TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Breakins at Club O

To guests and friends of Club Orient:

We have unfortunately been the target of a person or persons, who entered unlocked rooms at Club Orient and took primarily electronic items and cash that were left on counters and nightstands. Thankfully, no guests were confronted, although one guest did chase the perpetrator(s) away from his porch, before an attempt to enter was made and he tripped and fell in the process.

We have made no attempt to sweep this under the rug or minimize it and in fact, have done quite the opposite, springing into action to ensure our guests’ safety and peace of mind, which is always top priority.

The Gendarmes were called upon learning of the incidents, came to the resort and interviewed everyone involved, who agreed to speak with them. Our night security staff has been doubled and special night patrols have been implemented. A security specialist has also been retained to manage the increased security protocol, which will remain in force for the foreseeable future.

We have always had visible and non-visible physical security that patrol the property 24/7, as well as multiple cameras at every entrance to the resort, including the beach. Those cameras are always monitored by our security staff. We have turned all of the tapes from the appropriate cameras over to the police for their review.

We have also begun reminding guests checking in to take the same general precautions they would take anywhere while traveling or at home, including locking their doors and not leaving valuables in plain sight but, placing them in the in room safes.

No one has been more shocked and concerned than us by these events. We are proud of the numerous years we have hosted thousands of visitors, without incident. We are doing all we can to ensure the continued safety and peace of mind for all of our guests, including precautions and changes, which we will not disclose publically for security reasons.

Club Orient has always been a safe and friendly place to visit and feel strongly that this remains a safe environment for our guests to visit.

One last thing about these alarms that I forgot to mention. You should by two due to the fact that most places have front and back doors https://www.amazon.com/1byone-Stopper-Se...oor+alarm+wedge

Read the definition of "breaking and entering" that I posted earlier. We are not voting on what is and is not crime here.

Yes, we have made an official statement in this forum. We regret the incidents and as always, Club Orient guest safety and peace of mind remains our top priority!

Thanks for taking the time to respond Mr. Payne. We have always felt safe at Club O.

Seems like all this could have been avoided by locking the sliders and putting down the stick. With A/C and fan there is no need to be sleeping with slider open. If that's your preference, I guess you assume the risk. And thank you, Steve, for responding. People are awfully judgmental on this board sometimes

Thanks for taking the time to respond here.

I've been informed by someone who stays in the Waterfront Chalets during their visits, that not many of the Chalets have air conditioning in the living room and kitchen areas, only in the bedrooms. She also mentioned some people leave the doors open for the breeze to go through to help cool the unit. We'll be staying in a Waterfront Chalet our next trip. I hope our unit has air conditioning in the living room and kitchen!

Edited to add:

Maybe if the living rooms/kitchens had air conditioning installed, this may eliminate the need to leave the doors open.

The chalets were not the only units broken into...

It used to be that ALL of the chalets only had a/c in the bedrooms. Perhaps that has changed, but I don't know that it has. During the day, leave the doors and windows open, yes. But at night, lock the doors and close the door to the bedroom and have the a/c on in the bedroom.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

It all stinks. Nothing better than keeping the windows and screen doors open at the beach and enjoying the salt air and temps while sleeping. Unfortunately that cannot be enjoyed unless you own the "Compound" and ensure security. Another one in the good old days column.

Thank you Stephen Payne for your great post! My wife and I have been staying at your resort since 2007. We love it there, always feel safe. We always lock up our valuables and our doors just like we would at home. We will be back in October and use the same care that we always do. We love you guys!

Same thing happened to wife and I at Club O 2010. Perp came in room and rifled through my walking shorts pocket's while shorts were on pull out couch in room. Wife woke up and startled person who took off running. Not sure who it was, but found strange woman's bathing suit bottoms under my shorts in the am. Luckily we had everything locked up in room safe. No resolve. Lesson learnt, don't let your guard down, but still enjoy vacation. Did learn that the new glass sliding doors have a position that can be securely locked while leaving slider open about six inches providing fresh air and sense of security.

Maybe I'm the simple one here but I would NEVER think of just leaving a door to my rental unlocked while I slept...anywhere....especially if I was in a room with the A/C going and couldn't hear what what going on behind the closed BR door....
...and a "locked" or secured screen door is pointless

Thank you for your statement and the increased security

Thanks Steve for explaining everything.

We always lock the doors and cannot imagine leaving the door unlocked while sleeping.

It sounds like Steve is on top of things...We have always felt very safe at club orient...since 2000.....I can go in April...use common sense....and have a great vacation.

I'll admit - I would always leave the screen doors unlocked at The Towers, but I was on the 8th floor!!!!!!! Never would I at ground level, anywhere!!! Thought about it at Lake Placid last year on the second floor then decided not a good idea!!