I hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday and all who are on the island are staying safe!
Y'all PLEASE help me ease my mind of the decision to stay at La Terrasse, instead of La Plage!
Quick backstory to the upcoming trip:
My brother passed away in March this year. Our family, consisting of 15 people, are going to St. Maarten for his celebration of life 8/1-8/8/2025- Friday to Friday (but could do a Sat to Sat). Our travel party is me, my husband, son (age 27), daughter (age 23), my sister and her husband, two daughters ages 22 and 20, and her husband's daughter and son-in-law, my step mother and other sister, and my brother's wife and twins ages 14.
My family of four has been to St. Maarten for a week in 2021 (We stayed in a 2 bedroom penthouse at La Plage) and a day trip while on a cruise in 2010. My sister-in-law and brother honeymooned there. The rest of the family has never been.
I have literally been all over the place as far as where to stay on this trip. They are looking to me to plan, since I have been there most and most recently. My short list of resorts was La Plage, Royal Palm, Villas at Simpson Bay. If at all possible, we would like to have a villa/condo/unit that sleeps 8 in beds, no sofa beds, or a combo of units that would sleep us all for a reasonable cost. I made a reservation at La Plage for 2- two bedrooms and 2 studios BUT then found a deal on La Terrasse 3 bedroom penthouses that sleep 8 for $2000 less overall (my sister and I are footing the bill for the units for everyone). I cancelled LP and reserved 2 three bedroom penthouses at LT. My husband is against staying at LT due to the reviews online, as far as outdated units, dark/dingy hallways. Not on beachfront. I am now paranoid about LT after reading the reviews, as well, especially one I read this morning saying they reserved the 3 bedroom penthouse at LT and when they checked in were given a smaller 3 bedroom on the second floor. It said that Nina, the manager told them they couldn't have the penthouse, although they booked it through the LT website. How does that even happen?
We are trying to do this as economically as possible. The true reason to go is to celebrate my brother, so it is more about him. However, I still want to stay somewhere everyone will have fun and be comfortable. We loved the Maho area when we stayed in 2021. We stayed one night in a 2 bedroom at the Villas Simpson Bay the beginning of that trip and enjoyed it there, as well. Would like somewhere walkable to nightlife (for the younger ones) and restaurants.
I'm just at a total loss as what to do. My sister is getting tired of me changing my mind haha!
Any thoughts from the Experts would be greatly appreciated!
We have been staying at LT for many years now. We usually stay in either a one bedroom or studio as we are only 2 people. We have never been displaced or had a bad experience there. If anything we have always been treated with respect and had great service. The onsite pool is exactly as you see in the website pictures and the gardens are beautiful. If memory serves me correctly I believe that you have access to the beach at LP, although we have never been as we like beaches close by. As you say, the Maho area is wonderful. I would recommend you go to Driftwood (located across from LT and beside LP) as their food, service and staff are great. We think they have the best pizza on the island. To put your mind at ease, you should call LT before you go and confirm that you will get the suites you have booked, have beach access at LP and share with them your concerns. I am sure this would put your mind at ease. Sorry for your lose and may his celebration of life be as you anticipate. Enjoy your family and your SXM visit.
Thank you so much for your response. While I wish we were going under different circumstances, we will still have fun and enjoy ourselves and each other. This does make me feel a little better about LT! I appreciate your recommendation to call them, and I will do that. We stopped by the Driftwood when we were there in 2021, but only had drinks. We will definitely try the pizza!
If you can think of any helpful hints about staying at LT, or St. Maarten, in general, please feel free to share. :-)
La Terasse is actually newer than LP - so I don't understand any comments about outdated units. I've never stayed at LT, but I'm a 25 year owner at LP. You'll be dealing with Nina whichever location you end up with. I'd contact Nina and ask her directly about the bad review - I've always found her to be very accomodating. To me, the big advantage of LP is being right on the beach, but if that's not as important to your party, LT should be fine. Both have great pools, and you have the Maho location for both.
Hi Tim! Not being on the beach is part of the struggle. Although this trip is to celebrate my brother, this might be the one and only trip to St. Maarten for several in our group and I want it to be special. There are reviews on Trip Advisor citing outdated units. Asking management about the review might be a good idea. First World problems, for sure!
Carole, I haven't stayed at either place, but have stayed at a number of different places on the island. Most of the time we spend in the room we are sleeping. The greater part of each day we are up we are at beaches or a pool, or a nice restaurant, and enjoying the good vibes from the islanders and other vacationers. I am sure you will have a great time.
Sorry you lost your brother. I lost my brother as well. Can not help you with your choice of places but I am sure there are some here who will chime in.
Well Carol has said that I am the expert on La Terrasse. Not too sure about that. I will try to give you more information and if you have other questions, ask away.
La Terrasse was built in 2003 and began operation in 2004. So it is roughly 20 years old . La Plage was built in the mid 1980s so it is older. La Plage has only timeshare units and there are 132 units in the building. La Terrasse is a mix of privately owned condos and timeshare units and there are only 76 units. I am a private condo owner in La Terrasse. The interiors of the private owned units very significantly.
Both buildings have been renovated more than once. Although units have similar decor, they may differ slightly inside.
La Plage has beachfront access and there are many palm trees around the pool. That is a nice atmosphere but it is significantly busier around the pool since there are more guests. The palm trees may also affect the ocean views from the room.
La Terrasse, is a quieter building around the pool area, and there is a nice view of Maho Beach. Of course, if you’d like to watch planes, you will be watching them very close. . There is a pool bar which operates mid afternoon until roughly 7 PM. Of course you can walk to the beach by going through La Plage or walking across the road from Maho market and towards Driftwood Boat Bar.
The penthouse units at La Terrasse have very large rental spaces and their balconies are very large. They have their own umbrellas and seating areas. The penthouse unit you would be renting overlooks the pool bar and pool. I have attached a picture. The penthouse large terrace would be a big plus as it would be your own private space with an amazing ocean view. As far as the interior, I would email Nina at Royal Islander and ask if she could send you some interior unit photos of the penthouse.
Not sure if that helps much. Both are good choices for what they offer..
Good morning Dr. Phil. Thank you so very much for taking the time to respond. I think the space at LT's penthouses will be perfect for our large group. I suppose not being directly on the beach is a drawback of sorts, but, as you said, there is an amazing ocean view from the units. The pictures of the bedrooms at LP look a little more modern, as LT's pictures have the old-style bedspreads. I think other than that, the pictures look similar, as far as decor. I did not realize there was a pool bar at LT. That is good to know! I will contact Nina to inquire about the interior. I cannot find a room layout. The website offers the room layouts for all units, except the 3 bedroom penthouses.
Thank you again for all of your insight, and to all who have responded. It is much appreciated!
Looking at the webcams this morning in Maho and the wave action is very strong Appears all Sandup to road is gone now.. I would love to hear from someone on Island how much beach is left @ La Plage and damage to Mullet
My husband and I have been watching the webcam, and have also noticed the lack of beach on Maho, especially over near Sunset. I, too, wonder if this the new-norm.
This thread is a wonderful example of the great people in this group—SXM fans with real experience on the island taking time to provide helpful information to others.
I do not have pictures. In the last one used, one br overlooks the pool. The other two are on the casino side. One is off the kitchen living room area and the other at do the hall from the "Master".
I am on the third floor. This picture shows the penthouse unit on the third floor (where the windows are with the large penthouse balcony on the right end). I am in the unit just to the left of the penthouse. We rent from a private owner so it is not maintained by the resort. The pool and grounds are lovely (as my earlier picture demonstrates). I prefer this pool over La Plage as it is generally much less crowded.
Yes! Just because it's listed doesn't mean it is not available for rental. You can always enquire with Nina to see if they are renting. Many years ago, we rented both the 4 bedroom and 3 bedroom penthouses for multiple years and they were very nice. La Terrasse is a very nice property.
bdeeley thanks for the information. I did not realize you could rent the 4 bedroom as well. Could you provide me some insight as to the layout of the units layout (where is the washer/dryer, as well), decor, views, etc...anything that I should know? Thanks so much!
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