TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Disappointment??

I used to travel to SXM for years and stayed a number of times at Mont Vernon, Nettle Bay and Mercure Simpson with side trips to Saba and Anguilla. We tried to visit all the beaches while there in SXM. Night time window shopping in town wasn't an issue, but now I read it's best not to be alone at night wandering the streets. I stopped going the year of Hurricane Luis. I would like to return to the island but have concerns that the island has changed and over-developed so much that we might be disappointed. Should we continue on elsewhere instead? Any comments pro or con are welcome.

Cyrille--Luis was in 1995. That is 30 years ago. No place in the world is anywhere like it was 30 years ago. It sounds like you stayed on the French side, which I guess is LESS over-developed than the Dutch side. If you are expecting it to be the same as it was 30 years ago, yes, you will be disappointed. If you go with an open mind, and prepare to enjoy yourselves, I think you will find much to enjoy.

Sort of a strange question, there are lots of reports currently happening or have posted. Have you read any of these? I mean your also 30 years older, I presume, do you want to really do evening window shopping?

If your already worried I would just keep visiting the places you feel comfortable with, why set yourself up for disappointment.

In 1985 we met a couple while staying at Club Orient. We stayed in contact with them and they returned to SXM 30 years later. They were guests at our villa and they showed no disappointments because we made them aware the island would not be the island we remembered. They were Canadians and it was fun to see them 30 years later. Things change but it should not stop you from traveling. Go back to SXM and remember it is not just SXM that has changed but the whole world.

Thanks Carol

I say go for it! It's STILL our favorite island and yes there's been changes in 30+ years but as Carol stated no place in the world is the same after that long. Go enjoy yourselves.