TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trying not to overthink trip to St.Martin

Looking to go cruising from St Martin on Sea Cloud. trying to figure out what to do for a few days. We travel/have our own yacht(thinking of transiting). Wife family is from Netherlands, I love French food (not so much the Dutch food . Trying to figure out places to stay post/prior. Looking for ON beach locations. Karibuni Boutique Hotel is something we came up with.

Assume it sails out of Phillipsburg? If it was me I’d stay a few nights before in town - Sea Palace and you can walk to ship. Upon return stay in Grand Case on the beach. And there you will find the best French restaurants.

I like your thinking! Gran Case was on Linda's list. Karibuni was cool, but up on the hill?. French side first, and a couple of days on the dutchie.

I'm currently staying at Karibuni while it is not directly on the beach unless you rent 1 of their 2 villas. The hotel itself has 6 rooms with a great view of pinel island. Includes a private transfer to pinel with beach chairs provided. Three of the rooms have private pools and 3 share a pool. Very quiet and friendly atmosphere and very modern.

Just to add we will also be staying at Bleu Emeraude after Karibuni which is directly on the beach in Grand-Case which is what you seem to be looking for
This is also a boutique hotel.

It may leave from just outside of Marigot.

One year we took a cab from airport to GCBC and shared with a couple taking a cruise. The driver drove on the road by O'Plongoir across from Yacht club and took a left to a dock area. I remember it because even thou' we weren't taking the cruise, we had to show passports to get into the gated area for the couples drop off then headed on to Grand Case.

Kim--I have no idea where it sails from, but if they are going on Sea Cloud, I don't think they would be happy with Sea Palace.

My recommendation would be Le Petit. On the beach in Grand Case. Along with it's sister hotel, Le Esplanade, easily one of the best hotels on the island. Esplanade is not on the water though. Le Petit does not have a pool, but Esplanade does and I believe you can use the pool at Esplanade if staying at Le Petit. Grand Case Beach Club is another good option, but I personally don't care for the decor there now, as they re-did the hotel with a much more modern feel. Le Petit has a much more classic feel.

Thank you all, we found Karibuni only has one room left, so we just need the other side at LePetit seems to fit our bill but seems to be 3 night minimum, we'll call. Now just crossing our fingers to get our upgrade to the EF Hutton or Merriweather Post suite.

Hope you are able to get it worked out for Le Petit. You won't be sorry.

While half the island is Dutch, I can't think of much food I've eaten there that I could classify as “Dutch food.” Great places with French, Italian, American, Caribbean and other cuisines. Although the best food is definitely on the French side, we've had 3xcellent meals on the Dutch side, too.

Karakter used to have a couple of Dutch dishes. Not sure about now. Have to agree that Dutch food in general sucks. We went to Germany and Holland many years ago. The best meal we had in Holland was Chinese!

Cafe Rembrandt had Dutch food last time I was there.

Mark the former owner is Dutch but the new owner for about the past year is French. I think its now more higher end more pricey menu , might still have something Dutch but not really sure.

If I remember correctly there was once a restaurant on the Dutch side that served rijsttafel, the Dutch/Indonesian specialty where you got rice plus dozens of small dishes of sauces and toppings to eat with it. We'd had it before in Amsterdam and enjoyed having it in SXM also. It's been gone for 20+ years, but was a special treat.

Yes, that was Wan Jang Dal on Front street, I believe.

Now there's a place named Dutch Blond on the boardwalk but we haven't eaten there yet.

Other than Frites with the lovely mayo they serve, I'll stay away from Dutch food. My wife is Dutch. I once had Neau Herring, yikes. We settled on Le Petit . found most better places have 4 night minimums for when we go there. I have to say, when we stay with family, they empty the cupboards for breakfast...coffee (of course) many cereals/yogurts/fruits/pastries/cheeses it fills the whole table.

Glad you were able to settle on Le Petit.