TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Report on a few recent sightings

A few recent impressions:

1. Due to recent rains, the island is as green as it ever gets. Even the cows on the hillside at the far end of the Grand Case airport runway finally have some green grass to graze on. Hopefully, residents' cisterns are filling up.

2. Construction progress continues at the undesired and much-hated twin skyscraper project in Cupecoy (Fourteen at Mullet Bay). The proposed 20-story tower closest to the ocean is growing; it is now at three stories above grade. The second tower is still a hole in the ground.

3. The new Starz Casino at Porto Cupecoy was over-staffed and devoid of gamblers on the night we visited. Just a few sad-looking people playing the slots, and several bored-looking employees looking at empty gaming tables. The old Starz Casino building hasn't been touched in a while -- no signs of construction there. It's empty and needs repairs.

4. The new government-supplied booths for vendors in Marigot are flat-out ugly. They are shipping containers.

5. The Perch at Orient Beach is offering only a limited menu because this is the low season for tourists. The only food items offered are hamburgers and mahi burgers -- no fries or salads available. All the usual drinks are still being offered, of course. The Club Orient beach looks good -- the floating raft is back, and the sargassum isn't noticeable.

Thanks for the updates.. Pics would be so appreciated! 🤗

Where are the Cupecoy twin towers to be located in relation to the Blue Mall?

Fritz,
The twin towers will be located between the golf course and the old Starz Casino, on the access road to the American University of the Caribbean. The site used to be an untended grove of banana trees.

I read on a FB post about an organic farm on Tigris Rd. in Cupecoy. Have you been there?

Until your mention, I hadn't heard of it. I'll check it out.

According to the Facebook information, the farm is known as Sxm Fisheries NV: "Please visit us on Tigris road in Cupecoy to purchase locally grown fresh and organic veggies. (Follow the road that leads to CIA [Caribbean International Academy] and continue until the end of the road. We are located on the left side with a green roof, you cannot miss us.) Most veggies will be harvested upon arrival... call us on 5270215 to reserve your veggies."

Thanks for the note. I plan on checking out the casino soon. Surprised there was no one at the tables. What time and day were you there? Disappointed that the Perch is dumbing down their menu.

Carol,
I forget when we were there, but it was no later than 9:00 pm. I'm sure the real gamblers show up later than that.

The shrinking of the Perch menu is only temporary, as far as I know -- just until the tourists start coming back. Their mahi burger is still an excellent sandwich -- better than almost any fish sandwich available in the U.S.

OK, I don't go very late either to the casino, these days.

Just surprised there are no fries at the Perch. I can't eat fries at home, but I sure love me some when I'm on vacation!

Ok, I can't let this go. While you were at Starz, did you check out the beautiful bathrooms and nice paintings? (reference from an earlier post about Starz opening)

The decor was kind of over-the-top Vegas-style tacky. (That's my impression, not a technical description.) And no, I didn't use their bathrooms.

Any work going on at the Larger Starz comes across from Cupecoy Beach Club? Was told December opening in June - but we know how that goes!!!

Kim,
There is no obvious work going on there at the moment. The building is walled off by temporary construction fences. No signs of workers coming or going.

Bluesfan,
I visited the organic farm at the end of Tigris Road. No one was there at the time. What you'll see is a small plywood building (closed when I visited) beside a large vegetable garden entirely surrounded (on the sides and top) with green plastic netting. The vegetable plants looked healthy and attractive. There was a large plastic water tank on site.

A hand-lettered sign said, "Open on Saturdays, 9:00 to 5:00."

Thanks. will check it out in February.

The towers at Cupecoy we call Twin Peaks, a freak show just like the tv series of the same name.