TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Club O for dinner

We're staying in the area and wondering if there are any non-guests that go for dinner? Their website doesn't say it is exclusively for guests. How is the food?
Also, is it safe to walk from the village to Papagayo?
Thanks!

It isn't unusual for non-guests to dine at Papagayo. The only exceptions are during special dinners, such as holidays, Super Bowl, etc., when reservations are requested, as it can get quite full. We think the food is very good, no complaints. As for walking, I'd advise against it. The beach is very dark at night. And, you may wear what you want.

The Club Orient FAQ Page does imply that Papagagyo is indeed meant for guests only...

Q: Is the Papagayo more expensive than…?

A: Than what? We are sometimes more expensive than some of the establishments further down the beach or elsewhere on the island. We are less expensive than many other restaurants as well. Further, the Club Orient Restaurants are designed to cater to only Club Orient guests. We do not allow open access to the Papagayo from non-guests and do not promote non-guest participation, especially in the evening. We recognize our responsibility to keep you free from unwanted visitors and gawkers.
Also, we are one of the few restaurants, which provide high quality live entertainment most nights without a cover charge.
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The food has always been super for us, but we're easy to please!

We've seen non guests there on rare occasion, and I think they keep this on the books so as not to make it a circus. As for walking to and from the Village at night, we always go as part of a larger group. On those really dark nights it can be a total blackout making that walk. Bring a flashlight.

In lieu of above, we ate at Papagayo almost every night during our stay there, and I don't think the management would ever ask someone to leave, even if they COULD tell who is or is not a guest. If you charge the meal and/or drinks to your room, then they obviously know you are a guest, but I am not sure how they would know if you were a guest or not. I have never seen anyone ask the patrons if they were staying there or not. We were never asked if we were guests on our first night there.

So where do we park if we want to dine at Papagayo in the evening? Are we allowed to walk to the restaurant past the cabins?

In general, you're not going to get quite the quality of meal at Papagayo that you would in the village, for the same money. But of course, there is dress code. Honestly it's a long walk, pretty dark, from the Village. I wouldn't recommend it.

You can park in the lot just inside the entrance to Club O and walk to Papagayo restaurant. There is no issue walking past the cabins in the evening. There is a guard house inside the entrance and you could ask to drive up the road closer to the restaurant.

Typically do not stay at Club O but have had dinner there several times as we like the dress code, use the beach regularly and have met several friends staying there, so a dinner on the beach is a nice change.

Mostly they will not let you park inside the gate or drive in up less you are a guest. However, the guards typically will offer to give you a ride in one of their golf carts in the evenings.

We have found the staff and guards to be very friendly and helpful when ever they can but they are there for security and you have to have some respect for that.

While the web site does say facilities are for guests, within reason they want the business and welcome outside guests ( except for special events)
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Sounds like we would park at the same lot we park at during the day, by the boutique.
Thanks for the input everyone.

Hope I'm not the only one to smile at the phrase, "no cover charge".

Just my opinions:

For dinner, they do not want clothed (or unclothed) folks who make guests uncomfortable and they want to make clear that they reserve the right to refuse service. If you "fit in" with the typical Club O guests, then they will welcome you. We have had dinner at Papagayo many times without ever staying at Club O.

We feel safe walking from the Village area to Club O and back at night (but never after 11 pm) along the beach. Others do not.

Another option is to stay late at the beach - you can shower and freshen up by the bathrooms. Happy Hour is 4:30 - 6:30, dinner is served starting at 6:30. After eating , get a cab back to where you're staying. If you haven't eaten there for several years, the food and service have improved immensely.

I think the food at Papagayo is excellent but I agree with Carol, do NOT walk it.

Thanks, I was thinking of doing that but didn't know if the showers by Papagayo were still there after the hurricane. We had lunch at Papagayo many years ago.

Yup, definitely showers still there. The only thing I personally would feel a bit weird about is you would need some kind of a bag or something that you keep your clothes in and your other stuff from being on the beach all day. I guess you could put it in your car late in the afternoon and move your car over to either in front of the store or closer to the restaurant if they let you.

We've done that and it worked out well. We've eaten at Papagayo many times over the years, but especially loved the food during our last visit in January -- we ate lunch there several times. I also enjoyed the BEST pina colada I've ever had anywhere! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

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. I also enjoyed the BEST pina colada I've ever had anywhere! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> [/quote]

Was it in the afternoon with J.P. the bartender? He floats a little dark rum on top and his pina coladas are tough to beat.

Noticed the outdoor dining area was closed? Kind of enjoyed lunches out there, casualty of the hurricane? Restaurant appeared very quiet at lunch hour, still serving mid-day?

. I also enjoyed the BEST pina colada I've ever had anywhere! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> [/quote]

Was it in the afternoon with J.P. the bartender? He floats a little dark rum on top and his pina coladas are tough to beat. [/quote]

Yep, it sure was! Awesome.

Are the 3 tables out by the restrooms what you are saying is the outside dining area? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

We dined at Club O many times during our last stay. We were staying at Alamanda. We would walk down before dark. After dinner and a few drinks the staff would callus a cab. It cost $10 for the drive back to the hotel. No one we have talked to recommend walking the beach at night.
The staff and guests of club O never had any issues with us not being guests of the resort. All we very friendly.
One night as we were getting our first drink at the bar, a very nice man started a conversation with us and invited us to join his group for dinner.