TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Beach SIde Villas questions

We are going to book 10 days in 1 bedroom villa, and have a few questions for you BSV aficionados. I used the search function, but didn't see what I was looking for.
1) Do they have Umbrellas and chairs?
2) Is maid service daily? weekly?
3) Are beach towels included?
4) Most importantly, What villa number would be the best to request?

Thanks in Advance!

Dave

Chairs are provided, but not umbrellas. I rent an umbrella from Craig at Packlight for around $10 a week
Maid service is every day except one. I can't ever remember which day it is, possibly Wednesday???
Lovely beach towels are included!
The most private villa is probably #1, unless there is something going on at El Zafiro. However, I prefer #14 now, as it is right by the pool, and you can literally park RIGHT in front of your door (as opposed to maybe 50 feet away, for most of the villas!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />)

Truthfully, inside all the villas are EXACTLY the same. I mean, EXACTLY, in terms of furnishings, etc. We have stayed in probably half of the villas there and they are all wonderful. Any unit that you stay in, is the best one!!! Enjoy!!

Hi davecyndi. Each villa has its own lounge chairs and deck chairs, which may be used on the beach. I believe they do have some umbrellas, but we have never used them. Some of our longstanding neighbors may be able to answer that question. Maid service is 6 days a week; Wednesday is their day off. Very nice beach towels are provided in your villa and exchanged for clean towels as necessary.
Villa preference depends on what you are looking for in a vacation. Friends of ours like Villa #1 as it has less traffic on the beach, being at the far end near Beacon Hill. Personally, my husband and I have always been in #14, except for our first stay many years ago. We enjoy the closeness to the pool and quick access to "libations" and our bathroom when out at the pool or beach. You can also watch the ascent of planes from the end of your deck, rather than going out your front door to watch them take off.

Beachside Villas are extremely popular, so I would not hesitate too long to book. If you have any further questions, please feel free to send me a private message.

PamJ

I'll chime in too but I'm sure Carol and Pam answered all your questions so I'll comment that we think Villa 1 is best as it's the first Villa when you enter the complex and is the most private. You only have neighbors on one side and we appreciate the extra privacy that offers us.

Carol, Pam, Fabilia:

Thank you for your input! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
We are going book our reservations by the weekend. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Dave

Enjoy your stay!

All of the villas are lovely. Requesting a certain number is not always a guarantee of getting that one. The owner has mentioned that recently, due to the fact of balancing reservations of people checking in and out.

You won't be disappointed--enjoy!!

Any recommendations on restaurants . We have a rental car and are visiting Feb 7th- 14....

Thanks JAR

Assuming you are staying at BSV, if you don't want to drive too far, I'd suggest checking out some of the Maho venues - Le Moulin Fou is my personal favorite in that area, particularly on Tuesday evenings when Cheri's is closed, but there are some others that are pretty awesome, too. Bajatzu, Pizza Pasta, LaRosa Too and probably others as well. We used to love FIG in its previous location but have heard nothing since it relocated to Maho.

If you want to drive to Cupecoy, a bit further up the road, most of the Starz Casino restaurants are excellent - Basillico, the Grill, and of course, Temptation to name a few. Or on to Porto Cupecoy, Marios Bistrot is not to be missed but does generally require a reservation. And steak night at the Green Monkey at Ocean Club is a treat for a basic but casual and reasonably priced steak dinner.

Heading in the complete opposite direction towards Simpson and Cole Bays, there are so many great places - Skipjacks for seafood, Lee's for more casual seafood and ribs, Pineapple Petes, Bavaria for German fare, Luna Rosa for what I think is the best Italian on the island or Cuginis for that matter, since it has reopened again.

There are so many incredible eating spots but these are my favorites within a ten minute drive or less of BSV, and if you're of a mind to go a little further afield, Antoine's and Chesterfields in P'berg along with Marks on the way in the parking lot area of Grand Marche is excellent.

And then, virtually anything in Grand Case and even farther afield on the French side but we find it not worth the drive these days when there are so many awesome choices closer at hand.

And if you're looking for awesome but higher end beach days, the Restaurant ar Anse Marcel, Friars Bay Beach Cafe and Dreams in Nettle Bay are all wonderful.

And my favorite island 'cheap eats' are still the grilled ribs at Rosies on Mullet Bay Beach!

And lastly, I think in 40 plus years and close to twice that many trips, I can only think of one 'bad meal' I've ever had on this island so I'm thinking wherever you go, you will probably be happy.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Pat gave you many great suggestions. If you want a quick, cheap Mexican fix, you can get carry out from Taco Macho, which is right by Sunset. $2 tacos, that you can send your spouse for, while you wait at home!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Or Captain D's in Simpson Bay also has great BBQ chicken and ribs, that you can get carry out and head back to BSV with! Enjoy! I wish I was going to be there in about a week!!!

There are umbrellas and pool noodles available in the shed by Unit 1

Someone has said that before, but I have NEVER seen any umbrellas out front other than ours and others have said that the umbrellas were not good, so not sure what the situation is. $10 a week from Packlight is no big deal though.