TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Returning after 9 years - Mont Vernon Question (and more)

Good afternoon all,
Its been over 9 years since I last visited St Martin. Thanks to this forum, I became very familiar with what to do when I'd travel there solo for multiple trips between 2008-15. I'm ready to return with my wife and daughter and am excited to check out things again. I'm well aware that Irma changed many things I used to enjoy and things are back on the up and up since she hit back in 2017. I'm super happy to return and bring back some business to my favorite spot.

Thanks to the forum, so many of my questions about what I used to do or hear about now have been answered. I'm glad some places are still around (Kontiki Beach, Driftwood Bar) and sad to see others no longer in business (Hilma's, Gus's).

I did have a few questions I'm having issues finding the answer for...
1. I plan to stay in a condo rental in the Hotel Mont Vernon building. Is Rue du Mont Vernon paved well these days? I know the Mont Vernon Hotel buildings are in even better shape since Irma, but I always remember that main road coming from Rue de Cul de Sac to the MV Hotel building being super filled with pot holes. Is it in decent shape now?
2. Can I still visit the Ma Doudou store in Cul de Sac on Belvedere, or is there a better/suggested option I should use instead to peruse, sample and buy their rums?
3. How is the Grand Case Street Faire on Tuesdays? Still hoppin'?
4. I see that the Guavaberry Emporium in Philipsburg is permanently closed. Do they still sell the Old man brand elsewhere on the island? I see there's a new Guavaberry distiller with shops in Colombier & Marigot, how are they?
5. Are the prescription medications really worth getting there? We get alot of brand medications for allergies & vertigo and our insurance seems to do okay with copays. I never looked for medications seriously when I'd go there before and I'm not someone looking for recreational stuff. Are there alternate medications available there that we can't get here for things like allergies or chronic pain?
6. How is the Scoobi catamaran since they got taken over and its no longer called "ScoobiToo" anymore?
7. Is there any spot for food/drink at Baie Rouge since Gus's sadly got the Irma smackdown?
8. This may be a longshot, but do any record/music shops exist anywhere or any vintage camera shops?

I think this pretty much covers it. Thanks for everyone's patience in answering these un case they've been answered many times before. March 2025 can't come soon enough.
Scott

Scott, qreat questions, I can only answer a few, since I have not stayed at Mt. Vernon for many years ( though agree on your assessment of the road back then).

3 Grand Case still has a Tuesday night event- the last several years it has been quite busy, a small parade with dancers and drums and lots of vendors - some food some small wares, and lots of folks.
7. As far as I know Bae Rouge has no food drinks or chairs, other than what you bring.

All I can answer is there is not food or chair service on Baie Rouge and yes the MaDouDou tasting room is still open. Close by is the tasting room for Gouverneur Rum.

Wow, another rum spot? I'm looking at the Governeur site and I'm definitely intrigued...

If you elect to buy it it's the best price there. More expensive in town and at grocery outlets. Even factoring exchange rates.

We stayed at Mt Vernon last November and the road was not any worse. No major potholes to dodge. I believe they were doing work on a section. Its never been smooth. We always managed to get a spot in the upper lot so I can't speak about the lower lot or "The Pit" as we call it. What building are you staying in? We rent from Amaury and Thibeault Mezziere, the owners of Bistrot Cairibes. They have several units. The Antigua building is the best in our opinion. Fabulous views. It's so inexpensive we always feel like we gotten away with something. That said, this November, for the first time we are staying on Orient Beach directly behind KaKao Beach. We will miss the views but we are practically on the beach.

I used to get apartment rentals from Nick Maley the Yoda Guy in Mont Vernon. My first every solo trip to SXM was renting one of his places by pure chance and I've stuck with it. I know he & Gloria sold several units after Irma & COVID and he's been recovering from cancer treatments so no rentals from them as he works to keep his museum going as top priority. I miss seeing them and look forward to showing their museum to my wife and daughter.

I'm definitely aware of the parking lots at the Mont Vernon hotel/apartment area. All the way down the hill to "The Pit" and then walking up all the steps in the maze of balconies & walkways to eventually finding your building and unit. No need for a gym visit when you go there cuz all that walking does the trick to be honest! I have a few apartment options saved in VRBO that I'll eventually choose. I am familiar with the Antigua building and honestly, so long as I'm a close walk to the beach regardless of view, I'm cool. I just love the Mont Vernon spot and I'm really surprised it hasn't become oversaturated with travel bloggers - thank goodness. Its nice to see that the pizza spot is still there, the pool is rebuilt and now a little grocery store exists so that's pretty sweet. I honestly love how those units are laid out too. Nice, basic kitchen, spacious bathroom and even more spacious suite layout with a bed, sofa bed/futon, TV and desk. Rivals anything a hotel can offer honestly.

I'm flying JetBlue there from JFK since I have points to burn and I've got some other points for a rental car with Ace. I was gonna redeem points for a hotel, but they don't seem to be as valuable for hotel redemptions compared to air and car.

We've enjoyed the Tuesday night event in Grand Case the last couple of years, as well as before Irma. It's still a fun evening, with lots of nice venders, some local food choices, a live band near the lolos, and the colorful “parade” with a couple of dancers in great outfits and a drum corps. There are often a stand or two of kids selling drinks or foods as a fund raiser for their groups, so we like to support them. I bought a beautiful insulated coffee cup with island pictures last year created by an artist/vender that gets compliments every time I take it somewhere. Be sure to arrive early enough that you can find parking in the grass lot that's behind some of the restaurants along the Main Street. Unfortunately there are a few properties along the street that have never been rebuilt since Irma, so you can see the impact of the hurricane still.