TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Car rental companies?

We need to rent a car and have pickup/dropoff near airport. Last year we tried Empress and were not happy with them and the extras were not up to par as promised. Is Kenny's a reliable service? We may have used them years ago but not sure.

We are doing Unity sgain, no worries there

we use AAA. Great cars...reasonable pricing...Great Service.

We use Hertz.

I've used Lesley Bruce -aka - Kenny's Car Rentals twice a year for probably about fifteen years now. He's an honorable man of his word and has never disappointed us yet. We send him a PM here and the rest is like clockwork. If you have any more questions about Kenny's, please feel free to ask away. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

we are using Leisure Car Rental, a sponsor, again. We were very happy with them.

Once I found Lesley, I've been using his service for over 12 years. Never a problem.
Be ready, once he meets you it is a very fast transaction right at the airport and you leave in your car.
From one Divi person to another, use a local person rather than a franchise operation. There are several sponsors who have excellent reviews as well.

Dividivigirl,

I just reread your question and my response from last night and I need to restate what I said regarding Kenny's Car Rental. While Lesley is definitely an honorable man, your question was, "Is he reliable?" and I meant to say yes, absolutely so.

We generally contact him here via PM with our dates and such, he gets back to us within a couple of hours if not faster and gives us a quote for the dates at which time we book the trip with him and we're done.

I usually follow up with a reconfirmation note to him a week or two before the trip and voila! We arrive, clear the terminal and he is there within minutes to help us to the car with our bags. It couldn't be any simpler.

There's no nickel and diming you and his word is good, plus he is always but a quick phone call away if you should have a problem.

And on another note, Lesley does have newer cars but we always request one of his more lovingly used models since we hate the pressure of possibly being responsible for the first dent or ding on the new ones and we know the condition of the island roads too well to be hung up on a new car.

Have a great trip, whoever you ultimately rent from. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I agree with everything that Pat said and used Lesley for many years but you also need to understand that he is a one man operation working out of a briefcase. You meet him in the parking lot and his office is the car he is renting you. The benefits are that you can get out quicker, if he is not busy and on the return you just leave the car in the parking lot if he is not there. The first time around is interesting because you are trying to meet a man in the parking lot that you have never met and you don't know what he looks like (the picture on the web site might actually be the original "Kenny".

Also, as far as Hertz is concerned, don't expect what you would get in the states...this is a franchise...no board with your name on it, etc. I think it is actually the slowest option these days. Having said that I used them for the last couple years but now I am back to AAA but consider Unity just as good. I also agree with Pat that having a well worn car is advantageous!!! You have to be able to take a joke on SXM... Best of luck and enjoy the stay.

My car rental tip is to remember the license plate number.
Our 1st time renting, we parked at Marigot by the ocean, went to lunch and upon returning found a line of off white corolla's that all looked the same - only had to try to open 2 or 3 before we found our car!!
J&B

We have been renting from Lesley for 9 years now and have never had a problem. He is always reliable, easy to reach, true to his word, and FAST! We're off the plane and on our way within minutes of Lesley meeting us. A simple email to him brings a quick response &/or reservation. We also like the cars with a few dings and dents in them. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

AAA, Very reliable, office close to the airport, good people, Sponsor here

We have always used Lesley. Can't say enough good things about him, and the service he provides. Looking forward to doing business with him again in September.

Ditto to all the positive comments om Lesley Bruce/Kenny's Car Rentals. Have been using his services for years and am very comfortable with him.

It's Michael again at Unity. Just very consistant and close to where we are staying, not that it matters. Quick to respond by email,,,meets us at airport as most do, and never had a problem with his cars. Only 2 more sleeps! cannot wait to get back to our favourite island. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Years back I had rented a car from, can't recall. The front tires were well worn & brakes were iffy. The company switched out the car, though it was a hassle & took up precious relaxation time. Anyone have a similar experience? FYI, I also agree with using local businesses. Maybe it was Hertz I used.....

I just think that it is great that this is an area where we can support the locals...however you roll!!

When I recommend Empress, it is for car or van rental only, I have no clue about any additional items that they offer. I would still recommend Empress again, and I will be using them again for the 7th time when I am on island again in October.

I have been trying to email Lesley from Kenny's but the email keeps bouncing. Wondering if it on his end or mine.

Unity,have been renting there for 15 years!! Never had a problem, great guys.

THOS,

In all likelihood, the problem is at your end as it so often is with emails to and from the island, but also because Lesley usually gets back to you within hours. Many internet companies block or disallow emails to and from the island.

My best suggestion would be to send him a Private Message (PM) here on TTOL since I know he checks in regularly. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Sarah,

On behalf of all those who posted here with little or no regard at all for the actual question you asked, my apologies to you.

And to everyone else, I know we do so often get side tracked here, but this is a personal pet peeve of mine and I've been biting my tongue (or sitting on my fingers?) for days now, but what the heck......here goes!

The OP asked a very specific question and it WAS NOT who do you use or who do you recommend or who do you like for your car rentals.

I know we all have our favorites (and it's no secret that Lesley Bruce is mine) but that's NOT what the poster asked, and while she may yet, thanks to the posts of so many here I seriously doubt she'll feel the need to.

It would be so nice if people took the time to read and answer the questions as they are asked. Okay, I think I'm done! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Well said, Pat.

That would be so nice. I agree with your entire post.
Seems like every car rental question, no matter what the question is, some people need to ignore the actual question and tell everyone who their own personal favorite is. Absurd.

Personally, my other pet peeve here is when people answer questions that they really don't know the answer to from their own experience; but rather from things that they read here or other places

I've used AA and Unity in the past. Both are good - no problems at all. Used Kenny's this time. Lesley was right there at the airport waiting for me. 2 minutes and off I went. Fastest p/u ever. Car was, let's say, blemished. Perfect. If you are looking for a shiny new car, this isn't the place for you. The A/C worked as did the radio & CD player. What more did I want or need? I wasn't buying the car. As stated above in another post, I just left the car in the visitor's lot at the airport with the keys in the glove compartment - can't do any quicker and with less hassle. Unfortunately, I, unfortunately, left my driving/distance glasses in the car. I contacted Lesley when I got home and realized it. He & Shirley communicated with me and got me my glasses back. Since the car had already been rented out, they had to wait for it's return. However, they did confirm with the new renter that the glasses were there and advised me of that. They went the extra mile. Good, honest, reliable, caring people that you'd like to do business with.

We've been using Tropical for over 10 years and they are still very reliable. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Everyone at the airport knows them and they are Johnny on the spot in meeting you at the airport. When you return the car, just leave it at the airport parking lot. So easy! Also, they will pick up your cell phone rental from Sharon's for you and have it ready with your car. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />
How much easier can they make it! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

We have been using Leisure Car Rental for past several years and are always impressed with their attentive service and vehicles.

Goodness folks,
After Pat's excellent post and Raspy's comment, 2 new posters chimed in without addressing the OP's question.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

I just booked with Alain this week, who remembered exactly who I was since our last rental a few years ago. Of course, my wife had locked the keys in the trunk last time. But still, "You know I never forget a customer" he said.

The question was 'Is Kenny's a reliable service?". The answer should be either yes or no! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
For people to read into others mentioning other good car rental services is part of being helpful. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
Is there a problem with that? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
I think a heavy dose of sand gravity is needed for a few. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

The answer is YES!!!!
Doesn't get an better.