TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin A couple of questions

Many time visitors to paradise but not since Irma. We had a couple of friends who just returned from their first trip who gave us observations that did not ring true so can to the definitive site for answers

1. Baei Rouge - Chez Raymond is not longer there; No chairs or umbrellas for rent
2. Orient Beach is no longer called Orient Beach - They said it was "Kay Ko" or something like that (90% sure this is not correct from reading posts
3. Orient Beach has been largely washed away and is now very small
4. Hotels now control access to their beaches...
5. In line with #4 Dawn Beach has largely disappeared and the only access is through the hotel who charges for access.

Most of this does not appear to be true. We are schedule for first trip back beginning Memorial Day weekend and just thought we would ask

Thanks to everyone

Your friends are not remembering correctly.

Orient is still Orient, has not washed away, still over 1 mile long. Name that they are probably referring to is a restaurant.

The Hotels do not control access to the beach at orient at all.

Dawn beach is still there, access and parking is a little difficult granted.

Not sure about chairs and rental on B Rouge.

Yes, way off with the facts.

As for #4, Dawn Beach is still accessible through the path next to the now demolished Busby's/Daniels restaurant. There is also parking along the road.There are no facilities unless you enter the Oyster Bay Resort property.

Thanks guys.... I was positive they had not changed the name of Orient... But the rest could have possibly been true since the storm. Indulge 1 more? They indicated that you have to pay a condo a fee to enter Cupucoy. Anyone? Thanks

Orient Beach, south end by the former Club O, is wider than I've seen it in years. Certainly not washed away. Kakao is a beach bar/resto on the upper end. I don't know if they've reopened.

Only true fact is #1 Baei Rouge - Chez Raymond is not longer there; No chairs or umbrellas for rent

Condo fee to enter Cupecoy? Surely someone is pulling your leg. How do they stop you as you drive through? Cupecoy is a village, just like Maho or Simpson Bay or Cole Bay. How is that even believable?

#2 above regarding Orient Beach being renamed 'Kay Ko' was kind of funny. As the others on here have noted it is still very much named Orient Beach. But, I think your friends may have gotten confused with one of the beach bars/restaurants that recently reopened on the north side of Orient. Kakao had returned here several months ago and is (at this time) the northern most facility on OB. Sometimes people call the part of Orient Beach directly in front of these establishments by their name, such as 'Kakao Beach.' Just like we still call it 'Club O Beach'. In reality it's all Orient Beach, and it's a public beach from top to bottom. And, except for the sea grasses that was ashore the beach is better than ever.

Thanks everyone... this was our friends first trip to SXM and I was SURE the Orient brand had not been replaced and told them so. They insisted so I thought I'd ask...On Cupecoy (one of our personal favs) they said they tried to enter through a condo and were told they had to be staying... Not happy about Bae Rouge... Its always a two-fer in any of our trips but not sure how we can go without umbrellas and chairs... Guess we could rent our own and transport them but Bob does not like to work much on vacation...lol

Sorry, they tried to enter Cupecoy THROUGH a condo? I can see why they were refused.

I'm with you about not hauling chairs on vacation. Too much work!!