TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Best Areas to Stay

Hello all,
You have been great with replying suggestions for my daughter and I's upcoming trip. Thank you.

I received some comments about where we'll be lodging and it has me second guessing. I don't want specific listings, perse. I'm looking for general vicinities that would be recommended for us. And places to avoid. I will be using a short-term rental, not a hotel.

Side note: We're renting a car and traveling the whole island.

Just curious, why do you NOT want a hotel? Do you have a specific objection to a hotel? For such a short trip, and in high season, you may find it difficult to rent someplace that is not a hotel.

Considering your short stay, I would definitely stay in either Orient beach or Gran Case.
Besides Maho beach, you will have mostly short drives to most things on your to do list.

I know you will have a lot of plans but sometimes just a day at a beach bar is so rewarding.

You can go to Orange Fever where you will feel very welcomed to an more upscale beach bar with incredible food.

Hi, we first came in 2008 – stayed a week at the Sonesta Maho and have a total of 11 trips so far. We prefer the French side, but vanilla / chocolate – two great gelato shops in Orient Village.

I suggest Orient Village [Beach] area, lots of small hotels near the beach. I have noticed some short-term rentals stall available. The Alamanda – once a hotel – has been rebuilt as condo’s – often you can find one for rent on Airbnb. It’s right on the beach. Lots in Orient village, food shops [ Italian Deli. Small grocery and more], breakfast spots in the village. Maybe 10 beach bars to try and in the evening 8 or 9? lovely resto’s in the village square – not to ne missed – all easy walking and the village is safe in the evening. The village is a short drive to Grand Case – you already have a great suggestion for a dinner and sunset view.

If you go for a self rental, check ShopnDrop – an online grocery store that can pre-stock your unit. Not sure if they have a min $ order, but worth checking out. Pre stocking adds extra beach time to your short stay. The owner Jeannie G. is a treat to work with.

For driving, we download the bridge and causeway times. The lift bridge is east of the airport and causeway - east after you leave the airport - crosses the lagoon to the Fr side. When up, traffic can stop!.

We also check how many ships in port each. You can find the info at the top under the tab SXM Cruise Schedule. If lots of ship - , there is more traffice, so maybe that day you don;t go so far afield.

Enjoy your trip. We find the planning almost … as fun as the trip. Once you confirm your accommodations – chine in again you are sure to more suggestions.

J&B

Do not stay at your original booking! Trust me!

Personally, i would recomend staying closer to Maho area....like the Sonesta or Royal Islander. It is the perfect location with plenty of good restaurants within a three to five minute walk. It also has nightlife, shopping, and a great vibe. Mullett Bay Beach is a five minute walk, or drive. It is the perfect location for two ''single'' women. Also has plenty of security to add to the safety measure. Royal islander is right next door to Driftwood and is right on maho beach, by the beginning of the runway, so a lot of fun watching the planes coming and going. We found the island thirty five years ago on a cruise, and now go back for three weeks annually. It is a lot safer to stay at a resort or hotel, than an airbnb, or local rental, where you have to lower your shutters at night for safety!!!

Personally we like staying at the Simpson Bay Yacht Club Marina and/or other places near there. You can walk to many bars and restaurants in the area and we’ve never experienced any kind of trouble whatsoever.

Simpson Bay Area is a great tourist area with some good hotels or small guest houses and nice beach. If you are concerned about safety they you might want a Hotel that has staff available to handle any issues 24/7 .

I agree with those that have suggested Maho or Orient. My preference would be Orient and the previously mentioned Alamanda sounds like it fits your liking. It is not a hotel but more like condo’s with no front desk to check in. It’s right in the water and just steps from everything you need. Restaurants , shopping , groceries and some nice specialty markets. Gift shopping and live music in the village at night. You can have the Watersports people on the beach in front of the rental take you directly to Pinel so you don’t have to deal with the water taxi or driving. I think it was $25 per person RT. Also was a fun little 10 minute ride on the water over there. They come back when you text them on WhatsApp. Use the same to reserve chairs at Pinel. This location would allow you to do Orient , Marigo Markets, Pinel and Grand Case for dinner all in the same day if you chose. Happy Bay is along the same roadway. Your location is likely safe and I have not driven down there for years but our friends call it scary road. I think mainly because it’s along the water with no street lighting, again it’s probably 5 years, and very little commercial enterprise around. It’s likely safe because the people of St Martin are beautiful people. But it’s a bit out of the way of nearly everything. No matter where you stay , with your energy and enthusiasm, you will have a wonderful trip. God Bless.

I would suggest Orient. There are MANY short term rentals available including some small ones which would suit the two of you. Quite a few local property management agencies cross list their properties on AirBnB as well. There's enough stuff within walking distance that you can fill any spare time with beach walks, going for gelato, etc. since you like staying active. The area is a very quick drive to Grand Case for your sunset dinner night, and on other nights there are plenty of good restaurants in Orient Village, as well as a grocery store.

I would suggest Orient over the Maho area because on one of your previous posts I got the impression that your daughter is a minor, and so bars and nightlife won't really be on your radar. If that is the case, Orient will still have plenty of people milling around in the evening that you should feel safe going to and from restaurants and shops.

@anniefromks I sent you a PM

Maho, Beacon Hill, Simpson Bay, Grand Case on or very near the beach, Orient, Dawn Beach. You want to be near a population center where there are resorts, and a fair amount of tourist staying in the area. This puts you in areas you can walk around even in the evening and be and feel safe with other tourist. Avoid areas that don't have resorts near by, you are a tourist and not a local, when you have been to island a few times then you can decide if you want to stay in mostly non tourist areas. Not at all saying the non tourist areas are not safe, and after you get the feel of the island you may choose to go back to one of those non touristy areas but unlikely.

If you have budget limits, speak up or pm in private to the people that you feel have given you good info.

Good luck with your choice, and I think you will find the best thing on island is the people.
Todd

We always stay on the dutch side.....just so many bars, music, see all the yachts (yacht club is awesome for happy hour, etc.) the number of eateries that you can walk to is unreal.....casino, cinema, you name it,,,,Simpson Bay area has it. Just our preference. We always rent a car and do a day trip to French side, maybe Orient Beach or Grand Case, but always head back to where the night time action is......enjoy your time wherever you stay. Our 27 yr old daughter and friends also loved the area and not having to drive places if they wanted to have drinks, dance and listen to some awesome music.