TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report - Nov 20 - 27

The experience: We are unable to determine if this was trip number 13 or 14 to SXM, but it was our first in 5 years. Flew Pittsburgh thru Ft Lauderdale to SXM on Spirit Airlines, and return flights the same in reverse. Did a park and fly at LaQuinta near airport, because our home is a 2 hour drive from the airport, and our flights left early AM and arrived back late. Return trip from Ft L to Pburgh was delayed an hour (Thanksgiving eve, so no surprise) and we didn't get to our hotel until 3 AM. First time on Spirit, and no complaints whatsoever.

Weather was perfect our entire visit, with maybe a total of a half hour of mist/sprinkles during daylight hours, that did not impede our activities whatsoever.

As is our typical practice, we waited for a window of opportunity to make this trip, and didn't make any arrangements until about 3 weeks before traveling.
Rented a typical econobox sedan, unfortunately near brand new, from Thrifty, where we remembered Manuel from previous trips. He took good care of us. Had no problems whatsoever. Would recommend them.

Stayed at Fourteen Towers in Mullet, renting from Mullet Bay Suites. Rented a one bedroom unit on the 7th floor, with an amazing view of Mullet Bay. Our host, Imanuel (or is it Immanuel?) was very accommodating, as was his assistant, Alexandra. Our Condo included 2 chairs and an umbrella. Would definitely rent there again. We have previously stayed at various locations along a path from Mt Choicy to the Maho area, but the convenient beach access and proximity to Jordan Village made this location stand out as one of the best.

We travel to St Martin for the beach experience, so not much in the way of food to report, with this exception: One afternoon we ordered a carry-out pizza from Chef India in Jordan Village. It was so delicious we had to have another one a couple of days later. Highly recommend this tasty pizza from the friendly couple who operate this little restaurant.
Spent most days at Mullet. Drove twice to Orient for a few hours each time, and once to Bay Rouge for an afternoon. One day we drove to Friar's Bay and hiked up over to Happy, and spent a few hours. Also checked in to Plum Bay, but it just didn't seem inviting enough to spend any time.

All in all a great vacation, thoroughly enjoyed by the 2 of us.

A couple of things that make us go hmmm?: Terrible road to Friar's Bay. Maybe the road that is just outside of Grand Case is better. A few hours of bulldozer time would be beneficial, but in our 13 (or is it 14?) trips it does not appear that any work whatsoever has been done.

How bout the party boat that parks in Mullett all Sunday afternoon? I don't really care what people want to listen to, but the volume on the obscene lyrics was so incredibly loud that it drowned out the fairly enjoyable sounds from the beach restaurants. Anyone on the beach with a boombox so loud would definitely invite criticism as being rude, but this boat is OK?
Further, a number of guys on jet skis zoomed around the party boat all afternoon, within an area that others were swimming and snorkeling, at what I would estimate sometimes near 50 MPH. Seriously, someone will get killed. The coast guard cruised by on Monday, but should have been there Sunday

Thanks for the report.

I added some spacing to make your report easier to read.

I was at Mullet Bay a couple of times in August when the big cats came in. Lot of people but no obnoxiously loud music but that is uncalled for and should be addressed.

Glad you got to return.

Wow, can't imagine booking a trip only three weeks before. I am envious of that schedule, to be able to do that!

I have to ask, the name of the restaurant is "Chef India" and they serve pizza???

And yes, I surely wish that road to Friars would get graded, as I love FBBC, but can't stand that road!

Thanks for the report.

I believe it is indeed "Chef India", but not bet-my-life sure. They have a facebook page under that name, but I am not on facebook so can't comment whether location is shown there. If one goes up the road past the casinos, jogs left at the top (near AUC gate), then jogs right, it is there on the left.

OK, that would be the last place I would think to get pizza, but glad you enjoyed it. I always love a good pizza.

Re the big catamarans come in to Mullet: They were they were there many times daily during our week stay, and in previous trips too. Once we even met friends at Mullet who visited from a cruise, via cat. None other of them felt compelled to blast a rude volume of music.

This one on Sunday afternoon appeared to me to be all locals. As far as I observed (not paying much attention other than no escaping the incredibly loud sort-of -music) no one got off the boat to swim or come ashore, and no one from shore came aboard. Therefore, they could have tied up anywhere rather than defeaning several hundred people enjoying a day at the beach, who otherwise may have enjoyed their own music.

But of particular concern is the reckless, high speed operation of jet skis so close to swimmers, snorkelers, and those using various paddleboards and other floating devices. It would properly have resulted in arrests at beaches in many other places I have been.

And yes, I realize that I sound like "hey you kids, get off my lawn."

No problem at all, the noise and the reckless jet ski operation should be addressed and I would find it very concerning as well.

I believe this reckless activity has been reported on here once before.