TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Just got back from 6th visit

I do not write a day by day but a few things stand out I will mention.

Went to Anse Marcel for the first time. I was advised it will require a few bucks and be worth it. Totally agree. Lunch and drinks on the beach. Fabulous fish and appetizers. So good we went back and it was about as far of a drive as you can make since we were in Maho. On second trip we stopped at Jamaica Rock. Big wow. Lived up to the reviews I had read. On the must list from now on.

Went to Dreams for the first time. Enjoyed it very much. Excellent lunch and service.

Skip Jack's disappointed for time first time. Very dry Wahoo. Advised waiter and he could care less. My wife's Mahi Mahi was very good to be fair.

Izi for the first time. I have always thought the cascading windows were kind of lame but we were very pleased with service and food. Although I am not prone to eat Italian while in SXM this place is on the go to list.

Sushito. Very nice atmosphere which made up for the so so sushi. Service off the chart as they packed our left overs with great care making it great the next day. Just the opposite with Berni's. Sushi off the chart but leftover thrown in a plastic container. For a check of over $125 could ya throw in the soy and wasabi!

American Airlines was tough on the re booking due to storm but flights were all early and pleasant.

Global Access. I hesitate to post this as I don't want everyone who travels to join but it was so nice going through Charlotte customs door to door in less than 5 minutes. I mean through all security. We did not have any checked bags. We used the zip bags that allow the air to remove using a one way valve. We had no problem at all and my wife dresses up for each night out. She actually had outfit that did not get worn. downside is about 10 minutes of ironing.

Now I have 51 weeks to wait unless we sneak in a mid year trip.

Thanks for the details. I'm confused was Sushitto "so so" or "off the charts?"

Thanks for the report. How long did it take you get back home, after being delayed from the storm?

Is Jamaica Rock a restaurant? If so, where is it located?

Thanks for the report - What's Jamaica Rock?

Nevermind - found it. I had never heard of this before!

So glad to hear you enjoyed Anse Marcel. We recommended it to friends, having told them all the negatives (Euro and charge for chairs only negs. we know of), and they came back and told us they hated it - " too expensive and even after spending all that money on lunch - they thought the food was excellent - they had to pay for the chairs." <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

It's become one of our new favorites but it is a drive from the Maho/Mullet area so not a place we head out to every day.

Could you share some more info re Jamaica Rock - that's a new one to me. Bar? Restaurant? Beach? Type of food? Location? TIA.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Jam rock:

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Re..._St_Martin.html

https://www.facebook.com/jamrockresto.sxm/?fref=ts

If you Google Jamaica Rock Cul de Sac you will get a link to Trip Advisor. It gives location and such. The reviews they give are more detail than I can provide.

Pat,

What am I looking at for a day at Anse Marcel as a couple? Nice lunch, maybe 4 or 5 drinks in total.

Best guess - depending on how big a lunch you order and the nature of your drinks, $150.00 is on the high side, I'm thinking.

Seems to me, last time there, we had moderate lunches (light salads but delicious, etc.) and wine and a shared dessert and I think our bill - charged in Euros to our CC came in at $96.00 for two of us. I don't think it's outrageous considering the beach, the furnishings and the quality of the food - and it seems to me we've managed to spend far more than that at Dreams which we also enjoy, just not so much the beach there...., but I think at least of one of us had quite a few more glasses of wine that time. I think..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the details. I'm confused was Sushitto "so so" or "off the charts?"

The sushi was not bad but the rolls contained a lot of rice. This is in contrast to Berni's which was a balance of ingredients on the rolls and the best sashimi I have ever had. We order a mix of rolls and sashimi for $85 and it was wonderful. (at Berni's)

Back to Sushito. Per my wife the waiter made her feel like she was back in Italy, as in gorgeous. She does not comment like this often so.. The seating areas, which vary, were really cool and they had vibe music that made it enjoyable to stay for an extended dinner. We ate outside but inside was cool too. Somehow they fused French and Asian really well. Attention to detail and service was French despite the cuisine.

Thanks Pat.

I have to keep in mind that whatever numbers you're providing in USD I have to multiply by 1.4 for $Cdn. I am terrified of this vacation. Oh well, who needs to pay the mortgage anyhow?

Sorry for the thread drift, OP.

Our bill was $140 and we did not skimp at all. Again, worth every penny.

Thank you so much for the information, and you, too, Richard. The food looks lovely as does the place itself.

Don't know how we've missed this but will certainly have to give it a try next time there. I guess we don't spend enough time in this part of the island..... just look at what we're missing!!

I hear you and all I can say is, "OUCH!!"

Wow, I never considered the Canadian exchange rate.

We brought our " Ice Mule" cooler and had some water and Brights in it. Shaved about $40 off the bill. Considering we paid $23 for the chairs and spent over $100 they did not blink an eye. In fact, we requested lime which was brought to us with no attitude.

The Ice mule is wonderful for SXM. Rolls down to such a small size it was inside my personal item bag for the flight. Kept contents cold all day using our refrigerator ice only. Between that and our Bose Mini were good to go every morning!

If you are speaking about 4-5 tropical drinks each, that would run you almost $100 just for the drinks. If beer or wine, the cost goes down a bit. Yes, the Canadian dollar really does affect the cost of everything and may make a difference in choosing your dining spots. Overall, we really had some nice days at Anse Marcel, but the food and service at Dreams is superior in my opinion.

Thanks for the report.

Was that $23 pp for each chair? Was it extra for an umbrella? Or are there none?

We paid $25 for two chairs and an umbrella when we were there in December.

And don't forget the little cocktail table in between the two..... <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 think for us, of the three full service beaches we most generally frequent - the Restaurant at Anse Marcel rates highest when I take into consideration all the things that make it a perfect day at the beach for me. We prefer the food and the variety of the menu at FBBC, but the stones in the water and the fragrant (?) aroma which I finally experienced for the first time last April can be a turn off. Dreams has the most extensive menu of the three along with everything being incredibly good and I can't beat the convenience of the location and the nice beach furnishings but we go for the beach experience as well as the food, and the beach there just doesn't do it for me. Anse Marcel has very good food and enough offerings that even our friends on the gluten free diet had no issue finding something that appealed but the really best feature to me is that the water itself is so very accessible - no stones, no step downs, no nasty odors and generally speaking, no waves at all, and the furnishings are lovely there, too. If only it wasn't so far away from our quiet little corner......

But give me a perfect "Mullet Kind of Day" and a plateful of Rosies ribs and that would make me equally happy!!

And to the OP, THANK YOU AGAIN for your post and I sincerely apologize for the unintentional hijacking of it.<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,

We also favor Anse Marcel over Dreams. We love both but the best in our eyes is Anse Marcel.

Pat, I agree the beach at Anse Marcel is definitely the best of the two. We have never smelled anything bad there, but in travelling the road towards Dreams there is often a sewer smell. We have been there numerous times and this was never our experience. I guess you were not lucky that day with the prevailing wind.We never go to Friars Bay anymore because of the horrible smell at that beach, but apparently you have never experienced that.Some things are just so mysterious. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm sorry, Elizabeth, I guess I wasn't too clear but the only odorous beach I've encountered was Friars but over all our many years and many trips, I only experienced it once.

It hit 59 degrees here in CT today, so right now I'd take any of the above in a heartbeat. Will you be there in April again this year or do your plans take you on another incredible journey?

There is a small area by the sports booth that you can rent chairs (no cushions) for $10.00 per person and you can bring your own cooler with drinks and sandwiches.

This is at Anse Marcel?

Yes. We usually do this every trip as we prefer to have our big meal in the evening.

Thanks!

Anyone know what the menu is like at Jam Rock, is it mostly seafood or do they have other stuff? Also, is there parking available?
Thanks

They have offerings other than seafood. Parking is available directly across the street.

Ok thanks