TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Sunset Bar has gone downhill...

Wow. The service was slow as hell and the attitude of the waitstaff was horrible. Howevere, delightfully surprised by the excellent courteous staff at Cheri's Cafe. And the ribs and steaks are awesome.

With the variety and quality of restaurants on the island I don't even consider Cheri's as an option. Sorry but been there and once was enough.... I honestly don't get it.

It is Odvious they are Ramping up to Welcome cruizers.... Thus. They all come and we accept par service or not <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> charge more than driftwood with same view. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> Be well folks and check in with pics

Had lunch there today at 2:00ish, service perfect, had bucket of beer, wings, ribs and a tuna steak sandwich and they were all perfect. No problems at all with service, husband even got up to get more ice in the bucket and someone ran over to do it. Sad no sand which makes it difficult. But while not my favorite place, for lunch or a place to grab pub food it was perfect. Cheris - no thanks, food fine for what it is, but show has something to be desired.

This gives us renewed interest in going there. We would love to try it again since it is an institution.
We love the joy of discovery. Things change and so can places.
Definitely we are going next month.

Kim---Glad things are working good for you so far. Enjoy!!!

I know it has been awhile since I have been to Cheri's. But don't remember steak and ribs on the menue. Sounds like something to try.

SXM??? Wendell

We stopped in here a few times with our gang during our July trip, mostly for the shot of the day. We seldom eat or drink here though as most times it is way too congested for me, especially since there isn't much of a beach. I did try to order a beer here and was told they didn't have the brand I wanted. So ok, what do you have? The girl rudely told me that the choices were all displayed on the OTHER side of the bar. So ok, I walk around to look..... and there is my choice but yet they don't have it and this was supposed to be their "menu". I think my mouth dropped open at how stupid the whole thing was!

On a side note, we have been to Cheri's with newbies which is usually entertaining as they have all been called up on stage. This past trip though none of my kids or husband wanted to return for the show. Some of the others in the group didn't care either so we didn't go. Have had awful bar service here in the past and the food was not as good as it used to be.

Wendell, I actually had a really good steak there (Cheri's) one evening....it was late, we were starved, and hey.....they were open..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Of course we sat on the street side of the bar to be farrrrr away from the "Chocolate whatever" show, which I've seen or heard too many times to count. My days of doing shots and partying with a crowd to get through the night are over. Lol.

you know, we've been going to sxm for over 30 years, although we don't go to cheri's as a "to go" place, when we do go, and have a drink, it still puts a smile on our face when we see the audience enjoy the show..just my take on the place...

SBB has been going downhill for 30 years but the kiss of death was when it was discovered by the cruisers, unless of course you own the place

i don't necessarily agree with you. we go to sunset at least once every trip (over 20) for lunch. I always get a burger..my wife the chicken...and it has always been very good, consistent, and reasonably priced. Have not seen any decrease or ''going downhill''. Yes, it has gotten more crowded than the old days.....and when the ship traffic is there it maybe a zoo....but those are the days we purposely don't go.

As for Cheri's...they have had a steak on the menu for many years...cause that's what i used to order when going there. It has been at least 10 yeaars now since we were there last...and honestly, will probably be another 10 years if we ever return to it......same shtick show for years.......and just don't enjoy the noise there. Seeinga bunch of older gentleman now (the orginial group), dressed up in drag, and other crap, just doesn't do it for us anymore.....and occasionally they throw in a couple of newer songs...but in the most part it is the exact same routine they have done for well over twenty years. Time for a change.

It seems to me that some here insinuate that cruisers have a lower level of taste and are accepting of poor service and quality. Cruisers are your neighbors, friends and may be your relatives. There is really no difference between the cruisers and timeshare people. Some have taste and enjoy a high level of service and quality and some are not as picky. It's the same for both groups but to lump all cursers into the lower echelon is really ignorant. People come to St. Martin to have fun and it's not the cruisers fault that so many people are at SSBG at the same time. Wait until the new Royal Caribbean ships start coming this season. 2 are bigger than Oasis and Allure.

I'm not sure in this instance that "poor taste" is the issue. The PROBLEM is that you literally can't DRIVE in the area when there are a few ships in, let alone be able to go to Sunset yourself. People stand IN the road, the taxi drivers stop IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD and pick up passengers. All the time. It is very dangerous to drive through there, as people walk on the concrete barrier, they drink, they fall off the barrier in front of cars. The crowds are dangerous and the cab drivers are ridiculous in stopping and blocking traffic going to and from Beacon Hill.

Bob,

As one of those 'timeshare' people I throw no stones at anyone, but I really don't think the posters were being negative towards the cruisers as such, and I think Carol nailed the issues with regard to the taxis and buses. Our car rental agency is in Beacon Hill and we stayed there in April at BSV. In the afternoons it was terrible trying to get in and out of that area for just the reasons stated. And many times, the van buses will stop in the road blocking it and wait for all the returning passengers to hop on the bus, Gus. We found it very annoying to have to wait for that last straggler and it seemed there always at least one of them.

And on another note, as one who never much cared for this particular bar as a place to grab a snack or a light meal, we did stop for breakfast on our last morning on the island in April and it was very good - reasonably priced, courteously served and no complaints from this visitor at all.

We used to love the location and watching the planes land at night but sadly, that was one of those 'back in the day' pastimes before anyone realized what a gold mine they had and it, too, was allowed to be over-developed. No more quiet little interludes at the end of the beach watching the planes come in and enjoying the tranquility. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

It's not all cruise ship people in taxis and vans. This happens on days when there are no ships in when a plane is approaching or departing. Small white Corollas stop to gawk as well. It is worse on cruise ship days. Plenty of hotel people also walk and block the street , get drunk and get hurt. My point is that there is no difference. It is a zoo for sure! It's quite a show from the water. People will be people and do crazy things for a thrill.

I thank Carol for doing a better job than I in describing the issue. In general, although many of us here have been and are cruisers most of US HERE are vacationers when we go to SXM. In that regard, for many cruisers SXM is just a stop and as such it doesn't really matter to them how their behavior affects us, the vacationers. Thus, the situation at SSBB.

I will also point out that some people here (soualigacapt) that have businesses tied to the cruise business always react violently and irrationally when anybody here exposes the issues of how cruisers have impacted vacationers in SXM.

Based on my past experience, I think I have just closed this thread but I am a strong believer in full disclosure...

Gotcha' and perhaps that's another of the reasons it's not a favorite. We were there last trip around 8:00 in the morning and it was quite delightful. The staff was all rested and laughing and the setting was very nice so I get why so many gather there. But I do feel sorry for the friends and businesses that are off the main road beyond the landmark and epic landing site. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

My business is 50% cruise ship passengers and 50% hotel and timeshare people. People on vacation are people on vacation and who says you have any more right to enjoy the island than anyone else. You're attitude is exactly what I was talking about.

I totally agree, Bob. People like to insult the cruisers. they are no better or worse than any of our tourists.... some misbehave; most don't.

Thank you. Some people think they own the island including the bars and beaches. Like it should be only for them. We are all here together and for good or bad, it is what it is.

Excuse me but the people who are serving you on the French side & the businesses are close friends of ours & we love the French side.
We have been here a lot longer than you have been vacationing & you know nothing....
Have a nice evening....Bisous...Do you understand? French?
Big kiss B..Soualiga Capt & I have a new island baby, we are thrilled to welcome Kaia Genieve. Sound French? 0ui!

I'm trying to find the logic of someone who basically classifies a fellow tourist arriving by boat as less deserving than someone who arrives by air to visit any particular establishment...I've been on five cruises and umpteen trips to the island and my personality doesn't change with my method of transportation nor length of stay.

ps To the previous poster, I'm pretty sure Neil built the original Sunset Beach Bar back in 1996 which would be 19 years, not 30.

Bob--I'm sorry, I stay in Beacon Hill, and I know the situation when there are ships in, versus when there are not. The situation when there are ships in, especially two or more big ships, is atrocious. I blame a large part of it on the taxis, because they stop in the middle of the d*mn road, so they can load 12 people into their van. I have loved cruises for years and I don't blast cruise ship people just because they are cruise ship people, as I have been there, on over 30 occasions myself. The problem is that this location just is way too crowded on big cruise ship days. As I said, I blame a large part of it on the taxi drivers, as their behavior is unacceptable. Been there, seen it. Unacceptable. At the very least, there should be some private security presence to require the taxis to pick up and drop off people somewhere that is not in the middle of the road, totally blocking the road.

Thank you Carol but you are only here a couple of weeks a year, I'm sure it is an inconvenience & troublesome for you, we however have nothing to do with any behavior associated with any parties.
We live here pay our taxes & we are legal residents & how dare someone tell us we care only about cruiseship passengers.
It's quite funny actually. C'est la Vie.

What you say is totally true. it would be a good idea if some kind of order was established. On the water, the coast guard installed buoys so boats are forbidden to come in close to the beach. Maybe something like that should be done on the street. The problem is there is not much space to change the traffic flow etc.

Lyn--I personally never said that you care only about cruise ship passengers, as I know that is not true. The traffic situation at Sunset is really quite an issue, not just for tourists, but for those that live in Beacon Hill.

Bob--now that Sunset will have the expanded presence where Bliss used to be, it seems that hopefully they should be able to do something to require taxis not to block the road..

So...quick question then...since there is no beach at Maho - where else can you go where the "herd is thinner" to watch the planes come in?

You can see the planes land, although not over your head, from the fence next to Karakter. Mary's Boon has an observation deck, but I think that's only for people actually staying there.

Depends. This time of year, just look at the cruise ship schedule. If no ships in, either go to Sunset, or go to the Boat Bar, other side of the runway. Or go to Karakter.

Either way, NOT really walking distance from where you're staying! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Lots of viewing spots but truthfully, IMHO, none are as good or as exciting as being right there in the Maho area and watching them come in over the water and skim the fence before they touch down at PJIA. <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, Pat. We try to go there once each trip just to experience it, and it never gets old. We just choose a day when it won't be as crowded.

I checked the cruise sked and there is nothing on Sat - so we will probably head that way then...thanks everyone!

Mexican restaurant Taco Maco, if your lucky to get a table near the runway you have a nice view of the festivities, not to mention cheap Corronas and Margaritas during happy hour.

Saturday is a nice day, as there will be lots of planes then, although it will be somewhat crowded, mostly with people who are watching their plane land, so they can go to the airport!

Hi Carol,
I should have been clearer, I apologize.
Gotloveit or whoever they are really should deal with lighter posts as when will Ocean Baie be opening, I basically know already. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
They don't know the Island except for where they stay & dine & again that is all subjective. They applaud the French side & I also love the French side.
Life is good. All the best. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Lyn--so tell me, when will the restaurants at Orient Bay open?? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

We go to Sunset for breakfast and for sunset, The cruisers are all gone at that time. Neither service or the food has been a problem. It's not as busy, it may be easier for the staff at those times.

Had lunch again at Sunset, takeout as I refused to move from my spot at Royal Islander! Tasty even Togo!! Now at another place that gets a bad rap, 3 Amigos in Maho, had a great conversation with the GM, watching the Mets play, cold beer and DJ playing loud, could get used to not!!