TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Palm Beach D3

Hello all
Does anyone have any experience staying at the Palm Beach Condos on Simpson Bay? The three bedroom is the one i am looking at for 3 couples. It looks very nice, but am wondering the location on Simpson Bay. Is this complex up by Karacter? Also in some of the pics of rooms, it appears to have a back balcony that is very close to airport runway, so just wondering. Just any info and more specific location would be very helpful. For instance, would it be closer to Azure Guest house on the beach or Karacter, that kind of thing. As always, appreciate anyone's input.

Google Earth is your friend.

You are 3-4 alley ways from The Horny Toad, towards Mary's Boon/Karakter. I have never personally been there but that stretch of beach is usually pretty nice. The road they are off of does backup to the runway. I walked by the property last week when walking on the beach. Azure is just on the other side of Horny Toad so you would be about 5 alley ways towards Mary's Boon from Azure.

Gotcha,,,i have walked that beach before, from Royal Palm to Azure. Then when at Karackter once we walked to Azure, so I have a pretty good idea now of where, I just dont remember actually seeing it. Thanks! Probably a bit of plane noise at back, but it does look like a nice place.

The complex is located 1000 feet East of Karacters and 900 feet West of Azure. The beach is nice in this area, no rocks and easy in and out. The buildings are close to the runway. You will definitely hear the jets. The upside is you aren't in your unit that much during the day and almost all flights are gone by 6:30- 7:00 pm. No flights leave before 7:00 am and most of the early flights are small commuter flights. We always stay on Simpson bay, it's the best!

Due to the passing of Ernersto, there was some beach erosion and exposed flat rock ledges last week but with time, they will be covered again. The beach entry in front of The Horny Toad was good but other areas up and down the beach was more difficult. You are correct on the flights, not much of an issue most of the time. I will attach a couple of pictures taken from The Horny Toad where you can see some of the exposed rocks.

Do they have generators?

Until the GEBE situation is resolved, that is a good question everyone needs to be asking.

Yes

bdeeley were you responding to the question of did they have generators? The listing I saw for Palm Beach D3 was obtained from Jennifers Vacay Villa rentals.....so I did email her and was told that at present there are no generators, but the owners are thinking of buying?? She said there is always power overnight, and only possibly a couple of hours during day that the power may be out?? Now, I wonder! ??? Do you know for sure there are generators?

megamania--I have no idea whether they have generators or not. I would think that the villa rental agent should know and would be surprised if they deny it if they do have generators. However, the other statements from the villa rental agent should also be taken with a grain of salt. Outages are often many hours in a row, and sometimes during the night.

" but the owners are thinking of buying?? She said there is always power overnight, and only possibly a couple of hours during day that the power may be out?? "
Now that's a sales pitch. "possibly" Pretty much a guarantee you'll be experiencing what they call "load shedding" random times of the day and night.

Hence my question to bdeely who responded "yes" when I asked about generators.....just trying to find out what is true?

I wonder if possibly individual units have generators but not all of them.? bdeely is usually in the know but I for sure would want clarification on a WORKING generator.

I just returned a week ago from 9 days and the power went out on 4 of those days at about 2:30 pm and was off for around 3 hours. There was also one outage at night. Where I stayed there was a generator that took care of all the units, but there were only 8 rentals and two owners' units.

Sounds like you got your answer from the villa rental agent.

I personally have not stayed there but Remax Island properties has units there and lists a generator on multiple units and a VRBO property manager says yes. palm Beach there in Simpson Bay is made up of multiple buildings so it is possible that a some owners in one of the buildings has a generator for their units. Definitely trust your property manager they will have the most updated and specific information.

Thank you for your input.....so far the two units that I have asked about the owners or rental agency have said no generators, but I understand what you are saying that some owners may very well have purchased for their own. Always appreciate the help I get on this forum......:)

A couple of Images showing you map locations of the Palm Beach property on Simpson Bay and it location and distance from other properties. You can not go wrong with that general area of beach on St. Maarten and the airport with the planes taking off and landing is not an issue. Any questions let me know.

Isn't this the area where there have been occasional car thefts?

I have not heard that happening the past few years but in the past that has happened a few times. Their parking is not gated but is off street. Beautiful grounds, nice pool and a nice beach area.. My understanding is that they have a nighttime guard that patrols the gated grounds and parking areas, now.

What time frame are you looking to visit the island and for how long?

The condos look OK, but the parking there is not secure. I had a friend who had her car stolen from there and it was never recovered. It is off my list for that reason.

Elizabeth--I understand your point. I do wonder how hard it would be for them to make their parking secured. It seems like that would be a good idea.

Some of the parking at Palm Beach, immediately off the street. Not gated at all.

Thanks for the picture. I would take that complex off my list of possibilities.

Hi there. The group is arriving Jan 19 and departing Jan 26, 2025. After reading of car thefts, it is a little unsettling, as they will be for sure renting a vehicle. However, I would like to thank all of you for all of your input. It helps with decision making for sure. The generator issue is concerning, with apparently some having them and some not. I will continue to gather as much info as I can and I also have a lead on a 3 bedroom in Pelican Key, waterfront, just east of La Vista Beach resort,,,,so time will tell. Thanks again everyone!!

I wouldn't let a car theft or two influence your decision, just be aware and be proactive. A car theft can happen anywhere, anytime and I would bet that most larger size properties on the island have experienced a car theft or more over the years. If you are happy with the unit and the price is good than make sure you take theft insurance on the car rental that covers theft with 0 deductible and than you have no worries. $100 added to your car rental might give you piece of mind.

As in the US, Kia's and Hyundai's are the most stolen cars on the island, maybe avoid those brands. Also, you might ask your car rental company for a car with French tags as they do not reference rental cars with their tags.

Good luck with finding a secure property. The Pelican area is always a good choice .

The car that's stolen easy , is the Hyundai I 10 with the switch ignition regular , however the Grand I 10 with the push button is different but we still let our clients use the cross bar on the steering wheel .

I disagree. I would not book somewhere that has no secure parking.

"Also, you might ask your car rental company for a car with French tags as they do not reference rental cars with their tags."
You really think that'll make a difference.

I drive a Hyundai at home, and as Lesley said, the ones with the push button ignition do not have the issue of being easy to steal. Here in the US, you can take your Hyundai (and I assume Kia) to the dealership, and they will modify the ignition to make it more difficult to steal. I don't know whether owners of cars on island have that option or not. Come to think of it, our last car we rented on island had a push button ignition.

But regardless, that non secured parking situation would make me very nervous.

I'm not surprised you wouldn't understand. If you would like it explained, just ask.

No explanation needed. I've had French plates on my rentals from Hertz complete with a sticker on the window designating it as a rental. Local cars get stolen and broken into no matter what plates they have. Not rocket science.

Thank God it isn't, your rocket would explode on the launch pad.

Get a life old man. Have it your way. I'm done with this thread. See ya.

Now, now boys. Play nice.

Sorry pops. I'll try harder.

I personally wouldn't care if my rental gets stolen.

Say what? On that ridiculous note, we'll end this one here.