or twice visiting Orient and having a meal but for me Grand Case is normally where I want to be for food. So was thinking of having a week or two in TB and then trying this out and wondered if anyone has stayed there or could fill me in..

https://www.vrbo.com/891443

Hope this link comes out...

Failing that, years ago stayed at the Le Petite Hotel and liked that but think on the first floor, Bleu Emaraude Hotel in Grand Case looks very nice(albeit we are not hotel people as such) but then a car not needed and would just enjoy eating, drinking and lounging about. I know the streets of GC not very wheelchair friendly but would try and make the best of it. Have been going to SXM since the early 80's(must have been at least 40-50 times) but not been back since 2019, so as always, advice greatly appreciated.

Have done plenty of researching villas and the lowlands definitely offer the best bang for the buck as far as the villas goes.
Negative is the villa is so nice you don't want to leave and the drive to Grand Case is through Sandy Ground and about 30 minutes

Two years ago we stayed in TB had was really surprised that Sandy Ground wasn't as bad as expected except for the terror on two wheels doing crazy stunts in the streets.

While the villa in Cul de Sac is lovely, I would be hesitant to rent because this area is known for having a bad seaweed problem

While we enjoy socializing, we have found staying a week in Orient more to our liking followed by our week in Maho
I think you could find a comparable villa in Orient for possibly less minus being on the beach

also you may find some villas on the Dutch side with direct beach access

I agree with mahokid about the seaweed problem. How many times recently has the ferry to Pinel just been closed because of the seaweed infestation? That area would be a hard pass for me. I personally would not stay at Dawn Beach because of the same issue.

There definitely are some villas on the OCEAN on the Dutch side. Most of them don't have a great beach associated with them. There are several along Burgeaux Bay.

Thx..Think this thread has been misunderstood or I didn't make it clear. Only looking at this Villa as views and property looked half decent...our swimming days are over(like you Carol, live in FL with easy access to beaches and plus own properties on a few beaches. Would take our usual villa in Terres Basses and instead of going several times to GC from there, eat locally and the furthest would be Marigot.(Tropicana, Be Cool)

Then and only purely for the eating aspect,(mainly at GC) was looking for a Villa near GC and came across the link I showed you as I know nothing about the area apart from over the years hearing about the Seaweed issue there. Failing that, I was either just going to book into GCBC but It's still a little walk to the restaurants or as I mentioned came across Bleu Emeraude Hotel which I think might be less walk to say L'Auberge etc. Years ago used to do the walk on the beach to the restaurants and back which was great. Was looking but so far came up with nothing, If there was an upmarket condo someone was renting out, on the beach in GC, that didn't involve stairs, and with Parking, smack bang in restaurant row, well that would be a bullseye and probably shooting for the stars!

bran--Color me still confused, but there is no way I would look in the Cul de Sac area because of the seaweed issue, which often STINKS, as well as being nasty to look at.

As far as GCBC, you could check with them, but the last I knew, they had a shuttle van that would take you down to the restaurants.

As far as condos in that area, there is a lovely one close to Le Cottage which has private parking underneath the building. I do not remember if there is an elevator in that building or not. I know the unit we saw was on the second floor. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the building, but it is immediately across the street from LeCottage, I believe.

As far as other villas in the Grand Case area, there are several villas above Happy Bay. We stayed in one a few years ago that had KILLER views, but isn't the most modern or updated villa. But there are several updated lovely villas in that area, most of which have similar views. It is basically a five minute drive to Grand Case. You could drive to GC and drop off your wife at the restaurant and park in one of the pay lots.

Excellent ideas Carol and didnt think of the smell aspect! I thought of another, call one of the Agents directly in SXM who deal with Rentals and they might know.

If anyone has a good contact, all ears....Cheers...

Edit--bran--I think I found it, It is Residence Catalina, apt 3, but apparently there is not an elevator.

Link

bran--most of the condos in GC are on VRBO or similar, possibly not listed with villa rental agents, but you could try that.

We've stayed in Cul de Sac several times. Not directly on the beach so any seaweed smell wasn't a problem . There is also a hotel there now that is not on the beach. I can't think of the name but it is new since Irma. It's really a nice gated area and we have really enjoyed it.
Le Petit is a gorgeous hotel, but I wouldn't consider it walkable to the restaurants due to narrow road in that area. No pool either...
GCBC is your best bet unless you find something on VRBO more to your liking and situation.

pony--the property that bran linked in his original post IS right on the beach in Cul de Sac.

On to it, thx....sent a couple of enquiries re steps etc to Management, awaiting replies.

bran--hope you find something that suits your needs.

Can't you walk on the beach from Le Petit to GC?

Linda--yes you can, but I think bran's wife is in a wheelchair now, so that won't work. Plus Le Petit has a big set of stairs going into the entrance.

In December of this year we will be splitting our stay between Karibuni in the Cul de Sac area and Bleu Emeraude in GC.
I see where Karibuni also has 2 villas besides the 6 rooms at hotel. Might be worth taking a look at.

https://www.lekaribuni.com/hotel

I am not familiar with this apartment, but it is advertized as wheelchair accesible and has an elevator https://www.vrbo.com/1457504a?dateless=true&x_pwa=1&rfrr=HSR&pwa_ts=1714764643828&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudnJiby5jb20vSG90ZWwtU2VhcmNo&useRewards=true&adults=2&regionId=787&destination=Grand%20Case%2C%20Saint%20Martin&destType=MARKET&latLong=18.101494%2C-63.055046&searchId=d04b3c34-276b-477e-806a-e60edd9001c6&privacyTrackingState=CAN_TRACK&accessibility_features_group=wheelchair_accessible%2Celevator&sort=RECOMMENDED&userIntent=&expediaPropertyId=33739285

We stayed in an airbnb with a garage underneath the building and an elevator, so it it possible that would work - though getting out of the garage onto the street was very dicey unless you had one person stand on the sidewalk or street to check for oncoming traffic. For either place, the sidewalks are too narrow and in poor shape for a wheel chair, but you could drive a few minutes to the parking in town. Even if you don't go swimming, the views from the places on the beach are quite nice.

barry--that looks really nice, BUT looks to be right by Captain Frenchy's, which means right by Rainbow, with their loud music...

By the way, here is an easier link, if it works.

Link

Thx Carol and Barry. Looked at that, very nice, just a bit far and C is right, it's noisy there. Can you believe I have asked 4 owners through Booking.com or Vrbo some basic info as did find a few other nice apartments right in the centre, and one right opp L'Auberge, what the step situation is and so far, not one reply, but at the end of the day, as has been mentioned, GCBC seems a good bet and yes Carol, stop thinking this through, just do it, drop the wife off and park if needed. Life is too short to worry before it even happens....Many thx.

I would avoid anything near Rainbow because of noise.

OK, bran, best wishes!

Sorry, I had not checked the location, and yes, I would avoid anything near Rainbow. The building we stayed in this year was about a 5 to 10 min walk down the beach from Rainbow, and Rainbow was closed most of the time we were there.

barry--no problem, but that really is a shame that Rainbow scr*ws that whole area, because of the noise.